The iconic red Gibson ES-355 guitar, famously destroyed by Liam Gallagher in 2009, was recently sold at a London auction. On October 24, 2025, the instrument fetched a substantial sum of £289,800, equivalent to approximately €332,280. This high-profile sale occurred against the backdrop of the highly anticipated Oasis reunion and their ongoing global concert tour. The tour marks the end of a protracted 16-year career break for the band, a hiatus necessitated by the intense and public feud between the Gallagher brothers.
More than just a musical relic, the damaged guitar stands as a tangible artifact of the band's dramatic internal conflicts. Its destruction was the catalyst for the group's initial dissolution. The notorious altercation took place backstage at the Rock en Seine festival in Paris during August 2009. According to Noel Gallagher’s account, Liam "wielded the guitar like an axe," resulting in its catastrophic failure. The very next morning, Noel announced his departure from Oasis, stating emphatically that he "just couldn't work with Liam for a day longer." Although the instrument underwent restoration in 2011, its historical significance remains paramount.
While the recent sale price is impressive, it represents a dip in valuation compared to previous transactions. During an earlier auction in 2022, the same guitar commanded €385,000. Nevertheless, the current bidding result underscores the unwavering global fascination with the Oasis legacy and the notoriously complex relationship dynamics between the siblings. The enduring market interest confirms the band's status as cultural behemoths, especially given the renewed public focus surrounding their recent activities.
The current reunion and subsequent tour were officially announced on August 27, 2024, strategically timed just two days before the 30th anniversary celebration of their seminal debut album, *Definitely Maybe*. Industry analysts project that the comeback and extensive tour schedule could generate staggering earnings for the brothers, estimated to be around £400 million. The 2025 World Tour kicked off successfully on July 4 in Cardiff. The initial legs, particularly the North American dates, demonstrated immense demand, with tickets for concerts in major cities like Chicago and Los Angeles selling out within a single hour of release.
In a related note concerning the auction, another significant piece of Oasis memorabilia failed to find a buyer. Noel Gallagher's Takamine FP460SC acoustic guitar, famously used during the recording of the seminal track "Wonderwall," was also featured in the same collection of lots. Despite its deep connection to one of the band's biggest hits, the instrument did not secure a successful bid during the proceedings.