Live Forever

John Robb is bassist and singer for postpunk dark energy mainstays the Membranes. A bestselling author, presenter, journalist, DJ, publisher, model and talking head, he also founded the music and culture website Louder Than Words. He was chosen by Noel Gallagher to do the exclusive Definitely Maybe 30th-anniversary interview.

‘I’ve known John for over 35 years now. He was there. He’s always been “there”. Any of the great Mancunian bands you care to think of will ALL have had a relationship in one form or another with John. He was one of the 50 heads who attended EVERY single gig worth seeing in Manchester. If anyone is qualified to articulate what it felt like when Oasis first appeared, it’s John. Read on … it’s all true.’ Noel Gallagher'Incredible. The one book you need to read this year. John Robb is the best journalist to come out of post-punk and he was there from day one with Creation and at the Broadwalk. This overview of Oasis and the scene they came from is truly unique. Get it!' Alan McGee, founder of Creation Records'I love the music of Oasis, and I love the writing of John Robb on music. So this book makes me very happy.' Irvine Welsh'Reselling the band as a thrilling cultural phenomenon … Live Forever deftly catches the creative rather than destructive chemistry between the brothers.' Sunday Times'An authoritative inside track by one of pop culture’s grand inquisitors.' Telegraph'Live Forever benefits from Noel’s involvement as interviewee, and also Robb’s granular knowledge of Manchester’s music scene.' Financial Times'An excitable, painstakingly researched and greatly detailed dive into their career, through pre-formation to their life-changing Britpop triumphs and beyond, complete with exhaustive analysis of Oasis’ catalogue.' The I‘Robb loves Oasis. He is at heart an advocate, seeing creativity everywhere … Few of the many other books about Oasis are better than his.’ Andrew O’Hagan, New York Review of Books'Utterly brilliant!' Loaded'Robb is vivid and detailed on the druggy, after-hours Manchester bohemia of the early 1990s.' The Quietus'Perhaps the most effective straight biography yet … you'll be entertained.' MOJO‘John Robb writes about music and culture with the insight of someone who loves it from the outside and lives it from the inside.’ Johnny Marr