Few bands in British rock history have embodied both brilliance and chaos as vividly as Oasis. Their meteoric rise in the 1990s defined the Britpop era, and their feuding frontmen, brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher, became notorious for explosive arguments, legendary one-liners, and a rock ’n’ roll attitude that both captivated and divided fans. Yet fittingly, it was a Beatles song — “I Am the Walrus” — that served as the swan song for the band’s turbulent career.
The Gallagher Brothers: A Story of Talent and Turmoil
From the moment Oasis stormed onto the scene with Definitely Maybe (1994) and What’s the Story (Morning Glory)? (1995), they seemed destined for both greatness and destruction. Their anthems like Wonderwall, Don’t Look Back in Anger, and Live Forever became generational touchstones.
But behind the music, the Gallagher brothers’ relationship was a powder keg. Interviews often descended into heated exchanges, backstage fights were common, and the tension only seemed to grow as the band achieved international superstardom. Fans and journalists alike began to wonder not if Oasis would implode, but when.
Rock en Seine: The Breaking Point
That “when” came on August 28th, 2009, just before Oasis was scheduled to perform at the Rock en Seine Festival in Paris. Reports vary on the exact details, but most agree that a backstage altercation involving one of Noel’s guitars and Liam’s temper finally pushed Noel Gallagher over the edge.
Declaring he could no longer work with his brother, Noel walked away from Oasis for good. The band canceled their set that night, shocking fans and confirming what many had long suspected: Oasis was done.
The Beatles Connection
What makes Oasis’ final chapter particularly poetic is that their last-ever live performance — at the V Festival on August 22nd, 2009 — ended with a Beatles cover.
For years, Oasis had closed their sets with “I Am the Walrus”, the surreal psychedelic classic from The Beatles’ Magical Mystery Tour (1967). The song had been part of Oasis’ DNA from their earliest days, becoming a live staple from 1994 onward. In fact, it was one of the very first songs they learned together as a band.
According to setlist.com, Oasis performed “I Am the Walrus” a staggering 320 times over their career, making it the tenth most-played song in their history. In their final V Festival gig, after a setlist mixing classics (Wonderwall, Live Forever) with newer songs (The Shock of the Lightning, Songbird), Oasis once again chose to close with Lennon’s eccentric masterpiece.
That encore would prove to be the last time Oasis played together. Days later, the band was history.
Symbolism in “I Am the Walrus”
There’s a strange kind of symmetry in Oasis’ story ending with a Beatles track. The Gallagher brothers never hid their Beatles obsession — Noel once described The Beatles as his single biggest influence, and Oasis frequently drew comparisons to their Liverpool heroes.
“I Am the Walrus,” with its cryptic lyrics, chaotic orchestration, and Lennon’s biting delivery, was the perfect fit for Oasis’ own messy brilliance. Just as The Beatles had once broken new ground while clashing internally, Oasis burned brightly before imploding under the weight of ego and conflict.
Ending their journey with “I Am the Walrus” wasn’t just a coincidence; it felt like a symbolic passing of the torch from one era of British rock turbulence to another.
Oasis’ Legacy
Even though Oasis officially ended in 2009, their music remains immortal. Songs like Champagne Supernova, Stop Crying Your Heart Out, and Don’t Look Back in Anger are still stadium anthems. Meanwhile, Noel and Liam continue their solo careers — both successful in their own right, but fans still hold out hope for a reunion.
Whether that day ever comes or not, the fact remains: Oasis’ last note as a band wasn’t their own, but John Lennon’s. And in the end, “I Am the Walrus” became the soundtrack to their breakup — a chaotic, brilliant, and utterly fitting finale.
