58 Surprising Facts For Noel Gallagher’s 58th Birthday

May 29, 2025

Happy 58th birthday to The Chief—the man who turned a warehouse job into Definitely Maybe, a Mancunian accent into stadium singalongs, and sibling rivalry into Britpop history. Noel Gallagher has done it all: written era-defining anthems, dissed pretty much everyone, and reminded us all that sometimes you just need a wall of guitars and a tambourine.

So in honour of Noel Thomas David Gallagher turning 58 today, here are 58 surprising, iconic, and occasionally ridiculous facts about the rock ‘n’ roll legend who made us believe we could live forever. Cue the feedback.

Noel Gallagher was born on May 29, 1967—the same day Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band was released in the UK. Fate? Probably.
His first guitar was a gift from his mother during probation for robbing a corner shop.
He taught himself to play by mimicking songs on the radio. His first musical idol? Johnny Marr.
Before Oasis, he was a roadie for Inspiral Carpets and failed their audition as lead singer.
He only joined Oasis after demanding full creative control. Classic Noel.
He once said, “Let me write your songs and I’ll take you to superstardom.” Spoiler: He did.
He wrote “Supersonic” in the time it takes to play it. Fastest #31 hit in British history.
Definitely Maybe was written in a gas company storeroom he called “The Hit Hut.”
He once quit Oasis mid-tour and ran off to San Francisco. Came back with “Talk Tonight.”
“Live Forever” was written as a direct rebuttal to grunge’s pessimism.
Morning Glory is the fourth-best-selling album in UK chart history.
He originally wanted to sing “Wonderwall.” Liam said no. He got “Don’t Look Back In Anger.”
He headbutted Liam over a remark about his then-wife Meg. Brotherhood, huh?
He once bought a pool and several cars… even though he can’t swim or drive.
His house was called Supernova Heights. Obviously.
He named his cats Benson and Hedges. Guess why.
He’s collaborated with Johnny Depp, Kate Moss, The Chemical Brothers, and Paul Weller.
He was part of the Britpop supergroup Smokin’ Mojo Filters.
His acoustic version of “Fade Away” features Johnny Depp.
Oasis played to over 250,000 fans at Knebworth in 1996.
Be Here Now sold 813,000 copies in its first week. It now lives in the overblown classics section.
He described Be Here Now as “the sound of a band on cocaine… and not getting off it.”
He quit drugs in 1998 after a series of terrifying panic attacks.
His go-to songwriting advice? “Don’t overthink it. If it sounds good, it is good.”
He declined to be best man for Russell Brand’s wedding to Katy Perry.
In 2005, he joined Paul McCartney and Paul Weller on a cover of “Come Together.”
He turned down The X Factor because “I don’t want to be on TV with idiots.”
He has a song for every feud. “The Importance of Being Idle” was basically his brand.
Blur beef? Called Damon Albarn “a fucking lightweight.” Then collaborated with him in 2017.
He said the Jay-Z Glastonbury headline was “wrong.” Jay-Z opened with “Wonderwall.” Game, set, Hova.
He tried to retire from touring before 60. Spoiler: didn’t happen.
He co-wrote three songs with the Black Keys in 2024.
He’s said “Champagne Supernova” lyrics mean nothing… but they must mean something.
He’s a dyslexic who can’t read music. Writes anthems anyway.
He once described his own solo debut as “pretty f***ing good, if I say so myself.”
His favourite band? The Smiths.
His favourite football team? Manchester City.
He once played Gaelic football at Croke Park.
He wanted to be Johnny Marr. Marr gave him a Les Paul.
His biggest regret? Letting Liam sing “Wonderwall.”
He shares a birthday with Bob Hope and La Toya Jackson.
He hosted a one-off radio show with Russell Brand and Mr. Gee.
He was offered a judge spot on The X Factor. Said hell no.
He hates Instagram. Loves Hot Ones.
He says he’s not English—he’s Irish.
He named a record label Sour Mash. Because of course.
He wrote “Little by Little” about how God let him down.
His greatest hits album Back The Way We Came hit #1 in the UK.
He has two sons named Donovan and Sonny.
He said if he hadn’t been a rock star, he’d “still be a scaffolder on hash.”
His old man beat the talent into him. His words.
He once said: “I don’t give a shit about being different. I want to be the same. And that in itself makes me different.”
He told Ewan McGregor, his neighbour, to lightsaber duel in the garden.
He made a cameo in The Young Person’s Guide to Becoming a Rock Star.
He’s never had a driver’s license—but owns luxury cars anyway.
He still thinks “Talk Tonight” is one of the best things he’s written.
He calls Morrissey “one of the greatest lyricists ever.”
He’s reuniting Oasis in 2025. And if that’s not worth 58 facts, I don’t know what is.