“I’m as good as any of them”: the guitarist Noel Gallagher wanted to be like
With the release of Definitely Maybe in 1994, Noel Gallagher established himself as one of the defining guitarists and songwriters of the 1990s. Oasis witnessed a level of success that has scarcely been seen since, topping the pop charts and amassing a dedicated Britpop following, which persists to this day, three decades later. In essence, Oasis were a guitar band – like the vast majority of other acts signed to Creation Records – but Gallagher always seemed more concerned with lyricism and songwriting than long, complex guitar solos or discussions about pedalboards.
Noel Gallagher is far too often the subject of ridicule or pretentiousness within the guitar community, taunted for the simplicity of his compositions and an apparent lack of technical skill. In reality, though, you do not need to be able to rattle off a 15-minute solo to prove your credentials on the six-string. Gallagher’s music is certainly not the most complex, but that is not, by any means, to its detriment. In fact, the simplicity of Oasis’ music is part of what makes the group so universal and beloved.
Throughout his musical career, Gallagher has consistently placed an emphasis on songwriting rather than penning guitar riffs. Many popular Oasis tracks, for instance, are built around simple chord progressions and perhaps the odd solo, but the main focus is always on the performance and lyricism. Nevertheless, Gallagher is often asked to voice his opinion on the guitar world, taking every opportunity to distance himself from the superiority complex of many guitarists in the process.
Talking to Alternative Press in 1995, alongside Liam, Gallagher was asked about his various songwriting and guitar influences. Inevitably, the Oasis songwriter had to select George Harrison as a major influence upon his own musical flurries. The Gallagher brothers were disciples of the Fab Four, aiming to replicate the band in more ways than one – though not often successfully. “If I was in The Beatles,” declared Noel, “I’d be a good George Harrison. I’ve only done two albums, so I’d say I’m as good as any of them after their second albums.”
Comparing yourself to a Beatle is fairly contentious and certainly a little arrogant, but then this is Noel Gallagher we are talking about. Adding to the debatable nature of his comments, Gallagher went on to take a swipe at Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, boldly questioning, “Who wants to be Jimmy Page?” Given that Page is often hailed as one of the greatest rock guitarists of the 20th century, lots of people would jump at the chance to be Jimmy Page or at least be able to play guitar like him, but not Gallagher.
Reflecting on his own point, Gallagher then clarified, “John Squire does,” drawing inexplicable parallels between the Stone Roses guitarist and Page. “I’d rather be George Harrison and write ‘Something’ than be Jimmy Page and go fucking ‘diddle-uh-diddle-uh-biddle-uh-buh,’” explained Gallagher, “That’s too much like hard work, innit?”
In fairness to Harrison, I can’t imagine writing ‘Something’ was much of a picnic either. Despite his desire to “be George Harrison”, the Beatle himself was not overly fond of Oasis. During a 1995 interview, he lamented Gallagher’s band as being “Not very interesting”, and he had previously taken aim at Liam, referring to the frontman as “a bit out of date, you know. I mean, he’s a bit, he’s just silly.” Never meet your heroes.
