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Sky News
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sky News
Oasis photographers remember the early days: 'The journalist had to take a week off afterwards!'
Why you can trust Sky News It was a cold, typically rainy Manchester evening, October 1993, when Michael Spencer Jones set out to meet a new guitar band he had been commissioned to photograph. The weather was miserable, he didn't know their music, wasn't totally in the mood. "I had to drag myself from home, thinking: is it going to be worth the trouble?" On the drive to the Out Of The Blue studio in Ancoats, on the outskirts of the city centre, a song he'd never heard before came on the local radio station. "It was like, wow, what is that?" The track was Columbia, by Oasis, the band he was on his way to meet. He started to get excited. Spencer Jones had previously met Noel Gallagher during the musician's time as a roadie for fellow Manchester band Inspiral Carpets. But not Liam. "As a photographer, obviously, the aesthetic of a band is massively important," he says as he recalls that first shoot. "I'm just looking down the camera lens with a certain amount of disbelief." In front of him was a 21-year-old, months before the start of the fame rollercoaster that lay ahead. And yet. "I was looking at a face that just seemed to embody the quality of stardom." 'Success was inevitable' It was the start of a partnership that continued throughout the band's heyday, with Spencer Jones shooting the covers for their first three albums, their most successful records, and the singles that went with them. "You work with bands pre-fame and there's always that question: are they going to make it? With Oasis there was never that question. Their success was inevitable." There was a confidence, even in those early days. "Incredible, intoxicating confidence. [They were] not interested in any kind of social norms or social constraints." It wasn't arrogance, he says, of a criticism sometimes levelled at the Gallaghers. "They just had this enormous self-belief." Spencer Jones was one of several photographers who followed the band, capturing the moments that became part of rock history. 'Noel had an uncanny intuition' Jill Furmanovsky, who started working with Oasis towards the end of 1994, a few months after the release of debut album Definitely Maybe, says Noel always seemed aware their time together should be documented. "An uncanny intuition, really, that it was important," she says. "I think Noel has been aware right from the start, because for him that's what he used to look at when he used to buy his Smiths records or Leo Sayer or whatever, he would stare at the covers and be fascinated by the pictures." Contrary to popular belief, Furmanovsky says the brothers got on fairly well most of the time, "otherwise they wouldn't have been able to function". She picks one shoot in 1997, around the release of their third album, Be Here Now, as one of the more memorable ones. Noel had shared his thoughts about the band on a chalkboard and "they were having such a laugh." But when things did erupt, it became significant. "There were tensions in some shoots but they never started hitting each other in front of me or anything like that. I used to complain about it, actually - 'don't leave me out of those pictures where you're really arguing!'." In Paris in 1995, tensions had boiled over. "It's one of my favourites," she says of the shoot. "It reflects not just the band but the family situation, these brothers in a strop with each other." What is notable, she says, is that they were happy for photographers to take candid shots, not just set up pictures to show them "looking cool". Pictures that on the surface might sound mundane, showing "what they were really like - tensions, mucking about, sometimes yawning... This was the genius of Noel and [former Oasis press officer] Johnny Hopkins." Furmanovsky also notes the women who worked behind the scenes for Oasis - unusual at a time when the industry was even more male-dominated than it is now - and how they kept them in line. "They got on well working with women," she says. "Maggie Mouzakitis was their tour manager for ages and was so young, but she ruled. For a band one could say were a bunch of macho Manchester blokes, they had a lot of women working in senior positions." This is down to the influence of their mum, Peggy, she adds. "Absolutely crucial." Furmanovsky has been working with Noel on an upcoming