Escapology - Review & Editorial
Something Beautiful: A mid-tempo tune, showing Williams in good,
soulful voice singing, "Lost, tired and lonely, something beautiful
will come your way."
Monsoon: With ample rock guitar riffs and a song structure which
hints towards Mr Mercury, the most Queen-like track of Williams'
career.
Sexed Up: A swooning guitar ballad, IE have ear-marked this as a
possible single for Xmas 2003, among the most Elton-like tunes of the
selection.
Wanna Love Somebody: More Bond than Queen, but another massive epic,
almost rock opera number with a massive sound.
Song 3: A play on Blur's Song 2 perhaps? An opening Damon-like fey
vocal, begins a glam-gunge rocker.
Feel: The first single (which is due in early December), this is one
of the least immediate of the selection, but a classic ballad.
Cursed: Led by Robbie's distorted vocals, this is a true rock-out
with string-break in the middle and underscored by an epic melody.
Me & My Monkey: A fabulously immediate melody, this highlights Robbie
at his most mischevious and borrowing a lyric from The Beatles'
Everybody's Got Something To Hide Except For Me & My Monkey.
"Hotly anticipated" is a wildly overused phrase in the music
business. But, in the case of Robbie Williams' new, fifth studio
album, the anticipation is about more than just the music.
Who will release the record has become one of the longest-running
sagas of the year - and it appears no nearer a resolution.
Despite suggestions last week that EMI have secured a deal - after co-
manager Tim Clark's visit to Williams in Los Angeles on Tuesday -
nothing is yet finalised. Indeed, it is understood that all the major
companies - barring only BMG - remain in the frame, with Warner's
Riger Ames and Sony's Paul Burger joining EMI and Universal by
throwing their hats in the ring.
Williams' management company IE Music declines to comment on the
speculation surrounding deal negotiations, but IE's Tim Clark says
they are ready to go with the record themselves, if necessary.
"We have put together a brilliant team of people to put this record
out if we have to," Clark says. "We have out plan A, which is to do a
deal. We are still talking seriously to a number of majors about it.
But we will be able to put the record out."
Retailers have certainly been left in no doubt: the
album, "Escapology", is firmly linked in for November 18th. IE - with
3mv - have been playing five tracks to retail over the past
fortnight, with the second of two presentations staged on Wednesday
last week.
Eight tracks played to Music Week range from magnificent, mature
ballads such as the Elton-esque "Something Beautiful", to rock epics
which echo Queen at their best. The diversity of the tracks suggests
that Williams has added new maturity to his familiar impudence, and
that his partnership with Chambers is as potent as ever. Virtually
every track on the album is written by Williams with Chambers;
although one track was penned solely by Williams.
Chris Briggs, who has A&Red Williams' albums for EMI:Chrysalis over
the past five years, has also been hired by IE to A&R the latest
project. Although some final mixing is still continuing, the entire
album of 14 finished tracks is completed, following six months of
recording in Los Angeles with Guy Chambers. Work is also now starting
on a video for the first single, "Feel", which is set for an early
December release.
On the promotional front, word is also emerging of a media scoop to
rival last year's Live At The Albert Hall concert - which was
broadcast by the BBC twice during the final quarter of 2002, and
again earlier this month - to give impetus to the album campaign.
IE's "brilliant" team of independent consultants include Outside
Organisation (press), The Partnership (promotions), Katie Conroy
(international promotions) and Andy Murray (international marketing),
with THE as distributor.
IE's deadline for making a decision on a deal is fast approaching.
Sources close to the company suggest that they will make their mind
up by the end of next week, barely seven weeks before "Escapology" is
due for release.
For a string of majors, it will be an anxious wait. The clock is
ticking. (music week)
Taken from http://www.efanguide.com/~rwilliams/main.htm
Robbie the TV star
ROBBIE WILLIAMS has landed an acting role in a top US TV comedy.
The pop superstar has agreed to film a cameo role for the new show
Keen Eddie for the Fox network.
He will fly from Los Angeles to Elstree Studios — where this year's
Big Brother was shot — to film his scenes over the next few weeks.
Robbie is currently negotiating a new record deal and is being chased
by a number of labels. But he is keen to get into acting now he has
settled in LA with Rod Stewart's ex Rachel Hunter.
He once had a walk-on part in EastEnders — as a drinker in the Vic —
and last year starred in the documentary Nobody Someday about his
life on the road.
The singer is also bidding for a role in the next Star Wars movie and
hopes Keen Eddie will be his big break.
