Title: Gallagher: The Fall and Rise of Oasis
Author: PJ Harrison
Publisher: Sphere/Hachette, 2025; RRP: $3499
Review by: Frank Thompson
In the foreword for this book, legendary Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham, through anecdote, tells us to be open to PJ (the author): “You will hit it off and he will be good for you. Just let him in.” A curious comment considering forewords set the tone for a book. It turned out to be good advice.
Ever since hearing Oasis as a teenager, Harrison has been a big fan. These days Harrison is a music industry insider. He has toured with Oasis and their crew. Originally conceived as a dual biography covering the solo careers of the Gallagher brothers, the sudden announcement of a reunion tour prompted a change of direction for the book.
Harrison’s adulation for the brothers and their music shows in his writing style, which I thought verged on the excessive in its use of superlatives. In hindsight his writing serves as a metaphor encapsulating the Oasis sound and energy. Harrison would probably use the word sonic. His track-by-track descriptions of Liam’s and Noel’s solo albums are couched in a “hip” music guru language, which I initially found tiresome. But on reflection, and heeding Oldham’s advice, I just went with the flow. And enjoyed it; after all, what’s wrong with feeling a bit Rock ’n’ Roll. Or perhaps I just need to get out more.
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Leaving the music facts and figures aside, the focus shifts to the Gallaghers as people rather than rock stars. These sections make the book interesting and insightful. Harrison’s writing steadies, allowing the reader to gain a better understanding of the brothers and the pressures in their lives. It is likely that Oasis’s success was largely due to the dynamics of the relationship between the brothers, a polite way of saying sibling conflict nurtured in an environment of working-class poverty. These are tough people, clearly talented but also incredibly vulnerable.
As I read this book I wondered how much of it would be a revelation for an Oasis fan. One could be cynical about Harrison’s motivation for authoring this book. But whatever his motives I found this an enjoyable and informative read, and I am glad to have had the opportunity.
Which brings me to one last oddity of this book. The first of the reunion concerts was held as I was editing this review. Indeed, Harrison admits that at the time of finalising the book he could not confirm the lineup of the band for the reunion performances. I can report that the lineup included Gem Archer, Bonehead and Andy Bell, who all previously played in Oasis.
The concert tour is sold out, I believe, but one might still ask, was it brave or optimistic of Harrison to title the book as he did.
Review copy provided by the publisher
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