Original Oasis drummer Tony McCarroll issues statement ahead of reunion
"Actually, I'm a bit jealous of that blank canvas they're about to start on"
It's now less than 100 days until one of biggest reunion tours the world has ever seen.
There's unlikely to ever be shows that will to match the hysteria, excitement and sheer nostalgia that Oasis Live '25 Tour mania will bring when it kicks off in Cardiff on July 4.
The reunited Burnage brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher will play a total of 41 shows as part of the world tour, including five homecoming shows at Manchester's Heaton Park, and a number of shows across the UK, North and South America, Asia and Australia.
Ahead of he reunion, the former Oasis drummer Tony McCaroll has issued a heartfelt statement to his former bandmates on his website.
He reflected on the legacy of the group, a new generation of listeners, and what Oasis should do when playing their string of shows across the UK this summer.
Today, Tony shares his experiences and insights through live events. This weekend, he'll also be taking part in a Q&A hosted by John Robb at Oasis-themed bar Definitely Maybe in Manchester.
The event, which has been put together by Bittersweet Home - one of the UK’s leading memorabilia companies - will cover the formation and early years of the the world's biggest band, and will be followed by music from Aziz Ibrahim of The Stone Roses.
In his statement, Tony said: "2025 is shaping up alright isn't it?! Almost a lifetime ago, a few Burnage lads got together and created something special. Something that time can't out date, the start of a wave that's evidently still rolling with the last real band before the world changed.
"Oasis captured the time and minds of the people; we were the same as them and they felt it. The connection. Over the last year or two, I've noticed something new in the gig and Q&A crowds.... youth. The circle has started again lads. A new generation ready to start a journey of listening.
"Actually, I'm a bit jealous of that blank canvas they're about to start on. I'd like to put these words out there. Lads, the world is excited to see this, it's all people are talking about. The time 'feels' right, I can't wait to see how it all goes down.
"Liam, Noel, Bone, Gem....(I better stop there as I'm not sure who else) good luck with everything and don't forget to stop and take it in! If the drummer fancies a stage partner for Supersonic at Heaton Park, give us a buzz.
"What we started back in The Boardwalk days, has become this. Be proud. I f****** am! Enjoy it."
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Kyle Dale, Bittersweet Home & Tony McCarroll’s Manager added: "The band and management are doing the best thing with this media blackout, the excitement building up is perfect.
"I’ll be there on the opening night in Cardiff and know the atmosphere will be electric awaiting that walk on tune.
"Since the announcement there’s been a constant buzz around who the members will be. Interview requests and rumours like never before (if I see one more supposed leaked setlist I’ll need a new computer screen), then you find that old quotes get rehashed.
"So, we got Tony to update his 2025 thoughts officially."
McCarroll was the founding drummer of Oasis and a key part of the band’s early success.
He helped formed the band, when it was known as The Rain, with fellow Oasis members Paul 'Bonehead' Arthurs on guitar and Paul 'Guigsy' McGuigan on bass - and then-front man Chris Hutton.
In 1991 Liam was invited to take over as lead vocalist, and also suggested they change the name to Oasis, later bringing his brother Noel in after he attended a gig at the Boardwalk on Little Peter Street in Manchester city centre in August that year.
Tony played on all the early Oasis hits, including Supersonic, Shakermaker and Live Forever and on breakthrough debut album Definitely Maybe, which became the fastest-selling debut album in UK history.
But his time in the band was cut short. His final Oasis performance marked their first number one hit, Some Might Say, on Top of the Pops in 1995.
The reason for him being axed depends on who you speak to but back in 2019 he spoke to the Manchester Evening News about how he coped with life after his Oasis fame.
In a statement issued last year in the wake of the reunion announcement, the drummer said he was 'really happy' for the the Gallagher brothers, as well as the fans who would get to see the band reunite and perform on stage again.
When the initial presale for tickets to the UK shows got underway though, some fans spotted a clue that Tony might be joining the reunion tour after they were asked who the drummer was in the initial line-up as part of the entry process.
One posted: "If Oasis are coming back then in the spirit of reconciliation it would be class if they invited Guigsy, Bonehead and Tony McCarroll to play the earlier hits and then bring out Alan White, Andy and Gem for the later stuff," adding, "Bring Tony McCarroll back on drums".
But in a subsequent interview, the drummer hinted he would not join the Gallaghers on tour.
He said: "I'm happy for Noel and Liam. Really happy for them. And I'm dead happy for the fans more than anything and for those generations who haven't seen Oasis."
Tony McCarroll (Oasis) Q&A hosted by John Robb will take place on Saturday, April 5 from 2pm until 6pm. It will be taking place at the Definitely Maybe Bar in the Northern Quarter, and tickets are still available.