The show was made as a pilot in the States and has been commissioned
as a series after it went down a storm with TV bosses.
It stars ex-ER actor Mark Valley who plays Eddie Arlette, a down-on-
his luck New York detective.
After being dumped by his girlfriend and botching a drug bust, Eddie
is sent to England to clean up the mess he made during his failed
narcotics sting.
He shares a flat with blonde Fiona, played by gorgeous British
actress Sienna Miller.
The pair go through a string of London parties, pubs and nightclubs
to track down an evil chemist, played by Alexei Sayle.
The show, which is being made with Paramount Network TV, is being
billed as the next big US telly sensation.
It uses successful techniques from hit series 24 including split
frames, flashbacks and flash forwards.
It will include a string of cameo performances by other British
stars, including John Cleese.
Colin Salmon, better known as M's right-hand man Charles Robinson in
recent Bond films, plays a Scotland Yard superintendent. (the Sun)
Taken from http://www.efanguide.com/~rwilliams/main.htm
22.9.02: "Record bosses told me to get rid of Robbie´s baby"
POP beauty Nicole Appleton has revealed how she was driven to the
brink of suicide when a record boss told her she could not give birth
to Robbie Williams's baby.
The former All Saint caved in and had an abortion. She
admitted: "Afterwards, I couldn't believe what I had done. I wanted
to kill myself." When she first realised she was pregnant, she told
Robbie he was going to be a dad and he was delighted. "Robbie put his
hand on my belly and told me, `This baby is saving my life'." A
friend said: "He was really mixed up at the time, still doing drink
and drugs. This was exactly what he needed. Nicole was delighted."
All Saints flew out to Australia and, at a band meeting, Nicole
confessed that she was pregnant. Manager John Benson was furious and
said that a baby would wreck the band. He insisted their future
depended on her terminating the pregnancy. The friend added: "She
turned to Robbie, who she calls Rob, for help. Robbie was like a
rock. He just told her that they were going to have the child. He
said there was nothing that could stop them."
He decided that if it was a girl, they'd call the baby Grace and he
wrote a song called Grace on his album I've Been Expecting You. But
the pressure on Nicole from her record company was still intense. And
to her eternal regret, she caved in. The friend added: "When she told
Robbie, he was brilliant and just said he'd support her in whatever
decision she chose. She was in New York at the time and he flew
straight over on Concorde to support her."
It was 1998 and Nicole had hoped the press would find out about her
pregnancy so she could keep the baby. But the news remained a secret
and she went into a clinic in New York with Robbie holding her hand.
She was four months pregnant. Soon after the abortion, news broke
that both Posh Spice and Scary Spice were pregnant. The pregnancies
were greeted with delight. There was no pressure on them to have
abortions.
After that the relationship with Robbie, for all his support, began
to wither.
Speaking out days before publication of her forthcoming autobiography
Together, written jointly with her older sister Natalie, 27-year-old
Nicole says sorrowfully that after losing their baby "the purity was
gone. I felt like a puppy, like a robot, under someone else's
control. That's the most unattractive thing you can be." Robbie is
currently carving out a new life for himself in California and is
reported to have landed a cameo role in hit US TV comedy Keen Eddie.
How will he take the news that Natalie has decided to tell all?
Nicole said that he might well get "emotional" but would be
supportive.
Happily, Nicole now has a baby with her fiance, Oasis star Liam
Gallagher.
Speaking of her "special" relationship with rock wildman Liam—father
to 14-month-old baby Gene, she admitted the birth wasn't planned. "We
weren't careful and it happened," she said. "It wasn't, `Right, let's
get pregnant'. But he's brought the best out of me and Liam." Nicole
also says that she fell in love with Liam, then still married to
Patsy Kensit, very quickly. But she insists the relationship with
Patsy was over when they got together.
She now describes Liam as her "almost husband" and says she is
his "almost wife."
Meanwhile, sister Natalie, 29, talks in the book about her stormy
relationship with the TV star Jamie Theakston—the man she said she
loved "so much it hurts."
Now she is as content as Nicole. The sisters released their first non-
All Saints single Fantasy earlier this month. Natalie is married to
Liam Howlett from The Prodigy...and Liam Gallagher is even sitting in
on the girls' recording sessions. The only problem is having two
blokes around with the same name.
"It does my head in," says Natalie. "It's always, `Which one, which
Liam?'" (news of the world)
21.9.02: Nicole Appleton reveals she had abortion with Robbie
Nicole Appleton has revealed she had an abortion while she was
engaged to Robbie Williams.
