On a cold, rainy Manchester evening in October 1993, Michael Spencer Jones headed to meet a new guitar band for a photography commission. Unfamiliar with their music and not in the best mood, he reluctantly made his way to the Out Of The Blue studio in Ancoats.
During the drive, a song called Columbia by Oasis played on the radio, sparking his excitement for the upcoming shoot with the band he was about to meet.
Having previously met Noel Gallagher but not Liam, Spencer Jones was struck by the star quality of the 21-year-old Liam during their first shoot. He felt like he was looking at a face that embodied stardom.
Throughout Oasis’s peak, Spencer Jones captured the essence of the band through album covers and singles, noting their inevitable success and unwavering confidence.
Joining him in documenting Oasis was photographer Jill Furmanovsky, who admired Noel Gallagher’s foresight in recognizing the importance of documenting their journey from the start.
Despite rumors of conflict between the Gallagher brothers, Furmanovsky revealed they got along well most of the time, with Noel’s intuition guiding them to document their experiences together.
Reflecting on memorable shoots in the band’s history, Furmanovsky mentioned a particularly lively session during the release of Be Here Now in 1997, where Noel shared his thoughts on a chalkboard while they all had a laugh.
Though tensions occasionally flared, such as during a shoot in Paris in 1995, where Furmanovsky recalls capturing a significant moment of the band’s dynamic.
The dynamic within the band reflects their family situation, with these brothers often at odds with each other. What stands out is their willingness to allow candid shots, showcasing their real selves rather than just posing to look cool. The presence of women behind the scenes, who played key roles in keeping them in line, was uncommon in a male-dominated industry. This was attributed to the influence of their mother, Peggy. Furmanovsky, who worked closely with Noel on a book about the band, recalls his initial confusion when she wanted to start with a photo of their mother, emphasizing her importance despite not being a band member.
Kevin Cummins, who captured iconic images of Oasis, describes their early days as riotous and hedonistic, with tours being intense experiences. The relationship between Noel and Liam, like any siblings, had its moments of tension and playfulness. Despite attempts at being rock and roll, they sometimes missed the mark. Cummins fondly remembers his time with Oasis, capturing sensitive moments of Liam that surprised many. «It’s just that he was annoying because he was younger and wanted to make himself heard.» I gazed upon a visage that exuded the essence of stardom. The band, often seen as macho Manchester blokes, surprisingly had a lot of women in senior positions, thanks to the influence of their mum, Peggy. Jill Furmanovsky, who is working on a book with Noel Gallagher, recalls his surprise when she wanted to start with a picture of their mother.
Kevin Cummins, who documented Oasis in their early days, reflects on the riotous times with the band and the dynamic between Noel and Liam. Despite the chaos, he has very affectionate memories of working with them.
As the band prepares for their reunion shows, all three photographers are excited to see them perform again. Furmanovsky praises the band’s passion and conviction, while Cummins appreciates the friendly atmosphere at the gigs. The outdoor exhibition at Wembley Park showcases Cummins’ work, giving fans a glimpse into the band’s history. Overall, the anticipation for the reunion shows is high, with fans passing the baton to the next generation.
The Gallagher Brothers’ Legacy
Spencer Jones, who released his second Oasis book, Definitely Maybe – A View From Within, for the album’s 30th anniversary last year, believes that the Gallaghers are attracting a new generation of fans unlike any other band. He notes that while bands from previous decades usually retain their original fanbase, Oasis seems to transcend generational boundaries.
Reflecting on the recent reunion announcement, Spencer Jones expressed his concern for the Gallaghers’ mother, Peggy, highlighting the challenges faced by parents when their children are estranged. He sees the potential reconciliation between Liam and Noel as a powerful symbol of unity and forgiveness that extends beyond music. In a society marked by division, their reunion on stage, holding hands, resonates as a beacon of hope and inspiration.
He also acknowledges the universal desire for joy and entertainment, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting that people are eager for a sense of normalcy and fun.
Current Exhibitions and Publications
The exhibition «Brothers: Liam And Noel Through The Lens Of Kevin Cummins» will be showcased at Wembley Park until 30 September. Additionally, Michael Spencer Jones’s book, Definitely Maybe – A View From Within, is currently available through Spellbound Galleries. For fans looking for more insights, Oasis: Trying To Find A Way Out Of Nowhere, by Jill Furmanovsky and edited by Noel Gallagher, is set to be released by Thames & Hudson on 23 September.
Jill Furmanovsky’s photograph captures the tension on the banks of The Seine in Paris in 1995. The image reflects the family dynamics of Oasis, with the brothers in a strop with each other. Furmanovsky, who worked with the band starting in 1994, highlights Noel Gallagher’s intuition that their time together should be documented. Despite occasional tensions, the brothers got along fairly well most of the time. The shoot in 1997 around the release of Be Here Now stands out as one of the more memorable ones, with Noel sharing his thoughts on a chalkboard. Furmanovsky notes the importance of candid shots that show the band as they really are, not just set-up pictures to make them look cool. She also acknowledges the women who worked behind the scenes for Oasis, attributing this diversity to the influence of their mum, Peggy. Furmanovsky’s upcoming book documenting her time with the band will include insights into their relationships and the role of women in their team.
They were quite young and clearly enjoying the limelight. I remember going on tour with them for three days for an NME ‘on the road’ piece, and the journalist who accompanied me had to take a week off afterwards. I would occasionally dip in and out of tours with musicians because I couldn’t imagine spending more than about seven or eight days on tour with someone, especially in the early days when they were so hedonistic. It was very challenging to keep up.
Cummins describes the relationship between Noel and Liam as typical of siblings, where a younger brother can get on your nerves. He shares anecdotes of their interactions, like Liam throwing furniture in a pool and Noel making him retrieve it. Despite their attempts at being rock and roll, they didn’t always get it right.
Cummins fondly remembers working with Oasis and capturing sensitive moments of Liam, surprising those who see the photos. He acknowledges Liam’s sensitivity but also his desire to make himself heard as a younger member of the band.
The photographers have yet to see the reunion show, but all have tickets. They express surprise at the announcement and praise the band for pulling it off with conviction and passion. Cummins’ work can be seen in a free outdoor exhibition at Wembley Park, while Furmanovsky has a book coming out later this year.
Spencer Jones notes that Oasis seems to be attracting a new generation of fans, a rarity for bands of their era. He also reflects on the symbolic significance of the Gallaghers’ reconciliation and unity on stage, inspiring in a fractured society. The reunification provides a much-needed source of fun and joy for fans after a challenging period due to COVID-19. Oasis: Trying To Find A Way Out Of Nowhere, by Jill Furmanovsky and edited by Noel Gallagher, published by Thames & Hudson, will be available starting on 23 September.
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