Portal:North West England/Selected biography/2

Oasis are an English rock band, formed in Manchester in 1991, led by lead guitarist and primary songwriter Noel Gallagher and his younger brother, lead vocalist and songwriter Liam Gallagher. Oasis are arguably the most successful group to emerge during the Britpop movement of the mid-1990s. In 2005, The Guinness Book Of Hit Singles And Albums declared Oasis the "Most Successful Act of the Last Decade in the UK." Oasis have sold more than 50 million albums worldwide, and have had eight UK number one singles. Liam and Noel Gallagher are the only original band members. The present lineup is completed by songwriters rhythm/lead guitarist Gem Archer and bass guitarist Andy Bell, rounded by as-yet unofficial drummer Zak Starkey, son of former Beatle Ringo Starr.

With the success of their Mercury Prize-nominated debut album, Definitely Maybe (1994), and its even more successful follow-up, the 19 million selling (What's the Story) Morning Glory? (1995), coupled with a rivalry with their contemporary Blur, Oasis attained fame in the mid-1990s, and became the leaders of the Britpop movement. The Gallagher brothers were featured regularly in tabloid newspaper stories, and cultivated a reputation as both bad boys and a band of the people.