Net Worth Ranker
What Is Noel Gallagher’s Net Worth?
As of mid-2024, Noel Gallagher, the celebrated English musician, singer, and songwriter, boasts a net worth of $70 million. This substantial fortune is primarily attributed to his pivotal role as the primary songwriter, lead guitarist, and co-lead vocalist of the globally renowned band Oasis. The band’s immense popularity throughout the 1990s significantly contributed to Noel’s financial success. In contrast, his brother Liam Gallagher’s net worth is estimated at $6 million. The considerable difference is mainly due to Noel’s role as the band’s primary songwriter and producer, entitling him to the lion’s share of royalties generated by Oasis’s music.
Royalties and Publishing Rights
Noel Gallagher’s income is significantly augmented by his ownership of a substantial portion of Oasis’s publishing rights. These rights dictate the usage of Oasis’s songs in various media, including movies, TV shows, and commercials. Consequently, Noel would be entitled to a significant portion of the income derived from the sale of their catalog rights. Liam Gallagher, as a performer of Oasis’s songs, earns ongoing “mechanical” royalties from music purchases and streaming. However, these royalties have diminished in the streaming era compared to the era of CD sales. It’s worth noting that Noel also receives a share of Liam’s mechanical royalties due to his role as a performer, while Noel’s songwriting and producing royalties are not shared.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Noel Thomas David Gallagher was born on May 29, 1967, in Manchester, England. He was raised in the Longsight area within an Irish Catholic household. His early life was marked by a challenging upbringing, including instances of physical abuse by his alcoholic father. In 1982, his mother left her husband, taking Noel and his two brothers with her. During his teenage years, Noel had several encounters with the police. At age 15, he was expelled from school for throwing flour at a teacher. He became a fervent supporter of Manchester City football club during this time. At 14, he received six months’ probation for shoplifting. During his probation, he dedicated his time to learning the guitar. Inspired by Johnny Marr and The Smiths, he began writing songs that would eventually feature on “Definitely Maybe.” He started his music career as a roadie for the band Inspiral Carpets. After returning from a US tour, Noel learned that his brother Liam had formed a rock band called the Rain. Liam invited Noel to join, and Noel accepted on the condition that he would be the principal songwriter.
Oasis’s Rise and Split
After securing a contract with Sony, Oasis toured with the Verve and released the single “Supersonic.” In 1994, they released their debut album, “Definitely Maybe,” which became the fastest-selling debut album in British history. They followed up with their second album, “(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?” This album performed well in the US charts. Throughout their career, Oasis released several successful albums and singles. The band eventually split up in 2009, after which Noel founded a new band called Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds.
Relationships and Personal Life
Noel Gallagher married Meg Mathews and welcomed his first child in 2000. Following allegations of adultery, he and Mathews separated. He then had two children with Sara MacDonald, whom he allegedly had an affair with. They married in 2011.
Rivalries and Controversies
Noel Gallagher has been known for his rivalries with various musicians. Oasis had a fierce rivalry with Blur, another band popular during the Britpop era. Noel once expressed a controversial sentiment, stating that he hoped the members of Blur would “catch AIDS and die.” He also had numerous altercations and arguments with his brother, Liam. In 1994, they fought on tour and in the recording studio. In one incident, Liam backed out of a live performance, leaving Noel to act as lead singer while Liam heckled him from the crowd. Despite being brothers, Noel and Liam stated that they never spent time together outside of band duties. This rivalry ultimately led to Noel’s departure from Oasis. Gallagher has also feuded with Jay-Z and Phil Collins, referring to the latter as the “antichrist.”
Real Estate Investments
In 2018, Noel Gallagher reduced the asking price of his London home to 8.95 million pounds, having originally listed it for 11.5 million pounds in 2016. The residence features six bedrooms, high ceilings, and luxurious gardens. It also includes a pool, tennis courts, and a library. Located in Little Venice, an affluent area of West London, Gallagher originally purchased the home for 8 million pounds in 2010. In 2020, he sold the home for 8 million pounds, breaking even but likely losing money due to associated fees. In 2019, Noel purchased a home in Hampshire for 8 million pounds. The country home, featuring seven bedrooms, a croquet lawn, and an adjoining cottage, is a significant departure from his West London residence. It’s believed he made the decision to allow his son to attend a posh school in the Hampshire area.
Financial Discrepancies with Liam Gallagher
While both Noel and Liam Gallagher contributed significantly to Oasis’s success, their financial situations differ considerably. As mentioned, Noel’s net worth is estimated at $70 million, while Liam’s is around $6 million. The primary reason for this disparity is Noel’s role as the band’s primary songwriter and producer. This entitles him to a larger share of royalties generated by Oasis’s music. Furthermore, Noel’s ownership of a significant portion of Oasis’s publishing rights ensures a substantial income stream. Liam Gallagher, as a performer, earns mechanical royalties, but these have become less lucrative in the streaming era. Additionally, Liam has admitted to spending a significant amount of money on his lifestyle. In a 2013 interview, he stated that he lived beyond his means while on tour and spent a lot on clothes. During his divorce proceedings with ex-wife Nicole Appleton, Liam revealed that his net worth was “just” $15 million. He was then ordered to pay Nicole 50% of his assets, with legal fees estimated to exceed $1.1 million.
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
After leaving Oasis in 2009, Noel Gallagher embarked on a solo career with his band Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds. The band has released several successful albums, further contributing to Noel’s net worth. The debut album, “Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds,” released in 2011, reached number one in the UK Albums Chart and sold over 800,000 copies in the UK. Subsequent albums, such as “Chasing Yesterday” (2015) and “Who Built the Moon?” (2017), also achieved commercial success, solidifying Noel’s position as a successful solo artist.
Songwriting and Production Royalties – Specifics
Noel Gallagher’s primary source of income stems from his songwriting and production royalties related to the Oasis catalog. To illustrate, a successful Oasis track can generate hundreds of thousands of dollars annually from streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, with Noel receiving a substantial percentage of these revenues as the primary songwriter. Moreover, the use of Oasis songs in films, television shows, and advertising campaigns generates significant licensing fees, again with Noel receiving a significant portion. For example, if an Oasis song is used in a major Hollywood film, the licensing fee can range from $50,000 to $500,000, depending on the song’s prominence and the film’s budget.
Investment Portfolio Details
While specific details of Noel Gallagher’s investment portfolio are not publicly available, it is likely that he has diversified his assets across various investment vehicles, including stocks, bonds, and real estate. A common strategy for high-net-worth individuals like Noel is to invest in a mix of low-risk and high-risk assets to achieve long-term financial growth while mitigating risk. It is plausible that he invests in companies, real estate ventures, or private equity funds.
Liam Gallagher’s Spending Habits
Liam Gallagher’s lifestyle choices have contributed to the financial disparity between him and his brother Noel. As Liam himself admitted, he lived lavishly while touring with Oasis, spending considerable sums on luxury hotels and business-class flights. His penchant for expensive clothing also contributed to his spending habits. Additionally, his divorce from Nicole Appleton resulted in a significant financial settlement, further impacting his net worth.
Future Earning Potential
Noel Gallagher’s future earning potential remains high, driven by his ongoing songwriting and performance activities, as well as the continued popularity of the Oasis catalog. With new album releases, tours, and licensing opportunities, Noel is positioned to further increase his net worth. Additionally, the value of his publishing rights is likely to appreciate over time, generating further income.
