Robbie Williams and Take That face off
LONDON (Reuters) – 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.
© Reuters 2006.