Robbie Williams confirms Take That plans

[Perdita]

Robbie Williams has confirmed that he is rejoining Take That to record an album and tour.

The 'Angels' singer released a joint statement with his former group, claiming that the reunion "feels like coming home".

"The rumours are true... Take That: the original lineup, have written and recorded a new album for release later this year," read the band's statement.

"Following months of speculation Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Jason Orange, Mark Owen and Robbie Williams confirmed they have been recording a new studio album as a five-piece, which they will release in November.

"It is the first time they've recorded a full album together since the release of their number one album Nobody Else back in 1995."

Williams commented: "I get embarrassingly excited when the five of us are in a room. It feels like coming home."

Mark Owen added: "Getting the five of us to be in a room together, although always a dream, never actually seemed like becoming a reality. Now the reality of the five of us making a record together feels like a dream. It's been an absolute delight spending time with Rob again. But I'm still a better footballer."

The group are also expected to tour together, either later this year or in 2011.

[tammyy2j]

His career is gone down the pan so he rejoins them now

I know many fans will be happy but I prefer them as a four piece now

[lizann]

Take That will reportedly earn £75 million following Robbie Williams's return to the group.

Williams, who left the band in 1995, confirmed yesterday that he will rejoin them for an album and arena tour.

According to The Sun, each member of Take That stands to make £15 million from the deal, including record sales, royalties, endorsements and concert tickets.

A source told the newspaper: "Robbie has some commitments with Live Nation and a couple of appearances with Gary for the new single lined up.

"But after that, Take That's creative tour team will be working on the biggest show they have ever put on. Kim Gavin, who has worked with Take That on all their spectacular tours, is already briefed and ready to start coming up with amazing ideas."

Yesterday, Williams unveiled the tracklist and artwork for his retrospective LP In And Out Of Conciousness - The Greatest Hits 1990-2010.

The album will feature a duet with Take That frontman Gary Barlow, called 'Shame'.

[sindydoll]

so 1 album 54 gigs and thats the end of take that! well i wont be sorry

[Perdita]

never liked them like others did, always preferred Westlife and Boyzone so I really don't care. Llike some of Robbie's solo stuff though

[Chloe O'brien]

His career is gone down the pan so he rejoins them now

I know many fans will be happy but I prefer them as a four piece now

When Robbie first left Take That. I thought that would be it for the group as they couldn't make it without Robbie, and for a few years he out shined them. But they came back and are better as a four piece band.

[Perdita]

Take That were going to bin the name that made them famous - until Robbie Williams came back for good.

The boy-band come man-band told Q Magazine they were going to swap their old title for new name The English.

"I'm guessing that the initial idea of not being called Take That freed Gary (Barlow) up," said Robbie Williams.

Barlow talked in the interview about the band's new electro-pop sound on their comeback album Progress.

"Is it a brave record? Only if it fails," he said.

Williams broke teenage hearts all over the country when he left Take That 15 years ago.

After finally patching up his friendship with the band, Williams was apparently just what they needed.

"After those last two records the thought of the four of us just going in and doing another... it solved all that Rob coming back," said Barlow.

"It's made it interesting."

[Perdita]

It appears that Robbie Williams really is set to quit Take That once again after he confirms plans for a solo tour.

He let slip news of his departure on his official website following a question from a fan asking what he wanted to say to critics of his solo performances during the Take That live shows.

"I must say I am aware that there is a perception in certain quarters and I'm enjoying throwing that perception down people's throats when I jump through the wall in L.M.E.Y (Let Me Entertain You)...I've never felt more on my game ..and it's thanks in part to the nay sayers....they have put a fire in my belly and in turn a smile on my face," (sic) he wrote on his blog.

[See also: Robbie Williams injects testosterone to ‘boost sex drive']

"I'm blessed to have them... and when the tickets go on sale for my next tour I think we'll see what 'dwindling' looks like ;)" (sic).

The group has recently been reunited with Williams after he famously fell out with band mate Gary Barlow at the peak of their fame almost 15 years ago.

The news that Take That were back with their original line-up sparked unprecedented demand for tickets to their huge UK tour and their latest album as a five-piece, ‘Progress', was the biggest-selling album of last year in the UK.

