“I went to the match on Saturday with Noel and he said ‘I really love the book, there’s loads in there I’d forgotten about, it brings back great memories’.”Liam and Noel Gallagher, in their Man City shirts, photographed by Kevin Cummins(Image: Kevin Cummins)

Fingers outstretched for the camera, Liam and Noel Gallagher strike an iconic pose in their Manchester City shirts, photographed in the early 1990s just as they were on the cusp of worldwide fame.

This, and many more of the most famous images that would go on to define the Oasis legend, were taken by Manchester-born photographer Kevin Cummins.

Now, Kevin has compiled a book featuring a host of his famous photos of Oasis from 1993 – when he was brought on board to help the fledgling band find a look to match their sound.

Called Oasis: The Masterplan, the new book documents twelve months of seismic change that cemented the identity of Oasis.

Noel and Liam outside the Peveril of the Peak pub(Image: Kevin Cummins)

From the just-bought at-Affleck’s Palace attainability of their look to the Brother-sponsored Man City Shirts, the changing backgrounds from Maine Road, the Peveril of the Peak pub and the Arndale Centre to riotous early gigs, the photographs “show the masterplan coming into being”.

As well as Kevin’s memories of the various shoots across Manchester and London, the book also features Noel’s thoughts too.

Kevin had first started planning the book around 18 months ago – before anyone had any inkling of the big Oasis reunion that was being planned by the Gallagher brothers.

But now, the timing means it’s released just as interest in the band and the brothers is at fever pitch ahead of the July comeback tour that has set the world alight.

The band photographed in London in 1993 by Kevin(Image: Kevin Cummins)

Kevin tells the MEN it did, however, mean a quick call back to Noel to get some extra quotes after he and brother Liam made that huge announcement last year.

Kevin said: “I thought it would be a nice idea to document that early year shooting with the band and it’s been in the works for about 18 months. I’d already spoken to Noel and asked him a range of questions on football, fashion and music – but [after the reunion announcement] I had to ring him back up and said ‘you never told me about this! ‘

“They didn’t tell anyone, even his daughter didn’t even know, they were incredibly secretive about it which in this industry is incredible, I’d have never been able to keep a secret about it.”

In the book, Noel gives his thoughts on the reaction to the reunion, saying: “I thought it would be a big deal, but I was a bit taken aback by just how big of a deal it was.”

Oasis: The Masterplan is the new book from Kevin Cummins(Image: Kevin Cummins)

Kevin was also stunned by the reaction. He says: “Half the world wanted tickets. I’ve never seen anything like it. Like Noel says, I thought it would be big but had no idea so many people would be wanting the tickets.

“But then so many people grew up with Oasis, and now they want to take their kids too.”

Kevin’s stunning music photos of bands like Joy Division, The Smiths and Oasis are known, and loved, by fans across the world. His work has taken him around the world too, and he says people always ask him the same things.

He said: “The questions I have always got everywhere is ‘will Oasis reform, will The Smiths reform’? Like I’d know the answer.”

Since those early photo shoots, Kevin has stayed friendly with Noel, seeing him regularly at football matches, sharing their mutual passion for Manchester City.

The iconic “Brother” Man City shirts photos of Liam and Noel (Image: Kevin Cummins)

And looking back now at the famous shots of Liam and Noel with their Man City shirts on, the old Brother sponsor logo emblazoned across it, brings back memories.

He says: “When we did that City shoot, having Brother on the shirts was an absolute gift for me, once I photographed them in those kits they went all around the world, but a lot of people didn’t understand that Brother was the shirt sponsor!

People thought it was about the brotherhood, I suppose that’s much more prosaic.”

Liam pictured at Maine Road in 1993(Image: Kevin Cummins)

“But I love the Man City shots for obvious reasons. Because those pictures were so defining of them.

“When they made the announcement they were getting back together those were the ones that got used everywhere.”

The book has also brought back the memories for Noel himself, who Kevin says has given his approval. Kevin says: “I went to the match on Saturday with Noel and he said “I really love the book, there’s loads in there I’d forgotten about, it brings back great memories.

“I really think the book shows the progression of the band over the years. Although when I was talking to Noel he said ‘I can’t believe our clothes the clothes it’s like a catalogue for Marks and Spencers!'”

Noel pictured in 1993 by Kevin(Image: Kevin Cummins)

As for the Oasis reunion shows this summer, Kevin will be heading along – but not to shoot, just to enjoy.

He laughs: “I hope it’s a mixed audience and not just lads throwing beer around. I’m happy to bask in the sun with my book, I don’t really want to photograph them now, I’ve photographed them a lot individually over the years.”

Looking back now at the 1993 photos, did Kevin know just how big a deal Oasis were to become? He says: “Initially no, but when we went out on tour with them in April that year, you suddenly realised they were in backrooms of pubs too small for them already.

“To go from that to play Maine Road in two years, it’s a trajectory that most bands don’t ever get.”

Kevin will be sharing more of his Oasis stories at an in conversation event with Terri White about the book at Waterstones in Manchester on May 27 at 6.30pm. Tickets can be purchased now from Waterstones for £5 for general admission, or £37 for the book, entry and a special limited edition print for the event.