Tom Sheehan Reflects on Oasis’ Rise and Fall in New Photobook
In his new photobook Roll with It: Oasis in Photographs 1994-2002, photographer Tom Sheehan offers an intimate look at the rise and fall of one of the biggest rock bands of the ’90s, Oasis. Capturing the Gallagher brothers’ journey from their early days as an unknown band to their meteoric rise in the mid-’90s, Sheehan reveals the raw energy and personality that defined the iconic Britpop group.
The collection opens with a snapshot from January 1994, showing a young Noel Gallagher at Abbey Road Studios alongside Andy Bell of Ride, before Oasis made their breakthrough with Definitely Maybe. Reflecting on the band’s early days, Sheehan recalls meeting Noel, who, despite his future fame, was still approachable and down-to-earth. Their collaboration lasted through the band’s most defining years, including the making of What’s the Story (Morning Glory)?, and Sheehan was there for the wild ride, from New York to Knebworth and beyond.
Sheehan’s photography captures not only the band’s ascent to superstardom but also the personal dynamics at play, particularly the volatile relationship between Noel and Liam Gallagher. Despite the constant tension between the brothers, Sheehan notes that Oasis was still a tight-knit unit during their early years. He recounts how their dramatic rise to fame seemed almost overnight, culminating in the band’s iconic Knebworth concerts, where 2.5 million fans applied for tickets.
However, as the band’s success grew, so did the cracks within. Sheehan watched as the band’s members changed over the years, particularly with the departure of original members like Bonehead and Guigsy. The band’s third album, Be Here Now, marked a turning point, and Sheehan’s final shoots with Oasis came as tensions between the Gallaghers reached their peak.
Despite the band’s tumultuous later years and eventual breakup, Sheehan reflects on their wit and natural charisma, which made them stand out in the world of rock. While he has no plans to attend the rumored Oasis reunion, he believes that if the brothers return with the same attitude they had in 1994, it could be something special. Roll with It serves as a nostalgic tribute to a band that defined a generation, offering a behind-the-scenes look at their rise, fall, and enduring legacy.
Roll with It: Oasis in Photographs 1994-2002 is available for purchase on April 10, 2025.
Tom Sheehan Reflects on Oasis’ Evolution: ‘More Flash, But No Real Change’
