The finest book on Britain's most popular rock 'n' roll band 'Read on … It's all true' Noel Gallagher

Featuring an exclusive interview with Noel Gallagher ahead of the Oasis Live '25 Tour and bespoke artwork by celebrated Oasis album designer Brian Cannon

The finest book on Britain's most popular rock 'n' roll band'Read on … It's all true' Noel Gallagher

Featuring an exclusive interview with Noel Gallagher ahead of the Oasis Live '25 Tour and bespoke artwork by celebrated Oasis album designer Brian Cannon

Think Oasis was just Britpop and brawls?

Think again.

John Robb was there every step of the way. In this, the definitive book on Britain’s biggest band, he peels back the layers of Manchester’s best-known musical export, revealing a tale of ambition, ego, talent and a whole lot of attitude. From the estates of South Manchester to the dizzying heights of global stardom, Live Forever is a rollercoaster ride through the Gallagher brothers’ turbulent lives and the music that defined a generation. But it is also a portrait of Britain around the turn of the millennium and the cultural forces and places that shaped, and were shaped by, two cocksure upstarts from Burnage – from art to fashion, and from football to politics.

Playful, funny and irreverent, and drawing on dozens of interviews and first-hand stories, this book puts Oasis squarely in the pantheon of music royalty as the last great rock ’n’ roll stars.

Details

ISBN13: 9780008760960
Format: Paperback / softback
Number of Pages: 432
Edition:
Publication Date: 18 Jun 2025
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Publication City, Country: United Kingdom
Dimensions (cm): 23.4(H)x15.3(L)x3.6(W)520
Weight (gm): 520

Author Biography

John Robb is a many-faceted creature. Bassist and singer for post-punk dark energy mainstays The Membranes, best-selling author, radio and TV presenter, journalist, DJ, publisher, model and talking head, he also puts on his own music and book events. He runs culture website Louder Than War, invented the word Britpop and was the first person to interview Nirvana. His most recent book is The Art of Darkness: The History of Goth.

Reviews

‘I’ve known John for over 35 years now. He was there. He’s always been “there”. Any of the great Mancunian bands you care to think of will ALL have had a relationship in one form or another with John. He was one of the 50 heads who attended EVERY single gig worth seeing in Manchester. If anyone is qualified to articulate what it felt like when Oasis first appeared, it’s John. Read on … it’s all true.’ Noel Gallagher

'Incredible. The one book you need to read this year. John Robb is the best journalist to come out of post-punk and he was there from day one with Creation and at the Broadwalk. This overview of Oasis and the scene they came from is truly unique. Get it!' Alan McGee, founder of Creation Records

'I love the music of Oasis, and I love the writing of John Robb on music. So this book makes me very happy.' Irvine Welsh

'Reselling the band as a thrilling cultural phenomenon … [Live Forever] deftly catches the creative rather than destructive chemistry between the brothers.' Sunday Times

'An excitable, painstakingly researched and greatly detailed dive into their career, through pre-formation to their life-changing Britpop triumphs and beyond, complete with exhaustive analysis of Oasis’ catalogue.' The I

'Utterly brilliant!' Loaded

Praise for The Art of Darkness: The History of Goth

'Magisterial' The Times

'John Robb brilliantly illuminates the realm of imagination and dark beauty.' Johnny Marr

'An encyclopaedia of excitement – thanks to this book goth is undead.' Chris Packham

'The definitive book on a scene that demands to be celebrated. Fascinating, thoughtful, surprising and freakishly detailed.' Grace Dent

'Robb is vivid and detailed on the druggy, after-hours Manchester bohemia of the early 1990s.' The Quietus