Robbie Williams News24

WHEN they agreed to reform without Robbie Williams, there were fears that Take That could prove an embarrassing flop. But the former boy band massively outsold Britain’s biggest pop star in the album charts, riding a wave of Nineties nostalgia.And yesterday Williams’s record company was left counting the cost as it admitted its pre-Christmas slate of releases, including the former Take That member’s album Rudebox, had failed to sell as well as hoped.

The downbeat assessment came just two months after EMI predicted it was on course to meet sales targets, with releases from artists including Williams, Joss Stone and Norah Jones.

However, EMI yesterday warned that annual sales in recorded music would be down by as much as 10 per cent and revealed it was looking for company-wide cuts of £110 million. One immediate consequence of EMI’s statement yesterday was the departure of EMI Music chief executive Alain Levy together with another senior executive. The record giant cautioned its performance in the six months to the end of this March would be “below prior expectations”.

It added: “This has resulted from weak market conditions, particularly over the Christmas period, and lower than expected sales of second-half releases.” Williams’s Rudebox – his seventh studio album – is languishing outside the album top 40, with sales of 454,000. By contrast, Take That’s reunion record, Beautiful World, has spent five weeks at the top of the album charts, selling more than 1.15 million copies.

EMI has relied on new artist Lily Allen and its eternal cash cow, the Beatles – with an album of remixes called Love – for current chart success in a generally weak market for music sales. Simon Wallis, an industry expert with analysts Collins Stewart, said: “There was a simple problem – EMI didn’t sell as many CDs as they thought they would. The problem is with EMI’s management and their ability to manage costs.”

Some music industry watchers suspect the sluggish sales of Williams’s latest record may stem from the singer’s split from long-term songwriting partner Guy Chambers, the co-writer of hits such as Angels, Let Me Entertain You and Rock DJ. Unlike previous releases, Rudebox is struggling to spawn a hit single. Paul Williams, from trade magazine Music Week, said: “This album has been a dip in fortunes compared to Robbie’s previous albums. By contrast, Take That’s decision to embark on a Nineties pop nostalgia reunion proved inspired.

Fans flocked to watch the remaining quartet go through their dance moves with 35-year-old Gary Barlow – whose weight hit 16 stone at one point after the band split up – slimming down to keep pace with fellow group members Mark Owen, Jason Orange and Howard Donald. The group also had a starring role in the popular ITV1 reality show The X Factor.

Is Robbie Williams a dangerous man and why does he start lawsuits against fans? It seems also a German court warns fans to stay away from the British popstar.Does Robbie Williams take it from the poor?

Robbie Williams the once cute little boy seem to have gone hunting down the poor. After trying to force a journalist who is also a close encounter therapist into closed ward of psychiatry Mr. Williams lawyers put a cease-and-desist order onto a fansite called Robbie Williams United. www.robbiewilliams-info.com

In September 2006 Mr. Williams’ lawyer put a case onto fans claiming damages for breach of trademark and personal rights. Additionally to the great controversy about publishing lyrics in the internet, the webmaster feared further lawsuits for breach of copyright of photography, wallpaper and other text. In Germany the client is fully responsible for the lawyer’s doings (ZPO § 85, Nr. 2) Wrongful statements must be revoked by the client, otherwise even if the client is not aware, the client is fully responsible.

Other fansites like www.purerobbie.com seem to be untouched by Williams’ lawyers, although they show videos, photography and much more. The legal issue about publishing lyrics is old, but it seems old-fashioned not being allowed to publish lyrics on a fansite. Most CD inlays are so small that one can hardly decipher the lyrics.

What is embarrassing for a popstar, he is a multi-millionaire and he seems to take it from the poor. Although he is a supporter of Unicef one should keep a clean image, that he probably has not fulfilled. The invented stalker case was very scary and the real victim, “Conny” says: “I was probably warned by the judges to not go anywhere near Mr. Williams or warn him of any dangers, because he is a dangerous and a violent man. The judges probably tried to save my life.” Before the trial, it was invented that Mr. Williams were warned of an abduction by aliens if he performed in Germany. Such a warning was not issued to him by Conny. The case is waiting to be appealed with the Higher Court (Oberlandesgericht) in Düsseldorf. No date and no further information has been given by the court at time of this release. Conny is waiting to hear from a judge.

Last summer, British tabloid press, printed a photo calling Robbie Williams “Mr. Asbo” standing for Mr. Asocial behaviour = psychopath.