book documenting her time with the band, and says she initially wanted to start with a picture of the Gallagher matriarch. "Noel said to me, 'Jill, you do know she wasn't actually in the band?'" Touring with Oasis - 'the journalist had to take a week off' Kevin Cummins was commissioned to take pictures when Oasis signed to Creation Records, and it "kind of spiralled out of control a little bit", he laughs. "I photographed them for NME, gave them their first cover. I photographed them in Man City shirts because we were all Man City fans, and City were at the time sponsored by a Japanese electronics company, Brother. It seemed a perfect fit." The early days documenting the band were "fairly riotous", he says. "They were quite young, they were obviously enjoying being in the limelight. "I remember we went on tour with them for three days for an NME 'on the road' piece, and the journalist who came with me had to take a week off afterwards. "I dipped in and out of tours occasionally - I've always done that with musicians because I cannot imagine spending more than about seven or eight days on tour with somebody, it would drive you nuts. They're so hedonistic, especially in the early days. It's very, very difficult to keep up." Cummins says the relationship between Noel and Liam was "like anybody's relationship, if you've got a younger brother - he'd get on your nerves." During the shoot for the City shirt pictures, he says, "Liam kicked a ball at Noel, Noel pushed him, Liam pushed him back. They have a bit of a pushing match and then they stop and they get on with it." Another time, following a show in Portsmouth, "as soon as we got [to the hotel] after the gig, Liam threw all the plastic furniture in the pool. Noel looked at him and said, 'where are we going to sit?' And he made him get in the pool and get all the furniture out. So there were like attempts at being rock and roll, and not quite getting it right sometimes." Cummins says he has "very affectionate" memories of working with Oasis. "I've got a lot of very sensitive looking pictures of Liam and people are really surprised when they see them," he says. "But he is a very sensitive lad... it's just he was irritating because he was younger and he wanted to make himself heard." Getting ready for the reunion All three photographers have yet to see the reunion show, but all have tickets. All say the announcement last summer came as a surprise. "There was an inkling of it, I suppose, just in the thawing of the comments between the brothers, but I still wouldn't have guessed it," says Furmanovsky, who has a book out later this year, and whose pictures feature in the programme. "It's wonderful they have pulled it off with such conviction and passion." Cummins' work can be seen in a free outdoor exhibition at Wembley Park, which fans will be able to see throughout the summer until the final gigs there in September. "I think the atmosphere at the gigs seems to have been really friendly... I like the idea that people are taking their kids and they're passing the baton on a little bit," he says. "Everyone's just having a blast and it's like the event of the summer - definitely something we need at the moment." Spencer Jones, who released his second Oasis book, Definitely Maybe - A View From Within, for the album's 30th anniversary last year - adds: "They really seem to be capturing a new generation of fans and I don't think a band has ever done that [to this extent] before. Bands from 20, 30 years ago normally just take their traditional fanbase with them." But he says his first thought when the reunion was announced was for the Gallaghers' mum, Peggy. "I think for any parent, to have two children who don't talk is pretty tough," he says. "It's that notion of reconciliation - if they can do it, anyone can do it. "The fact they're walking on stage, hands clasped together, there's a huge amount of symbolism there that transcends Oasis and music. Especially in a fractured society, that unity is inspiring. Everyone's had a bit of a rough time since COVID, battle weary with life itself. I think people generally are just gagging to have some fun." Brothers: Liam And Noel Through The Lens Of Kevin Cummins is on at Wembley Park until 30 September. Definitely Maybe - A View From Within, by Michael Spencer Jones, available through Spellbound Galleries, is out now. Oasis: Trying To Find A Way Out Of Nowhere, by Jill Furmanovsky and edited by Noel Gallagher, published by Thames & Hudson, is out from 23 September.
