Live Forever

Name: Live Forever
Brand: Harper UK
Availability: InStock
Author: John Robb
ISBN: 9780008751388

Author: John Robb

Narrator: Daniel Millar

Unabridged: 12 hr 39 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: HarperNorth

Published: 06/19/2025

Categories: Nonfiction, Biography & Autobiography, Music & Musicians, Music, Rock, History & Criticism, History, Social History, Social Science, Popular Culture Studies

Synopsis

The finest book on Britain's most popular rock 'n' roll band 'Read on … It's all true' Noel Gallagher Featuring an exclusive interview with Noel Gallagher and bespoke artwork by celebrated Oasis album designer Brian Cannon Think Oasis was just Britpop and brawls? Think again. John Robb was there every step of the way. In this, the definitive book on Britain’s biggest band, he peels back the layers of Manchester’s best-known musical export, revealing a tale of ambition, ego, talent and a whole lot of attitude. From the estates of South Manchester to the dizzying heights of global stardom, is a rollercoaster ride through the Gallagher brothers’ turbulent lives and the music that defined a generation. But it is also a portrait of Britain around the turn of the millennium and the cultural forces and places that shaped, and were shaped by, two cocksure upstarts from Burnage – from art to fashion, and from football to politics. Playful, funny and irreverent, and drawing on dozens of interviews and first-hand stories, this book puts Oasis squarely in the pantheon of music royalty as the last great rock ’n’ roll stars.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Karl on July 26, 2025

Despite 3 stars, don't get me wrong I did enjoy reading this. The first half pretty much covers the back story, leading up to Definitely Maybe. Parts of this are electrifying and John Robb, whose writing/journalism I like, clearly writes as a fan whilst striking a balanced tone. What makes the book......more

Goodreads review by Richard on July 13, 2025

I finished Live Forever by John Robb and really enjoyed it. Some parts were a little repetitive but overall I learned some new things about my favourite band. The book provides a detailed exploration of Oasis' rise, fall and cultural legacy. It traces the band's origins in Burnage in detail, and thei......more

Goodreads review by Chris on August 11, 2025

Three quarters of a great book with lots of interesting stories and background into the formation and glory years. Falls off a cliff after the Be Here Now period and falls into a pattern of describing the albums track by track and the artwork choices. The 'resurrection' section feels lazy, tacked on......more

Goodreads review by Markod0101 on August 11, 2025

So I loved this book. As a huge Oasis fan I especially appreciated the “rise” part of the story, giving me a decent amount of information I didn’t know previously. I’ve marked it 3 stars because the reformation is barely covered, no insight, not even speculation, which means the book is marketed in a......more

Goodreads review by Gary on September 08, 2025

Epic book about the story of Oasis. Read it straight after the PJ Harrison one. They are probably equally good. There is more in this one about the early days and details of the records, videos and even sleeves. Well worth a read if you are an Oasis fan.......more

Quotes

‘I’ve known John for over 35 years now. He was there. He’s always been “there”. Any of the great Mancunian bands you care to think of will ALL have had a relationship in one form or another with John. He was one of the 50 heads who attended EVERY single gig worth seeing in Manchester. If anyone is qualified to articulate what it felt like when Oasis first appeared, it’s John. Read on … it’s all true.’ 'Incredible. The one book you need to read this year. John Robb is the best journalist to come out of post-punk and he was there from day one with Creation and at the Broadwalk. This overview of Oasis and the scene they came from is truly unique. Get it!' 'I love the music of Oasis, and I love the writing of John Robb on music. So this book makes me very happy.' 'Reselling the band as a thrilling cultural phenomenon … deftly catches the creative rather than destructive chemistry between the brothers.' 'An authoritative inside track by one of pop culture’s grand inquisitors.' 'benefits from Noel’s involvement as interviewee, and also Robb’s granular knowledge of Manchester’s music scene.' 'An excitable, painstakingly researched and greatly detailed dive into their career, through pre-formation to their life-changing Britpop triumphs and beyond, complete with exhaustive analysis of Oasis’ catalogue.' ‘Robb loves Oasis. He is at heart an advocate, seeing creativity everywhere … Few of the many other books about Oasis are better than his.’ 'Utterly brilliant!' ' The Quietus 'Perhaps the most effective straight biography yet … you'll be entertained.' 'Blew my mind. … If you're into Oasis, it's an absolute must.' ‘Fabulous.’