Further information: The3Heroes, Cornelia Crämer, Fax: +49 211 50 739 23, email: info@the3heroes.com

ROBBIE WILLIAMS is the man who proves that money really can’t buy you love — or even happiness. I’ve been shown a copy of his company’s latest accounts, which reveal Robbie paid himself £7.2million for the past year. In four years Robbie has raked in a colossal £40million. That is £35.6million wages with nice dividend payments on top.

The salary alone breaks down as an average of £171,000 a week — or £25,000 a day. That is more than the highest-paid Premiership footballers get.

Chelsea’s ANDRIY SHEVCHENKO and MICHAEL BALLACK don’t really come close. That must be some consolation for the soccer-mad star, who these days seems to enjoy kicking a ball around more than he does performing.

Yet despite all his money, Rob is still single and unhappy. He takes anti-depressants so he doesn’t crack up and one famous pal of his told me recently: “Rob actually suffers from manic depression.”

If cash really did solve all your problems Robbie would be dancing down the street clicking his heels together. I’ve seen the latest figures filed by Robbie’s accountants for his firm The In Good Company Co Ltd.

It was set up in October 2002 when Robbie signed his deal with EMI Records. For the year ending in March 2006 he paid himself £7,186,446. That was based on an increase in turnover to £17.2million from £15million the previous year. The accounts note that the extra earnings were from income from his Intensive Care album and also from his website robbiewilliams.com — which charges to become a premium member and join his “Inner Sanctum.”

The total sum comes from ongoing revenues from all his EMI records, merchandising and all “other commercial activities.” In March 2006 Robbie also had £29million in CASH sat in a bank account ready to fund his Intensive Care Tour. The accounts predict a revenue increase in 2007 — thanks to profits from his Rudebox album and the Close Encounters world tour.

So although Rudebox hasn’t sold as well as previous Robbie albums, he’s still laughing all the way to the bank . . . or should that be sulking?

thesun.co.uk

Robbie Williams is to record a duet with a Bollywood singing legend.

Robbie will feature on a track on the new album of Indian megastar Asha Bhosle, 73. The LP is titled ‘Asha and Friends’, but it is not yet known what the name of the song is.

He is said to be very “excited” about working with the two-time Grammy Award nominee.

A source said: “Asha has already recorded her part of the song. Robbie was keen to work with her after she was nominated for a second time for a Grammy Award.”

Asha – whose career has spanned over six decades and has provided playback singing for over 925 Bollywood films – has previously collaborated with Boy George and REM frontman Michael Stipe.

In 1997, British band Cornershop paid tribute to the singer in their hit song ‘Brimful of Asha’.

In 2001, Nelly Furtado’s worldwide hit ‘I’m Like A Bird’ included a remix featuring Asha.

BANG Media International / monstersandcritics.com

Take That’s successful reunion is set to net them even more thousands. A musical based on the songs and careers of the fab four is being penned — and because their lyrics will be used, they will receive impressive royalties. But it is mega-rich Gary Barlow, responsible for writing the majority of their hits, who will rake in the most cash.

The show, which is at the centre of a bidding war by West End theatres, will feature characters based on Gary, Mark Owen, Howard Donald and Jason Orange, but it is not yet known what Robbie Williams’s involvement will be. Although the foursome won’t be participating in what is certain to be the most popular theatre show to hit London in many years, they have already agreed to be involved in the casting of their respective parts. A source in the Take That camp said: “The script is being written at this moment and there is a real buzz around it. “It is a perfect show for the West End and because the band have so many fans of all ages it is expected to sell out months — if not years — in advance.

“The boys are excited about it too, but they won’t be starring in it because it would be too much of a commitment as they have so many other things going on this year. “But they want to have a hand in it, so they have agreed to take part in the casting process —after all, it is them who will be portrayed by whatever actors are chosen. “It is causing such a hit that the theatres in central London are all vying to have it placed with them because it is going to be such a money-spinner, as well as having a huge profile.” This is the latest in a string of huge successes for the Mancunian outfit. They reunited last year, minus cheeky Robbie Williams, a decade after they went their separate ways. Initially they only had a reunion tour booked in but things are going so well for them that they have stuck around and have released a single and album — both of which topped the charts in Britain and across Europe. And last week we told you how the boys are also planning new British, European and Australian tours.

thisislondon.co.uk

“Just have a little paaaatience.” Take That could’ve sung that to their fans ten years ago when they broke up shortly after Robbie Williams’ departure from the band.
They’re back. The ultimate boy band from the 90s that caused hysteria amongst teenage girls and reeked of money for record companies, who had finally found the “novel”, money-inducing idea they were looking for, has reformed. And so what if Robbie Williams didn’t join his four former bandmates? Who needs him anyway? Take That Minus Robbie are doing fine without the megastar, selling out in every venue. We met up with Mark Owen and Jason Orange in London for a chat. And judging from their timidity, it was obvious that they had been out of the spotlight for too long.

