Robbie Williams and Take That face off

11 October 2006

 

LONDON: Robbie Williams and his former bandmates from Take That go head to head later this month with the release of an album and a DVD on the same day.

 

 

Williams, who has forged a successful solo career since leaving boyband Take That and who frequently makes digs at his former bandmates during gigs, is releasing his new album Rudebox on October 23.

 

The album follows last year's Intensive Care, which, according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry trade group, was the top selling album in Europe last year and sold more than five million copies in total.

 

Take That are releasing a DVD on the same day called The Ultimate Tour - Live in Manchester, which features a documentary about the build up to the band's reunion - after splitting in 1996 -- and successful return to the stage.

 

Take That are also promoting a new album which appears on November 27 called Beautiful World.

 

Williams has asked young film-makers to make seven short films to compliment his new album and is holding a competition for the eighth film to accompany the track The 80s.

 

Williams will be on the panel of judges and the winner will receive 7,500 pounds in prize money as well as possibly see the film included on a special DVD.

 

"This is the record I've always wanted to make," Williams said in a statement. It's reignited how I think about what I can do with music myself."

 

Speaking about the film competition, he added: "Just like in music, today you can create a masterpiece out of an i-book and some digital footage, as much as you can in a fancy studio."

 

Williams is signed to EMI and Take That to Universal Music Group's Polydor label.

 

 

Robbie runs video contest

Source: Music Week

 

 

Robbie Williams has invited seven young directors to submit a video for his next single The 80s.

 

Williams will judge the entries, with help from Jonathan Ross and David Puttman, and the winner will receive £7,500 and the chance to see their work broadcast.

 

Williams says the competition fits in well with the ethos of the Rudebox album, from which the track is taken. He says, “Rudebox was done in a guerrilla way, no plan of action, it just evolved into what it is naturally. That's what I like about film today and why I wanted to do this project and competition.

 

“Just like in music today, you can create a masterpiece out of an iBook and some digital footage, as much as you can in a fancy studio. I'm very excited to see what the film-makers can come up with."

 

 

 

The Star

Joe Mott Exclusive

12/10/06

edited.

 

PROBLEM TRACK TO BE DUMPED

 

Robbie wields the axe

 

Robbie Williams will have to release his new album minus the track his ex-manager is suing him over.

 

In my opinion that's the only way the 32-year old can hold it all together. I'm told there's a chance he may have to remove it anyway - making it the latest in a long line of problems caused by the The 90's, which was due to appear on album Rudebox.

 

Bob's former Take That manager Nigel Martin Smith is suing the star for £300,000 over the song, which included lyrics Smith alleges are defamatory.

 

Despite the offending words being removed in a new version of the track, insiders say the whole song could be set for the chop.

 

I'm told "The album's supposed to be released on October 23, but this problem still isn't resolved.

 

"One way to guarantee its release with out causing further legal problems is to remove the track.

 

No decision has been made yet, but this is a massive headache for everyone concerned"

 

A few weeks ago I issued a plea to the star to give himself space to breath.

 

Since then he's cancelled the Asian leg of his world tour blaming it on exhaustion.

 

With the added nightmare of being sued, and his new record - seen by many as a vanity project - being beset by problems I worry that it might all become a bit much for him.

 

While he thrives on the drama and notoriety that surround his every move, Bob is also very sensitive to criticism and hasn't always dealt well with his many problems in the past.

 

Bob, get rid of this headache and stay healthy. It's not worth all this strife over one song.

Bob, get rid of this headache and stay healthy. It's not worth all this strife over one song.

 

WOW...finally some wise words from a journalist.

:o :o :o

New serious doubts about the release date then I guess

:cry: :cry: :cry:

And I don't understand any of this. What problem could there still be with the 90s if certain lyrics have been removed? :unsure:

Nigel, what do you F***ING want ??!! :arrr:

To be Robbie's manager again probably. <_<

Probably...yes :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

ROBBIE WILLIAMS OPENS THE RUDEBOX TO FILM TALENT

EMI Australia

 

Robbie Williams has always enjoyed encouraging new talent. With his new album Rudebox (released October 21) he recognised that there was an opportunity to do just that.

 

So he asked a selection of new, young, guerilla film-makers to make seven short films, to compliment the album - his most experimental and innovative to date. Using a wide and unusually open brief, film-makers were all told they could use as much or as little from the different album tracks as they wanted.

 

Based on the writer's/director's originality and vision, seven treatments were selected and green-lit by Robbie Williams, including those by Ken Wardrop (Venom), Jim Field-Smith (Idiotlamp) and Joel Wilson (11 Film).

 

The eighth film is yet to be made and budding directors from around the world are invited to enter a competition to create their own short music film for The 80s, one of the album's pivotal tracks.

 

Entrants will have their work judged by Williams himself, Lord Puttnam, Jonathan Ross, and a prominent film commissioner. The panel will select a winner who will scoop a grand prize of £7,500 ($18,800 AUS) and have their film considered for broadcast and possible inclusion on a full-length DVD.

 

A £7,500 ($18,800 AUS) 'audience award' will also be awarded for the video which attracts the most votes on www.robbiewilliams.com/rudeboxshorts, where the competition is being hosted in conjunction with the influential independent film community site, Shooting People.

 

“This is the record I’ve always wanted to make. It’s reignited how I think about what I can do with music myself. ‘Rudebox’ was done in a guerrilla way, no plan of action, it just evolved into what it is naturally. That’s what I like about film today and why I wanted to do this project and competition. Just like in music, today you can create a masterpiece out of an i-book and some digital footage, as much as you can in a fancy studio. That’s how ‘The 80s’ began life itself, in my bedroom in LA with my friend Jerry messing around on my Mac. I'm very excited to see what the film-makers can come up with,†Robbie Williams.

 

“Shooting People is all about supporting the creative community and enabling emerging British talent to collaborate and produce great work,†comments Jess Search, co-founder, Shooting People.

 

“It is so encouraging that a world-class artist like Robbie Williams is offering up-and-coming filmmakers the chance to use his music in order to create something new and get their work in front of some of the biggest and most influential names in the music and film world. We are very much looking forward to seeing different approaches and interpretations of the song.â€

 

RobbieWilliams.com is proud to be a part of the competition that is championing the potential future big names in the film industry. Fans can visit the site to get the latest exclusives on Robbie Williams, and now we look forward to giving some of the world’s up-and-coming writers and directors a platform on which they can shine.

 

The winning films and runners up chosen by the judges and audience will be screened at an exclusive evening at the end of November – further details of which to be announced shortly.

sounds great monsoon...a short but nice statement

The Star

Joe Mott Exclusive

12/10/06

edited.

 

PROBLEM TRACK TO BE DUMPED

 

Robbie wields the axe

 

"With the added nightmare of being sued, and his new record - seen by many as a vanity project - being beset by problems I worry that it might all become a bit much for him."

 

Why does a journalist or other people in the media JUST NOT understand how a creative mind works?

All these people with all THEIR opinions....

 

Give RW some space to find out what he really wants for himself and cut all the crapp about it!!!

 

For a performer / writer / entertainer / musician the first thing is to do what you like and have freedom of expression.

For anyone who's offended by what RW does / sings: it says more about yourself than about him!!!

 

To be Robbie's manager again probably. <_<

 

jups, lol :D

Yeah, I bet Nigel would love that, although of course he would never admit it.

Especially after TT got rid of him ...

From http://www.news.independent.co.uk

 

 

Oh Boy, George

In the wake of his drugs bust this summer, the troubled singer is back, spitting venom at his contemporaries

By Anthony Barnes

Published: 15 October 2006

Boy George is bitter. After a troubled year culminating in a spell sweeping the streets of New York after a cocaine bust, the famously outspoken singer has returned to one of the things he does best: giving his contemporaries a taste of his acid tongue.

 

In an outspoken attack on fellow stars, he describes Madonna as "vile", Sir Elton John as a drama queen who appeals to "common-or-garden homosexuals", and Robbie Williams's music as "terrible". And those are some of his more polite descriptions in his expletive-strewn putdowns.

 

The singer also reveals that, despite his high profile and fortune, he is a regular user of gay prostitutes and tells how he lost himself in a blur of cocaine.

 

George, 45, has spent much of the past 12 months wrestling with personal issues after being arrested for cocaine possession. He was eventually ordered to serve five days' community service in August in a very public humiliation, which saw him hounded by TV crews, photographers and reporters as he swept gutters in Manhattan.

 

The singer and DJ has been in the public eye for a quarter of a century, first finding fame as the androgynous "gender bender" frontman for Culture Club, who affronted Middle England with his appearances on Top of the Pops in full make up, effeminate clothes and long, ribboned hair.

 

Now, in a new Channel 4 documentary, he has proved he has lost none of the power to shock by rounding on numerous celebrities. His choicest venom is reserved for Madonna.

 

In an extended rant, he splutters: "Madonna... I just think she's a vile, hideous, horrible human being with no redeeming qualities. There's nothing nice about her. I've never heard anyone say anything nice about her at all. And anyone that's ever met her she's been vile to. Vile, full of herself - so unspiritual. How has this woman got away with it for so long?"

 

As for Robbie Williams, he says: "He could use my help; the last album was terrible. He's at that point now where he's just throwing anything out - he needs another 'Angels' or something really classy. That new thing he's got out, it makes Ronan Keating look like a genius."

 

George let the cameras into his east London flat, which he has decorated with homoerotic artworks. His bed linen is decorated with the names of some of the people he has slept with, including his former long-term love Jon Moss, the drummer of Culture Club. His pillows also detail some of his sexual exploits.

 

"I like gay sex," he says. He also admits paying for sex and using the internet to trawl for partners. "Straight people have been doing it for years. Prostitution is the oldest, most respected profession. I don't think there's anything wrong with it."

 

During filming of The Madness of Boy George, to be screened on Tuesday, he is asked whether Sir Elton is a gay role model. "If you're a common-or-garden homosexual then maybe, but not if you're a fag like I am. I'm not an Elton John type of gay. I'm not vanilla" (into boring sex).

 

In the mid-1980s after his chart success started to slip, George turned to heroin like others in his social scene; he sunk back into drug use following the savaging of his stage show Taboo, when it went to Broadway, culminating in his bust last year. He had confusedly called police himself.

 

Although he calls his punishment "a media service day, not community service", he is upbeat about street sweeping. "I've enjoyed it, in a bizarre, perverse Boy George kind of way."

 

BY GEORGE...

 

ON MADONNA: "I just think she's a vile, hideous, horrible human being with no redeeming qualities. There's nothing nice about her. I've never heard anyone say anything nice about her at all."

 

ON ROBBIE WILLIAMS: "He could use my help. The last album was terrible. He's at that point where he's just throwing anything out. He needs another 'Angels' or something really classy."

 

ON ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER: "[People] always go on about 'theatre is a dying art form and we must save it', and then we just put on another Andrew Lloyd Webber re-run. It's tragic."

 

ON ELTON JOHN (after a hotel lift failed on him): "Imagine if that was Elton John, the drama that would have ensued? David Furnish would be spitting feathers right now."

 

 

 

:arrr:

And his last hit record was when exactly? :angry:

I always hated Culture Club anyway. <_<

Aww poor old Boy George :(

 

 

What a truely clueless old nob :smoke:

and just WHAT are Boy George's redeeming qualities :cry: Instead of slagging off others he should take a serious look at himself. Does he think he is being clever talking about his sicko life.

 

Get a reality check George you sad git.

this really disappoints me...I like Boy and I love his sense of humour. But he's really gone off the deep-end this time. He gives homosexuality a bad name.

From http://www.thisismoney.co.uk

 

 

EMI banks on Robbie

Jon Rees, Mail on Sunday

15 October 2006

 

EMI is banking on Robbie Williams and Norah Jones being top sellers in the second half of its financial year, with a trading statement from the music giant out tomorrow expected to indicate a sharp drop in first-half sales.

 

Overall, the company is expected to say trading indicates that full-year sales to the end of next March are likely to be about £2.07bn, compared with nearly £2.08bnin the previous 12 months.

The City is expecting a strong schedule of releases from EMI in the second half of the year, including new albums from Williams and Jones.

 

There will also be a new album of Beatles songs, called Love, put together by the band's former producer Sir George Martin and his son Giles.

 

Analysts at Citigroup believe five of EMI's forthcoming albums could sell more than three million copies each and they note that Jones has previously done at least as well as Coldplay, another EMI group, whose last album sold 7.5mcopies.

 

In the US, which accounts for 29% of its sales, the overall music market grew slightly last month. Sales in Japan, which makes up about 18%of EMI's market, have seen steady growth this year.

 

Overall sales of music in the UK, which accounts for about 17%of EMI's income, are likely to be down about 2%.

 

 

From http://news.scotsman.com

 

U.S. success eludes superstar Williams

By Mark Sutherland

 

NEW YORK (Billboard) - Sir Elton John calls him "the No. 1 star in the world." But not every worldwide star gets to be a star in the United States. Ask Americans what they think of Robbie Williams and they'll probably tell you he hasn't made a decent movie since "Mrs. Doubtfire."

 

In the United Kingdom, he is the single most recognizable musician working today, winner of a record 18 BRIT Awards and maker of six consecutive No. 1 studio albums. Worldwide, EMI Music says he has sold more than 51 million albums, singles and DVDs, with his last album opening at No. 1 in 18 different territories. His current world tour will see him play to 2.6 million fans, from Buenos Aires to Brisbane and Cape Town to Copenhagen.

 

Williams' solo career started brightly in the United States, with his ballad "Angels" peaking on the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 53 in 2000. But since then, his seemingly doomed attempts to convert America have become as essential a part of his UK tabloid persona as his struggles with alcohol and drugs and his dalliances with celebrities from Rachel Hunter to Nicole Kidman.

 

Williams last made a concerted assault upon America in 2003 with album "Escapology" (Chrysalis). But after debuting at No. 43 on the Billboard 200, the album slipped from view, and Williams subsequently cancelled plans to further tour the States. His career album sales to date stateside total slightly less than 1 million, according to Nielsen SoundScan, with U.S. debut "The Ego Has Landed" (Capitol), a compilation of his first two UK records, accounting for more than half that figure. Neither his last album, "Intensive Care" (2005), nor his new, electronica-inspired "Rudebox," out October 23 in the United Kingdom, has had a physical U.S. release.

 

FOCUSSING ELSEWHERE

 

Williams lives in Los Angeles for much of the year but seems to have given up on making America his spiritual home, declaring in one recent UK radio interview: "The only way an album of mine is going to be in the States is if I leave it in Tower Records."

 

EMI Music UK & Ireland chairman/CEO Tony Wadsworth says demand from Williams' hardcore American fan base "is satisfied by imports and digitally" and attributes Williams' lack of progress there to the artist's choice to concentrate on other territories.

 

"He (sells) between 5 and 6 million copies on every album without the United States," Wadsworth says. "So, does he need the States? From a strictly business point of view, I would say the answer is no."

 

Others remain convinced that Williams still has a shot at U.S. success. James Blunt's manager, 21st Artists' Todd Interland, says "You're Beautiful" hit No. 1 in the United States thanks to Blunt's work ethic.

 

"I think Robbie's probably just giving it a brief rest, because deep down every artist wants to conquer America," Interland says. "But Robbie would need to work differently to make it there. It's so competitive in America, you can't rest on your laurels and say, 'I'm a big star in the rest of the world.' You've really got to do the work."

 

The domestic buzz on "Rudebox" is low-key for a Williams release, thanks to its much-touted "experimental" direction and the relative failure of its title track lead single, which peaked at No. 4 on the Official UK Charts Co. survey and spent only four weeks in the top 20. Lead singles from Williams albums generally peak at No. 1 or No. 2. But the retail sector remains enthusiastic over what is still likely to be one of 2006's biggest-selling albums.

 

SOUTH OF THE BORDER

 

Internationally, Williams remains hot property. He will perform two songs at the MTV Video Music Awards Latin America October 19 in Mexico City -- and his huge popularity in South America may yet provide him with a back-door route to the States.

 

Williams is perhaps the top-selling international act in Latin America at the moment. According to EMI, in the region he has sold nearly 3 million copies of his entire catalogue, dating back to 1998. He has aggressively targeted the Latin market via Spanish-language versions of his hits "Angels" and "Sing When You're Winning."

 

Jose Tillan, senior vice president of music programming and talent strategy for MTV Networks Latin America and the Latin-focused MTV Tr3s, is mystified that huge success in Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Chile and Colombia has failed to translate to the United States. "The songs are great, he's a good-looking guy ... you'd think it was a no-brainer for the American market," Tillan says. "If we got another 'Angels,' we'd definitely try to do something with it on MTV Tr3s."

 

In the meantime, Williams will just have to console himself with being music's biggest artist outside America.

 

 

Rob and Jas are geri-That-trics

 

http://i9.tinypic.com/2mowbih.jpg

 

 

October 16, 2006

 

WHAT a difference a decade has made to former TAKE THAT heart-throbs ROBBIE WILLIAMS and JASON ORANGE.

 

The pair seem to have gone from all the rage to premature old age since the boy band broke up in 1996.

 

Robbie was snapped flaunting his paunch in an unflattering dressing gown and towel combo by his hotel pool before two sell-out shows in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

 

Meanwhile, former Take That colleague Jason is living proof that Everything Changes — including the thickness of your thatch.

 

My snap right — taken when Jason was out for lunch in London — shows that nowadays his scalp is getting more exposure than his career.

 

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

From http://news.scotsman.com

 

U.S. success eludes superstar Williams

By Mark Sutherland

 

NEW YORK (Billboard) - Sir Elton John calls him "the No. 1 star in the world." But not every worldwide star gets to be a star in the United States. Ask Americans what they think of Robbie Williams and they'll probably tell you he hasn't made a decent movie since "Mrs. Doubtfire."

