Robbie

Prince of UK Pop

Out of all the members of Take That, Robbie Williams never really seemed to fit in. Roguishly handsome where his bandmates were merely cute, Williams was tougher and sexier than the rest, which made him more distinctive. He also fought regularly with the other members and their management, primarily because he was occasionally adverse to being so heavily packaged. So it didn't come as a surprise that he was the first to leave the band, departing early in the summer of 1995 to pursue a solo career; by some accounts, he was fired from the group. Although he was the first out of the gate, it took Williams awhile to get started. For most of 1995, he attempted to boost his credibility by tagging along with Oasis, hoping that Noel Gallagher would give him a couple of songs. He never did, but all of his time with Oasis launched Williams into a world of heavy partying, drinking, and drugging. Over the course of 1996, he was only heard from in gossip columns, and every published picture indicated he had put on considerable weight. Occasionally, he was quoted as saying his new music would abandon lightweight dance-pop for traditional Brit-pop, but his first single was a cover of George Michael's "Freedom '90." Released late in 1996, the single was a disaster, but his second single, 1997's "Old Before I Die," was more in the vein of his early pronouncements, featuring a distinct Oasis influence. Williams released his first solo album, Life Thru a Lens, in 1997. The album became a big hit in Britain, prompting his second, I've Been Expecting You, in 1998. The Ego Has Landed, a U.S.-only compilation designed for breaking Williams to American audiences, was released stateside in the spring of 1999. Sing When You're Winning followed in late 2000, gaining success with the video hit "Rock DJ," while a big-band album of standards (Swing When You're Winning) appeared a year later. During 2002, Williams celebrated an enormous new contract with EMI (rumored to be upward of 80 million dollars), but suffered the loss of his longtime production partner, Guy Chambers. Escapology, the fifth Robbie Williams album (and the last including Chambers' input), sold millions of copies in Europe, though it failed to persuade American audiences. As a result, the 2003 concert record Live at Knebworth wasn't released in the States.

1996
Robbie's 1st attempt at solo success came with the cover of George Michael's "Freedom 90."

1997
Williams released the single "Old Before I Die" and his 1st LP in the U.K., Life Thru A Lens, which allowed Williams to make news with his music rather than much-reported fast-paced lifestyle which he was able to overcome after a stint in rehab. Life Thru A Lens eventually hit #1 in the U.K.

1998
Williams topped the UK Singles chart with "Millennium" for 2 weeks.

Williams released his 2nd UK LP, I've Been Expecting You, and the LP immediately topped the UK Albums charts for 2 weeks. Tracks such as "No Regrets" and "Strong" hit the Top 10 in the UK.

# 32 Singles Artist of the Year

1999
I've Been Expecting You topped the UK Album charts for 2 weeks.

Williams released The Ego Has Landed - which was meant to introduce Williams to American audiences.
Williams supported the LP with a North American tour.
Williams hit the Top US 10 with "Millennium."
Williams hit the Top 40 with "Angels."

The Ego Has Landed was certified gold.
Williams topped the UK Singles chart for a week with "She's The One"/"It's Only Us."

Williams hit the Top 10 with "Angels."
Williams performed at NetAid in London.

2000
Williams took home 2 Brit Awards for Best British Single and Best British Video ("She's The One").
Williams topped the UK charts for a week with "Rock DJ."

Williams was nominated for a Billboard Video Music Award for Best Clip of the Year ("Rock DJ").
Sing When You're Winning topped the UK charts for 3 weeks.

Williams hit the Top 40 with "Rock DJ."
Williams lost a copyright infringement case regarding his song "Jesus In A Camper Van." The lawsuit stated Robbie's song was too similar to a Loudon Wainwright III' song which was adapted into Arlo Guthrie's "I Am The Way."

Williams won a MTV Europe Award for Best Song ("Rock DJ") and was nominated for Best Pop Act, Best Male, Best Video, and Best UK & Ireland Act.
Williams won a My VH1 Music Award for Best U.K. Act.

Send someone to love me, I need to rest in arms
Keep me safe & warm in pouring rain
Give me endless summer, Lord, I feel the cold
Feel I'm getting old before my time

As my soul, Heals the shame
I will grow, Through this pain
Lord I'm doing, All I can
To be a better man

Go easy on my conscience, Cause it's not my fault
I know I've been told, To take the blame
Rest assured my angels, Will catch my tears
Walk me out of here, I'm in pain

As my soul, Heals the shame
I will grow, Through this pain
Lord I'm doing, All I can
To be a better man

Once you've found that lover you're home bound
Love is all around, love is all around
I know some have fallen on stoney ground
But love is all around

Send someone to love me, I need to rest in arms
Keep me safe & warm in pouring rain
Give me endless summer, Lord I feel the cold
Feel I'm getting old, Before my time

2001
While performing in Germany, Williams was attacked by a fan on stage who jumped him from behind. Williams was not hurt and was able to finish the concert - the attacker was arrested.
Williams took home 3 Brit Awards for Best British Male Solo Artist, and Best British Single and Best British Video ("Rock DJ"), and was nominated for Best British Album (Sing When You're Winning).

Williams could be heard on the soundtrack for Bridget Jones' Diary with "Have You Met Miss Jones?" and "Not Of This Earth."

Williams could be heard on the soundtrack for A Knight's Tale with a remake of "We Are The Champions" with Queen.

Williams topped the UK singles chart for 2 weeks with "Eternity / The Road To Mandalay."

Williams' video for "Rock DJ" won a MTV Video Music Award for Best Special Effects (Carter White, Audio Motion, & Clear Post Production) and was also nominated for Best Male Video and Breaktrhough Video.

Williams released Swing When You're Winning - the LP consists of big-band cover songs. Williams said of the work: "I've loved this music since I was a kid. For me to sing in front of the band that backed Sinatra in the same studio that he used is an honor. Prepare to be astonished."

Williams won a MTV Europe Music Award for Best Male Act.

Swing When You're Winning topped the UK Albums chart for 7 weeks.
Williams topped the UK singles chart for 3 weeks with his remake of "Somethin' Stupid" - a duet with actress, Nicole Kidman.

2002
Williams won a Brit Award for Best British Male.

Williams signed a very large recording deal with EMI reportedly worth about $125 million.

Williams released Escapology overseas and will tour Europe in June. He told the press about his lack of desire to succeed in the US: "I'm really not interested in breaking into America. It's too much hard work, too much of a fight. I've got my money now. Thank you very much."

Williams topped the UK LP charts for 7 weeks with Escapology.

2003
Williams won a Brit Award for Best British Male Artist.
Williams was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Music Video, Long Form (Live At The Albert).

Williams released Escapology in the US.

Williams released Live At Knebworth in the UK.

Williams won a World Music Award for Best British Pop/Rock Male Artist.

Williams could be heard on the soundtrack (and seen in the film) for De-Lovely with "It's De-Lovely."

2004
Williams topped the UK singles chart with "Radio."
Williams released his Greatest Hits overseas, and it hit #1 in 18 countries.

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