Live Forever

The Rise, Fall and Resurrection of Oasis

John Robb

$34.99

Paperback

Forthcoming
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English

HARPER360
18 June 2025

Music; Music: styles & genres; Individual composers & musicians, bands & groups; Biography: arts & entertainment

The finest book on Britain's most popular rock 'n' roll bandFeaturing an exclusive interview with Noel Gallagher ahead of the Oasis Live '25 Tour and bespoke artwork by Brian Cannon

‘It felt like the London music business had set the stage for Blur to be the centre of Britpop, and then we turned up and they never forgave us.’

Think Oasis was just Britpop and brawls? Think again.

In this, the definitive book on Britain’s biggest band, John Robb 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 gritty pubs of Manchester to the dizzying heights of global stardom, this unauthorized biography 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 autodidacts 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, Live Forever puts Oasis squarely in the Pantheon of Rock ‘n Roll royalty as the last great band of the pre-internet age. So, grab your parka and shades, perfect your swagger, and prepare to be amazed, amused, and maybe even just a little bit shocked.

By: John Robb
Imprint: HARPER360
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 153mm, Spine: 26mm
Weight: 270g
ISBN: 9780008760960
ISBN 10: 0008760969
Pages: 416
Publication Date: 18 June 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

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 for Live Forever: The Rise, Fall and Resurrection of Oasis

'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 Praise for The Stone Roses and the Resurrection of British Pop ‘Brother John Robb knows. He was there!’ Ian Brown ‘I've read this book three times now and finally it has a happy ending.’ Noel Gallagher Praise for The Art of Darkness: The History of Goth 'Magisterial' The Times 'This exhaustive book shows why the dark side is not dead and buried.' Mojo '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 Praise for The North Will Rise Again: Manchester Music City 1976-1996 ‘An extraordinary history … The range of voices breathing new life into past events is vast.’ **** Mojo 'John Robb is a great writer.' Mick Jones, The Clash