Oasis fans are in a frenzy following the band’s long-awaited news that they will reunite for a series of shows in 2025.
The deal with the Gallagher brothers is expected to yield a lucrative sum of money, which could amount to as much as £400 million.
Liam, 51, and Noel, 57, are expected to pocket around £50million each, but there’s one person who will miss out: the band’s former drummer Tony McCarroll.
Although he was a key member of the band during their heyday in the 1990s, Tony sensationally left the group in 1995 following a falling out with Noel.
Many fans are wondering where Tony is right now, as his name is the answer to a question fans are asked in the tour ticket raffle.
Here’s everything you need to know about Oasis drummer Tony McCarroll…
Who is Tony McCarroll?
Tony McCarroll (pictured second from right) was part of the original line-up of Oasis, but the drummer would miss out on a large paycheck from the band’s reunion after he left the group in 1995.
Anthony McCarroll was born on 4 June 1971 in Levenshulme, Manchester, and was the original drummer for Oasis. He joined the band in the 1980s, when they were still performing under their old name The Rain.
During his time with the group, he played on their debut album Definitely Maybe in 1994.
He also featured on the singles Whatever, Supersonic and Shakermaker, the latter becoming the first number 1 single from their hit album (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?
Over the years, Tony’s drumming has come under criticism from some Oasis fans, who complained that his playing was sloppy.
Why did Tony McCarroll leave Oasis?
After a disagreement with Noel Gallagher, he left the band in 1995 and four years later attempted to sue them for £15 million, which was eventually settled out of court (pictured in 1999)
Shortly after the release of Definitely Maybe, in 1995, Tony sensationally left the band, after an altercation with Noel, who was the bandleader. main songwriter and lead guitarist, while on tour.
His final Oasis appearance was on Top of the Pops, where the band performed their first number one hit Some Might Say.
Noel became increasingly frustrated with Tony’s drumming, particularly his inability to accurately reproduce complex rhythms and beats.
This led to a heated argument, with Tony reportedly telling Noel to ‘fuck off’. He was replaced by Alan White until 2004.
After leaving Oasis, McCarroll played in several bands, including a stint with The Boo Radleys.
In 1999, he attempted to sue Oasis for £18 million, hiring the services of Jens Hills – the same lawyer who represented Pete Best, who received a £2 million settlement from The Beatles in 1995.
A high-profile lawsuit followed, with McCarroll claiming he was still entitled to his share of the band’s five-album record deal. The case was settled out of court for £550,000.
Tony said he chose to travel the world for three years to avoid the attention that Oasis’ global stardom brought.
He told the Manchester Evening News in 2019: ‘I was used to travelling and touring with the band. I just needed a break.’
The band grew, good for them, but I needed to get away from it all for a while. So I started ignoring and neglecting a few things and I left.
‘I lived in the United States, Tenerife. I was really drunk for three whole years. But at the same time the trial was still going on, so I try to get away from it all, but I also get confronted with questions from lawyers all day long.’
In 2010, Tony published his autobiography The Truth: My Life as Oasis’s Drummer, in which he reflected on his time with the band.
Where is Tony McCarroll now?
Tony has been rarely seen since the publication of his memoirs, but now lives in Manchester with his wife Sue (pictured in 2022)
Tony has hardly been seen since the publication of his memoirs, but now lives in Manchester with his wife Sue.
In 2021, Tony was rushed to hospital after suffering a heart attack.
He said on X: ‘Hi everyone, I just wanted to let you know that I was admitted to the hospital on Thursday after having a heart attack on Wednesday night.
‘I’m still undecided but I want to give a big shout out to our #NHS. We are so lucky to have such a service! Thank you!! X’
The musician’s Twitter posts were soon flooded with messages from fans wishing him a speedy recovery.
He founded the band The Rain in the 80s, together with Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs (guitar), Paul ‘Guigsy’ McGuigan (bass) and Chris Hutton (vocals/keyboards).
Bonehead invited Liam to join the band as lead vocalist in 1991 and he suggested changing the group’s name to Oasis.
Liam’s brother Noel came to their first gig at the Boardwalk Club in Manchester on 14 August 1991, while he was working as a roadie for Inspiral Carpets.
Noel then approached the group with a series of songs and plays to launch a huge music career and completed the original line-up of the band.
When will Oasis get back together?
Oasis sparked excitement among fans by announcing they would reunite for a series of shows in 2025, following the explosive feud between the Gallagher brothers 15 years earlier
After weeks of speculation about a surprise comeback, the Gallagher brothers have confirmed they will play 14 shows in Cardiff, Manchester, London, Edinburgh and Dublin in a tour that could gross £400million.
Liam, 51, and Noel, 57, are expected to pocket around £50million each, helping them recoup the money they lost during their bitter divorce battle and revive their rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle, which peaked in the 1990s.
The eight-figure sum is said to have persuaded Noel – who once said ‘I liked my mum until she gave birth to Liam’ – to bury the hatchet with his younger brother. Liam has also spoken openly about being ‘tight’ on cash, including complaining about how he now has to make his own tea.
Noel’s divorce from Sara MacDonald last year after 12 years cost him £20million of his alleged £53million fortune.
His fortune is believed to be much greater than the £6million Liam reportedly owns, as Noel wrote most of Oasis’ songs and still receives the lion’s share of the royalties.
Despite speculation that Oasis will be on the Glastonbury 2025 bill, it is known that the band will not be performing at Worthy Farm. However, there are plans for Oasis to tour other continents outside of Europe later next year.
Announcing the Oasis Live 25 tour, along with the first photo of the brothers in years, the legendary band said: ‘The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over. Come see it. It won’t be televised.’
The Oasis website crashed immediately after the announcement, as fans went into an uproar. The reunion comes a day before the band split on 28 August 2009.
The Britpop group was formed in 1991 and rose to fame with hits such as Wonderwall, Don’t Look Back In Anger and Stop Crying Your Heart Out.
They grew to become one of the biggest bands in British music history until they split in 2009.
The brothers each went on to have successful careers of their own, with Noel leading the group Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds.