Robbie Williams began his musical career as a member of British boy band Cutest Rush, which, with the help of a producer looking to form a British version of New Kids on the Block, morphed into Take That in 1990. The group was a sensation and sold more records in the England than any other British act since the Beatles. In 1995, disagreements with the other members and their management drove Williams to leave Take That in 1995. He released his first solo single, a cover of George Michael’s “Freedom 90,” in 1996. It was a flop. Williams’ music took on an Oasis-type sound for his debut album, 1997’s Life Thru a Lens, which became a huge hit in England. His follow-up, 1998’s I've Been Expecting You, also went multiplatinum. In ‘99 he released The Ego Has Landed, a compilation of songs from his first two albums, for American audiences. The album went to No. 63 on the Billboard 200, but failed to make Williams a pop superstar in the U.S.

Reviews

• Escapology