I’m fascinated by your story of not hearing music until you were hit in the head with a hammer. What exactly happened? Segelov
When I was growing up, I didn’t like music very much. People say, “I was in the Beatles when I was four or five.” I was the opposite, always out playing football. Noel was playing the guitar, which I found a little strange. I was 14, 15 years old, smoking a cigarette with my classmates, and some guys came down from another school, with their hoods up, and one of them hit me in the head with a hammer. It’s not a big, massive mallet, one of those small ones. I ended up in the hospital and after that I started listening to music in a different way. My girlfriend at the time was very fond of Madonna. She was playing like a virgin and I was saying, “I don’t have that shit.” Then they hit me in the head with a hammer and I thought, “This is really a tune.” So whoever hit me, I’d love to meet you and thank you, otherwise I’d still be down.
Were you surprised by your solo success? jizzmonkey
Yes and no. Obviously, I love what I do, but I have a lot of people who help me: the composers, Debbie [Gwyther, his fiance and manager], the record label, and obviously the fans are great. So I surrounded myself with the right people. But playing Knebworth again in the 50’s I didn’t see it coming. I didn’t think I would sell big gigs like this again.
How do you feel about not even approaching 50? Giles Isbell
The thing is, it probably gives me more shit than a lot of other people. I don’t care shit I don’t care shit, you know what I mean? I could have easily become a diva. I am invited to all these things, but I shun everything. All I want is to do my concerts, sing my songs, grab a couple of pints and go on vacation with my family and my lady. I haven’t fallen into the trap of celebrities, and that’s hard. So I care shit, immensely.
Watch the Better Days video.
What memories do you have of playing Knebworth with the Oasis and how do you see it being different this time around? JesseAndrews
I remember flying in the helicopter, thinking, “Look at all those fields. How come no one is in them? Surely we could have played 5 million people, not 250,000. “We had been on tour and we were in shape, so I wasn’t nervous. everyone is having a good time, but getting on stage and being me is a game.
As someone who spent the 1990s anxiously, I have always admired your confidence. But you even have moments to think, “Can I run away and hide in a dark room?” ciaran1968
Oh, many, many times, sure. On a daily basis. But this is life; any fear, you have to hit your head. Many fears are illusions, so just take a deep breath and think, “You know what? It’s not really that bad. “We all have these feelings, but at the end of the day, you just have to get up and face it.
What scares you? Look_there
Spiders. And the mice. My cats, Sid and Nancy, always carry mice, which I know are supposed to be a gift, but I can’t stand. Things that go faster than me can do one. If I were in this jungle show [I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here!], the ratings would go through the roof. I’m a big bag of shit with things like that. It would be a million times worse than Dean Gaffney.
If Noel’s life depended on a new kidney and you were the only donor, would you give him one of yours? TurangaLeela2
Certainly. Of course he would. He’s my brother, man, and I love him. I’d give you one too, mate. I think he would give me one of his? Yes. He’s a jerk. He and all his famous teammates just get their asses up. I’m sure they’re good people, but they’re very insecure. Am I surprised I ended up being more successful? It depends on what you judge by success. I’m sure Noel is very happy in his world. He wrote great songs and I sang them. It’s the voice people want to hear. I could get someone to play the guitar parts of Noel 10 for a penny. Noel can’t get anyone to sing like me. I work hard, I give people what they want, and I’m not pretentious. You can’t go on stage, play your new album, one to eleven, and wait for people to come to your concerts. You put in some new songs, but you have to play the hits.
Liam (right) with his brother Noel Gallagher in 1996. Photo: / PA
Why do you put your hands behind your back when you sing? hhhhsss
I think I have a stronger voice. When I’m tense, I sing a little more aggressively, and that’s what my style is all about. Obviously, when you sing ballads, you relax a little bit, but with rock’n’roll, punk stuff, I feel like I have more power.
Have you ever considered asking for a shorter microphone stand so you don’t have to stretch your neck? YorkshireExPat
No, but I understand what you’re saying.
