Thanks jups, that's a nice bit about the drivers' favourite music. :D

 

And here's another article from Australia:

 

STILL "PETRIFIED" OF PERFORMING

Despite performing countless arena shows and selling more than three million tickets this year alone, superstar Robbie Williams has revealed he still gets nervous about taking the stage.

 

 

 

“It absolutely petrifies me,†he told Hamish and Andy recently. “I set myself extremely high standards and I feel devastated if I let people down. That’s what makes me panic before I go on.â€

“There’s nobody to blame and nowhere to hide because it’s my name on the ticket.â€

 

Presently in the country for his long-awaited ‘Close Encounters’ tour, the 32-year-old singer told the guys he stopped getting female fans up on stage during the show because it gets too complicated or clingy.

“It got fraught with people trying to bite me or smelly people. Smelly people are bad enough but smelly people trying to bite you is really bad…â€

 

“It was a good part of the show but it just became hazardous… People think you’ve connected with them and have a special bond and then try to move in with you,†he joked.

 

Fans can expect Robbie to go the extra mile on this tour given his new record, Rudebox, received what he calls a “lukewarm reception in the UKâ€.

 

“’Rudebox’ the single got ****ged off,†he explains. “This is the first album that people haven’t automatically gone out in droves and bought so you only know what you have when it’s gone.â€

 

He also denied the bonus track on the album – ‘Dickhead’ – is about his old adversary, Oasis frontman Noel Gallagher, although he did confess there is a song about the subject out there.

 

“There is a song that I wrote in 2000 about Oasis that’s popped up and I don’t have a clue where it’s come from. I’m a little bit worried because only I’ve got a copy on my computer so I think there’s some dodgy stuff going on...â€

“That’s about Oasis but that’s an embarrassing song and it’s rubbish and should never be heard. http://www.2dayfm.com.au/music_news/...ip/headline_02

 

It makes me kinda sad what he said about Rudebox. Because that's just the truth, isn't it..? :unsure: :cry:

From http://www.smh.com.au

 

 

In the swim of things

Maggie Alderson

December 9, 2006

 

In a list of "lines I most wish I'd written", the following would appear very close to the top: "Early morning when I wake up, I look like Kiss but without the make-up."

 

Bloody brilliant. And who did write those immortal words? Why, darling Robbie of course, in his song Strong.

 

What do you mean "Robbie who?" Robbie Williams. ROBBIE!!!!!

 

You might as well know that I am a huge fan of Robbie (as we call him). Love his music, love his lyrics, love his cheeky-chappy persona.

 

Not in a girly-crush-put-his-poster-on-my-ceiling kind of way, although I have read a whole book about him. The only other singer I can make that claim for is Bob Dylan - and people write PhD theses about him.

 

So it's not a heart-throb thing. I simply admire this other crazily talented Robert, as I do Mr Dylan, in a mature, considered way, with a combination of respect for his artistic gifts and affection for his flaws.

 

Plus, with the mild insanity that afflicts all fans, I feel a special bond with him because we grew up a few kilometres apart: the small country town where I spent my childhood is only about 16 kilometres from grim and gritty Stoke-on-Trent, where he spent his.

 

His accent, his attitude - and his dancing - remind me of cool boys I knew when I was 13. Ones who went up to Wigan Casino for the Northern Soul all niters (sic).

 

Anyway, Robbie's due to play live in Sydney tonight and I might even be going (everything crossed; tickets not secured at time of writing), so he's on my mind even more than usual.

 

I'm particularly obsessed right now with another of my favourite lines from the same song: "When I'm drunk I dance like my dad."

 

It popped into my mind when I was swimming the other morning. Not doing sport laps like I used to - proper crawl, face down, goggles on, watch me go - but slow and stately breaststroke, with my head held up on a long stiff neck like the Loch Ness monster.

 

I was labouring up and down in this painful fashion when my daughter suddenly dive-bombed into the pool right next to me.

 

As I flinched away from the splashing water it struck me: "Now I'm old I swim like my mum."

 

It used to be so different. I can remember spending the whole day in the pool as a child. I never got bored. Diving in, jumping in, retrieving things from the bottom, perfecting handstands and tumble turns and trying to swim backwards under water.

 

Most summer evenings my dad would dive gracefully in and swim a few lengths of pretty good crawl, but my mother's dips were rare and special occasions.

 

She'd enter the water gingerly via the steps and then proceed slowly up and down in the stiff-neck position I now realise I have adopted exactly. And for the same reason: the hairdo.