She is spilling the beans on her relationship with Robbie in her new
autobiography Together with sister Natalie. The former All Saint says
she felt like killing herself after the abortion. "What happened
still lingers in my life. I want people to know what I went through,"
Nicole told the Daily Mail. "After having my abortion I was in shock.
I couldn't believe what I had done. I wanted to kill myself." She
said Robbie backed her decision to reveal details of her abortion and
told her: "I'm so proud of you. You're so brave." Nicole was twice
engaged to Robbie before he ended the stormy 18-month relationship
for good. She is now engaged to Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher and has
a 14-month-old son Gene. The Appleton's book, called Together, is
released later this year.
(ananova)
Taken from http://www.efanguide.com/~rwilliams/main.htm
The cover of ROBBIE WILLIAMS' next album will be a homage to
legendary magician HARRY HOUDINI, I can reveal.
Escapology, Robbie's fifth album, will feature a picture of the
singer upside down, wearing a straight jacket, suspended by a chain
manacled to his ankles - as seen in my exclusive picture.
It's a remake of Houdini's famous escapologist trick although this
time Robbie isn't doing it under water.
In the background there are city skyscrapers - giving the illusion
that Robbie is suspended hundreds of feet up in the air.
Taken from sunday people
Robbie Williams has quit the UK for good - and is calling himself
Robert.
The singer is to take up residence permanently at his Californian
home in Los Angeles, it has been reported.
And Britain is not all Robbie has ditched in a bid to reform his hell
raising ways.
When meeting new friends, the star now introduces himself as Robert
Williams in a bid to distance himself from his past, according to the
Daily Star newspaper.
Friends
His manager, David Enthoven said: "Now he's going out as Robert and
making friends and not making friends.
"It's very different from how he was when he was on tour last year.
He was in early recovery then. Now he's moved on.
"And he's actually learnt some life skills outside of this mad
rock 'n' roll Robbie world that he's been living in."
In the updated version of his book Somebody, Someday, Williams says
that he considered buying his hero Frank Sinatra's old house for £6
million when he first moved out to the States at the beginning of
this year.
Drugs
But Williams says that the luxury property, which is right on
Hollywood's main strip, was too noisy for his new calm lifestyle.
He now lives "full time" in a house equipped with a recording studio
where he has spent the majority of his time since the move writing
new material.
The singer also admits that he has continued his battle with drink
and drugs, attending self-help groups in the relative anonymity of
LA.
Taken from www.sky.com
Pop prince Robbie Williams is reportedly planning to turn down a multi-million
dollar record deal, to release his new LP under his own label. Since his deal
with EMI expired earlier this year Robbie has been courted by labels including
Sony, Warner and Universal, who are all desperate to snap up the singer's new
album 'Escapology', slated for release in November.
Current bids are thought to be around the U.S $90 million mark. But sources
close to the star say Robbie's planning to turn down all offers and set up his
own label instead, a move that would strike fear through the hearts of record
company bosses. An industry insider says, "The record companies are offering him
megabuck deals to sign up with them. And it's not just because they know
Robbie's new album will sell millions, they don't want him to set a precedent
for other stars by striking out on his own. They rely on the likes of Robbie as
their safe-bets for big sales. If he and other big stars desert them, it will be
a financial disaster."
Taken from soundbuzz
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Are pop romeo Robbie Williams and his "serious" girlfriend Rachel Hunter ever
going to act like a proper couple?
The pair, who were only too happy to be snapped canoodling half naked on a
sunlounger last month, arrived in separate cars to avoid being photographed
together at the model's 33rd birthday bash.
Robbie, 28, darted into swanky restaurant Melrose Avenue in LA and was followed
minutes later by Rachel and her children Renee, 10, and Liam, seven.
Once inside Robbie stunned fellow diners by singing a throaty rendition of Happy
Birthday.
Our source said: "Robbie looked like James Bond as he was dressed all in black.
"He was sitting next to Rachel and her two kids, but after 30 minutes they were
taken home.
"Robbie then suddenly stood up and started singing Happy Birthday.
"He was really going for it. People were stopping in the street outside to see
what was going on."
But when it was time to go home, they pair left separately again.
Pathetic.
Taken from the mirror
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Not for the first time, we find ourselves wondering just what is
going on inside Robbie Williams' head. Not only has he now bought a
swanky apartment in Los Angeles in which to pen another chapter for
his book 'Somebody, Someday', but he's insisting that he now be
called Robert.
