NME News

Oasis' Noel Gallagher reveals his Top 10 bands

Find out the guitarist's definitive list

September 3, 2008 | 65 Comments
Oasis news RSS feed
More Oasis news, reviews, videos and tour dates
Post this on Twitter or Follow NME

Oasis' Noel Gallagher has revealed what he believes are the 10 best bands of all time.

Writing on the official Oasis blog on the band's website, Oasisinet.com, Gallagher asserted that The Beatles were the best band to ever pick up guitars.

"In the dressing room the traditional debate has started about 'The Top 10'", he wrote after a recent gig on Oasis' North American tour. "This means the Top 10 bands of all time. No solo artists allowed. No female artists allowed. No collectives allowed (Public Enemy etc.).

"This is the 1,000th time we’ve been here with this. It never gets any less interesting for me. For the record, THE DEFINITIVE Top 10 is this.."

The star's list then reads:

1: The Beatles
2: The Rolling Stones
3: The Who
4: Sex Pistols
5: The Kinks
6: The La's
7: Pink Floyd
8: The Bee Gees
9: The Specials
10: (Peter Green's) Fleetwood Mac

Find out what a selection of NME.COM's writers' Top Tens are and have your say on our blog now.

Read Noel Gallagher's blog in full at Oasisinet.com now.

Share this story:
Del.icio.us
Digg
Furl
Reddit
Bebo

Follow NME on Twitter

More News:

Smashing Pumpkins to release single via 'Guitar Hero'

PREVIOUS Smashing Pumpkins to release single via 'Guitar...

NEXT Take That evict Iglu & Hartly - Daily Gossip

Buy NME Magazine right now

Subscribe here or get this week's issue delivered to your door

Comments (65)

Add a comment

Jonny_Will

Sep 3, 2008

i'm a little surprised..........no Stone Roses??? you gonna re-think this Noel?

whatawasteoftime

Sep 3, 2008

What a surprise. You could also title this "bands Noel has ripped off wholesale and bare-faced for years"

wesley1

Sep 3, 2008

surprised there's no room for the smiths, stone roses or led zep Mr G????? but then it's all about opinions eh.and anyway...oasis should be in there themselves!!!!!!

Gerbalism

Sep 3, 2008

You might have been in that list yourselves if you didn't keep releasing shite album after shite album!

kingarthur1

Sep 3, 2008

where are the smiths, led zeppelin, the stone roses and the jam......Noel has previously claimed each of these would be up there and yet i've never heard him How Deep Is Your Love by the Bee Gees:)

Cigar_issue

Sep 3, 2008

this is erm.......... a very uninspiring list. This is the kinda list rolling stones would state. Plus why is this interesting? and by the looks of it NME is going to release a headline of every blog Noel sets up.sad times :(

ed2005

Sep 3, 2008

No Public Enemy or Kraftwerk? Personal taste, I suppose, but this is a very conservative, guitar-based list. Hmm...

kingarthur1

Sep 3, 2008

Sorry ed2005 but that is a stupid assessment to assume he would like a band that you do! He plays guitar in a guitar-based rock band so his list clearly reflects his influences in terms of writing and playing.

lipgloss

Sep 3, 2008

ed2005 obviously cannot read... 'No collectives allowed (Public Enemy etc.).' and to be fair, which Oasis album is influenced by Kraftwerk? I have to say though, i think id only have 3 or 4 of Noels choice in my top 10

oasissisao

Sep 3, 2008

It's funny to see how Oasis haters put their arses in every single news about The Chief. Why do you even click these headlines, fools? Don't be jealous and admit that Oasis is the greatest band in the world. Along with the names in the list above. They're up there with the Beatles in my opinion. LIVE FOREVER.

Bladen

Sep 3, 2008

Rolling StonesSmall FacesThe BeatlesOasisPink FloydStone RosesThe JamThe WhoThe VerveThe La's

Jettson44

Sep 3, 2008

T-Rex? (Cigarettes & Alcohol)

adamstipe

Sep 3, 2008

No Blur or Kaiser Chiefs?

