All about this artist
Biography:
Born 20 January 1971, Frodsham, Cheshire, England. Formerly lead singer and songwriter with the most successful "boy band" of the 90s, Take That, Barlow began his musical apprenticeship at the age of 12 as pianist in a Frodsham social club. By the age of 14 he had moved on to the cabaret circuit, supporting artists such as Ken Dodd.
His first attempt at launching a solo career came two years later, but publishing companies could not at this time see the potential in his compositions, which already included later Take That staple "A Million Love Songs". However, he was then contacted by Nigel Martin-Smith, who was in the process of piecing together a UK version of New Kids On The Block.
That group was Take That, a teen-pop phenomenon that enjoyed a series of number 1 singles and albums, with Barlow as chief songwriter. Barlow launched his second solo career in 1996 at almost exactly the time that another former member of Take That, Robbie Williams, released his first single.
There was certainly acrimony between the two parties. In a magazine article printed shortly before the release of both songs, Williams labelled Barlow: "Clueless . . . really fucking dated . . . selfish, stupid and greedy. " A victory for Barlow was widely predicted in the press - Barlow was the musical brain behind Take That, a natural pop songwriter who had undergone music training.
He was able to release one of his own compositions while Williams had to rely on a cover version of George Michael's "Freedom". Barlow won the race to the UK number 1 spot, his "Forever Love' (hardly the most outstanding example of his songwriting) reaching the top in its first week of release.
Williams' song was released at the end of July 1996 while Barlow put the finishing touches to the tracks for his debut album. The album was completed, only for Barlow to set about re-recording most of it, as well as splitting from his manager. One year later, with six new tracks and with a new executive producer in Arista Records" Clive Davis, Open Road was finally released to muted reviews, although it did top the UK charts.
A cover version of the Madonna/Shep Pettibone track "Love Won't Wait" also went to number 1, but subsequent singles "So Help Me Girl" (originally recorded by country singer Joe Diffie) and "Open Road" were less successful. "So Help Me Girl" also reached the US Top 50.
Barlow's frustration at having his career tail off must have been considerable, especially as Williams' career was spectacularly revived by the enormous success of his "Angels" single at the end of 1997. Barlow returned to the UK singles chart in July 1999 with "Stronger".
The song disappeared after a short stay in the Top 20, however, and with Twelve Months, Eleven Days also failing cynics were left to ponder if it was back to gigs at the Frodsham social club. The UK music press switched their allegiance to Williams and gleefully quoted his cutting remarks about his former bandmate.
Barlow opted to bow out with his dignity intact, returning to songwriting and concentrating on family life. He set up the True North Music Company and enjoyed notable success as a songwriter with Will Young ("Leave Right Now") and Delta Goodrem ("Lost Without You").
At the end of 2005, Barlow announced he was rejoining Owen, Orange and Donald for a Take That reunion tour the following summer. A new Take That studio album was also released.
