Music Folks
Robbie Williams: The Take That Rebel Who Out-Charted The Beatles
October 20, 2026 · by Music Folks
Robbie Williams went from the youngest member of Take That to one of the biggest solo stars in British pop history. Blending cheeky showmanship, big choruses and a taste for swing standards, he has built a career that now includes a record number of UK No. 1 albums.
Quick Facts
- Born: February 13, 1974, Stoke-on-Trent, England
- Known for: Solo pop, “Angels,” “Rock DJ,” the 2003 Knebworth shows
- Key albums: Life thru a Lens (1997), I’ve Been Expecting You (1998), Swing When You’re Winning (2001), Escapology (2002), Britpop (2026)
- Awards: A record 18 Brit Awards, according to Wikipedia
- Sales: Estimated 75 to 80 million records worldwide
From Take That to Solo Stardom
Williams joined Take That in 1990 at 16 and sang lead on songs including “Could It Be Magic” and “Everything Changes.” Tensions in the group and his wish to explore other musical directions led him to leave in July 1995; the band split in February 1996. His first solo single was a cover of George Michael’s “Freedom,” which reached No. 2 in the UK.
The Big Years
Life thru a Lens (1997) gave him “Angels,” still his best-selling UK single. I’ve Been Expecting You (1998) debuted at No. 1 and produced his first two UK chart-toppers, “Millennium” and “She’s the One.” Sing When You’re Winning (2000) brought “Rock DJ,” another UK No. 1, and Swing When You’re Winning (2001) turned a Sinatra-inspired record into a hit, with a duet with Nicole Kidman on “Somethin’ Stupid” topping the singles chart.
In August 2003 he played three nights at Knebworth Park, drawing more than 375,000 people in total, which was then described as the biggest music event in the UK. Albums such as Escapology (2002) were huge in Europe and beyond, though he never matched that success in the United States.
Reunion and Reinvention
He rejoined Take That in 2010 for the album Progress and its tour, and left again in 2011 on friendly terms. The 2024 biopic Better Man told his story with a computer-generated chimpanzee playing the young Williams. It won nine AACTA Awards, though it did poorly at the box office, and its soundtrack went to No. 1 in the UK in January 2025.
Where He Is Now
In January 2026 Williams released Britpop three weeks ahead of schedule, and it went to No. 1 on the UK chart. According to Music Week, citing the Official Charts Company, it was his 16th solo No. 1 album, passing The Beatles’ record of 15. As of October 2026 he continues to release new music, including a single with DJ Miss Monique in September 2026.