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Noel Gallagher

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Noel Gallagher is an English guitarist, singer and songwriter from Manchester, where he was born in 1967. He grew up with his brothers Paul and Liam in Burnage, with a father who beat them. When he was put on probation at fourteen, he taught himself to play guitar on his mother's guitar. The performance of This Charming Man by The Smiths on television in 1983 made a great impression: from that moment on he wanted to be Johnny Marr. Later he worked as a roadie for Inspiral Carpets and, in a builder's warehouse, was already writing songs such as Live Forever.

Music and breakthrough

In 1991 he saw the band of his brother Liam, which was then called Oasis. He was allowed to join, on condition that he would be the sole songwriter and the lead guitarist. Definitely Maybe (1994) and (What's the Story) Morning Glory? (1995) made Oasis the biggest band of Britpop. On the second album Noel himself sang Don't Look Back in Anger. His songs are simply constructed, with big choruses and a wall of guitars. He often lets a few strings ring open, which gives a full, floating sound. The influence of the Beatles can be heard everywhere.

Influence

The quarrels between the brothers and the battle with Blur kept making the papers. In 2009, after a conflict with Liam, Noel left the band and started Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds. The Beatles' producer George Martin called him the best songwriter of his generation, and many later British bands cite him as an example.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Don't Look Back in Anger. Notice the chord sequence, which resembles Pachelbel's Canon, and the open strings that keep ringing in the guitar chords.

In School of Rock

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Categories: Artists