The super-strange superstar is rumoured to have included the details
of his relationship with Rachael Hunter in the new chapter.
He will also hopefully have some explanation of 'that' photoshoot, in
which the celebrity twosome indulged in a naked poolside frolic for
the benefit of a rogue snapper in the bushes.
Taken from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/totp
Frolicking naked by an L.A. poolside with one of the most beautiful
women in the world should be enough to distract any man from thoughts
of work. But then again Robbie Williams isn't any other man. Randy
Rob is set to get in the recording swing again with the release of
two new albums.
Following on the smash hit of `Swing When You're Winning', the one
man entertainment machine is grafting on a project provisionally
dubbed `Swing 2'. And, all this while completing his forthcoming rock
album `Escapology', which will hit the shops on November 18. Looks
like the Stateside sabbatical could be over. Get ready to feel Robbie
roar once more.
Taken from http://www.bbc.co.uk/totp
Robbie Williams' record label are denying rumours that the singer has
become engaged to his girlfriend, model Rachel Hunter. Reports this
morning had suggested that Robbie had bought an engagement ring for
Rachel but Williams' label say the rumours aren't true.
Robbie has been dating Rachel for six months. Robbie, 27 and ex-model
Rachel, 32, first met at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting in LA.
Robbie has been renting a luxury house in the Hollywood hills while
he has been finishing the recording of his new album.
Rachel lives in Los Angeles with her two children by singer Rod
Stewart, Renee, nine and Liam, seven.
Robbie has reportedly told friends: 'Rachel's gorgeous and a great
comfort for me. We've been through a lot and talk about anything and
everything. We've been seeing each other for a while and we're there
for each other through thick and thin.'
Taken from http://www.worldpop.com
OUTRAGEOUS pop star Robbie Williams has given £10,000 to a gay helpline,
The People can reveal. And the gift is bound to set tongues wagging again about
the singer's own sexuality. For the 28-year-old heart-throb constantly teases
fans about whether he's having a relationship with close pal and flatmate
Jonathan Wilkes. A pal said: "It's a generous gesture from Robbie but it will
open the old can of worms about his sexuality. Robbie has many gay friends and
when he heard this charity was struggling he decided he had to do something."
A friend had warned that the North Staffordshire Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual
Switchboard was under threat. It's now safe for the next two years. Secretary
Mary Hollinshead confirmed the gift to the helpline which offers information,
support and advice to "marginalised and disadvantaged people".
The cash comes from the Give It Sum fund, a charity set up by Robbie to
fund community projects in the Potteries where he was born. Robbie is renowned
for being controversial. The People revealed recently how he and his latest
girlfriend Rachel Hunter, 32, had stunted nude photographs of themselves
together.
The six-month romance is now "hanging by a thread" after Robbie fled
London and got back into the LA party scene. He was spotted at a gay bar with a
lesbian chum sporting the same Mohican hairstyle. Our source added: "Robbie
loves playing up to the image of being bisexual because he thinks it's a very
rock and roll thing to do."
Taken from the Sunday People
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LOVED-UP Robbie Williams has splashed out £3.5 million on a luxury pad to share
with girlfriend Rachel Hunter. The millionaire singer signed on the dotted line
two weeks ago, but has desperately tried to keep it a secret. Pity then that a
session player let the cat right out of the bag when I bumped into him at the
trendy Sky Bar. "They're so happy together that buying a place was the natural
step," the musician told me.
Robbie's already sent the builders in to transform the home into the perfect
lovenest. "The place has three bedrooms but they're making it into five," said
the session man. "And he's getting a recording studio built there too." And,
after a few more vodka martinis, the musician revealed: "They look set to get
married by the end of the year."
The pair are inseparable after dating for three months, supporting each other
with their drink problems. Robbie's been renting Hollywood actor Dan Aykroyd's
place for the past few months while he decides whether he wants to stay in LA.
Now he's moving in with Rachel he'll have Leonardo DiCaprio and Jodie Foster as
neighbours near the trendy Doheny area. The session man continued: "Rachel will
still keep her place...but she's practically moved in with him already. "But
they'll go ballistic if anyone finds out what they're up to."
Don't worry, mate. Your secret's safe with me...
Taken from The News Of The World
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
According to a few sources, Robbie has proposed to Rachel. Like a
gentleman he asked her mum's permission first. Apparently the hope
to married beofre the end of the year.
All those residents of sunny Stroke-On-Trent who might have hoped
that hometown star Robbie Williams would one day settle down in town
and bring a touch of glamour to the proceedings look to be
disappointed - he's apparently decided to settle in LA.
