Robbie Williams, the iconic British entertainer, boldly declares that social media would have 'finished him off' if it existed during his 90s heyday. But here's where it gets controversial... While celebrating his 16th number-one album, Britpop, which surpasses even The Beatles' record, Williams reflects on the British tendency to downplay success. He admits, 'We're experts at popping our own balloons,' a trait he believes is both a strength and a weakness. Yet, this time, he's determined to savor his achievements, stating, 'I want to stand in the middle of it and let success wash over me.'
His Long 90s tour, kicking off this week, revisits the intimate venues of his early solo career. At 51, Williams reveals that Britpop is the album he envisioned when he first parted ways with Take That. Collaborating with Gary Barlow, Gaz Coombes, and Tony Iommi, the album is a nostalgic yet fresh take on his roots. And this is the part most people miss... Despite his professional triumphs, Williams recalls the 90s as a decade of deep depression, where joy was elusive. 'It was an amazing time to have a bad time,' he muses, reflecting on the era's cultural vibrancy compared to today's 'vanilla' landscape.
Williams openly discusses his past struggles with stage fright, a battle that shifted when his daughter, Teddy, was born in 2012. 'Fatherhood gave me purpose,' he explains. 'I realized I have the best job in the world.' Returning to the UK after a tumultuous relationship with the British press, he feels a newfound peace. 'The media's constant scrutiny was heavy,' he admits, but now, 'I'm left alone to create and live my life.'
Here’s a thought-provoking question: Would Robbie Williams have survived the social media era? He believes it would have 'seen him off,' citing our collective tendency to seek out negativity. 'We’re wired to find problems,' he observes, a trait he finds both fascinating and exhausting.
As for the eternal question of rejoining Take That, Williams hints at a possible reunion, praising the recent Netflix documentary and expressing his love for his former bandmates. With the 30th anniversary of Take That's first split coinciding with his birthday, he laughs, 'I was buying a Scalextric from Harrods—not exactly rock'n'roll.'
Looking ahead, Williams dreams big: building hotels with integrated venues and creating a 'university of entertainment.' 'It’s my revenge on an education system that left me with nothing higher than a D,' he quips. What do you think? Is Robbie Williams onto something, or is he just dreaming big? Let us know in the comments.
Britpop is out now, and the Long 90s tour is already making waves. Don't miss it!
