Oasis Sues to Stop Auction of Unheard Recordings

A trove of unheard Oasis audio that could have fetched more than $1.5 million won't be going under the hammer after all, the Guardian reports. The band has launched legal action to halt the auction of the "Desk Tapes," prompting Littleton Auctions in Worcestershire to withdraw the lot days before its planned sale.

The archive, compiled by former Oasis sound engineer Huw Richards and consigned by his son Owain, includes 209 DAT tapes, 73 cassettes, three MiniDiscs, and material ranging from 63 live shows to rehearsal sessions and Gallagher brother chatter. Owain Richards confirmed to the BBC that Oasis is suing him and his father to prevent the auction, and said the sale is paused while the dispute plays out. The rest of Saturday's memorabilia auction, including Rolling Stones and Nirvana items, will proceed as planned. Other Oasis items will still be auctioned, including previously unpublished photos and instruments once owned by the band, Rolling Stone reports.