Robbie Williams is an English singer and songwriter from Stoke-on-Trent, born in 1974. He first comes to prominence as a member of Take That, the pop group he joins in 1990 and leaves in 1995, before establishing a solo career in 1996.

Solo career

Williams releases his debut studio album, Life thru a Lens, in 1997. It includes his signature song, “Angels”. His second album, I’ve Been Expecting You, includes “Millennium” and “She’s the One”, which become his first number one singles. Across his solo career, he records seven UK number one singles, and all but one of his 14 studio albums reach number one in the UK.

Several of his albums are among the 100 biggest-selling albums in the UK, with two placing in the top 60. In the UK, he is certified for 20.2 million albums and 8.66 million singles as a solo artist. He sells 75 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time. He also tops the UK airplay chart for the 2000–2010 period.

Recognition and records

Williams receives a Guinness World Record in 2006 for selling 1.6 million tickets in a single day during the Close Encounters Tour. His three concerts at Knebworth in 2003 draw more than 375,000 people, becoming the largest music event in the UK at that point.

He receives 18 Brit Awards, including Best British Male Artist four times, Outstanding Contribution to Music twice, and an Icon Award for his impact on British culture. He also wins eight German ECHO Awards and three MTV European Music Awards. In 2004, he is inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame after being voted the Greatest Artist of the 1990s.

Take That and later collaborations

Williams rejoins Take That in 2010 after 15 years to co-write and sing lead vocals on Progress. The album becomes the second-fastest-selling album in UK chart history and, at the time, the fastest-selling record of the century. The accompanying stadium tour, which includes seven songs from his solo work, later becomes the biggest-selling concert tour in UK history when it sells 1.34 million tickets in less than 24 hours.

He leaves the band again in 2011 to focus on solo work, though the split is described as amicable and he remains welcome to return. He later appears with Take That on three television performances and works with Gary Barlow on several projects, including the West End musical The Band.

Honours and other work

In 2014, Williams receives the freedom of Stoke-on-Trent. A tourist trail is created there, and streets are named in his honour.

His 13th album, XXV, is part of his recorded output. He is also associated with Junior C Reaction and The Justice Collective.