Band Oasis' initial drummer Tony McCarroll discloses the altercation that culminated in his termination from the group
In the spring of 1995, a series of events unfolded that would forever change the course of one of Britain's most iconic bands - Oasis. The incident in question took place in Paris, where the original drummer, Tony McCarroll, found himself in a heated argument with a girl he was with, unaware that he was staying next door to Noel Gallagher’s hotel room[1][2][3].
The next day, during a soundcheck, Noel confronted McCarroll in front of everyone, angrily warning him that if he disturbed him again, he would be fired. McCarroll, showing no signs of backing down, responded defiantly[1]. The exchange was the final straw in a long-running tension between McCarroll and the Gallagher brothers, primarily due to concerns over his limited drumming abilities and clashes with the brothers[4].
Recalling the incident, McCarroll told The Sun, “I was next door to Noel’s hotel room, which I didn’t know. I had an argument with some girl I was with and the next day we were doing the soundcheck. I just finished my bit, and he turned around and, in front of everybody, he went, ‘You fing keep me awake again, you’re getting fing sacked, mate’. I fronted him and said, ‘You won’t f***ing speak to me like that again, no chance.’ It was only a matter of weeks later I got the P45”[1].
Following his response, McCarroll was fired from the band, marking the end of his tenure with Oasis. The band, seeking a more proficient drummer for the more musically ambitious songs on their upcoming album, (What's The Story) Morning Glory?, moved on to Alan White[5].
Despite the tumultuous end to his time with Oasis, McCarroll does not regret standing up to Noel Gallagher. He has expressed an interest in making up with Noel after all these years[6]. McCarroll, who played on Definitely Maybe and the band's next two singles, Whatever and Some Might Say, seems remarkably lacking in bitterness about the way things turned out. He wishes he had more money but is proud and happy that he’s made his mark[7].
In a turn of events, McCarroll later sued Oasis for unpaid royalties and came to a £550,000 settlement[8]. With the settlement, McCarroll agreed to relinquish all claims on future royalties[9]. Paul 'Bonehead' Arthurs, another former member of Oasis, summed up the group’s feelings on McCarroll’s dismissal by comparing it to a job in a chip shop[10].
Years later, the Paris incident remains a significant moment in the history of Oasis, symbolising the band's rise to stardom and the challenges that came with it.
References: 1. The Sun 2. NME 3. Louder Sound 4. The Guardian 5. Classic Rock 6. The Sun 7. The Guardian 8. The Guardian 9. Classic Rock 10. The Guardian
- The Paris incident, a defining moment in Oasis' history, brought to light the escalating tension between Tony McCarroll and the Gallagher brothers, also painting a picture of pop-culture spectacles that often accompany the lives of celebrities.
- After his dismissal from Oasis, Tony McCarroll, despite the turbulent end, continues to show interest in making amends with Noel Gallagher, adding another layer to the intriguing saga of entertainment industry dynamics and personal relationships among celebrities.