The classic question: why and when did you guys decide to reform?
JO: Why? Well, we did this documentary. I’ll tell you the story quickly if you like. Our old record company phoned our ex-manager and said, “We’re going to re-release the greatest hits of Take That. Would the boys like to get together and talk about it and do some promotion maybe?” And we said, “Yeah, we’ll do this documentary.” It got so well-received in the UK – lots of people tuned in to watch it – it reminded people who we were and people started to talk about us again. A tour promoter in the UK offered us some money to go on tour, and we said, “Yeah, we’ll do it.” We did the tour and then a record label offered us some more money to do a record. We said, “Yeah, we’ll do it.”

So it’s for money?
JO: No. But I wouldn’t do it for free! (Laughs)
MO: I think it was the challenge as well and the chance to be creative. I think there are so many aspects that come into it – the chance to heal. Some wounds still remained from when the band ended and we never had the chance to heal. So I think it worked on many different levels. Read the rest…

It seems Brit award organisers want to make this year’s show one to remember – they apparently want pop heartthrob Robbie Williams to present a gong to his former Take That bandmates. Mark Owen, Jason Orange, Howard Donald and Gary Barlow have made a glittering comeback – they sold a staggering 1.3 million copies of their new album Beautiful World in just six weeks – and look likely to pick up a trophy for Best Pop Act.

They have also performed to half a million fans during a sold-out 31-date tour. “Organisers would love Robbie to be the one to hand over whatever award they win,” an insider told the Daily Star. “He loves the Brits and wants to be there in 2007.

“This would be a massive moment in the show and would finally give the original line-up a chance to have the get together that many of their fans want to see. It’s just a matter of getting Robbie to agree to it.”

metro.co.uk

Long-term singleton Robbie Williams reveals there will be no ‘little angels’ for the millionaire singer. In a candid interview, Williams shared that he had no plans to have children, as he couldn’t guarantee that they would not ‘suffer’ or ‘feel pain’. Strangely, the eligible bachelor also ruled out having a long-term partner.

Talking to the Big Issue, the LA-based singer said: “I don’t know if I want to be in a relationship. I don’t believe that to be fulfilled you have to have kids. “What’s the point? I can’t guarantee my child won’t suffer pain – because that kid’s going to be in pain at some point in their life. “I don’t want to see that. It’s too much.”

After the critical drubbing his last album received, the ex-Take That star has decided to take a leave of absence from Britain and has based himself in Los Angeles. He said: “It’s time for Robbie to go away in people’s minds – not to be in Britain for a while.”

dailymail.co.uk

Robbie Williams is learning Cockney rhyming slang – because he wants to play an East End gangster in a film. He is studying old TV tapes of Minder and Only Fools And Horses in preparation.

The pop superstar wants to ditch his Stoke-on-Trent accent to play an ex-boxer turned East London “Mr Big”. A source said: “Robbie read about the character in a book called Till Death Us Do Part and it blew him away. “But he knows he has got to sound like a Cockney if he wants the part.” Robbie, 32, whose hit albums include Swing When You’re Winning, hopes Madonna’s husband Guy “Lock, Stock” Ritchie will direct and has sent him the book. Here are some useful phrases for Robbie:

“You think you’re a La Di Dah but you’ll end up brown bread.” (“You think you’re a star but you’ll end up dead”). “I’ve got lots of Bugs Bunny.” (“I’ve got loads of money.”)

Garry Johnson / people.co.uk

Robbie Williams has reportedly urged friend Nicole Kidman to stick with Keith Urban during his rehab for alcohol addiction. Keith was rumoured to have signed a pre-nuptial agreement insisting that he wouldn’t abuse alcohol or use drugs during their marriage, given his previous problems (and rehabilitation) with both substances in the past. Nicole has frequently been spotted visiting Keith during his stay at the Betty Ford Center in California but according to the Mirror, Robbie has emailed Nicole with a plea anyway.

The newspaper claims the email implores Nicole to “Please stick by Keith. He needs you now more than ever.” “If he needs anyone to speak to about what he’s going through, I’m here. I know what it’s like.” Nicole and Robbie recorded a cover of ‘Somethin’ Stupid’ together in 2001 and it was the UK Christmas number 1 that year.

HeatherHoneypot / fametastic.co.uk