 

Because if you have made the investment of time and money to have your hair done professionally - in my mother's case it was a shampoo and set, mine is a blow-dry - you can't just dive in and wreck it.

 

You simply have to swim in that awkward and exhausting way, like a submarine with its periscope permanently raised.

 

Sometimes it's hard to be a woman. And the other morning I suddenly couldn't stand it another minute and plunged under the water like a dolphin, before powering up and down the pool with my best crawl stroke, my ruined hair smothering my face on every breath. I even did a couple of handstands.

 

I regretted my kinky hair later, but it was worth it because I wanted my daughter to know I could swim like that. I think darling Robbie would understand.

 

:lol:

 

 

From http://www.smh.com.au

 

 

He's the one - but not in that way

Andrew Hornery

December 8, 2006 - 6:53PM

 

Robbie Williams is adored by millions of women around the world, yet the confirmed ladies man always has a special place for his mates.

 

Tonight he kicks off the Sydney leg of his Australian tour and no doubt he will be joined by his best mate, Jonathan Wilkes. Being a former member of British boy band Take That, Williams knows a thing or two about male bonding and brotherhood. However his relationship with Wilkes could best be described as a "bromance".

 

There is a third wheel in this mutual admiration society of lads - the Sydney actor Daniel MacPherson, who became close friends with Wilkes and Williams while he was living in England three years ago.

 

The trio will be hooking up again on Sunday night, along with a select group of mates and hand picked ladies, for Williams's top-secret after party - tipped to take place at fellow bachelor John Aussie Symonds's new $30million mansion. Guests have been told to expect a text message during Sunday night's concert for details.

 

Williams recently told the British press he had been close friends with Wilkes for 25 years.

 

"I cannot imagine not being with him. Life is so much easier with him. When I go on tour soon for five months, he'll be coming along. I simply don't want to be without him," Williams was quoted as saying.

 

Wilkes has already joined Williams on stage in Perth, where the pair chased each other around before managing a rendition of the Bee Gees' Stayin' Alive.

 

In 2003 MacPherson got in on the act when Williams stopped one concert in Europe and told his lighting crew to focus on MacPherson in the crowd, whom he introduced as "my mate Dan Mac".

 

 

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

 

 

Friday, 8th December 2006, 15:05

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LIFE STYLE EXTRA (UK) - Take That star Howard Donald has revealed he personally asked Robbie Williams to reunite with the group.

 

The boy band reformed last year and after a sell-out comeback tour are currently riding high in both the UK singles and album charts.

 

When they first reunited, the band - Howard, Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Jason Orange - invited Robbie, who quit the group 11 years ago to pursue a solo career, to join them on stage through the media.

 

Now, Howard has revealed he also telephoned the 'Angels' singer to ask him if he wanted to rejoin the foursome.

 

He told Now magazine: "I personally phoned Rob and asked if he'd like to come on tour. He was genuinely touched that we asked him, but he said, 'No, but thanks for asking.'

 

"To be fair to him, he'd already signed up to do his own extensive world tour, so he didn't have time."

 

© BANG Media International.

 

That article the woman wrote about being in the pool is GREAT!

 

And finally one of the TT boys defends Rob...

From http://www.new.com.au

 

Foreign stars spurning Aussie acts

December 10, 2006 12:00am

 

FOREIGN music acts are refusing to hire local bands to open their Australian concerts, denying them an opportunity of performing to tens of thousands of people.

 

Billy Joel, Elton John, Pearl Jam, U2 and Roger Waters are among superstars who have spurned local talent, preferring to employ foreign bands to open concerts, or to have no opening act at all.

 

Under current Federal legislation, before being granted working visas, foreign entertainers must show how their tour will provide a "net economic benefit" to the Australian economy.

 

By hiring local roadies, cleaners, drivers or staff at arenas, they are meeting their "net economic benefit" obligations.

 

"We're not happy with the arrangement," said Terry Noone, federal secretary of the Musicians' Union of Australia, which represents more than 2500 performers. "There used to be a 'one for one' arrangement between the union, the Immigration Department and music promoters, which meant that for every one foreign act at a concert there would be one local act."

 

According to industry body Live Performance Australia, which represents concert promoters and venue operators, the presence of an Australian opening act would drag some concerts out to an unacceptable length.

 

"Elton John, who had no support act, played for two hours and 45 minutes, which is quite a long concert," the LPA's Suzanne Daley Carr said.

