Bonehead is the hidden factor fueling the Oasis reunion.

      They arrived. They observed. They triumphed. The highly anticipated Oasis reunion could have easily relied on formulaic execution – had a passable version of the Manchester legends taken to the stage, fans who had been deprived of live performances for over a decade would likely have been satisfied. The fact that this refreshed Britpop force reached extraordinary heights night after night is nothing short of remarkable, marking a pivotal moment in British music.

      Several factors contribute to this success. For starters, there’s Liam Gallagher’s voice. After exhausting his vocal cords with extensive touring – and, let’s be honest, typical rock ‘n’ roll antics – the frontman currently embodies good health, hydrating on stage and caring for his body. He’s never sounded better in a live setting.

      Similarly, Noel Gallagher’s shift away from the spotlight as the frontman with his High Flying Birds has injected new life into his guitar playing. The atmosphere on stage has warmed, and his humor – which still occasionally lands him in hot water – reflects someone truly enjoying himself.

      At the heart of all this, however, is one pivotal figure. For this writer, witnessing Oasis live confirmed that Bonehead is the essential foundation of the band, both visually and sonically.

      Noel Gallagher once noted that The Stone Roses’ inconsistent reputation as a live act stemmed from having four world-class soloists without someone in the middle to balance things out. Oasis does not share that issue – on stage, whenever the energy risked waning, Bonehead was present, his powerful rhythm guitar serving as the cornerstone of their sound.

      Far from the typical Britpop showman, he retains a genuine connection with the audience. Bonehead engages on social media, interacts with fans before and after gigs, and still feels rooted in the culture he emerged from – essentially, he looks like the type of guy who would firmly tell you off for being disrespectful in your neighborhood pub.

      He is also the band's biggest supporter. Bonehead was the one who effectively established the pre-Oasis band, the Rain, and brought Liam Gallagher in as the vocalist. It was Liam who revealed that his brother Noel was a songwriter. In many ways, Bonehead was the cohesive element that brought everything together, enjoying a remarkable position as everything started to take off.

      Unfortunately, fans in Seoul, Tokyo, Melbourne, and Sydney won’t have the chance to see Bonehead perform. Diagnosed with prostate cancer earlier this year, he will be sitting out those shows; he states that treatment is progressing well, and he had previously recovered from tonsil cancer in 2022.

      “I’m really sad to be missing these shows, but I’m feeling good and will be back ready to go in time for South America,” he shared in a statement. “Have an amazing time if you’re going this month, and I’ll see you back onstage with the band in November. Bonehead X.”

      Fans responded with an overwhelming outpouring of affection. Tim Burgess, frontman of The Charlatans, summed it up perfectly when he expressed: “You have a million people who you have just brought so much joy to, all sending you love – you’re one of the best of us. Stay well, mate.”

      Bonehead’s treatment provides a fitting reason for this often-overlooked figure to take a break from the country’s largest tour – it also allows fans to express their appreciation for his contributions. Thank you, Bonehead!

      Words: Robin Murray

      Photo Credit: Connie Burke

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