Which Oasis Drummer was the Best? (and which one's coming back?)

[@NoelG702]

My favorite Oasis drummer is Alan White. I've seen them with every drummer except Tony McCarrol. I might be in the minority here, but I didn't like Zak Starkey's drumming. The songs were played at such a slower pace with him on drums and I didn't like it.

[@acquiesce3]

I completely agree on both of your points. Alan white was definitely my favourite and zak starkey definitely my least favourite

[@johnny6476]

I agree with you about Alan White he’s my favourite too, I like Zac though I like Tony too. I don’t like Chris, I liked him in beady eye just never liked him in oasis.

[@michaeljolly8710]

Great analysis. Hadn’t given Oasis drummers much thought until now.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Thanks Michael!

[@Bobmacca64]

Hi, James. Great video. I guess it's gonna be a toss up between Chris Sharrock and Alan White in the end. The guy who was there last, versus the guy who was there for What's The Story and Knebworth, at the peak of the band's career. By the way, congrats on the soon to be 4k subscribers!

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Thanks Bob...yeah I think you're right, it's the convenience card over the nostalgia one. That said, the real 'status' pick would be Zack.

[@cupolove1]

love drummer vids! and I love oasis, so this is great

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@3dimensionsofmusic3D]

I absolutely love drum solos because my current speakers excell at highlighting their talent. TOOL has great drumming 😊

[@kirkbagge2790]

A great video, as always. Really enjoyed it. I would guess that for pure convenience it will be Chris Sharrock, and its not a bad thing. The turnover of drummers in Oasis through the years does make it the one position that if CS wasn't available and it was a new guy, it probably wouldn't be too much of a problem.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Yeah...I guess it could be a new face but I doubt it. Thanks!

[@GetOnTheFloor82]

Alan White, every day of the week 👍

[@stefanredelsteinerexperien5957]

My favourite was tony mccaroll; after him things went downhill. I agree that Alan White did outshine tony and all the others with the stuff he did on Wonderwall and 2 or 3 other morning glory songs, but he soon - as you described - kind of felt uninspired and like he did not really fit in. the other two if we're honest were just paid for the job mercenaries, there was no real sense of a band after 2000, it was really more like an enterprise/business around the gallaghers, but I also agree that zak and chris would be overall the best choices for the reunion, since they are as advanced as alan was but stylistically more suited to the more rocking oasis songs... but the best time to be an oasis fan and see them live was 94 and early 95 with mccaroll after that it became a different group (and I think the best live drumming from an emotional point of view of all the performances you watched in preparation is the southend performance from early 95; to me the live peak of oasis, also very much because of tony who was sacked a couple of days after it)

[@johnny6476]

Sorry don’t agree with that, For me the peek of oasis live was GMEX or just after Bonehead and Guigs left. Alan is by far the best oasis drummer in my opinion.

[@stefanredelsteinerexperien5957]

@@johnny6476 I personally think that the GMEX 97 performance is already "tired alan white"; I don't feel much fire from his playing there... but just my opinion

[@johnny6476]

@@stefanredelsteinerexperien5957 That’s the way I feel about Tony’s playing, But then that’s my opinion. I’ve never Chris he’s my least favourite. I quite like Zac he was good but then it’s always been Alan for me.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

I think Alan White has the emotional vote as he was there during the peak years and really helped make the band what they were during that time.

[@allanmcgroarty9925]

Really interesting video, James. And timely! Agree that each drummer brought something different to Oasis. The comparison with Spinal Tap made me smile.

[@paulcurd7617]

I watch it James! Fellow drummer here…👍👍

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Thanks Paul!

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Good stuff Paul, thanks!

[@nblanch2]

Hello James. Enjoyed the video. I read/saw somewhere that Zak Starkey would be coming back but after what you said in the video it looks highly unlikely. I would go for Chris Sharrock seeing that he’s already playing with Noel. Sharrock’s first band was the Icicle Works with Ian McNabb (not counting a local Liverpool show band they were both in beforehand). Not really a fan of Oasis but I like the first album and the early singles. Cheers for now.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Thanks...given that Chris is already playing with Noel I personally just can't see how he won't be asked first. But I've been proved wrong before!

[@matthewmedley8532]

Alan white is the best for me. But I think Zak starkey will get the job. Another great video James.

[@Novotny72]

I agree with your reasoning

[@AndrewDixonMusic]

Hi James, enjoyed that. On balance I'd agree Chris Sharrock is the one most likely to get the call from Noel. I'd also be really happy if it was Zak. I think I'm right in saying Alan White has hardly played with anyone since the Oasis days so not sure he's be considered match fit. Do you think Andy Bell will be back on bass? That would be ideal, though if they could just tempt Guigsy to come and play a couple of songs from Definitely Maybe that would go down a storm! (No chance though....)

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Thanks Andrew...yes good point about Alan, though I notice over the last couple of years he's been regularly posting videos of himself at home playing along with Oasis songs....an informal job application maybe? Btw, many years ago I went to see Elvis Jones play at Ronnie Scott's in London, and Alan was a couple of tables away with his wife, with a champagne on ice sat between them on the table. Enjoyed your Oasis collection video btw...I'm not a massive fan myself though I've enjoyed some of their music over the years.

[@flamingcabbage8359]

I'm convinced Bonehead will be on bass with Gem on lead guitar

[@johnny6476]

@@jamesgriffithsmusicThat’s amazing mate, Did you go over to say hello? I’ve been a drummer for 26 years and Alan’s always been my biggest inspiration, His brother Steve too of course who I’ve met many times lovely guy.

[@cupolove1]

I would like to see multiple drummers come up to play one the songs they performed on. Bring McCarroll up for a few DM tunes and Alan White for the later stuff. If Zak wants ti jump up, great, if not Alan or Chris could play the rest of the material

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

That thought had occurred to me too! Think logistically it could be a bit messy though.