 

"I don't think the audience wants to be sitting in a venue at midnight."

 

Robbie Williams' promoter Michael Chugg said that, under previous arrangements, foreign acts would get around their obligations by "hiring a string quartet to play in the foyer" of a venue. He said Williams had hand-picked Australia's Sneaky Sound System to open his shows this weekend at Aussie Stadium.

 

Immigration Minister Senator Amanda Vanstone told The Sunday Telegraph she was satisfied with the current legislation regarding foreign artists touring Australia.

 

 

From http://www.news.com.au/sundaytelegraph

 

 

No hobnobbing with Robbie

By Tony Squires

 

December 10, 2006 12:00

 

DEAR Robbie (Williams), Just a short note to say it would really impress my girlfriend if you came up and spoke to me at your after-show party tonight.

 

I realise it's a big ask, after being on stage entertaining the masses for hours, to walk into a room full of strangers all desperate to dribble over you.

 

I won't do that. I'm really not that interested in talking to you, because it's always awkward, and you'll be looking over my shoulder trying to find Kyle Sandilands and so on and so forth. But "her indoors'', as you English say, is a very big fan.

 

In fact, it's a bit of a worry.

 

You know that stupid game couples play where they list three famous people who if, through some amazing accident or Notting Hill-style chance meeting, they got to - how do you say - shag, there would be no recriminations? (Yeah, right.)

 

Well, sadly, you're on her list.

 

Now that I think about it, that would be quite a tough game for you to play, since just about any person on the planet is within your well-tattooed reach. If you went, "Alright, darlin', I pick Natalie Imbruglia, Cate Blanchett and George Clooney, just to mix it up a bit,'' your partner would be terrified.

 

She might go: "But I saw you talking to Natalie at that club in London last week, and George Clooney always gives you a wink when we play tennis. Thankfully, you can't compete with Cate Blanchett's hubby - that Andrew Upton is to die for.''

 

See what I mean? Who do you choose? Dead people?

 

Anyway, the point is, it's actually quite emasculating now that I've said it - you being on her list and me trying to tee up a meeting. So just a short note to say it would really impress me if you didn't come up and speak to me at your after-showparty tonight.

 

What's more, I can tell my partner that I asked you not to talk to me, and you agreed not to talk to me, and how important am I that Robbie Williams would do what I asked, given that so many people are asking stuff and trying to suck up to his bottom, or whatever the expression is.

 

Thanks in advance, Rob.

 

Just to make it clear and simple for you when you're looking for the person not to talk to, my name is Tony. I'm quite large, but very shallow. I'll be wearing cream slacks, a cream and chocolate horizontal-striped polo and red runners.

 

Hang on a tick ... apparently I won't be wearing that after all. Women, eh? You think your life's your own, Robbie,and then ...

 

So, I'll be wearing jeans, a pink shirt, a dark, wide pin-striped coat and some kind of shoe. I think the white ones might be a little Tommy Try-hard, but we'll see. While I've got you, the whole after-party thing has already been good for me.

 

I was Christmas shopping at Bondi Junction on Thursday night (do you do that yourself, or have someone do it for you?) when my mobile phone text-message thingy went off. The message was this: "On Sunday you will receive details for the Sony Ericsson Optus After Party - ROBBIE WILLIAMS. Please reply now with your full name.''

 

So I did. Quite loudly. I read the message out to other shoppers, too. Everyone was excited for me, and agreed that I was terribly busy and important.

 

I started saying: "Sunday night ... Sunday night ... just trying to think what I've got on; if I'm available for Robbie's after-party. Oh, that's right - I'm going to Robbie's concert on Sunday night, so that's quite handy. It's worked out well for everybody.''

 

So, Rob, thanks so much for everything. Thanks not just for not talking to me tonight. Thanks for being, pound for pound, the greatest live entertainer on the planet. I've seen you before, and I believe that fervently.

 

And, mate, sorry about the English cricket team.

 

You've got to admit, however, that the final day of the Adelaide Test was some of the best television viewing in history. How good is Mike Hussey? How good is Ricky Ponting? How good is Shane Warne?

 

Anyway, enjoy Sydney. I know you've admitted you were pretty much plastered for your last visit. Good man.

 

See you tonight.