Daculaar

Sep 3, 2008

What about Inspiral Carpets?

howarj

Sep 3, 2008

No Paul Weller ? disgraceful Noel...shame on you ! ;-P

Golfman

Sep 3, 2008

Great top 10. I notice there isnt 1 recent band listed though...That would be so un Gallagher like to endorse a current band wouldnt it.

webberch

Sep 3, 2008

Where is the Clash? Very difficult for me to imagine the Las, the Specials, or the Bee Gees in front of the Clash.

woollaston84

Sep 3, 2008

howarj, the article says no solo artists allowed so that's why Weller's not in there.

rubbersoul7

Sep 3, 2008

Cigar_issue, I can guarantee that none of the bands on Noel's list would appear on a list done by the Stones. Bit of a surprising selection from Noel to be honest, thought he'd include Neil Young, The Roses& The Smiths. Sex Pistols at number 4 though? They are rubbish!

20legend

Sep 3, 2008

Never mind the La's, how could he put the Sex Pistols in front of the Clash? I find his lack of modern bands annoying, no Muse, Arctic Monkeys, Chillis or Radiohead?

rubbersoul7

Sep 3, 2008

20legend, would you really have Muse, Arctic Monkeys, Chillis or Radiohead in a list of the BEST bands of all time? None of them would make my top 50. I agree with you on the Clash/Sex Pistols thing though.

Morphuks

Sep 3, 2008

Small Faces?...Am surprised about the Bee Gee's though!

elliotmarsh

Sep 3, 2008

My list: 1) Oasis, 2) Pink Floyd, 3) Faith No More, 4) Beta Band, 5) The Smiths, 6) Monochrome Set, 7) Syd Barrett, 8) The Verve, 9) The Streets, 10) Kings of Convenience

hunting.bears

Sep 3, 2008

oh... No room for The Smiths or The Stone Roses.But, it's not influences what makes a good band. So, even if they like great bands, they would be the same band as they ever are...

somecoolusername

Sep 3, 2008

No female artists? What a cunt.

noeling

Sep 3, 2008

as far as contemporary bands go, I think Noel scorns most of them but I think he's a fan of Kings of Leon, i could be wrong.And who doesn't know he hates Thom Yorke?

WESTLONDONVALLEYBOY

Sep 3, 2008

Yeah ok, noels top 10 today? No Jam, Clash ,Small Faces, Stone Roses or Smiths. Next thing it will be Jay Z. Come on Noel, must have been a mad night thinking of man city??????????????

elliotmarsh

Sep 3, 2008

Noel famously champions new bands. Bands he's loved in recent years: Coral, Strokes, BRMC, Coldplay, Cornershop, Travis, Kings of Leon.But he's also a 41 year old. Most people's favourite bands are from when they're just discovering music, their 'era'.

20legend

Sep 3, 2008

None of the Stone Roses, Muse, Smiths, Strokes, Velvet Underground, Nirvana, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix Experience, the Clash or the Doors made Noels list but the La's and the EFFING Sex Pistols did.Nuff said

Maurice Gibb

Sep 3, 2008

OUR BAND IN HIS TOP 10.WE LOVE THE MAN !!!!From Maurice and Robin Gibb

I.Love.Music.Meh

Sep 3, 2008

omg. no clash? no smiths? no cure?the beejees in front of the above bands.i'm shocked.

milesihamer

Sep 3, 2008

Blimey, dreary cunt names predictable bullshit with a sprinkling of genius. Now there's a fucking surprise. C'mon Noel, let's have another album of sup-par guitar blah pub rock tedium that's definitely "your best ever" before slating it personally some 12 months later.

jonnytrash2

Sep 3, 2008

personally... 1. the beatles 2. oasis. 3. pearl jam 4. mojave 3 5. pink floyd 6. suede 7. the who 8. the smiths 9. ride 10. led zep - the pistols/the roses and the la's only touched greatness on one lp. -

eagle1967

Sep 3, 2008

he's a pr genius .. I have more respect for his marketing skills than his dull guitar drone. good work Noel, his clock is ticking and he knows it

arkestra1976

Sep 3, 2008

Who gives a shit about anybodys bloody "favourite bands" list. Is this Smash Hits?!?

wesley1

Sep 3, 2008

those of you slaggin the pistols (which is most) have got to understand how important they were at the time when they arrived, like em or not, but their raw, aggressive tunes and "f*ck it" attitude revoltionised music, it was a breath of fresh air after the boring mundane sh*t churned out from the likes of E.L.O!!!!! leave it be man, although i'd personally change a few in the list, they are rightly included!!

rick 13

Sep 3, 2008

my top 5... not sure which order for the other 5 plus i would like to put the la's up there too but they only did 1 album 1.oasis2.stone roses3.ocean colour scene4.rolling stones5.the jam6.the charlatans7.supergrass8.the coral9.kasabian10.kings of leon

mbowie9

Sep 3, 2008

muse? this is music- of course muse rnt gonna be in gallaghers top 10 - he has taste! arent good enough to wipe the sweat off oasis,the beatles,small faces,kinks la's etc.etc.

ignorb

Sep 3, 2008

I bet no-one saw this coming. I wonder what's next, Chris Martin to announce that Radiohead is is favourite band? The Kooks in 'we sound exactly like everyone else right now' shocker?

