Oasis bandmembers Liam and Noel Gallagher filed an injunction halting an October 3 auction of over 100 hours of unheard 1990s rehearsal tapes, soundchecks, and 63 live shows collected by former sound engineer Huw Richards. Littleton Auctions confirmed the legal block after Richards’ son attempted to sell the master archive.
The Desk Tapes Withdrawn From Littleton Auctions
An auction featuring more than 100 hours of unreleased Oasis audio material was abruptly pulled from the block after the band initiated legal proceedings. Littleton Auctions in the UK confirmed the withdrawal of the recordings, known as “The Desk Tapes,” from their scheduled October 3 sale. Managing director Ben Homer stated that the auction house is very disappointed to lose the significant archive. Owain Richards, son of the sound engineer who recorded the material, acknowledged that the band sued both him and his father to block the transaction. Both parties have agreed to postpone the sale to resolve the dispute through litigation or other orderly means.
Provenance of the 1990s Master Archive
The disputed archive spans the height of the band’s career during the mid-1990s. Huw Richards worked as the front-of-house sound engineer for Oasis from the 1994 release of their debut album Definitely, Maybe until 2001. During his tenure, Richards captured soundchecks, rehearsals, and 63 live shows directly from the mixing desk. The collection includes recordings from major performances such as the band’s Knebworth concerts in August 1996. Littleton Auctions previously described the collection as the only master archive of its kind in existence.
Remaining Oasis Memorabilia in the Auction
While the master audio tapes remain off the market, the remainder of the Littleton Auctions sale proceeds as scheduled. Ben Homer confirmed that non-audio items are unaffected by the injunction. The catalog still features internal tour itineraries, original setlists, a band-played Epiphone guitar, and an original Kangol Oasis tour Parka. Auction organizers noted that while the band did not support the sale, the handling of the items proceeded with transparency and proper legal process regarding verified provenance.
Did you know about the recording source?
Sound engineer Huw Richards recorded the disputed master tapes directly from the mixing desk during live performances and rehearsals, capturing over 100 hours of audio material that Littleton Auctions labeled as a once-in-a-generation opportunity for collectors.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Injunction
Why was the Oasis tape auction cancelled?
Oasis bandmembers Noel and Liam Gallagher filed an injunction against Owain Richards and his father, forcing the postponement of the audio archive sale pending a legal resolution.
What audio was included in the disputed archive?
The collection contained 63 live shows, soundchecks, and more than 100 hours of rehearsal recordings captured by sound engineer Huw Richards between 1994 and 2001.
Are any items still available in the auction?
Yes. Littleton Auctions confirmed that other band memorabilia, including original setlists, tour itineraries, a band-played Epiphone guitar, and an original Kangol Oasis tour Parka, will still be sold.
Related reading