 

 

 

 

:lol:

:wacko: :wacko: :wacko: Weird!!!!! :rolleyes:

Looks like Robbie is on top of his list aswell :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

From http://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/

 

 

11 December 2006

AMERICA NEXT FOR TAKE THAT COMEBACK

Eva Simpson & Caroline Hedley

NOT content with conquering the charts in Britain and most of Europe, :unsure: Take That are out to crack America.

 

The comeback kings, number one in the album and singles chart for the second week running, have signed for US label Interscope, home to Eminem and 50 Cent.

 

An excited Gary Barlow tells us: "We're really looking forward to going out there and giving it a go."

 

Take That are likely to do far better than ex-member Robbie Williams who said: "The only way one of my albums is going to get into an LA record store is if I leave it there." Couldn't have put it better ourselves.

 

 

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

 

 

From http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun

 

Noel's choc shock about Robbie

December 12, 2006 12:00am

 

THERE'S still no love lost between Brit bad boys Noel Gallagher and Robbie Williams.

 

Oasis guitarist and songwriter Gallagher famously labelled Williams "the fat dancer from Take That" years ago.

And when Gallagher caught up with Herald Sun music writer Cameron Adams he revealed he was still keeping an eye on Williams' waistline.

 

"Is Robbie in Melbourne yet?" Gallagher asked.

 

"I thought there were no chocolates in the sweet shop.

 

"There was a distinct lack of Violet Crumbles.

 

"I know people like him, and he's making a living and all that, but there's no need to eat that much chocolate."

 

Gallagher was due to introduce a screening of the Oasis doco Lord Don't Slow Me Down at the Kino Dendy cinema on Collins St for about 300 MySpace punters last night.

 

That was after taping an episode of Vodafone Live at the Chapel, which will air on Boxing Day at 11.15pm on Channel 10.

 

A few fans at Gallagher's sold-out gig at the Forum on Sunday night left the show somewhat disappointed.

 

Despite the fact they paid $70 for tickets to his Forum performance, Gallagher played only for an hour.

 

In town to plug Oasis's greatest hits CD, Stop the Clocks, Gallagher was enjoying the peace of touring without brother Liam.

 

However it's purged him of plans for a solo career.

 

"Publicly, Liam's not said anything. Privately, I'd assume he's seething with jealousy," Gallagher said of his solo jaunt.

 

"It's much easier doing this without him.

 

"But being the singer, you've got to concentrate on everything.

 

"If anything, it's made me appreciate what Liam does more.

 

"I wouldn't go solo for all the money in the world.

 

"Who would I take the p--- out of? You've got to have Liam there just to get on his t*ts."

 

 

 

 

From http://www.pr-inside.com

 

 

Gary Barlow says Robbie Williams should stop mocking him.

 

 

Robbie Williams

2006-12-11 15:52:27 -

 

 

The former Take That bandmates, who fell out before Robbie left the band in 1996, still haven't made up and Gary says he is sick of Robbie's childish attitude.

Gary fumed: "I think I was the only one who really had any problems with Robbie. We haven't had any sort of friendship for so long now, me and Robbie. "But we all met up this year and I think that we have all grown up since we reformed and we are not interested in making fun of each other any more. Those days are over, everyone needs to realise that." Fellow bandmate Mark Owen, who was Robbie's closest friend in the group, says he won't be able to move on until Robbie returns to Take That.

He said: "When we got together a year ago, we were looking for closure on this whole thing, but seem to have got the complete opposite. We started on a new chapter. I think the ideal for us now would be, at some point, to have Rob back. Maybe that would be closure for us all then."

 

 

Oh shut up Noel. Your becoming really boring and it's clear you are jealous. Robbie is currently doing the biggest tour in Austrailian history whilst Oasis's new album did'nt even go top 20 :rolleyes:

You nailed it on the head, Scotty.

Gary Barlow says Robbie Williams should stop mocking him.

 

It's funny how the headline of that article has nothing to do with the content. Gary SAYS they're over their feud.

 

and we are not interested in making fun of each other any more. Those days are over, everyone needs to realise that."

 

They've got to get people to read this trash somehow.

 

:angry:

Yip. Totally agree Dazzleland. The content of the article bears no relation to the headline. :angry:

From http://www.musicrooms.net

 

 

Official: The Verve Have The Saddest Ever Song Written

11 December 2006

 

 

The Verve's seminal hit 'The Drugs Don't Work' is the song most likely to make you cry, according to an expert.

 

Dr Harry Witchel carried out the research and claims that scientifically the 1997 hit will bring more people to tears than anything else.