According to the News of the World, which quotes a drunken session
musician who apparently shot his mouth off in a bar, Robbie's spent
£3.5 million on an LA pad for himself and Rachel.
The paper quotes the muso as saying Rachel has "practically moved in
with him already... they look set to get married by the end of the
year." He then goes on to claim that "they'll go ballistic if anyone
finds out what they're up to."
We won't tell a soul, honest
It´s Robbie ... Again
ROBBIE WILLIAMS is to tell all in another revealing documentary.
He has signed up with HAMISH HAMILTON, the man behind his Live At The
Albert DVD, for an hour-long film to tie in with the release of his
new album Escapology.
Robbie and the entertainment company Done and Dusted, are in talks
with the BBC to screen the film when the album is released on
November 18.
A TV insider said: "Robbie is very excited. He has been in America
all summer and his fans are dying to know what he's been doing. This
film will show it all.
"He's been dating RACHEL HUNTER while over there and I'm sure she
will feature."
Robbie has already bared his soul in the film Nobody Someday and
documentary Some Mother's Do 'Ave 'Em. What more can he tell us?
Taken From The Sun
No wonder Robbie wears those big tiger pants - they may have a rubber
lining. According to the Mirror, the hunky heartthrob was caught
short during a recent photoshoot and wet himself!
The Robster was posing in his underwear in a glass tank for the cover
of his new album, 'Escapology'. When his bladder got the better of
him, the little tyke decided to pee in the water rather than get out.
The photographers and stylist the singer had flown to Los Angeles
from London were shocked, but Rob just laughed and replied: "I just
p****d in the pool". With toilet etiquette like that, is it any
wonder that Rachel Hunter dumped him!
taken from http://www.bbc.co.uk/totp
ROBBIE GETS A ROOM!
ROBBIE WILLIAMS has had a panic room built at his home because he is
terrified of being attacked by stalkers, I can reveal. The
increasingly paranoid star is upping security in his £3 million house
in West London in preparation for his return to Britain from the US
later this year. Plans include an impregnable basement room with
CCTV, and special phone line and alarm linked to a police station.
He has also had the master bedroom doors and windows reinforced for
safety at night. A friend of Robbie said: "Before he left for Los
Angeles he was really concerned about some of the fans outside his
house. "He was especially freaked out by a group of foreign fans who
even came down his drive and tried to look into the house. "Rob was
getting so worried about the people outside his house that he called
the police and asked what could be done." My source added: "They told
him there wasn't much they could do unless threats were made or
someone was caught trespassing. "But he called them back to inquire
about having a panic room installed. "He also wanted to make sure
there would be a quick response procedure so that if he raised the
alarm, the cops would be round within minutes." Panic rooms are a
growing phenomenon in America among wealthy residents who fear
intruders. Hollywood highlighted the trend in the JODIE FOSTER
thriller, The Panic Room, about a mother and son under siege. Robbie
will return to the UK just before his fifth album Escapology is out
in three months time.
British pop hunk Robbie Williams has caught the eye of yet another
admiring young lady - teen pop singer Mandy Moore.
The pop princess, 18, admits that she has a huge crush on the former
Take That heart-throb, who has been spending a considerable amount of
time in Los Angeles this year.
She says simply, "He's totally cute." And Moore is sure that Williams
would easily fit the requirements of her perfect boyfriend, "A sense
of humour is imaportant. I like someone who is not very complicated,
but not simple either. Somebody trustworthy and honest, intellectual
and definitely a music lover." (soundbuzz)
ROBBIE WILLIAMS is on the verge of signing the second biggest
recording deal of all time after secretly finishing his new album.
Escapology will be released on November 18 and the big four labels —
Sony, BMG, Warner and Universal — are battling with his old label EMI
to secure him. The auction has drawn offers of up to £75million.
Universal are favourites to get his signature. I've had a sneak
preview of the album, which Robbie recorded in Los Angeles this
summer despite vowing he was taking a year off. It sounds like his
best yet. Robbie has presented the album as a finished product to
executives in the US — including Sony chief Tommy Mottola — and many
feel this could be the album that breaks him there. The three-album
deal on offer dwarfs anything seen before in the UK. His deal with
EMI ran out this year and they are keen to re-sign him but he was
unhappy with the way they pushed his music in the US.
