Oasis have revealed who will be stepping in to replace Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs on their reunion tour, after the guitarist announced he was taking a short break to undergo cancer treatment.
The Britpop band confirmed they were bringing in Mike Moore to take his place for their shows in Seoul, Tokyo, Melbourne and Sydney over the next three weeks.
Bonehead, 60, revealed the sad news that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in a social media post at the start of the month.
The guitarist explained he would be missing the next few dates to undergo the next phase of treatment, but assured fans he would be back in time for the South American leg of the tour.
Mike has frequently performed for Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher over the past eight years, and contributed to his solo albums As You Were (2017), Why Me? Why Not. (2019) and C’mon You Know (2022).
A source told The Mirror: ‘Mike Moore has been playing for Liam since 2017 and so he knows plenty of the Oasis tunes from the solo gigs.
Oasis have revealed who will be stepping in to replace Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs on their reunion tour, after the guitarist announced he was taking a short break to undergo cancer treatment (seen on tour in July)
The Britpop band confirmed they were bringing in Mike Moore to take his place for their shows in Seoul, Tokyo, Melbourne and Sydney over the next three weeks (seen in 2022)
‘It’s not a full time slot in the band and everyone wants Bonehead well and back but it’s a huge privilege for Mike and he’s excited to get on the stage.’
The musician was spotted by fans at Seoul’s Incheon International Airport, ahead of Oasis’ show at the city’s Goyang Stadium on Tuesday night.
Bonehead – who has previously battled tonsil cancer – took to X to reveal he received the prostate diagnosis earlier this year, but that he was responding well to treatment.
He admitted he was ‘really sad’ to be missing the gigs in Asia and Australia, but insisted he’d rejoin the band for their final five tour dates – beginning on November 15 in Buenos Aires.
In a statement, the legendary musician said: ‘Early this year I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. The good news is I’m responding really well to treatment, which meant I could be part of this incredible tour.
‘Now, I am having to take a planned break for the next phase of my care, so I’ll be missing the gigs in Seoul, Tokyo, Melbourne and Sydney.
‘I’m really sad to be missing these shows but l’m feeling good and will be back ready to go in time for South America.
‘Have an amazing time if you’re going this month and I’ll see you back onstage with the band in November.’
Bonehead revealed he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer on social media at the start of the month and would be taking a break for the next phase of treatment, but assured fans he would be back in time for the South American leg of the tour
Bonehead has been credited as instrumental in helping the band get back together, with music industry insiders last year branding him ‘one of the drivers of the reunion’ (Liam and Noel seen)
Liam and Noel Gallagher reshared Bonehead’s statement on X and added: ‘Wishing you all the best with your treatment Bonehead – we’ll see you back on stage in South America.’
While their offspring also shared their well-wishes, with Liam’s daughter Molly Moorish commenting: ‘Sending love!’ and Noel’s daughter Anais writing: ‘We love you so much bonehead!’
Bonehead has been credited as instrumental in helping the band get back together, with music industry insiders last year branding him ‘one of the drivers of the reunion’.
In November, he was said to be ‘ecstatic’ over the tour announcement – with Liam and Noel reportedly ‘both wanting him in the fold’ after he helped them mend their relationship through his friendships with both brothers.
One insider told The Mirror at the time: ‘Bonehead is one of the few people they are both pals with and he has recently been trying too and it’s finally paid off.’
And at the start of their sell-out tour he was praised onstage by Noel, who confirmed he was the one to thank for bringing him and Liam back together.
Directing the audience to cheer for the guitarist, he declared: ‘On guitar, if it wasn’t for him none of this would have f**king happened in the first place, Mr Bonehead!’
Bonehead was part of the original Oasis line-up, alongside the Gallaghers, Paul McGuigan (aka Guigsy) and Tony McCarroll.
And at the start of their sell-out tour he was praised onstage by Noel, who confirmed he was the one to thank for bringing him and Liam back together (pictured with Noel last month)Bonehead was part of the original Oasis line-up, alongside the Gallaghers, Paul McGuigan (aka Guigsy) and Tony McCarroll.
Bonehead was part of the original Oasis line-up, alongside the Gallaghers, Paul McGuigan and Tony McCarroll (L-R Bonehead, Liam, Noel, Tony and Paul in 1993)
He left the group in 1999 during the recording of fourth album, Standing on the Shoulder of Giants, with an official statement saying he wanted to spend more time with his family.
As well as being an original member of the Britpop band, he has also remained friends with both Noel and Liam over the years, performing regularly with Liam in particular in his solo career.
In September 2022, Bonehead revealed he had been given the all-clear following his tonsil cancer diagnosis.
In an Instagram post, he happily shared: ‘Update on my cancer, I had a full scan 10 days ago, and it’s all clear, it’s gone.
‘Thank you so much all of you for the messages I’ve had throughout, you’ve helped me more than you know.’
He went on to thank his doctors and nurses that helped him throughout his battle, writing: ‘Thank you especially to the team @TheChristieNHS, into recovery now and see you all soon x’.
