Take That: Their Story
They're Back For Good and bigger than ever! So to celebrate the reunion of Britain's best (and hottest) boyband EVER, we share their somewhat rocky journey to world domination
Rex FeaturesIn 1989, Brit music mogul Nigel Martin Smith sought to cash-in on the boyband market after witnessing the supersonic success of stateside group New Kids On The Block. He held auditions in Manchester, looking for ‘clean-cut young men’ who could sing and dance, finding budding-songwriter Gary Barlow, pin-up-boy Mark Owen, vehicle painter Howard Donald, street dancer Jason Orange and 15-year-old star-in-the-making Robbie Williams.
Rex FeaturesMartin-Smith’s original name for the group was Kick It, but Gary and co. branded it a definite no-no. Gary has since said stated that the excitable moniker Take That was "worst of a bad bunch."
PA PhotosThe band released a series of dodgy singles - and even dodgier accompanying vids, including the leather and chainmail-clad Do What You Like - before their cover of 70s hit It Only Takes A Minute got them noticed. Follow-up singles Could It Be Magic, Pray and Relight My Fire propelled the boys to super-stardom, while numerous No.1s, gongs and magazine covers beckoned…
PA PhotosIn March 1995, ‘the That’ released their biggest single to date – Back For Good. The song reached No.1 in 31 countries worldwide and remains their first and only US hit, making the top 10 on the prestigious Billboard chart. However, despite their vast success, it appeared all was not well behind the scenes…
Rex FeaturesThe snap that ‘broke the camel’s back’: By June 1995, Robbie’s drinking and drug abuse had escalated to a near overdose – the night before the group were to perform on the MTV Europe Music Awards, no less. The troubled star was papped partying with notorious bad boys, The Gallaghers at Glastonbury that summer – even appearing dishevelled and 'off his face' on stage with Oasis at the event. Within weeks, it was announced that Rob had left Take That, or was he pushed…?
Rex FeaturesTake That continued as a four-piece, heavily promoting the album Nobody Else and scoring a massive No.1 with the nostalgic ballad Never Forget.
Rex FeaturesRobbie, meanwhile, was still worrying us, appearing bloated and 'out of it' all over London. His troubles with TT were far from over too – as it emerged he was struggling to break from the group’s contract in a bid to kick-start his solo career. Somewhat aptly, he released a cover of George Michael’s Freedom a year later after escaping Nigel Martin-Smith’s clutches.
PA PhotosOn 13th February 1996 (T Day) Take That announced that they were splitting up. Their millions of fans were left distraught, with teenage girls seen lining UK streets in tears and threatening suicide. The government was eventually forced to set up telephone hotlines to counsel the hysterical teens. A cover of The Beegees’ How Deep Is Your Love followed as 'the That’s last single. Or was it..?
Rex FeaturesRobbie’s solo material was failing to make an impact on the charts, and he was forced to enter rehab (on the advice of friend Elton John, no less) – only leaving to shoot the video for Lazy Days in mid 1997. The single wasn’t overly well-received, while follow-up South Of The Border failed to even dent the top 10. As Robbie met with his record company to discuss his future, he released last-chance-saloon single, Angels. How things changed overnight…
Rex FeaturesGary Barlow, meanwhile described as ‘the next George Michael’, was busy carving out his own solo career as the other ‘Thatters’ went on a fame-hiatus. His first two singles, Forever Love and Love Won’t Wait, skyrocketed to the UK No.1 spot, and album Open Road followed victoriously in their wake.
PA PhotosRobbie Williams’ star continued to rise and rise. His second album I’ve Been Expecting You produced No.1 singles Millennium and She’s The One, eventually being certified 10x platinum. Third album Sing When You’re Winning topped the charts all over the world, and suddenly the Robster was the UK’s No.1 pop superstar – winning critical acclaim and countless gongs, including a record sixteen BRIT Awards to date. Gary who?
PA PhotosBy 1998, Robbie was even one-half of British pop music’s hottest couplings, stepping out with chart-topper All Saints’ Nicole Appleton. The two were even engaged for a spell before Robbie continued his infamous womanising.
PA PhotosWhile Robbie was on the up, Gary was facing a monster backlash from the press and former fans alike. The star’s second album peaked at No.34 before disappearing without a trace, causing the record company to cancel the release of his next single before dropping Barlow from their books altogether. Ouch.
PA PhotosIn 2002, Rob signed a record-breaking £80 million contract with EMI and performed to a total of 375,000 fans at his three Knebworth gigs in 2003. But was he happy? Worryingly, he continued to party hard throughout his mammoth success – sparking fears for his health, and by 2006, the superstar was well and truly burned-out, while his change in musical direction – namely Rudebox – sparked controversy. Had Robbie lost it?
PA PhotosThat same year, Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, Howard Donald and Jason Orange announced they were reforming as Take That after ten years. This time around, all four members shared lead vocals and song-writing duties. Their comeback single, Patience, topped the charts while the album Beautiful World, hit No.1 and is currently the 35th bestselling album in UK music history. More No.1’s, awards and widespread love followed…The boys were Back For Good.
Bigpicturesphoto.comRobbie meanwhile had escaped to Los Angeles for a long-overdue sabbatical from fame. The star battled depression, self-esteem issues and substance abuse further before checking into rehab stateside to deal with his many issues. The star also became heavily interested in alien phenomenon around this time, and reportedly claimed to have seen three UFOs in his lifetime so far.
Rex FeaturesBack on the ground in Britain, Take That’s 2008 album The Circus was busy breaking all pre-order records before becoming the fastest-selling album of the year. They kicked off their sell-out, record-breaking Circus tour in June 2009 to critical acclaim.
Rex FeaturesLove for the band continued to flow, and they even signed on as the faces of high street giant Marks And Spencer’s menswear in a multi-million pound campaign, although the big-hearted boys gave their fee to Children In Need. Aww – this only make us love them more!
PA PhotosSo imagine our shock when, in March 2010, clean-cut family man Mark Owen sensationally confessed to having “about ten” affairs behind his wife Emma’s back. "I have been an idiot, a dhead, a khead. All of the above and more,” he said before entering rehab to battle alcoholism.
PA PhotosOn a brighter note, rumours were rife that Robbie was to rejoin the band. After burying the hatchet with Gary Barlow after a fifteen year feud, the pair were closer than ever. They released smash hit duet Shame in 2010, even parodying Brokeback Mountain for the music video. We couldn’t have been more tickled-pink by their sudden ‘bromance’!
PA PhotosOn 15th July 2010, it was announced that Robbie Williams was rejoining Take That after fifteen years apart. A joint statement between Rob and the others read, "The rumours are true... Take That, the original line-up, have written and recorded a new album for release later this year." The album in question, Progress, was released this month, becoming the fastest-selling album of the century, while their 2011 tour, Progress Live, caused all the major ticket suppliers across the UK to crash before selling a record-breaking 1.1 million tickets in 24 hours. Welcome back boys!