How many parks do you have? Doesn’t wearing a parka on stage mean you’re all sweaty? Do you take them to bed too? HoracePhistbump, sickbobby and aproposh
I have too many parks, too many Clarks, too many everything. I like to wear them, so I usually opt for the thin ones on stage. I sing as if my life depended on it. If I sang naked bollock, I would still be sweating, so it might also look great while I’m there. And no, I’m not wearing a Superman suit.
If I saw you at random, what would be the best way to express my greetings? jesswilkhull
Just a compliment. Just say, “Are you the only Liam Gallagher?” and approach me with a bow. What’s the worst? Say, “Hello, Noel.” How many times do people approach me every day? Well, I just went for a walk and they immediately asked me how my hips were. I said, “They’re fine.” Another woman asked for a photo. Then they asked me if I wanted a line of cocaine, which was wonderful for mid 10 in the morning. I said, “It’s a little too early for that, mate.” Then they called me pussy for eating strawberries. They said to me, “Why are you eating strawberries?” and I said, “Because if I eat a sausage sandwich, I’ll become a proper pussy.” So that’s what happened to me this morning.
The first three potatoes? SoxanPance
those of Tayto, the Irish; cheese and onion or prawn cocktail. Last night I had a packet of Monster Munch and I liked the pickled onion ones, but I went back to the veal ones. What do I like best? Salts. Cortxes. Ringos, onion rings. Frazzles. Space Raiders! Do you remember them? I think they still only cost about 10p. [30p these days – crisps ed].
Do you raise your eyebrows? Peelaaa123
No. I mean, if there are a few wild Denis Healey playing around here, I’ll give them a shot. But I don’t do the middle ones like a lot of people think. Do I cut off my ear and nasal hair? Yes, but I don’t care, man. I mean, you have to cut yourself when you need to cut yourself, you know what I mean? I like being alive, so if being alive means growing up, then fuck it, so be it. And I don’t dye my hair, for all the idiots who think they do. I don’t care what the silver fox looks like, so when that happens, that happens. But I don’t have people saying, “Oh, my hair is dyed.” I don’t. And I don’t have Botox.
What will you say to God when you find him? That … Dolly_Spafford
This is a heavy question. I’m not sure if I believe in God, but if he has to be the protagonist and all this tackle, then maybe I’ll kick him and say, “What the hell are you doing, leaving everything behind? all these wars and these things? ” I would kick the bollocks and then see where we go from there.
Gallagher at the Brit Awards in February 2022. Photo: JMEnternational / Getty Images
Would you rather be a rock’n’roll star or play Man City? HecateFire
I like being a rock’n’roll guy or a rock’n’roll star, whatever. I love it and it’s great. But scoring a hat-trick against United or bringing down Liverpool would be great. So I would say: play Man City.
Obviously you could have Robbie Williams in a fight, but I think Richard Ashcroft could have you. Do you agree? toptramp
Yes, I think Richard Ashcroft would kill many of us. I think he’s a good hard pussy. Have you seen it? It’s a skinny machine, man. I guess it would drop many of us at once.
When was the last time you cried? johnnyfingers
Good question, man. Good question. Probably recently. I won’t stay here and say, “No, I never cry.” I cry a lot.
What did you write on your tombstone? mrblancmange
Honestly, I can’t think of anything spectacular. They won’t bury me anyway. I will be mummified and exhibited in a museum.
Noel Gallagher or Noel Edmonds? vammyp
Noel Edmonds. I love this guy, man. When I was growing up, Swap Shop was mega – changing your toys for different toys. What a great idea. They should return it. Would I like to welcome him? I’m not good at TV, man. I’m too angry for television; that’s why I don’t like to do chat shows, because I always think I get a little fucked up. Would I like to reform Oasis with Noel Edmonds instead of Noel Gallagher? May be! How does it feel to be a certified national treasure? Amazing. I love the fans, I love the people, I love my job, I love my life and I will continue to do so until the lights go out.
The studio album C’mon You Know and the live album Down By the River Thames are released on May 27 on Warners. Liam Gallagher plays at Manchester’s Etihad Stadium on June 1; Knebworth Park, near Stevenage, June 3-4; and Cardiff Bay, 15 September