Robbie Williams, George Michael and Michael Buble will all sing on the "X-Factor" this weekend, it has been confirmed. Simon Cowell appeared at a press conference in London today to announce the guests on the show's final. The trio of stars will join Olly Murs, Joe McElderry and Stacey Solomon, respectively, in the duets section.

Cowell told reporters the collaborations were a "very, very significant part of the competition" and also said viewers should expect "a few surprises"

source

Susan Boyle's powerful arrival was not enough to stop Robbie Williams from recording a third week at the top of Billboard's European Albums chart with "Reality Killed The Video Star" (Virgin/EMI).

Black Eyed Peas achieve the super-rare feat of replacing themselves at No. 1 on European Hot 100 Singles, as "Meet Me Halfway" (Interscope/Universal) moves 6-1, passing "I Gotta Feeling" going in the other direction, 1-3.

Williams is down 4-9 in the United Kingdom, but holds at No. 2 in Germany. Its overall sales hold Michael Jackson at No. 2 with "This Is It" (Epic/Sony Music Entertainment), which retains top three placings in Italy and the Belgian region of Flanders, falling 2-3 in each.

Source

Robbie Williams secures a second week at Billboard's European Albums summit with "Reality Killed The Video Star" (Virgin/EMI), while Black Eyed Peas' "I Gotta Feeling" (Interscope/Universal), in its 21st chart week, again tops European Hot 100 Singles.

Source

The ARIA Awards are about celebrating Aussie music, but UK pop sensation Robbie Williams was the star attraction on the red carpet. Williams sent fans into a frenzy, many waving homemade signs and chanting his name as he made his entrance at Sydney's Acer Arena, casually dressed in a navy blazer and blue jeans. The 35-year-old singer said he was enjoying the warm welcome from local fans. "It's always amazing when I come down here," Williams said. "It's my fourth album that's been number one here, brilliant, amazing, loving it."

Williams said he was feeling calm and relaxed ahead of performing his new single Bodies during the awards ceremony.

source

ROBBIE Williams might have been absent from the world's stage but his gig at Sydney's Metro proves he has definitely not been forgotten. Even Williams looked overwhelmed by the decibel meter-crashing roar that greeted his entrance for only his second gig on the comeback trail.

Launching straight into hit single Bodies, Williams has lost none of the power to entertain which has made him one of the world's biggest pop stars in the past decade.

With a set evenly balanced between new songs from his latest album Reality Killed The Video Star and old anthems including Come Undone, Feel and Rock DJ, it was remarkable to see him back at the top of his game so soon after battling his twin demons of drug addiction and anxiety. Cheeky Robbie was back, his between song patter as naughty and comic as ever. He joked about being 35 and not able to pull off the same dances any more without looking "daft", but instead appropriated what he called a George Michael trademark move to get the crowd going. The loved-up star dedicated Won't Do That To You to his girlfriend Ayda Field who danced and sung along from the balcony.

If he delivers even a tenth of the energy he showed last night, Williams is set for a scene-stealing performance at the ARIA awards tonight.

Herald Sun

Thanks to the huge sales in United Kingdom and Germany, Robbie Williams' new effort 'Reality Killed The Video Star' conquered the hot spot of the global album chart this week with sales of nearly 400.000 units. His former set 'Rudebox' started at no.2 with 378.000 copies more than three years ago (week 45, 2006). Robbie ends the two-week reign of Michael Jackson's 'This Is It', which falls at the second after a 33% decrease to sales of 319.000 copies.

ROBBIE WILLIAMS' comeback is complete - the former TAKE THAT star has ended MICHAEL JACKSON's reign as the king of the European albums chart.

The Angels singer's Reality Killed The Video Star has debuted at number one, even though the album failed to grab the top spot in his native Britain - he was beaten to that mark by talent show act JLS, who enter the new European chart at eight with their self-titled first album.

Reality Killed The Video Star scores number one debuts in Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Holland. Jackson's This Is It falls to two after two weeks on top and Bon Jovi's The Circle slips a spot to three. Crooner Michael Buble's Crazy Love and Liebe Ist Fur Alle Da by German rockers Rammstein also slip a place to four and five, respectively.
The Black Eyed Peas claim another number one on the continent's singles chart - I Gotta Feeling, which spent 14 weeks at number one in America earlier this year (09), has climbed up from two to one on the new countdown.

source Contact Music

Williams did not reveal any kind of release plan for the new material.

courtsey of NME

Robbie himself announced last week at BBC Electric Proms that the next single to be taken from his forthcoming album, Reality Killed The Video Star, is the beautiful ballad, You Know Me.

You Know Me follows hot on the heels of Bodies, Robbie's biggest selling single since Rock DJ in 2000. Bodies charted in the top three across Europe, with No.1s in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy and entry to the UK charts at No.2.

