Paul Arthurs, the rhythm guitarist with Oasis known as Bonehead, has been diagnosed with tonsil cancer.
He wrote on Twitter: “Just to let you all know I’m going to be taking a break from playing for a while. I have been diagnosed with tonsil cancer. But the good news is it’s treatable and I will be starting a course of treatment soon. I will keep you posted how it is going.”
He was due to perform with Liam Gallagher at major concerts in Manchester and Knebworth this summer. Gallagher tweeted: “Sending BIG love to the 1 n only Bonehead and his family wishing you a speedy recovery we’re all thinking of you rasta you’ll be back on stage bfore you can say r we doing [the Oasis song] Colombia.”
Arthurs, who is 56, co-founded Oasis with Gallagher, originally calling themselves the Rain; they soon recruited Gallagher’s brother Noel and changed the band’s name. Arthurs recorded three albums with the group including the era-defining Definitely Maybe and (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?, before leaving in 1999 during the recording of fourth album Standing on the Shoulder of Giants.
He later joined Liam Gallagher’s band Beady Eye, from 2013 to 2014, and has frequently played live with Liam during the latter’s solo career, most recently at the Reading and Leeds festivals in 2021. He also formed the group Parlour Flames, and worked as a radio DJ during his post-Oasis career.
