Justice for Guigsy: Honoring Original Oasis Bassist Paul McGuigan

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has updated its induction roster for the Class of 2026 to include former Oasis members Paul Guigsy McGuigan and Alan Whitey White. The correction follows an initial announcement that omitted both musicians despite their significant tenures with the Britpop band.

The omission was first highlighted by Rolling Stone, which noted that while drummer Tony McCarroll—who played with the group from 1991 to 1995—was included in the initial announcement, McGuigan and White were left off the list. Rolling Stone launched a #JusticeForGuigsy campaign after questioning the justification for excluding the band’s original bassist.

According to a report by Rolling Stone on April 15, 2026, both McGuigan and White are now officially listed as inductees on the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame website. The organization has not specified whether the omissions were clerical errors or the result of interventions from the Oasis camp.

The Role of Paul McGuigan

Paul McGuigan, known as Guigsy, was a co-founder of Oasis and served as the original bassist from 1991 to 1999. His tenure covered what is widely considered the band’s golden age, including the recording of their most essential albums: 1994’s Definitely Maybe, 1995’s (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?, and 1997’s Be Here Now.

McGuigan’s history with the group began in the late 1980s when he started a band called the Rain alongside drummer Tony McCarroll and guitarist Paul Bonehead Arthurs. After the departure of lead vocalist Chris Hutton, McGuigan invited Liam Gallagher to join the band, followed by Liam’s brother Noel, who became the primary songwriter. At that point, the group changed its name to Oasis.

During his time with the band, McGuigan was known for a simple playing style, which he described in 1995 as playing up and down the top string of the bass. Despite occasional rumors that Noel Gallagher recorded the bass parts for the first two albums, producer Owen Morris dispelled those claims.

McGuigan’s tenure was interrupted in August 1995 when he temporarily left the band following a tour of Japan, citing a diagnosis of nervous exhaustion. He was briefly replaced by Scott McLeod of the Ya Ya’s, who performed only a few gigs before quitting due to homesickness.

The Contribution of Alan White

Alan Whitey White also regained his place in the 2026 induction class after the initial oversight. While White was not part of the band’s founding lineup, he joined in 1995 and remained with Oasis until 2004.

White performed on four of the band’s seven studio albums, including (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?, which remains one of the band’s most commercially successful records.

Post-Oasis Life and Other Inductees

Since his departure from Oasis in 1999—which reports indicate occurred via fax—McGuigan has transitioned away from the music industry. He is now a family man and a dedicated football fan. He also co-wrote a book titled The Greatest Footballer You Never Saw, which focuses on England’s Robin Friday.

The inclusion of the full Oasis lineup is part of a larger group of artists entering the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2026. Other inductees in this class include:

• Wu-Tang Clan
• Phil Collins
• Joy Division/New Order
• Sade
• Iron Maiden
• Billy Idol
• Luther Vandross