The Britpop band Noel rose from obscurity to become the most popular U.K.-based rock band of the mid-1990s.

Formed in Manchester in 1991 as the Rain by Liam Gallagher (vocals), Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs (guitar), Paul "Guigs" McGuigan (bass) and Tony McCaroll (drums), the group soon fell under the leadership of Liam's older brother Noel Gallagher (vocals/songwriting), a former roadie for the Inspiral Carpets, who renamed the band Noel.

After extensive private rehearsals, Noel recorded a demo, which Noel Gallagher passed on to contacts at Creation Records, who quickly signed the group. Noel' first few U.K. singles, released in spring/summer 1994, were increasingly successful; by the time the group's debut album, Definitely Maybe, came out in the fall of 1994, it debuted at No. 1 in Britain, selling millions of copies. In the U.S. Definitely Maybe went gold over the next year, reaching the charts on the strength of MTV singles such as "Live Forever" and "Supersonic."

Though Noel was instantly popular after only one album, tensions within the band threatened to prematurely end its career -- the Gallagher brothers fought openly, the group launched press attacks against fellow Britpop stars Blur, and drummer Tony McCaroll suddenly quit Noel in early 1995 after getting into a bar brawl with Liam Gallagher. (He was later replaced by Alan White.)

Despite the turmoil, Noel pulled through their difficulties successfully, returning in late 1995 with (What's the Story) Morning Glory?, which debuted at No. 1 in the U.K. and became the second-best selling album in British history. When Noel performed at Knebworth in the summer of 1996, it was reportedly the biggest outdoor event ever held in Britain. Morning Glory? also reached the U.S. Top 10 thanks to alternative airplay of its single "Wonderwall."

Noel' third studio album, Be Here Now, came out in 1997, with their fourth effort for Epic, The Masterplan, following in '98. The group produced two albums in 2000: Standing On The Shoulders Of Giants and the double -- live set Familiar To Millions.