However, the 37 year-old singer has been getting a lot of stick for his 40 minute solo sections during the live shows.

One fan, gercia82, wrote on YouTube that Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, Jason Orange and Howard Donald were "better" without the singer while another user wrote: "OMG.. Robbie's performance was terrifying"

[tammyy2j]

Take That are reportedly planning to take a two-year break.

The band are exhausted after their sell-out 'Progress Live' tour and Howard Donald, Jason Orange and Mark Owen threatened to quit the group over tension with Robbie Williams, The Sunday Mirror reports.

Gary Barlow convinced them to stay and will discuss the band's future once he has finished his duties on The X Factor at Christmas. The band had previously denied claims of in-band fighting.

"At first it was a fairytale, having Robbie back and being a five-piece again, but a few arguments and their touring schedule made it hard going," a source said. "Howard, Jason and Mark all said they were shattered at the end of their tour, and are not sure they'll be able to go through it all again at their age.

"This could now mean the end of the band. They will be meeting up to discuss things after Christmas. They all love touring and recording music, and have been totally dedicated to Take That but nothing has been decided about what happens next."

Tensions in the band are said to have started at the Brit Awards in February after Williams, who is rumoured to be working on new solo material, demanded a more prominent position on stage during the performance.

"There were problems," the source added. "The guys knew working with Robbie would be different but they didn't realise how much of a change they'd have to make to accommodate him. Robbie can be over the top and most of the time is just joking around, but he should have been more aware and tried to fit in."

Williams allegedly embarrassed the band with his "erratic behaviour" and targeted Orange by making "childish digs" at him.

A Take That spokesman insisted: "The band are all on great terms. They are on a well deserved break at the moment, taking a post-tour holiday."

Donald previously claimed that Take That were planning to make their next tour even bigger.

[tammyy2j]

Robbie Williams is to release a new solo studio album next year after quitting Take That for the second time. The singer rejoined the boyband in July 210, but has been recording new solo material in his Los Angeles studio.


Williams was out of contract with EMI following the release of his last album, Reality Killed the Video Star, in 2009. He had signed a record-breaking deal with the label worth up to £80m in 2002. "I'm rich beyond my wildest dreams," he said at the time.


His new record will be released through Universal Music next autumn. "I'm really thrilled to be joining the Universal family at what I think is the most exciting time in my career," he said.


A spokesperson for the label refused to reveal the sum for which they had signed the 37-year-old singer, saying: "It's a different kind of deal in a different kind of musical landscape."


In the 18 months since Williams's deal with EMI ended, his management has held talks with a number of record companies and also investigated innovative ways to drive the singer's career, including looking at backing from financial investors.


"This great new deal puts Robbie Williams firmly in control of his own destiny, but with the most muscular of partners," said Tim Clark, director of ie:music Ltd, who has been behind Williams since he split from Take That in 1995.


Universal's UK chairman David Joseph said: "Having had the chance to listen to the music I've no doubt that Robbie is currently at his most creatively inspired." Universal already handles the merchandising of Robbie Williams products such as T-shirts through its Bravado division.


EMI is currently up for sale with parent company Citigroup in the final stages of deciding a number of bids, with Universal in the running to acquire the recorded music arm that includes acts such as the Beatles and Tinie Tempah.


Earlier this month, Gary Barlow revealed Williams had left Take That following their sellout European tour to concentrate again on his solo career. But this time around, the split was not acrimonious. "It ended perfectly," Barlow said, "and you know what, we can revisit it whenever we want."


"He's our brother, Rob is, and if he's ever in trouble or he wants to have a year off being Robbie Williams, he's welcome any time."


Williams also told Esquire magazine in July that Barlow was helping write and produce his new album. "Gaz is great for me because he knows how I should sound," Williams said. "He wanted to make a Lennon and McCartney-type album. That was his idea – big, standard records. At the minute it's just me and him finishing the album and I love it."


In 2000, Williams sang on his hit Kids: "Single handed raising the economy/ Ain't no chance the record company come and dropping me."


Williams is the biggest-selling solo artist in UK history, with seven No 1 albums and more than 60m records sold. He also recently launched his own fashion range. The singer has fared less well in the US, where Reality Killed the Video Star peaked at No 160 on the Billboard 200 album chart and dropped out the following week.