The company which wins Robbie will have a share of his tour revenue
and merchandising — something never done before. Robbie is expected
to agree a deal with one of the labels in the next three weeks. After
hearing his new material, bosses of the big four labels are desperate
to get him. It's no wonder. The CD features one of Robbie's finest
tracks to date — Feel. It is likely to be his next single and
December 9 has been pencilled as the release date.
Wanna Love Somebody is an epic, piano-based anthem that his arch-
rival Noel Gallagher would be proud of.
Something Beautiful is exactly that, with laid-back Van Morrison-
style horns, something of a departure from the usual sound for
Robbie.
And Song 3 — a title which spoofs Blur's Song 2 — is a thrashy punk
outing which shows him in more aggressive mood. Robbie has already
shot the cover art for the record and it shows him hanging upside-
down from a skyscraper Batman-style.
A source close to the singer, who you sometimes forget used to be in
Take That, told me: "This is going to be a huge deal and it looks
like being the biggest ever for a British artist.
"Robbie is Britain's biggest male artist and he is determined to
break America in a big way. He wants the right contract which allows
him freedom and gives him the backing in the US."
Robbie is expected to tour next year and is prepared to slog his way
across the US to achieve his dream of becoming a megastar there.
Michael Jackson signed the biggest record deal with Sony in 1991 for
£623million. Last year, Whitney Houston signed to Arista for
£70million.
Taken From The Sun
ROBBIE WILLIAMS has finally ended the bitter feud with his dad that
has haunted him for 25 years.
Robbie phoned dad Pete, who walked out on his family in 1976, from
Los Angeles and told him: "I love you." Now the millionaire star,
whose romance with ROD STEWART's ex RACHEL HUNTER is on the rocks, is
flying his father from Staffordshire to America for some quality time
together. Robbie has always been close to mum Jan but has had a
strained relationship with club singer Pete. He was just two when his
dad left home. They drifted even further apart later on as Robbie
battled his drugs and booze addictions. But now the pair are chatting
on the phone nearly every other day. Friends of Rachel say her and
Robbie's heavily publicised romance looks doomed and the singer has
been spotted out in LA's clubs and bars. He originally moved to the
city six months ago in a bid to avoid the temptations of London's
nightlife. Robbie first called his dad, who uses the stage name
Conway, at his home in Stoke-on-Trent two weeks ago. Pete is due to
fly to New York on Monday where the pair will meet and go on a
shopping trip. They will then jet on to LA before Pete returns to the
UK a week later. Pete told me: "I don't want to say anything until I
know for sure but I have been asked."
A source added: "Robbie just picked up the phone and rang Pete for a
chat. "I don't know what made him do it but Pete was over the
moon. "They spoke about everything and anything, just a like a normal
father and son. "Robbie has always been angry with his dad for
walking out on Jan and has struggled to forgive him. "Pete's been
told not to bother packing any clothes because Rob's going to buy
them all for him. Considering they hardly spoke, it's amazing to
think they chat nearly every other day now." Robbie's rocky
relationship with his father has never been a secret. He even had a
dig at his old man when he teamed up with Faithless's Maxi Jazz on My
Culture: Hello, dad, remember me? I'm the man you thought I'd never
be/ I'm the boy who you reduced to tears. Dad, I've been lonely for
27 years/ Yeah, that's right my name's Rob. I'm the one who landed
the pop star's job/ I'm the one who you told: `Look don't touch.' I'm
the kid who wouldn't amount to much.
Taken From The Sun
IT looks like ROBBIE WILLIAMS' relationship with RACHEL HUNTER has
hit the rocks.
Pals say their romance is "hanging by a thread", with Robbie back on
the LA party scene and that Rachel has told her family in New Zealand
she fears the relationship is doomed.
A close friend of Rachel's said: "Robbie promised her faithfully he
would turn over a new leaf, but it doesn't seem to have happened.
They've had a heart-to-heart but the affair is hanging by a thread.
Robbie knows he'd be crazy to pass up a class act like Rachel. He has
deep feelings for her but the demons in him have resurfaced. "In his
heart of hearts, I think he knows he's not right for Rachel."
