Robbie Williams
- Profession: Singer
- Place/Date of Birth: 13 February 2021
- Assiociated with: Take That
Meanwhile the pop star has revealed he is releasing his sixth solo album in Europe next month. The album, entitled ’Intensive Care’, marks the follow-up to the 2003 ’Escapology’.
Robbie Williams has signed a revolutionary new deal - July 05
Robbie Williams has signed a revolutionary new deal with phone giant T-Mobile that will net him millions. The agreement is a world first and experts say it could change the music industry forever. Fans of the phenomenally successful star will get exclusive access to his new songs via their mobiles before the CDs are available to buy.
They will also be in with a chance of meeting the singer through special competitions, and will get free downloads such as Robbie ringtones and wallpaper. Robbie has signed up with T-Mobile for 18 months and will be part of a global advertising campaign. Music insiders say artists looking for different ways to sell their music may strike similar deals. Industry bosses are desperate to find a new way of reaching buyers because sales of singles and albums are declining due to illegal downloading.
The ex-Take That singer said: "The future is music by mobile." The new deal is seen as much more than an advertising link-up. It’s a radical idea that could change the way artists market their songs.
Phil Chapman, UK marketing director for T-Mobile, said: "Our goal is to make mobile music accessible, exclusive and enjoyable, which is why partnering with the biggest artist in Europe is a great fit." The company hope to lure fans with contests to win backstage tours and tickets to meet Robbie. After show access will also be up for grabs.
Robbie demands apology - Feb 05
Robbie is fuming over false quotes about Pete Doherty. The Angels star has demanded that The Sun make a full apology after they falsely reported that Robbie had refused to attend the Brit awards if Libertines drug addict Pete Doherty was to be there. According to The Sun Robbie was worried that Pete’s drugged up infamy would upstage him, however Robbie’s lawyers have hit back, calling the report "grossly offensive and defamatory." Going on to explain that Robbie has the utmost sympathy for Pete.
Rob’s threat - Feb 05
Robbie Williams is in trouble again as he threatens to break photographers legs. According to veteran paparazzi photographer, 72 year old Dennis Stone, Robbie growled "I could pay someone to break your legs" as he was snapped disembarking from a plane at Heathrow airport. However, a friend of Robbie’s explained that he actually said "If your editor told you to break my legs would you do it?"
Robbie’s best song - Feb 05
Robbie Williams is ’astonished’ by Brit award. As Angels was announced as the best song of the last 25 years - as voted for by the public - Robbie told public that he is amazed that his career keeps going. The singer also had a surprise when Chris Evans told him that ex Take That members Gary Barlow and Howard Donald would be presenting the award. The look of worry on his face said it all, as did the visible relief when Matt Lucas and David Walliams appeared on stage dressed as the duo to hand over the gong to Robbie.
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Robbie joined Take That when he was only 16, he had only one job previous to that, as a double glazing salesman, but apparently he wasn’t very good - he would tell customers not to buy them because they were so bad! For five years, Robbie became the joker of the band, always smiling and playing gags on people as Take That rose to record-breaking stardom. However, in July 1995 Robbie announced he was to leave the band to concentrate on a solo career...a nation of teenage girls mourned.
After a stint eating pies, doing drugs and being friends with the Gallaghers, Robbie signed to Chrysalis Records. His first ever solo single on this label would be a cover of George Michael’s Freedom . It was released on July 29th 1996 exactly one year after his departure from Take That. It reached No 2 in the UK charts. Life began to get a bit rough for Robbie during the following months, he met Jacquie Hamilton-Smith at a New Years Eve Party of 1996, moved in with her the next day and partied (in more ways that one) for exactly one year before coming to his senses. In the middle of all this he released his second single Old Before I Die on April 14th 1997 which also reached No 2 in the charts.
At the beginning of June 1997 after many bad reports in the media, Robbie checked himself into a rehab centre to receive treatment for his addiction to alcohol and drugs. After 4 weeks at the centre Rob emerged 2 stones lighter, sporting a new haircut, and hopefully feeling much better. The release of Lazy Days followed soon after on July 14th, and made it’s first appearance in the UK charts at No 8, to be followed shortly by South Of The Border.
December 1997 was the real beginning for Robbie, he released ’Angels’ as his Christmas single, never knowing quite what an impact it would have on the market. Into the new year of 1998 it was still in the charts and ’Life Thru A Lens’ shot back into the album charts and has been there ever since. Robbie truly had arrived, signing up thousands of new fans daily. Millennium and accompanying album I’ve Been Expecting You followed up on this success, making Robbie the biggest selling artist of 1998.
He began trying to win over the US in 1999 touring The Ego Has Landed. His success continued in 2000 with the release of immediate hit, Rock DJ. Sing When You’re Winning, was as popular as his accompanying collection of lounge covers, Swing When You’re winning. In 2002, Robbie signed a record breaking contract with EMI for £50m, securing his place in pop history. Escapology duly topped the charts in the UK while Robbie spent time in LA being papped with new girlfriend Rachel Hunter.
The biggest outdoor concert ever was hosted by Robbie in 2003 at Knebworth Park attracting 375,000 fans over three days. He followed up this success with two album releases, a Greatest Hits and 2005’s Intensive Care which accompanied his appearance on stage at Live8. Around this time speculation was rife that Robbie was ready to patch things up with his former bandmates and take part in a Take That reunion tour. However Robbie disappointed fans and friends by failing to turn up at an ITV organised reunion and merely recording a video part for the tour which Gary and co embarked on a UK tour without him.
But Robbie wasn’t resting on his laurels. While Take That returned to the studio Robbie did the same, releasing his tenth album, Rudebox in 2006 which brought more controversy to the singer when he failed to credit a supposed co-writer.
It never seems to stop for Robbie.
updated Oct 2006
September 2007