The Irish Sun
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Neighbours legend & Aussie pop star reveals dream of singing at Eurovision
Delta Goodrem has almost done it all – with a string of Top Ten hits and worldwide sell-out concerts under her belt. But the Aussie singer says there is still one big thing to tick off her bucket list. 8 Delta Goodrem has almost done it all – with a string of Top Ten hits and worldwide sell-out concerts under her belt - but still has Eurovision on her bucket list Credit: Kinga Nowicka/supplied 8 Delta was joined on stage in Hackney by pal Calum Scott Credit: Kinga Nowicka/supplied Sitting down with our Jack backstage at the Hackney Empire in East London, before one of her two live shows at the venue this week, she reveals: 'Of course I would do Delta says she was thrilled when Australia was allowed into the contest in 2015, adding: 'I'm obsessed. I flew into London and watched some of the semi-finals. 'I loved 'You discover some amazing talents.' And she says of this year's UK entry: 'Remember Monday are so cute and gorgeous. READ MORE FROM BIZARRE 'I love their harmonies. They are so talented. 'And I've got my thoughts on what I would do if I was competing, for sure.' As for Delta's own concerts, she wears a ballgown to play dark and moody songs on a piano, before jumping about in a sparkling mini-dress and being showered in confetti. She says: 'I dance and party with everyone when I am on stage, but I also love the drama.' Most read in Bizarre Delta's UK shows have celebrated her 2004 record, Mistaken Identity. 'I love Hobnobs' It spawned two UK Top Tens — Out Of The Blue and Almost Here. Eurovision legends look unrecognisable as they go backstage at contest - can you tell who they are- For the latter, she was joined on stage in Hackney by pal Calum Scott. It was the first time that Delta had performed the album in full. She says: 'Calum and I have known each other for years. When he was in Australia, I popped up at one of his shows, too. I love him, he has such a beautiful voice.' While Born To Try singer Delta feels Eurovision-ready, there is one place she most definitely won't grab the mic — at her own wedding to musician Matthew Copley this summer. 8 On stage at Hackney, Delta starts by wearing a ballgown to play dark and moody songs on a piano Credit: Kinga Nowicka/supplied She says with a laugh: 'I have sung at every one of my mates' weddings , but no, I won't be singing at my own. 'My brother said to me, 'For my wedding, I want you to record the song so you can relax,' so I recorded The Darkness' I Believe In A Thing Called Love and they did their first dance to it.' Delta and Matthew tour the world together, with him playing guitar in her band on stage in London. When Jack points out it's said you should never work with children, animals or your partner, she laughs and insists: 'It's super-exciting. 'You get to live and breathe it together and you get to travel together. It actually came from Covid. And it was always natural as we always play music together.' When Jack meets Delta, she dazzles like she's ready for a glossy magazine shoot, with perfect hair and make-up. But she insists she's no diva. 'I am low key on my day to day,' she explains. 'When I'm not on a show, I am 20 minutes tops.' And what is it that helps make UK shows so special? 'Your biscuits,' Delta hits back almost immediately. 'I love Hobnobs. Everyone is having a cup of tea with one. 'And I like that you can get a train everywhere. We don't have that back home. You may hate it, but you've not had life without Tubes.' You wouldn't say that if you spent every morning with your face in someone's armpit on the Jubilee line, Delta. Swedes win wary Next year will mark the 70th Eurovision Song Contest – but it might be a damp squib if Sweden win as expected. Comedy trio Kaj's entry Bara Bada Bastu, which is all about how great saunas are, is the favourite to triumph. 8 Kaj's entry Bara Bada Bastu, which is all about how great saunas are, is the favourite to triumph for Sweden Credit: Shutterstock Editorial However, Swedish TV network SVT is not so enthusiastic. It has said the show would be smaller and with a lower budget than usual if the trio, above, win and they have to host it again. It wasn't profitable enough for SVT as hosts in 2013, 2016 and in 2024, when they lost the equivalent of £7.7million. Programme commissioner Anton Glanzelius said: 'It may be a smaller stage and lighting rig, but no matter what we do, there'll be large costs.' On the pressure for broadcasters, he said: 'There is an expectation among the audience and the competing countries to get a show of a rarely seen kind, and that costs money.' But the confident TV boss added: 'We are ready and have booked a kick-off meeting to start planning next year's show as early as Monday morning.' A ball for Miriana It was originally called Kant, meaning 'singing' in Maltese, but a complaint by the BBC over its similarity to a four-letter English expletive meant she had to change it. 8 Miriana Conte, for Malta, is the contest's most controversial entry this year Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Miriana admitted she had a 'tantrum' when she was told about having to change the lyrics while on the set