Take That is an English pop boy band/vocal-group consisting of Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Jason Orange, Mark Owen, and, formerly, Robbie Williams. Formed in Manchester in 1990, they took the pop world by storm throughout the decade with a flurry of huge hit singles, re-plotting the blueprint for today's biggest pop acts. Originally formed as the British answer to
New Kids On The Block, they became known for their catchy melodies that crossed genres from emotional piano Ballads, to Hi-NRG, Pop and Dance, and they captured the hearts of the public and media with charismatic good looks and a genuine sense of fun.
Take That released their debut single, in 1991 but the group didn't break into the big time until
Take That and Party, landed a chart position of number five upon its release in the fall. At the end of the year, the group took home no less than seven awards at the Smash Hits Awards, Early in 1993, the group's number three cover of Barry Manilow's Could It Be Magic won a Brit Award for Best British single; the adult audience in Britain through Gary Barlow's melodic, sensitive ballads. For nearly five years, Take That's popularity was unsurpassed in Britain, as they racked up a total of seven number one hits. Throughout 1993 and 1994, Everything Changes the band's second album yielded hit singles, with the majority of the releases making their way to number one. the first single from their third album, Back for Good, had more depth than any of their previous efforts and earned good reviews from the press. Nobody Else (1995), went to the top of the album charts upon release, but Williams left the group to work on a solo album. The band eventually split in February 1996 prompting The Samaritans to set up telephone help lines to counsel distraught fans. The split saw the beginning of Robbie Williams' record-breaking solo career as the other members parted ways and embarked on their own solo careers or pursuits out of the media spotlight. Take That had achieved eight number one singles and sold more than 30 million records between 1991-1996. prompting the BBC to describe them as "the most successful British band since The Beatles in the UK, beloved of young and old alike".
In 2005 the four remaining members reformed for a greatest hits reunion tour and retrospective DVD release. The tour went on to become one of the fastest-selling tickets of that year, confirming yet again the continued adoration of their massive dedicated fan base. In 2006, Take That released their fourth studio album Beautiful World, the first full-length album of new material since 1996. Showcasing a more meaningful mature approach, they retained enough of Take That's signature sound to appeal to longtime fans. Lead single Patience even won a Brit Award for Best British Single. The band's career resurgence continued as it released its fifth studio effort, The Circus (2008). The opening track, The Greatest Day, quickly shot to number one on the U.K. singles charts and the album sold over 133,000 copies when it was released in Britain on December 1st. Take That are now the most successful boyband to have reunited in history and are among the best selling UK live pop acts of all time.
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