Oasis Drummers History: Five Men Behind The Kit

Oasis changed drummers four times across their career, and each change marked a new chapter. Our Oasis members guide sets out the full band story behind those changes.

For context, five men held the drum seat in total, and each one brought a different feel. The seat shaped the early attack, the mid career polish, and the later revival.

Tony McCarroll and the early attack

First, Tony McCarroll played drums from 1991 to 1995, and he came from the pre Oasis group The Rain. He played on the debut album Definitely Maybe, which reached shops in 1994.

McCarroll also played on Some Might Say from the second album, and that track gave the band a first UK number one. His drumming sounded direct, forceful, and built for loud guitar rock.

Next, the band parted with McCarroll in 1995, and the split closed the founding era. His exit cleared the way for a more technical player, and the band soon found one.

Alan White and the commercial peak

Then Alan White took over in 1995, and he stayed until 2004 as the longest serving drummer. White played on Morning Glory, Be Here Now, Standing On The Shoulder Of Giants, and Heathen Chemistry.

In addition, White brought a steadier and more jazz influenced technique to the drum seat. His playing gave the big choruses room to breathe, and it held huge stadium arrangements together.

Meanwhile, White played through the band’s biggest commercial years, and his tenure covered four studio albums. He left in 2004 after the band asked him to leave, and the departure ended a nine year run.

Our Alan White profile covers his years in more detail, and it tracks his role album by album. Fans still link his sound to the band’s peak years.

Zak Starkey and the 2005 revival

Next, Zak Starkey replaced White in 2004, and he stayed until 2008 as a session and touring drummer. Starkey had already built a strong career with The Who, and he was the son of Ringo Starr.

Starkey played on almost every track of Don’t Believe The Truth, and Noel Gallagher played drums on Let There Be Love. Our Don’t Believe The Truth guide covers that album and its 2005 comeback.

In addition, Starkey brought power and swing to the 2005 material, and his playing suited the leaner rock sound. He also played on Dig Out Your Soul, which reached shops in 2008.

Later, Starkey left after that album, and his exit closed the revival era. Our Zak Starkey profile covers his session role and his later work.

Chris Sharrock and the final tour

Then Chris Sharrock joined in 2008, and he toured with the band until the split in 2009. Sharrock had played with The Icicle Works, The La’s, and The Lightning Seeds before Oasis.

Sharrock played no Oasis studio album, and his role stayed on the live stage. He powered the Dig Out Your Soul tour, and he kept the late era set tight and driving.

Meanwhile, the band split in August 2009, and Sharrock’s short tenure ended with the band itself. Our Chris Sharrock profile covers his earlier bands and his Oasis tour role.

Joey Waronker and the reunion stage

Next, Joey Waronker played drums for Oasis on the Live ‘25 tour in 2025. Waronker had played with Beck, R.E.M., and Roger Waters, and he had toured with Liam Gallagher before.

Waronker had also played on the Liam Gallagher and John Squire album tour in 2024. That link made him a known quantity for Liam, and it eased his move into the Oasis live band.

In addition, Waronker brought a precise and flexible style to the reunion shows. He handled old songs and new arrangements with care, and he kept the stadium sets moving.

Our Joey Waronker profile covers his wider career beyond Oasis. For Live ‘27, only Liam Gallagher and Noel Gallagher are confirmed by name so far.

How each era sounded

For fans, the drum chair tells the band’s story in sound. McCarroll gave the debut its blunt force, and White gave the peak years their steady drive.

Starkey gave the comeback its swing, and Sharrock gave the final tour its punch. Waronker then gave the reunion a clean and modern pulse.

In short, no single drummer defines Oasis alone, and each era needs its own player. Our Oasis lineup page tracks who takes the stage now.

Noel Gallagher on stage. Photo: Raph_PH, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.