Soundedd

Sep 4, 2008

A dissapointing list from Noel, I know it's personal choice but I'd have thought he'd put The Jam and The Stone Roses in there. In fact The Beatles and The Who would be the only two from Noel's list that make mine, still at least The Chief got number one right, although he needs to realise modern music can be as good as old music! I'd have had Coldplay, Muse, Arctic Monkeys, Keane and Kaiser Chiefs all in my music list.

retrochick06

Sep 4, 2008

Where is the arctic monkeys , the clash , the jam and the smiths ????? And No Females?? I found that highly offencive being a girl ( jokin bout offenive bit ) :D but seriously , there are way better band that could have been added , although i highly agree with the sex pistols, the specials , the kinks and the beatles (Y) x

the cybermod

Sep 4, 2008

Noel Gallagher, please fuck off. No-one gives a fuck about your boring, smart-arse comments. It's so obvious you get all excited cos you think people care what you say, you don't seem to realise people laugh at you and cringe at your dull comments. Everything you say is embarrassing. You like the Beatles, eh? So fuck, you boring dick! Oasis are shit - your plodding, dull, cumbersome, boring songs are torture. Announcing you're writing a list of your 10 favourite bands? You're 42 for f*ck's sake. If you bought What's The Story Morning Glory you gave money to Gary Glitter, thanks to Noel Gallagher (look at the writing credits on the first song.) PS. Fleetwood Mac are shit.

gerwin

Sep 4, 2008

All these people complaining about Noel & Oasis, shows what great lives you lead to come and post on here when your half as sucesful as him come back and complain.I'm surprised not to see The Smiths, The Stone Roses & The Jam aren't up there

alkaribass

Sep 4, 2008

He's not that far off (but should include solo artists like David Bowie, Jimi, or Chuck Berry for completeness).1. The Beatles2. The Who3. Led Zeppelin4. Pink Floyd5. The Rolling Stones6. The Smiths7. The Beach Boys8. Love9. Joy Division10. The Kinks11. The JamVelvet Underground was probably as influential as many of these also, and completely left out The Ramones!

ed2005

Sep 4, 2008

Actually lipgloss, i can read, but I am staggered by how conservative this list is. My comment related to the fact that he seems to have gone out of his way to make this so exclusive, so conservative and so goddamn bland. I was a huge Oasis fan, for the first two albums, but the problem is that Noel and the rest of them don't break the mould. If it ain't broke, don't fix it is a rubbish modus operandi for a rock band.

Babyshambles-pete

Sep 4, 2008

Mine are:OasisThe LibertinesBabyshamblesThe SmithsThe StrokesRed Hot Chilli PeppersNirvanaThe KillersKings Of LeonThe BeatlesMost of you will probably disagee with mine as theres a few newish bands there but i am only 15 :P

callaby

Sep 4, 2008

adamstipe what the fuck are you on??!! if you think kaiser chiefs are one of the best 10 bands ever you need to start listening to music THEY DONT play on radio 1

gazhat

Sep 4, 2008

....lol.....so many people wound up over a conversation every music lover has had at some point in there lives with their friends/family/band, Noel will change his mind tomorrow and have a new list of faves....milesihamer - fuck off over to the kokks/doals/pieser cheifs/poldclay stories, this next cd is gonna be mega, deal with it.....

somepoorsoul

Sep 4, 2008

IT'S JUST PUBLICITY!!! HE'S GOT A RECORD COMIN' OUT. lOOK AT ALL THE COMMENTS ABOVE. BUZZIN' ABOUT OASIS. BEE GEES... COME ON... HOOK LINE SINKER.

mellowyellow

Sep 4, 2008

good list-(mostly) definitely Beatles, stones and the who! imo oasis are an amazing rock and roll band and have written some classic songs . muse are also an amazing band and excellent musicians but their music is more eclectic and not to everyones taste. seen both live- muse blew me away more but love both bands!

interpolluter28

Sep 4, 2008

All things old and classic. No wonder they have been trying to pick fights with new and upcoming bands for years. Any chance in prolonging the list a little?

