|
Volume 1 (1999/2000) Volume 2 (2000/2001) Volume 3 (2001) Categories
|
Robbie: Singing as he's WinningMaria HanleyRobbie Williams in my opinion is undoubtedly one of the best if not the greatest performer of the 90's and he is quickly proving himself true to that title in this millennium. Robert Peter Williams was born in Stroke-on-Tent on February 13th 1974. His parents split up when he was three and he lived with his mother, Janet and sister, Sally in the family's pub. When he was 16 he joined the infamous 90's boyband, 'Take That'. Previous to this, Robbie's only other job was as a salesman for double glazed windows (a job he despised). He stayed with Take Five for five years during which they clocked in 3 hit albums and eight no.1's. On July 17th 1995 Robbie left the band due to the constricting nature of his contract and the strict rules of his management. He himself claims that he was kicked out because he wouldn't obey the rules and once compared being in the band to being in prison. This is what caused him to seek refuge in drink and drugs. After many legal battles due to clauses in Robbie's old contract, he released his first single "Freedom". This was released exactly one year after he left his Take That. This song was originally a hit for George Michael who wrote it after leaving his old band WHAM! The single went in at no.2 in the charts, beaten only just by the Spice Girls. By the end of '96 Robbie was caught in whirlwind of drink and drugs, had gained weight and bleached his hair blond. In the media he was labelled as a fat joke. With the help of his parents he booked himself into a drink and drugs rehab clinic for one month. Following this he released two more singles 'Lazy Days' and 'South of the Border', both of which went top ten. But undoubtedly 'Angels' (which Robbie claims to have written after seeing a statue of angels in Dublin one night after a drinking binge) had the most impact. Released over the Christmas period it climbed to the no.1 spot and stayed in the top ten for 13 weeks. Finally, he began to get the attention and respect he had been looking for. His second album released in '98 went in at no.1 as well as the first single taken from his album 'I've Been Expecting You'. His following two singles 'No Regrets' and 'Stronger/It's Only Us' both debuted at no.1. With his latest album he has again proved he has what it takes as the album 'Sing when you’re Winning' and the single 'Rock DJ' went straight to the no.1 slot. Robbie lives to both entertain and shock and has caught many headlines over the summer with his controversial video for 'Rock DJ' (which sees him peeling off his skin and organs leaving only a dancing skeleton, while dancers around him eat the organs and skin) and his trip to St Tropez with Geri Halliwell (whom he describes as the only person in the world who can understand what he has gone through in the past few years). Robbie is undoubtedly one of the most loved entertainers of our generation and he is especially loved here in Ireland. His best and most memorable gig was in Slane '99 which he described as his best and scariest. There was a live audience of 80,000 fans and millions more watched on the TV and Internet. His upcoming concert in July of next year is definitely one to look forward to. |