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This Day In Music: Liam Gallagher Doesn’t Show
Oh, the Gallagher brothers! Like the Cain and Abel of Brit Pop, they were, what with Liam fulfilling the role of irresponsible and irrepressible little brother while Noel sauntered about with all the arrogant authority so synonymous with eldest children.
So was it really any surprise when on this day, in 1996, Liam didn’t show up to a major public appearance? I think not, dear readers.
Picture it: a hot August day at the height of the Brit Pop phenomenon. Oasis was the biggest band in the world and their Beatles complex (which is like a God complex only worse) was at an all-time high. Between stealing John Lennon’s more controversial lines and a variety of media frenzies, rumors of drugs and discontent abounded. Amidst this frothing mixture of discontent and fame, Oasis was set to record their live performance at London’s Royal Festival Hall in front of 400 fans. True to form, Liam backed out at the last minute claiming he had a sore throat forcing Noel to take lead vocals.
If that wasn’t enough—Noel made it known he very much doubted the sore throat excuse, going so far as to state Liam was actually just hung over –Liam proceeded to sit in the audience and heckle his brother. You can imagine that Noel was not pleased at all by this behavior, especially as four days later he was again forced to step up to the mic and fill in for his prodigal brother.
In attempt to prove every stereotype about the Irish, boys from Manchester, and the working class absolutely true, the Gallagher brothers had had a series of violent fights escalated by familial discontent and drink. In the end, the combination of volatile tempers, self-aggrandizement, and sibling rivalry broke up the band.
In turns out Liam and Noel were their very own Yokos.