Oasis' "Definitely Maybe" Turns 15 as Fans Mourn Gallaghers' Split

For a band with a strange, sordid and downright volatile history like Oasis, it's only fitting that we're mourning the exit of Noel Gallagher the same weekend we were celebrating the 15th anniversary of the band's debut album Definitely Maybe. Hyped by some excited fans upon release as the second coming of the Beatles and packed with anthems like "Live Forever," "Supersonic" and "Rock 'n' Roll Star," Definitely Maybe was released on August 30th, 1994 and was instantly hailed a classic of the Britpop era.

Check out backstage and live shots from Oasis recent U.S. tour.

To this day, the British press still mentions Definitely Maybe in the same sentence as albums like The Queen is Dead and the Beatles' masterpieces. While the Manchester rockers' debut never had the same impact in the States as it had in their home country — Definitely debuted atop the British charts and became the country's fastest-selling first album ever, but only mustered a peak of Number 58 in the U.S. — it did open the door for its critically acclaimed follow-up, (What's The Story) Morning Glory?, an LP that placed on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

"Not since the Smiths has an Anglo act shaken significant Stateside action. And that's a shame," Rolling Stone wrote in our 1994 review of Definitely Maybe. "Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher - whom the U.K. press, pissing off hippies, has compared to Lennon (a fate that, American style, befell Cobain) - has God-given cool. And with his brother Noel supplying him with sumptuous rockers (their echoing production recalls the Beatles' Revolver), it's easy to see why this quintet is next year's model. Heavier on guitar than Blur or Suede, they're the simpler, catchier outfit."

Check some more Definitely Maybe videos below:

"Live Forever"

"Rock 'n' Roll Star"

"Cigarettes & Alcohol"

Related Stories:
• Noel Gallagher Quits Oasis With "Great Relief"
• Q&A: Liam Gallagher on Discovering the Beatles and the Death of the Rock Star
• 1996 Cover: Ruling Asses

• 
  MUSIC 100 Greatest Debut Albums
• 
  MOVIES 'Great Gatsby' Is a Crushing Disappointment
• 
  TV Why You Should Watch 'Happy Endings'
• 
  POLITICS No Price Big Banks Can't Fix

Song Stories

“All Along the Watchtower”

The Jimi Hendrix Experience | 1968

Jimi Hendrix got hold of Bob Dylan's early John Wesley Harding tapes and in late 1967 recorded a version of "All Along the Watchtower" with the Experience in London. Dissatisfied with that first development, Hendrix brought those tapes with him to New York in early 1968 when he began work on Electric Ladyland. Eddie Kramer, Hendrix's engineer at the time, told Rolling Stone that Hendrix "was still looked upon by his basically white audience as the mammoth black guitar hero. There was a constant fight within him to expand himself." Hendrix's successful take on Dylan's work has long been recognized by the songwriter. "I liked Jimi Hendrix's record of this and ever since he died I've been doing it that way," Dylan wrote in the liner notes to his Biograph box set. "Strange how when I sing it, I always feel it's a tribute to him in some kind of way."

More Song Stories entries »

Twitter