The news comes as no surprise to their circle of friends in Los
Angeles, who never saw a future for the couple. Robbie fled to the
city to escape from the temptations of London's nightlife. He has
regularly been attending Alcoholics Anonymous in a bid to beat his
craving for booze. But he has been spotted looking lonely and gaunt
in clubs and bars over the past two weeks. Three weeks ago he had his
hair shaved in a strange snake-like design. Pals say it reflects his
bored mental state. Since then he has been seen four times at the
outrageous LA strip club 4 Play. The wild-eyed star was also seen at
gay bar The Abbey with a lesbian friend sporting the same snake weave
mohican hair cut. But on Monday night he visited Rachel's home in the
city to discuss their future and try to save the relationship. An old
friend of Rachel said: "She goes to therapy several times a week. She
makes no secret of that and she's finally got her act together. "They
both have a lot of hang-ups from previous relationships — it's a
volatile mix which isn't working for them." Rachel and Robbie met in
LA at the end of February and gradually fell for one another. In
June, they were photographed romping naked on a sun lounger. Rachel
is still married to rocker Rod Stewart but they have been apart since
Rachel walked out on him in January 1999. She left Rod after eight
years and they have two children, Renee, nine, and Liam, seven. Pals
say Rachel and Robbie shared an intense relationship. He was
initially keen to stay away from clubs and bars so instead they went
to basketball games and played ten-pin bowling together.
Taken from The Sun
She goes OTT with Robbie Gift
Some may scoff but Rachel Hunter is going all out to show her love
for Robbie Williams is timeless. As a token of her passion for the
Robster, She's bought him a sparkling £7500.00 Watch from a Beverley
Hills jewellers.
Ravishing Rachel handed Robbie the suprise gift - A Breguet titanium
transatlantic timepiece- to make sure he clocks her feelings for him.
Rod Stewarts ex even asked the jeweller to engrave on it a cooing
message : You make every minute special- Love RH
But ex supermodel Rachel 33, who has been dating Robbie for 5 months
then saved some pennies by laying on a home cooked dinner for her
lover. And the blonde kiwi cutie left 28 year old Robbie speechless
as she chirupped "I've bought you a little something", "I just want
you to know how much you mean to me" She then handed him her wonder
pressie as his dessert treat- a bit sugary sweet we recon and clearly
not to Robbie's taste.
our stateside source revealed "He was floored by the gift-
overwhelmedby Rachel's generosity. But true to form he soon turned
schaltz to laddish humour telling pals : "Things are great- im dating
a supermodel and she buy's me gifts"
Despite his cheeky banter, however pals say the Stoke stud is
besotted with his latest beauty. But after the doting duo announced
they are designing matching tattoos for their bums we cant help
thinking their love will surely bottom out. Rachel is to get a red
heart with the words "robbie forever" inscribed next to it while
Robbie has one with "Rachel forever" inked in
Rachel raved "Robbie and i are so much in Love, its amazing- and we
thought tattoos would be a romantic thing to remember this summer. if
we were her we would take one look at Rob's reord with women and book
that laser removal treatment now.
But our source insisted how smitten rachel searched long and hard for
the perfect gift before picking the watch. our mole said "its obvious
she's head over heels in love with Robbie and she wanted to do
something special for him", "She spent weeks looking for the perfect
gift and finally decided on this expensive timepiece," "Now he's
vowed to wear it all the time and said it will keep them close
whenever they are apart"
Not that the couple seem to spend time apart - they have been
inseperable since their love was exposed 2 months ago, and Rachels
message to sceptics, after her love gift seems to be : Watch this
space.
Taken From the Daily Star
SURPRISE, surprise! ROBBIE WILLIAMS is planning to release a new
album.
Now all those cheap publicity shots of him and RACHEL HUNTER
indulging in heavy petting make sense. It's all to raise the profile
of Robbie for his fifth solo long-player which will be rush-released
in November to catch the lucrative Christmas market.
The record was originally thought to be coming out next April.
It is rumoured to be more rock inspired than the past few Robbie
offering/
Taken from The Sunday People
The Robbie/Oasis spat has now spilled over into cyberspace, as Robbie
had to suspend his holiday to close down a hoax fan site.
www.robbiewilliams.info was set up by IT consultant Howard Taylor,
but instead of proffering pics and biographies of the super-crooner,
the site redirected to a site dedicated to Robbie's arch-nemesis
Oasis. Robbie and the brothers Gallagher having been spicing up many
a recent Brit Awards ceremony by trading insults and even proposing
punch-ups. Robbie has taken the website personally, and after taking
the case to the World Intellectual Property Organisation, has been
awarded the ownership of the site. A WIPO chief ordered that
prankster Taylor hand over the site, saying, "This does not appear to
be the action of a fan, but rather the actions of someone who wished
to provoke the Complainant."
Despite a slagging match that spans years, it looks like the only
hits traded by Robbie and Oasis anytime soon will be digital.