[@gavinjohnson8951]

I always like hearing musicians opinions on other musicians. I never knew Oasis had this many drummers. I never knew about Chris Sharrock. I think it's safe to say it won't be Tony McCarroll on the drum stool. I think it will be White or Starkey.

[@themagnanimous1246]

My personal choice would be chris. I love the straight forward caveman style of tony as opposed to Alan's busier/jazzier playing. Chris brings that style i like with added POWAH

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Yeah I'm inclined to agree, I like Chris' direct approach.

[@michaelfarrow5817]

Chris is their friend, makes sense. As I recall, Alan White married a very beautiful actress/model and his marriage fell apart around the time of Heathen Chemistry. Noel said Alan's personal life was "chaos" and he wasnt committed to the band. How much of Noel's views are true, who knows.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

I'd heard that story about Alan too. I know he became a property developer after leaving the band; he put his own Kensington pad on the market eventually and it looked pretty opulent in the pictures that found their way into the press.

[@johnny6476]

Yeah Alan married an beautiful actress called Liz Carey, They got divorced in 2004 around the same time he got sacked from oasis. So he’s going through personal stuff which is obviously affecting him so Noel kicks him out the band, Just goes to show what a wanker Noel is doesn’t it.

[@johnny6476]

@@jamesgriffithsmusic Yeah apparently he sold it for 10 million, He lives in the country now.

[@FatCityVinyl]

No love for the drummers eh...don't think I knew Zak Starkey was in Oasis at one point...though other than the name and some of the high points of his CV I don't really know all that much about him. Will have to peruse my Oasis CD's to see if he is on any, sure I have up to Standing On The Shoulder Of Giants and maybe Heathen Chemistry. I can well imagine a gig in the band being tempestuous! Will be interesting to see how this reunion unfolds, cheers James!

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Thanks Doug. I'm not a big Oasis fan myself beyond a few songs here and there, though I do think they have been on occasion quite a compelling live band. Zak is quite the reggae fan apparently...

[@DaleGeorgePhair]

@@FatCityVinyl he’s on Dont believe the truth

[@FatCityVinyl]

@@DaleGeorgePhair Cool, I do have that one (on CD)...

[@s.wstudioproductions5977]

I'm here and I like drums

[@glassonion7582]

If Whitey doesn't return big questions will be asked !

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

It could still happen but I have my doubts.

[@kingrubbatiti1285]

I did here a rumour that Sharrock allegedly turned it down (Coming back to Oasis) hence all the talk of Starkey coming back. I'm sure we'll find out soon enough who's behind the kit.

[@chrismoyse3529]

Oasis drummer: Got to be one of the most anonymous jobs in rock tbh. Like drumming. Hate drum solos. Having DP said that Steve White played a solo when I saw Paul Weller that was pretty decent. Cheers James

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Not totally dismissable....Wonderwall and a few other tracks have very inventive and creative drum parts. Steve White is fantastic, amazing for two brothers to have such high profile success like that. Thanks Chris.

[@EmbryonicRobot]

This is how out-of-touch I am with Oasis: I didn't even know they had replaced drummers, and more than once! But, I only have one Oasis CD and no vinyl. I can't really explain that is the case. We have some time to wait to see if you are right 🙂

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Thanks Brian. I guess I've always taken an interest at least partly because of being a drummer myself.

[@richardstartin4656]

You know, they could even use more than one. For example Whitey plays a few, Sharrock plays a few, Starkey (urgh) plays a few and maybe even McCarrol gets a shout for a couple. Steve White though is the best drummer of the lot.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Thanks Richard. That thought had occurred to me too.

[@deadseagull-xf3lk]

If it's not Liam, Noel, Bonehead, Guigsy and TONY, it's not Oasis.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Gotta love a purist!

[@00tommo]

Wouldn't be completely against the guy who drums for Liam, he always sounds pretty solid. Just anyone but Alan White, hated his drum fills.

[@mbuchart2927]

I didn't hate Whitey's drumming but I did often find it a bit same-y. It's like he had one Ringo beat that he used for almost everything.

[@Oran_Lee_Bass]

For me it has to be Alan White. The way they (Noel) booted him out was just wrong. White was perfect.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Fair comment.

[@susanchait8665]

Solid video thank you James. My choice is Chris Sharrock - he has amazing style

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Thanks Susan.

[@WalterSobchak1000]

Steve White

[@WalterSobchak1000]

...is my choice as the best. I think Sharrock will get the tour job

[@johnny6476]

This is an easy one for me Alan White beats everyone’s arse in the ground. Alan had to deal with Noel’s experimental phase, All the other drummers were in during the basic rock phase which is easier. Alan was always getting turned down low in the mix which he said himself in rhythm magazine interview in 2002 I think it was. Alan was all round drummer who could play many styles not just rock which helps with being creative hence the ghost notes and jazzy style he had.

[@glassonion7582]

If whitey isn't there I will be extremely upset

[@johnny6476]

@@glassonion7582 Nobody knows who’s gonna play yet, It could even be Whitey. One thing is for sure it won’t be Tony.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Good comment. I forgot to mention how he used to practice his Latin rhythms during sound-checks (I can see how that might wind Noel up!).

[@Instasamps]

Whitey, no debate

[@DaleGeorgePhair]

Alan white is the best oasis drummer, wasn’t keen on starkey , too clunky. Sharrock will be the drummer though I imagine

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Yeah think it will probably be Chris, though could be Zak.

[@balke7935]

Alan white is THE Oasis drum sound.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

He definitely helped shape their sound during their most successful phase.

[@SkiFive]

I hope whitry returns but i think it will be chris or starkey