And you know what I mean...
The way Noel looked was way beyond compare!
So how could I fancy his brother?
When I saw Noel standing there...
It was July 27, 1992. I had just arrived in Manchester the day before.
Today I was sitting in the record office of the Inspiral Carpets, my favorite band of the time.
I had just met Debbie Black, the Inspirals secretary who I had been writing to for over a year.
All of a sudden, this lad came bursting in, asking "Deb! Has the pay come in? I've only got 10 quid 'til the
end of the week!". July 27, 1992 was a Monday.The lad had dark hair and blue eyes, and was dressed in a black denim shirt and jeans. I still can't explain it, but there was just something about him that made me pay extra attention. He wasn't conventionally good looking or anything, but he was the first real Manchester lad this 17 year old girl had any contact with, and it was admiration at first site. He was the guitar technician for the Inspirals. Click here to see how he looked that day.
He proceeded to sulk when Debbie told him that he wouldn't be paid until Friday, and slumped behind a desk in a chair, tucking into the latest copy of the NME and a bag of Cheese 'n' Onion crisps. If you can believe it, I even remember they were the Sea-farer brand... I remember everything about that day. For years, I couldn't understand why.
Debbie introduced me to him. His name was Noel Gallagher. It wasn't my first contact with the infamous "Noel" who sat behind the desk. A few weeks before my trip, I had called to talk to Debbie. I was convinced that it was Tom Hingley (Inspirals' singer) who had answered the phone that day, and didn't let up when the lad on the other end told me it wasn't. Finally, the lad on the other end gave in and said that he was Tom. It was actually Noel, and I spent about $20 chatting to him. I wasn't happy when I initially found out, but now I realise just how well-spent that $20 was!!!
Noel proceeded to ask me if I'd ever tried cheese 'n' onion crisps, knowing I was from Canada. I told him I hadn't, and he presented me with his half finished bag. I actually kept it for a few days afterward, but eventually threw it out. It would be crazy to hold on to something from some lad I was smitten with who I'd never see again... right?
Noel, Debbie and I started talking about music when Noel piped up and told me he had his own little band called Oasis. He asked me if I wanted to hear his demo. Debbie sat in the chair and rolled her eyes while I enthusiastically replied "I'd love to!". Noel went over to the stereo and plugged in his tape. That day, I heard "Take Me", "Colour My Life" and "See The Sun". Those songs haven't been released to this day.
I really loved what I heard, genuinely, and I heaped praise on Noel. He then presented me with that very copy of the demo, along with a little article about the band from the Manchester Evening News. The demo tape is my prized possession, and I still have it to this day. It lives in the safety deposit box at my bank, and is one of only 10 in existence.
We got talking about the Boardwalk, where Oasis had played their first gig, and I told Noel I would like to see it. He then drew me a map which I still have. Then I started talking about Affleck's Palace, a well known shopping place in Manchester, and asked Noel for directions. He told me he was going downtown anyway, and offered to show me in person. Of course, I accepted.
We spent the walk talking mainly about the Stone Roses. Noel had ambition for Oasis of course, but not as much as he now claims to have had. He was hoping that some day they would get a record deal, but he hardly had any aspirations of being the biggest band in the world. I really did like the demo tape, and I hoped that someday they would make it. I had no idea just how big they would become.
We got to Affleck's and looked around a bit, and Noel decided it was time to be on his way. We said goodbye, and I saw him many other times in the office before the end of my trip. Click here to see another pic of Noel from 1992.
That October, I went to see the Inspirals once more when Noel was still working for them, and kept in touch with him through letters. Yes, I have a few letters for him while he was with the Inspirals, just like the one despicably auctioned off on the Internet and purchased by Gorman. I will never bring myself to sell them as long as I live. And that's a promise.
After Noel left the Inspirals, Oasis got a record deal. I sent Noel a card of congratulations, and ended up going back to England in 1994 to see them at Glastonbury, and flying out to Toronto to see Oasis make their Canadian debut. The rest is history. I've flown to Toronto, Vancouver, New York City and Los Angeles and have seen them play nine times. Noel still puts me on the guestlist, and he still considers me to be an old friend.
I watched Oasis become the biggest band in the world, right before my eyes. I can truly say I was a fan since that day I met Noel, and I will never stop being one. How could I? I know now why I thought Noel was so special. I should have kept that crisp bag!
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