Robert Peter Williams¹ was brought up in Stoke-on-Trent. He grew up, and still is, a big supporter of Port Vale FC, and has featured, digital style, in FIFA 2000. Robbie's mother, Jan, describes his childhood as being, "both lively and entertaining - I could never tell him off, his pranks were always so amusing!". Throughout his early years he took a great interest in the stage. He appeared in many school-plays, and then went on to join a theatre club and enjoyed starring roles in musicals and plays.

Singing wasn't his first job - he started out as a double-glazing salesman. It soon became obvious that this would never work out, Robbie always ended up telling the customers how bad the company he worked for was. He came to the public's attention when he joined Take That in 1990 aged 16.

Take That

Robbie was warmly welcomed into Take That. The other members were delighted with his sense of humour. During his five years with Take That they achieved eight No. 1s and three highly successful albums. Despite an outward appearance of friendship, ructions had started to form. Robbie wasn't happy. Take That was very strictly managed, he felt trapped in a package, a figure-head of a group. Robbie had always preferred being an 'entertainer' rather than a 'singer', he was an extrovert, and this was something that Take That never let him be. Realising that a solo career would better suit him, Robbie decided it was time to leave.

His career with Take That ended on July 17, 1995 when the nation woke up to the headline "I Quit".

As the world recovered from what outwardly had been a perfect group, rumours started to circulate, Robbie told the media that he felt as though he was being pushed out of the picture, so he left.

Massive court proceedings started, Take That's record company BMG, had placed a clause in his contract which stopped him releasing any solo items if he ever left the group. Finally he won his case and held a press conference in which his new manager announced his signing to EMI / Chrysalis.

The Bad Years

During his time at Take That Robbie became a regular cocaine user and an alcoholic. He always attributed this to the very confining life he had with the group. Leaving the group made things worse. Robbie tagged along with Oasis for the credibility and in the hope that Noel Gallagher would give him a couple of songs. The time Robbie spent with Oasis pushed him even further into the world of heavy partying, drinking and drugging. Following the recommendations of Elton John and George Michael, Robbie was admitted to Clouds House Drink and Drugs Rehabilitation Clinic in Salisbury, Wiltshire. After an intensive four-week course Robbie emerged a new man, with a new image. He had lost two stone and sported a new hairstyle. This time Robbie was serious.

Solo Career

Robbie's new life began in 1996 when he was born again.

Singles

• His first single was 'Freedom', a remix of a George Michael song. It sold just over a quarter of a million copies and reached No. 2, just narrowly beaten by the Spice Girls. Not bad for a first single.
• "Old Before I Die" featured a distinct Oasis influence. Again Robbie managed a No. 2, the elusive No. 1, thanks somewhat to poor timing, was always just out of reach.
• Robbie's luck took a turn for the better with Angels. Released in December 1997, it soon became No. 1, the Christmas No.1, followed by the New Year No.1, and still is No.1 on radio station "phone and vote" sessions. There could be no doubt after this that Robbie was going to be with us for a very long time.
• 'Let Me Entertain You' became Robbie's signature tune. The title perfectly sums up exactly what Robbie wanted from the public. An opportunity to let him do his own stuff and work some magic.
• Millennium, featuring a rift from the Bond film "You Only Live Twice". This was an opportunity for Robbie's marketing team to go to town with 'Robbie Bond' merchandise.
• Love Supreme, contains a basic melody from Gloria Gaynor's 'I Will Survive'.

Albums

• Williams released his first solo album, Life Thru a Lens, in 1997. The album became a big hit in Britain. However it took almost 30 weeks to reach No. 1. The album suddenly took off when 'Angels' was released. Robbie remembers, "The album had sold about 33,000 copies - which is bugger all as far as I'm concerned. Then 'Angels' come out and suddenly the album goes from 33,000 to 300,000 sales. Then two weeks later it went double platinum. I was a very happy boy!"
• This prompted his second album, I've Been Expecting You, in 1998.
• The Ego Has Landed, a US-only compilation designed for breaking Williams to American audiences, was released in the US in the spring of 1999. It was then released in Britain.

Future

Success came because of Robbie's mix of slow ballads and light rock, twinned with his good looks! He co-writes his songs with several other well-known artists who all agree that Robbie has some fantastic ideas, this is clearly shown in the material he produces.

Robbie's career goes from strength to strength. He has many planned appearances with artists like Madonna. As an entertainer, Robbie likes nothing more than to take part in live performances. Winning Brit Awards seems also to be a talent of his. He has more than ten already!

Millennium must have caught the attention of some influential people as there is much talk of Robbie appearing in a future Bond movie.

Robbie continues to release new songs of a consistently high standard. His singles can be found in any high street shop, look for the top 40.