Over the course of a lifetime, workers and entrepreneurs alike have been forced to reinvent themselves due to both social and economic factors.Whether it be the collapse of a market or if a business model has been rendered useless, reinvention is the cornerstone for entrepreneurial success.
Reinvention illustrates the persistence and the intelligence needed to survive in the business world. Click To Tweet
The 90’s was a generation defined by entrepreneurs, unexpected entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs who will continue to define and influence for many generations to come. Liam and Noel Gallagher are one such set of entrepreneurs.
OASIS MANIA
It was the 11th of April 1994 and Oasis had announced themselves to the world by releasing their first single, Supersonic.
And with one unique guitar riff, Britpop was born. Click To Tweet
Although the single is arguably one of the most recognisable pieces of music in the last 20 years, it never initially propelled the band to the heights they were soon to reach. Supersonic put Oasis on the map, as the combination of radio slots and appearances on top of the pops gave Britain a feel for what is in my view, the world’s last true rock stars.
The 29th of August 1994 marked the release of the band’s critically acclaimed debut album, “Definitely Maybe”. The album went on to become the quickest selling album of all time, in the UK on release and sold 15 million copies worldwide.
THE BEGINNING OF THE END
The success of “Definitely Maybe” propelled Oasis into stardom across the pond which inevitably meant tours and – arguments.
The added stress’ of touring on top of what we can only say was Liam and Noel’s “unique” relationship was to start a trend that would ultimately lead to the band’s demise.
During a concert in Los Angeles, Liam in typical Liam fashion began bombarding the crowd with colourful insults and then proceeded to hit Noel over the head with his trademark tambourine. Noel did not take to kindly to it.
Guitar in hand, Noel vanished. After tracking his location to San Francisco, Noel was eventually persuaded to deal with Liam’s antics as he and the band reconciled.
SAME STORY, SAME BAND
That was not the last time the Gallaghers would be at each other’s throats:
- In 1995, Liam pulled out of an MTV unplugged recording due to illness. Instead of recovering at home like any normal person, he instead chose to heckle his brother from the crowd whilst enjoying a cocktail of cigarettes and alcohol.
- Band members then proceeded to leave; Tony McCarroll for performance related issues and Paul McGuigan because of his desire to spend more time with his family.
- Tour dates proceeded to be canceled as reasons included Liam being arrested for his part in a brawl in Munich.
On the 28th of August 2009, all of the fights accumulated and Noel simply couldn’t take anymore. To the disbelief of fans, a statement was released that read “Oasis does not exist anymore”.
Noel would go on to confirm the news fans never wanted to hear by saying “With some sadness and great relief I quit Oasis tonight”. “People will write and say what they like, but I simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer.”
WHAT NEXT?
Choosing what to do and how to reinvent yourself after being in the biggest band since the Beatles is no easy task. Noel having written all of the band’s iconic hits naturally went into music as “Noel Gallagher’s high flying birds”. Although they haven’t reached the heights of Oasis, they have been quite successful. The High Flying Birds are due to release their 3rd album in November.
As for Liam, he to ventured back into the music scene with a new band, “Beady Eye”. But without Noel’s writing the band ultimately failed.
All was not lost for Liam. In 2009 the iconic front man used another talent he had nurtured whilst leading Oasis and used this as a way to reinvent himself in business terms.
POCKET FULL OF PRETTY GREEN
2009 marked not only the end of Oasis, but the birth of Pretty Green. Named after a song by “The Jam” entitled “Pretty Green”, Liam was to use his eye for fashion and combine it with his love for music.
It embodied everything he was, it had attitude, it was in your face and it was good.
The latest lines were named after famous musicians like Jimi Hendrix or designed after British cultural movements like the Manchester Dance scene of the 80’s and 90’s.
By designing clothes after musical icons and movements he was able to convert musical fans into paying customers.
While profits are soaring now it was not always plain sailing for Pretty Green. The company recorded a £2 million pound loss in 2013, whilst only making a pre-tax profit of £42,000 in 2014. Pretty Green has seen a rise in sales of nearly 27% this year, showing the brands constant growth.
Pretty Green now boasts 15 stores in the UK. 10 concessions and 5 stores located in Japan, whilst also selling overseas through a wholesale business. Just like Oasis, Pretty Green would also try to crack America. They set up stores in New York and Los Angeles on a “trial basis”. Whatever the outcome, their stock is on the rise in Britain.
YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE A ROCKSTAR TO REINVENT YOURSELF
All entrepreneurs are capable of reinventing themselves. While most of us won’t be needing to do so in the aftermath of leaving the greatest band of our time, it is still possible to do so whether you’re a builder, baker or gym instructor.
The key thing to take from this article is that you will pick up skills in your profession that are not only applicable but, transferable to different sectors. Liam was not a fashion designer but he had a certain sense of style. A style that he had the freedom to explore as a lead singer.
This is how Pretty Green was born. This is how Liam Gallagher was able to Reinvent himself.
Conor O'Keeffe - Content Intern
Conor O'Keeffe is our content intern at How Great Marketing Works. He joins us from CIT and is exploring what it means to be a marketer and how his passion for words can build his career. We're delighted to have him here and appreciate his unique perspective on marketing.