Oasis' Bonehead reveals truth behind nickname after parents' utterly brutal decision

It is the great nickname in Oasis - but the reason why guitarist Paul Arthurs is called Bonehead goes back to his childhood.

The 60-year-old owes his moniker to his parents and their hatred of long hair, before he was playing gigs with Noel and Liam Gallagher.

Taking up the story in the Oasis book Supersonic, Paul said: “I probably got the name Bonehead when I was eight.

“In 1973 most people in my primary school did have long hair, which was the style of the time, and I didn't. It was just straight down the barbers every Friday, you know, typical Irish Catholic parents, and they're having none of it, no long hair in our house.

“They gave me my 50 pence, and I had to go down. ‘What is it? Usual your short back and sides?’.

“No long hair on our street. So that was my nickname from the age of eight. You know, some kid, ‘Ah, look at the bonehead!’. And that was it.

“When I got to secondary school, even the teachers referred to me as Bonehead, even when they were angry, Bonehead, it wasn't ‘Arthur’s'. That's when you knew you were in trouble. When you got the surname, it was Bonehead, and has been ever since.”

Despite the straight forward nature of the nickname Bonehead, the guitarist admitted he had played around with the name a little since he had been in Oasis and in the early days when they got big and were doing interviews.

He explained: “When we got really well known we used to do interviews in France, and they want to know why I was called Bonehead. I always used to tell them that I went right back in my family history. My real name is Bonaparte Headimas, and the Bonehead was for short. People fell for it.”

Bonehead is a rare member of the Oasis inner circle who has stayed friends with Noel and Liam Gallagher through all their ups and downs. Despite the Gallaghers loving Manchester City, Bonehead is a red and even being a United fan has not led to any fallings out amongst them.

Some insiders liked him to the “glue” that will help keep this tour together if there are to be any clashes.

Bonehead has been posted photos of his selection of Adidas trainers each day on social media when he was heading to rehearsals. Since landing in Cardiff ahead of the first night he has also been trying out the welsh teacakes when he has been having a brew in downtime away from the stage.

Bonehead is joining Liam and Noel on the Oasis Live 25 tour having played with Liam on his Definitely Maybe solo tour in 2024. Gem Archer and Andy Bell will also play guitars in the massive sold out gigs, with Andy on bass.

The band also has new members in keyboard player Christian Madden and drummer Joey Waronker on drums and a new female member in backing singer Jess Greenfield.

READ MORE: Oasis have released new tickets for UK tour - how to buy yours if you missed out

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