of the video earlier this year. But she has now come to terms with it and no longer sings the word, but reckons the crowd still will. She said: 'It's all been crazy. Crazy because I'm in disbelief.' Her performance, as seen in last night's second semi-final, includes an impressive costume change and an inflatable ball, left. But she said: 'I'm bruised and tired from rehearsals.' On her chances, she added: 'I like to live in the moment and I'm really enjoying this. I'll celebrate regardless.' JJ highly trained You will have your socks blown off by Austria's entry JJ and his song Wasted Love – hitting notes I didn't think possible for a bloke. He has spent months doing at least three hours of vocal practice a day, ready to amaze during his three-minute performance in black and white. 8 Austria's JJ stuns with soaring vocals in Wasted Love after months of daily training Credit: Corinne Cumming JJ told us: 'I'm practising every day. That's the opera singer in me who has to practise for at least three or four hours a day. 'It's been fun. Everything that's going to be put on stage in Basel is so exciting.' But one thing he wasn't willing to sacrifice for his performance at the contest, sponsored by Royal Caribbean Cruises, was his grub. He said: 'They normally say you have to avoid stuff, but I still eat anything I want. I'm not going to constrict myself.' He is second in the bookies' odds, which he said is surreal. JJ added: 'It's crazy. I feel honoured that everyone is accepting and loving the art I'm trying to put out there. It does put a little bit of pressure on me.' A Block party at Glasto Glastonbury is so close, I can almost smell those horrific long-drop toilets. And now legendary area Block9, where art, music, theatre and tech collide, has revealed its line-up for next month's event. 8 Block9 has revealed its line-up for next month's event - featuring sets from Fatboy Slim, Hot Chip and Derrick Carter Credit: Getty The Iicon stage and 70ft sound system Genosys will return, as will Dua Lipa's favourite haunt, the NYC Downlow club, right. And new for 2025 is twin-venue Daytime Block Party, featuring sets from Pilton Palais has also revealed a stellar cast of stars who are appearing in its film area, including Margot Robbie, Tilda Swinton, Miley Cyrus has confirmed her new musical film, which supports the upcoming 'visual album' Something Beautiful, is coming to UK cinemas on June 27. The movie will premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York on June 6 and for one night only is being shown over here. Tickets go on sale next Thursday. Head to Alice are back in Bloom One of our best rock bands – Four years on from their last album Blue Weekend, they have dropped new single Bloom Baby Bloom. 8 Wolf Alice have dropped new single Bloom Baby Bloom Credit: Supplied It is taken from their upcoming album The Clearing, which will be released on August 29. I've already had a listen and reckon it is their most fun and brilliant to date. Other tracks worth checking out today are Rihanna's Smurfs movie track Friend Of Mine, Jehnny Beth's explosive track Broken Rib and Meanwhile, Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Haley Joel Osment Apologizes For Antisemetic Slur Caught In Police Arrest Video: 'I'm Absolutely Horrified By My Behavior'
Haley Joel Osment is apologizing after body cam footage of his arrest went viral on social media, in which he is heard using an antisemitic slur. The Sixth Sense alum was arrested on Tuesday, April 8, for alleged public intoxication and possession of a controlled substance. Osment was charged on April 17 with possession of cocaine and disorderly conduct, according to the Mono County District Attorney's office. More from Deadline 'Poker Face' Season 2 Adds Davionte "Gata" Ganter, Justin Theroux, John Cho, Haley Joel Osment & Patti Harrison Haley Joel Osment Recalls Bruce Willis Would Call "Out Of The Blue" Years After 'Sixth Sense' 'Blink Twice' Review: Zoë Kravitz's Intriguing Horror-Thriller Promises More Than It Delivers 'I'm absolutely horrified by my behavior. Had I known I used this disgraceful language in the throes of a blackout, I would have spoken up sooner,' Osment said in a statement to People. 'The past few months of loss and displacement have broken me down to a very low emotional place.' Osment was one of the victims of the Eaton Fire earlier this year, where he lost his home. 'But that's no excuse for using this disgusting word. From the bottom of my heart, I apologize to absolutely everyone that this hurts,' he continued. 'What came out of my mouth was nonsensical garbage – I've let the Jewish community down and it devastates me. I don't ask for anyone's forgiveness, but I promise to atone for my terrible mistake.' Bodycam footage of the arrest shows Osment repeatedly telling police officers, 'I'm an American.' While inside the police vehicle, Osment is heard saying, 'I'm being kidnapped by a f***ing Nazi.' In the video, Osment is also heard using a racial and antisemitic slur toward the officer. Best of Deadline Everything We Know About Netflix's 'Ransom Canyon' So Far 'Ransom Canyon' Soundtrack: All The Songs You'll Hear In The New Netflix Western Romance Series Everything We Know About 'Emily In Paris' Season 5 So Far