finn78

Sep 4, 2008

Noels top three is fair enough the rest is complete rubbish, smoking to much smelly on the tour bus Noel? Why is the Las in the top ten? The only released one album and it was great, but they shouldnt be up there. Noel should have saved the Las for top ten singles or 10 ten could have beens. As for the rest of them, Sex pistols shouldnt be there nor should the specials or the bee gees. How about The Beech Boys, Queen, U2, The Grateful Dead, Velvet Underground, Led Zeppelin, Ramones, Sly and the Family Stone. Love Oasis but this a really average top 10 lets hope the new album is wicked though init. Also and I guess more to the point who really cares what somebody thinks is the top 10.

glimmers_of_hope

Sep 4, 2008

He believes they are the best bands ever...fair enough.It's a pretty dull list, but Oasis are a pretty dull band who wear their influences on their sleeve.I don't understand why no female artists are allowed. Surely a band of females is still a band."current" bands Noel's championed...er...The Stands, anyone?

Golfman

Sep 4, 2008

Callaby, Wowyou are so cool!! you dont listen to Radio 1, thats really cool. Kaiser Chiefs, Kooks, Monkeys etc etc are doing exactly what The Jam, Kinks, Stones, Beatles etc etc did in the 60's and im sure there was some prick saying at that time that they are so shit because they are on mainstream radio. Your just too cool.

ritter7092

Sep 4, 2008

led zeppelin, should DEF be on there, what were they thinking of leaving them out

howarj

Sep 4, 2008

Cheers woollaston84, didn't read it all and missed that :-/

dykesy

Sep 4, 2008

Where's Campag Velocet?Liam is sporting a Pete Voss these days aint he...

alex_01482

Sep 4, 2008

cybermod you obviously care greatly about noels comments. to sign in and take the time to comment shows you for the dick you are. its his current top 10 and the last time i checked we live in a world of freedom of speach? who wouldnt put the beatles in the list? i love the fact that noel winds up cock like you.hes brilliant and people like you fall for it everytime.

redup

Sep 4, 2008

hi everyone! my list is the following:1. velvet underground2. beatles3. smiths4. pixies5. clash6. pink floyd7. joy division8. nirvana9. t-rex10. happy mondaysif solo artists are included, bowie would be #3 and dylan #5

lipgloss

Sep 4, 2008

the cybermod... "No-one gives a fuck about your boring, smart-arse comments" well, i'm guessing that by the 50 odd comments on here you are so far from the truth it's unreal!! Why can people still pretend that Oasis don't matter, of course they fucking do! Noel has way more gravitas and relevance in society than Doherty & Winehouse put together, Paul McCartney and Mick Jagger... infact even Gordon fucking Brown!

Soundedd

Sep 4, 2008

the cybermod - if you don't care then why are you even looking at this article let alone posting on it. People do care about Noel hence the 50 comments and Oasis are not shit hence the 6 number one albums and UK tour sold out in an hour. I think if you go back and listen to them, you'll find they are in fact currently the greatest band on the planet and in my opinion the second best band ever only behing The Beatles, so go and listen to your Ting Ting CD's :)

mbowie9

Sep 4, 2008

soundedd-well sumed up!! Oasis are certainly the most important band since oasis if not the best since! ppl who are mentioning arctic monkeys,coldplay,radioheads - these bands dont come close to the oasis or the bands in his list there not in the same league as the beatles,rolling stones, the who, small faces, kinks,the pretty things,led zepplin, rem,nirvana,the jam, the smiths, the stones roses,pink floyd, la's . the stones roses etc etc. this is music!!

arkestra1976

Sep 4, 2008

No, seriously........is this a Smash Hits forum? What are you all talking about?

taylorjaybass

Apr 24, 2009

this list is great the bee gees early stuff is brilliant, its rock/psychedelic nit disco stuff they did later on.beatles, stones who, pink floyd are all amazing.noel legend.

x_slide_away_x

Jul 15, 2009

Don't get me wrong, I love Noel and Oasis, but I dont think you can put a band who made 1 album in the top ten of ALL TIME. I mean, they would probably appear in my top 50 or something, but they can't be worthy of the top ten, especially in a list missing The Smiths, The Beach Boys, and The Clash, who are way more important, and had a much bigger impact on music. But hey, everyones entitled to their opinions. My list would be. 1)The Beatles. 2)The Kinks. 3)Oasis 4)The Smiths 5)The Rolling Stones 6) The Beach Boys 7)The Who 8)The Clash, 9)The Sex Pistols 10)The Jam =)