 

The scientific tests measured people's heart rate, breathing and skin temperature as they listened to a variety of tear jerkers.

 

It beat the likes of Robbie Williams' 'Angels' and Elton John's 'Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word' to claim the unique feat.

 

The full top ten looks like this:

 

1. The Verve - The Drugs Don't Work :wub:

2. Robbie Williams - Angels :wub:

3. Elton John - Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word

4. Whitney Houston - I Will Always Love You

5. Sinead O'Connor - Nothing Compares 2 U

6. Will Young - Leave Right Now

7. Elvis Presley - Are You Lonesome Tonight

8. Christina Aguilera - Beautiful

9. James Blunt - Goodbye My Lover

10. Radiohead - Fake Plastic Trees :wub:

 

On the other end of the scale, Lily Allen's 'LDN' was the song most likely to make people happy, while the most exhilarating tracks was Blur's Song 2.

 

Dr Witchel is a physiology and music expert and carried out the study for Nokia on songs.

 

'The Drugs Don't Work' was number one on the week that Princess Diana died nine years ago.

 

:unsure: :unsure: :unsure:

 

 

 

 

 

Is Angels sad? I wouldn't have classed it as 'sad'. But what do I know. Fake Plastic Trees is one of my most favourite songs of all time incidentally. :heart:

 

 

 

 

 

Fake Plastic Trees is one of my most favourite songs of all time incidentally.

 

Absolutely!! It's in my Top 5 most definately.

 

 

Just love it. :wub: :wub: :wub: :wub:

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

 

 

THE RAZZ: JAXX SLAM SOULLESS ROBBIE GIG

Money talks say dance duo

Exclusive by Showbiz Liz & Beverley Lyons

BASEMENT Jaxx say they'll never tour with Robbie Williams again, claiming he's become a corporate moneymaking machine.

 

The dance giants toured with Robbie in the summer, including two nights at Hampden Park in Glasgow.

 

They were back in the city on Friday night playing at the SECC, giving Scottish fans a real treat.

 

Felix Buxton and Simon Ratcliffe, the duo behind the band, have clocked up 20 hit singles and five albums in their 10 year career.

 

Their recent support slot with Robbie saw them play in new countries, bringing them a new army of fans.

 

Felix said: "I wouldn't want to repeat that experience. We didn't hang out with him. He tried to be down to earth but I think sometimes he probably wonders what he's doing.

 

 

 

"It's a big money-making corporate machine. Fans pay a lot of money to get to the gig then they get there and the programme costs £12 for a few pages, then there's the Robbie ring tones and Robbie everything.

 

 

"It's milking money at every point."

 

 

Simon added: "There are adverts on the big screens. It's like an all day event with people arriving from 2pm with five bands before he comes on.

 

 

"We had different screens from the ones Robbie used and on his there was adverts for Orange phones and BMW.

 

 

"The thing is he's doing very well, he's very popular, but it's mass entertainment and it just felt a bit soulless."

 

 

The boys said they did get one unique experience from the tour, by playing to such huge audiences.

 

 

Simon said: "It's a good experience to play to so many people.

 

 

"We played football stadiums every day and a race track in Germany. 97,000 people two days in a row which was staggering.

 

 

"It went really well and we did a good job as far as being a support act.

 

 

"We really built the crowd up and got the atmosphere . jumping."

 

 

Although for Felix, the Germany gigs were bizarre as he explained: "Half of the I people in Germany had 1 never heard of us. And in I Germany the whole family 4 go to Robbie gigs - mum, I dad, gran and the kids all go. "I'm there singing Where's f Your Head At, screaming down the mic, and there's , these wide-eyed people staring at me, clapping their hands in bewilderment. It was a bit cheesy to be honest."

 

 

Basement Jaxx, who's fifth album Crazy Itch Radio was realised in September, originally turned the tour down even though Robbie asked them.

 

 

But they changed their mind ~ when they heard their beloved Wembley was was on the schedule.

 

 

"We said no at first and then when we realised he was playing Wembley Stadium, we changed out minds. It's such a historical venue," said Simon.

 

 

"Most of my friends who are into good music don't think Robbie's very good at all, but they all said we should do it. For him it was a bit of cred and for us it was a bit of exposure."

 

 

The band are now off to Australia where they'll performing at Bondi Beach for Hogmanay before taking a well earned rest in 2007.

 

:angry: :angry: :angry:

 

So glad now that I thought they were absolutely dire. <_<