Noel Thomas David Gallagher (born May 29, 1967 in Manchester, England) is a guitarist and vocalist. Active since 1991, he is best known as the lead guitarist and songwriter of the Manchester rock band Oasis. Raised with younger brother Liam Gallagher in Burnage, Manchester, Gallagher began to teach himself the guitar at the age of thirteen during a period of probation. After a series of odd jobs in construction, Gallagher joined local Manchester band Inspiral Carpets as a roadie in 1988. In 1991, he became a member.