 

In the United Kingdom, he is the single most recognizable musician working today, winner of a record 18 BRIT Awards and maker of six consecutive No. 1 studio albums. Worldwide, EMI Music says he has sold more than 51 million albums, singles and DVDs, with his last album opening at No. 1 in 18 different territories. His current world tour will see him play to 2.6 million fans, from Buenos Aires to Brisbane and Cape Town to Copenhagen.

 

Williams' solo career started brightly in the United States, with his ballad "Angels" peaking on the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 53 in 2000. But since then, his seemingly doomed attempts to convert America have become as essential a part of his UK tabloid persona as his struggles with alcohol and drugs and his dalliances with celebrities from Rachel Hunter to Nicole Kidman.

 

Williams last made a concerted assault upon America in 2003 with album "Escapology" (Chrysalis). But after debuting at No. 43 on the Billboard 200, the album slipped from view, and Williams subsequently cancelled plans to further tour the States. His career album sales to date stateside total slightly less than 1 million, according to Nielsen SoundScan, with U.S. debut "The Ego Has Landed" (Capitol), a compilation of his first two UK records, accounting for more than half that figure. Neither his last album, "Intensive Care" (2005), nor his new, electronica-inspired "Rudebox," out October 23 in the United Kingdom, has had a physical U.S. release.

 

FOCUSSING ELSEWHERE

 

Williams lives in Los Angeles for much of the year but seems to have given up on making America his spiritual home, declaring in one recent UK radio interview: "The only way an album of mine is going to be in the States is if I leave it in Tower Records."

 

EMI Music UK & Ireland chairman/CEO Tony Wadsworth says demand from Williams' hardcore American fan base "is satisfied by imports and digitally" and attributes Williams' lack of progress there to the artist's choice to concentrate on other territories.

 

"He (sells) between 5 and 6 million copies on every album without the United States," Wadsworth says. "So, does he need the States? From a strictly business point of view, I would say the answer is no."

 

Others remain convinced that Williams still has a shot at U.S. success. James Blunt's manager, 21st Artists' Todd Interland, says "You're Beautiful" hit No. 1 in the United States thanks to Blunt's work ethic.

 

"I think Robbie's probably just giving it a brief rest, because deep down every artist wants to conquer America," Interland says. "But Robbie would need to work differently to make it there. It's so competitive in America, you can't rest on your laurels and say, 'I'm a big star in the rest of the world.' You've really got to do the work."

 

The domestic buzz on "Rudebox" is low-key for a Williams release, thanks to its much-touted "experimental" direction and the relative failure of its title track lead single, which peaked at No. 4 on the Official UK Charts Co. survey and spent only four weeks in the top 20. Lead singles from Williams albums generally peak at No. 1 or No. 2. But the retail sector remains enthusiastic over what is still likely to be one of 2006's biggest-selling albums.

 

SOUTH OF THE BORDER

 

Internationally, Williams remains hot property. He will perform two songs at the MTV Video Music Awards Latin America October 19 in Mexico City -- and his huge popularity in South America may yet provide him with a back-door route to the States.

 

Williams is perhaps the top-selling international act in Latin America at the moment. According to EMI, in the region he has sold nearly 3 million copies of his entire catalogue, dating back to 1998. He has aggressively targeted the Latin market via Spanish-language versions of his hits "Angels" and "Sing When You're Winning."

 

Jose Tillan, senior vice president of music programming and talent strategy for MTV Networks Latin America and the Latin-focused MTV Tr3s, is mystified that huge success in Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Chile and Colombia has failed to translate to the United States. "The songs are great, he's a good-looking guy ... you'd think it was a no-brainer for the American market," Tillan says. "If we got another 'Angels,' we'd definitely try to do something with it on MTV Tr3s."

 

In the meantime, Williams will just have to console himself with being music's biggest artist outside America.

 

Really enjoyed reading that Jup A nice constructive article for once ^_^

 

Outside the US he sells more than anyone on planet earth including Madonnna so who needs to US. :smoke:

Rob and Jas are geri-That-trics

 

http://i9.tinypic.com/2mowbih.jpg

October 16, 2006

 

WHAT a difference a decade has made to former TAKE THAT heart-throbs ROBBIE WILLIAMS and JASON ORANGE.

 

In about ten years from now RW will look like George Clooney (an older 'hunk') and I'm afraid that JO

will look like Keith Richards.......

 

:cheer: :yahoo: :cheer: