Oasis Brothers Confront Their Abusive Father’s Legacy

The tension between Liam and Noel Gallagher, the iconic brothers from Oasis, has often played out in the public eye. However, it’s the shadows of their past, particularly their fraught relationship with their father, Thomas Gallagher, that casts a long pall. In a candid exploration, the brothers opened up about the alleged abuse that haunted their childhood in Burnage, Manchester, a narrative that shaped not just their family but their music too.

The impact of their father’s alleged physical abuse is too heavy to ignore. In a revealing moment from the 2016 documentary Supersonic, Liam recounted an explosive incident during an Oasis gig in Dublin back in the ’90s. They found their father in the same hotel bar, seemingly trying to grab headlines with a journalist.

“Someone turned around and said, ‘your old fella is over there with a journalist trying to get something going,’” Liam recalled, his anger palpable even years later. “I was about to kill him.” That moment was a testament to the simmering resentment underneath their family dynamics.

Their older brother, Paul, who often found himself caught in the middle, described that hotel as “fairly public,” emphasizing how vulnerable rock bands were back in those days. “Ireland didn’t really have security around rock bands in them days — anyone could walk in off the street,” he noted. It was a time when family dramas were not only personal but public spectacles.

In another painful exchange, Tommy Gallagher reached out to Liam, asking for tickets for an upcoming Oasis concert. “Yeah, you’re not gonna get tickets. If I catch you walking round the lobby of this hotel you’re gonna get your legs f***ing broke, right? See you later,” Liam shot back, underscoring the fractured relationship.

Peggy Gallagher, the brothers’ mother, kept the narrative alive, detailing the impact Thomas had on their lives, particularly on Noel. “He used to kill Noel. Noel was the one who got it most,” she admitted. “I remember Noel saying once, ‘if you don’t get out of here and leave him, mam, I am going to kill him.’ And I thought, ‘oh Jesus, you can’t be doing time for the likes of him.’” The weight of those words hangs heavily, revealing just how close to the edge they were.

Liam, reflecting on his own experiences, stated, “Me dad used to knock me mam about. There were many times where it got like that. He never touched me, I don’t know why he didn’t. Sometimes you’d f***ing want the crack instead of having to witness it.” Each of these recollections paints a chaotic family portrait, overshadowed by trauma and resilience.

Notably, in a 2015 appearance on the BBC Radio 4 show Desert Island Discs, Noel further explored the trauma’s repercussions. “Yeah, my dad used to beat the living daylights out of me,” he admitted candidly. Despite his turbulent past, Noel emphasized the need to move forward. “You can’t let that kind of thing affect you in any way because you are then carrying that weight all the way through life.” His journey also led to the development of a stammer, a physical reminder of the emotional scars left behind.

Eventually, Peggy made the decision to leave Thomas in 1986, a life-altering choice that freed them from his grip. “He never came after us. He wouldn’t dare,” Paul recounted. “It was a sense of ‘see you later — we’re free.’” Their escape marked the beginning of a new chapter, albeit one still haunted by the past.

Fast forward to a 2019 interview with the Irish Independent, Noel was asked about the possibility of reconciling with his estranged father. “I wouldn’t have thought so, no. He doesn’t mean anything to me,” he replied bluntly. “The bad stuff completely outweighs the good stuff. OK, he got me into supporting Man City. Thanks a lot. That’s the least you could f***ing do for me.”

As Oasis prepares for their much-anticipated reunion tour in July 2025, beginning in Cardiff, followed by Manchester, and culminating at London’s Wembley Stadium, these memories will inevitably linger. The brothers’ shared history, fraught with pain, continues shaping their artistry and public persona, resonating deeply with fans who understand the weight of family drama.

Oasis at the BBC will air on Saturday, June 21, on BBC 2 at 8.35 pm.