Oasis Split 'Came Fom Liam Ad Row'

Noel Gallagher has revealed that one of the most infamous splits in rock and roll stemmed from a row about an ad in an Oasis tour programme.

The guitarist, launching his solo album, finally broke his silence about his departure from the band, explaining that it spiralled from a squabble about brother Liam's demands for a free plug for his clothing range.

Noel quit the group in 2009 after years of tension between the pair.

He said that on the night of his departure - which led to the cancellation of a headline slot at a Paris festival - Liam stormed into the dressing room wielding a guitar like "an axe".

"He nearly took my face off with it," he said.

Noel said he regretted the way the band ended, splitting with just two shows to play. He added that if the group had finished the tour and had time to reflect, "we'd never have split up".

Noel is to launch his post-Oasis career with a new album, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, on October 17, the first of two albums which have been completed. The second will follow next year.

Noel revealed that tensions had been heightened on the night of the Paris showdown because the band had been forced to cancel a headline slot at the UK's V festival because Liam had failed to show up due to "a hangover". The official cause of the cancellation was Liam suffering from laryngitis.

The climactic row in France also led to Liam throwing a plum at his brother, which splattered against the dressing room wall, shortly before they were due on stage.

"Part of me wishes it did end like that - 'plum throws plum'," said Noel.

Source: www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk