Tony McCarroll, the original drummer for Oasis, has opened up about the real story behind his departure from the band back in 1995. Known for laying down the beats on the group’s debut album Definitely Maybe, McCarroll recently spoke at a fan gathering in North Shields, where he clarified long-standing rumors about the split. According to him, it wasn’t a dramatic fight in Paris that pushed things over the edge; it was a much more personal moment.

He explained that a late-night visit from friends had unintentionally disturbed Noel Gallagher, who responded the next day with a blunt warning during soundcheck: “You keep me awake again, you’re getting sacked, mate.” McCarroll didn’t back down. He took issue with the way he was spoken to, and within a few weeks, he was out of the band.

Looking back, Tony McCarroll said he doesn’t regret standing his ground. For him, respect mattered more than smoothing things over. He hasn’t spoken to Noel since that time, but still shares a bond with Liam Gallagher and guitarist Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs. “Everyone thinks Liam’s a nutcase,” he joked, “but he’s a shockingly nice guy.”

But the disagreement with Noel wasn’t the only factor. Behind the scenes, there were already doubts about McCarroll’s fit with the band’s changing sound. What worked on Definitely Maybe: his raw, driving rhythm was seen by some as too rough for what Oasis was aiming for on their second album, What’s the Story Morning Glory?. Those close to the sessions felt McCarroll’s timing wasn’t always steady and that the newer material called for a more precise approach.

After leaving the band, McCarroll took legal action, arguing he had been pushed out unfairly and was entitled to compensation. The matter was settled privately in 1999. He was reportedly paid around £550,000 in exchange for giving up future claims to royalties.

Despite the fallout, Tony McCarroll remains proud of his part in Oasis’s early years. His playing on songs like “Supersonic,” “Whatever,” and “Some Might Say” helped shape the group’s identity: a gritty, no-frills sound that connected with fans. Later records may have been slicker, but those early tracks captured the spirit that launched the band.

These days, McCarroll teaches drums and occasionally speaks at events. He’s even said he wouldn’t mind catching up with Noel over a cup of tea someday, just to clear the air. Reflecting on it all, he stood by the decision that led to his exit. “What sort of man would it make me if I didn’t stand up for myself?” he said.

Though the myth of a Paris punch-up still floats around, McCarroll insists that the story was just a convenient tale spun by management. The truth, he says, came down to a lack of respect, not violence.

As Oasis returns to the spotlight for a 2025 reunion tour, McCarroll won’t be joining them. But he’s watching from the sidelines with a sense of pride. He knows where it all started, and he knows he was part of it.