Taken from http://www.bbc.co.uk/totp/news
It appears that our Robbie has actually been doing some work and not
just getting his hair chopped and cavorting with Rachel. According to
The Sun his new album, Escapology, is already finished and is due for
release on November 18th.
But it's not that simple. Robbie's desire to conquer America, and
thus avoid becoming the new Cliff, has led him to offer the finished
album up for auction, and the four big labels - Sony, BMG, Warner and
Universal - are apparently scrapping over who gets it. Bids are up to
£75 million so far. The winner will also get a share of tour and
merchandising revenues, which is unprecedented.
It's looking likely that the final deal will be a record breaker.
Only Wacko Jacko's 1991 Sony deal, for a staggering £623 million,
remains larger. Whether this new deal, with whoever finally bags him,
will win over the 'states and confirm his position as an 'honourary
Sean Connery', or fall flat and condemn him to be a George Lazenby,
remains to be seen
Taken from http://www.bbc.co.uk/totp/news
Subject: Rob and Rachel get matching tattoos
British pop idol Robbie Williams and his current squeeze Rachel Hunter have
designed matching tattoos to declare their love for one another - and they'll
get them on their bums. The rampant pair, who were snapped romping in the
grounds of an exclusive Los Angeles hotel this weekend, have drawn the skin art
themselves and have secretly engaged a top Hollywood tattooist to carry out the
design. Rachel is to have a red heart with the words 'Robbie forever' inscribed
whilst Robbie's love art will be the same but with an inscription of Rachel's
name. Rachel says, "We're so much in love it's amazing. We thought tattoos would
be a romantic thing to remember this summer." But Robbie, 28, is more pragmatic.
He says, "It's just another tattoo. It was Rachel's idea, but I am all for it.
If things between us don't work out, I can just have it coloured over." A friend
of the pair says, "Robbie and Rachel made a visit to Tattoo Mania on the Sunset
Strip to inquire about getting the work done. "They met with a guy nicknamed
Mahoney who is considered one of the top artists around."
Taken from http://www.efanguide.com/~rwilliams/main.htm
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Please join the updated 3rd edge group, has up to the minute tour
news, and gossip
http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/3rdEdge/
3rd Edge are a wicked new urban group, some of you might remember one
of the members as Thomas Jules Stock, who supported the
backstreet boys among other things back in the day
Catch them on the box 932 or at your local club, check group listings
for details
Amy
In & Out Released 19th August
WHILE Melanie C is defying record bosses to keep her natural look, her former
bandmate GERI HALLIWELL shows off her lack of curves on the cover of her new
autobiography. The picture of the star protecting her modesty with just a tape
measure will infuriate parents who already believe her skinny figure sets a bad
example to young fans. Geri has admitted being a sufferer of the eating disorder
bulimia and in May she entered the Cottonwood re-hab centre in Arizona to keep
her condition in check. She also regularly attends meetings of Overeaters
Anonymous. The book, Just For The Record, is the former Spice Girl's second
autobiography and is set to feature her struggles with the disorder as well as
her relationships with ROBBIE WILLIAMS and CHRIS EVANS. It comes out on
September 2 - the same date as her former bandmate MELANIE B's first
autobiography Catch A Fire
Taken From The Sun
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ROBBIE WILLIAMS and girlfriend RACHEL HUNTER are caught out on the town together
for the first time since their affair went public - and it's clear who's in the
driving seat. The singer and ROD STEWART's estranged missus were snapped
arriving at swanky Los Angeles nightspot Delux, right, for a night out with
friends. The pair have been dating for the past five months but they only made
their romance public in June. One clubber said: "Robbie may not be well known
here but there was quite a commotion when the pair arrived on Wednesday night.
Robbie's new hairstyle is unmissable and lots of people in the club were staring
at him. "If they didn't know who he was before they certainly do now." The
singer is working on a new album in LA but has been spending all his time with
the New Zealand-born beauty. Robbie's relationship with the mum-of-two looks to
be hotting up and the pair are inseparable. My source says: "I think Rachel
could be the girl who has finally tamed Robbie. "I wouldn't be surprised to hear
wedding bells."
Taken from The Sun
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Mr Unoriginal strikes again, Robbie's karaoke-rock album is go.
Unbelievable though it may seem, Robbie Williams' rock-covers album looks set to
go ahead. Britain's favourite fading karaoke singer has booked studio space in
LA to start to record it.
The first "celebrity" collaborators signed up are Robbie's rent-a-friend Billy
Duffy from the Cult and Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Taken from http://www.efanguide.com/~rwilliams/main.htm
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