The single will be available on two formats, CD and digital download, from Monday, 7th December 2009.

Robbie Williams will crown his comeback with an outstanding contribution to music award at next year's Brit Awards.

The 35-year-old star, who already holds the record for winning more Brits than any other artist, will pick up his new gong on February 16. Organisers said the Bodies singer will close the show with a "sensational" live performance at London's Earls Court, as millions of viewers also watch live on ITV1.

Williams, who has amassed more than 55 million album sales worldwide, triumphantly opened the BBC Electric Proms on Tuesday with his first full concert for three years.

Ged Doherty, chairman of the Brits Committee, said: "Robbie is one of the outstanding artists and performers of his generation. "It will be an absolute thrill to have him at the Brits 30th anniversary show receiving the outstanding contribution award. We are delighted."

The singer already has 11 Brits under his belt for his career as a solo artist. His first came in 1999 - for best British male artist - and he went on to win that award three more times. He has also bagged best British single awards for Angels, She's The One and Rock DJ and best British video for Millennium, She's the One and Rock DJ.

In 2005, Angels won a Brit for being the best song of the past 25 years. In 1998 he sang with one of his heroes, Tom Jones, at the ceremony and in 2005 he performed Angels alongside Joss Stone.

Williams has received 31 Brits nominations in total, 22 for his solo career, plus nine as a member of Take That, during which time the band picked up four awards.

Previous recipients of the outstanding contribution award include the Pet Shop Boys, Sir Paul McCartney, Oasis and U2.

Sky News UK

Billboard’s new pan-European sales charts show Madonna starting a fourth week at No. 1 on European Top 100 Albums, while Robbie Williams makes a triumphant return, topping European Hot 100 Singles with “Bodies” (Virgin/EMI).

Robbie Williams’ first single for two and a half years, “Bodies” is new at No. 1 in Germany, Austria and Switzerland and posts four No. 2 rankings, in Italy, Denmark, Finland and the United Kingdom, the latter with strong sales of 89,000. It’s beaten to No. 1 there by former “X Factor” winner Alexandra Burke’s “Bad Boys” (Syco Music/Sony Music Entertainment), featuring Flo Rida, which opens with the U.K.’s highest weekly singles sales of the year, 187,000.

Williams is also new at No. 3 in Holland, Ireland and Walllony, No. 5 in Flanders and No. 8 in France. His eighth studio album “Reality Killed the Video Star” follows Nov. 9.

Billboard.com

Tickets to Robbie's upcoming live performance at the BBC Electric Proms may have sold out in a flash, but you can still experience the action LIVE in your local cinema... whereveryou are in Europe!

That's right, his return to the stage will be broadcast live in nearly 200 cinemas across Europe on the evening of Tuesday, 20 October, so you can watch Robbie's first full live show in over three years from the comfort of your cinema seat.

Those of you in South Africa and Australia will be able to tune in a few weeks later to catch the performance in your local cinemas when the show is broadcast in Australia on 6th November and in South Africa on 13th November.

Robbie's popcorn-popping live show will be orchestrated by Trevor Horn, the 'genius' producer of his new album, Reality Killed The Video Star, and will be supported by a full band, plus a very special string and horn section for the ultimate BBC Electric Proms treatment!

Check the full list of participating countries and cinemas HERE

Tickets go on sale at 08:00 BST (09:00 CET) on Friday, 09 October - be sure to come back to secure your tickets and be a part of Robbie's electric evening.

He will be accompanied by a string section, horn section and full band. The show features new material from Robbie's forthcoming album 'Reality Killed the Video Star' alongside some classic tracks, under the musical direction of Trevor Horn.

The first single from the album - Bodies - is classic Robbie, a mash-up of a grinding electro bass line with a gospel choir and heavenly strings, as the singer casts an eye over modern life.

The album title itself is a nod to Trevor Horn's eighties smash hit as Buggles and Robbie is delighted to work with the legendary producer. "He's added something to the record that I haven't had on previous records - his genius," says Robbie. I just think it sounds big - track after track after track."

Similarly, Robbie's career to date is simply astounding: 15 Brit awards, eight No. 1 albums, and his Close Encounters tour set a world record selling 1.6 million tickets in a single day. His three nights at Knebworth were one of the biggest live music events in UK history when he entertained over 365,000 fans.

This is Robbie's first show since that epic Close Encounters tour in 2006 and represents a rare opportunity to see a total entertainer play a unique, intimate show. Robbie says, "I'm looking forward to playing my new songs, working with Trevor Horn again and seeing how people react to what I've been doing."

BBC News

We're very excited to finally be able to confirm that Robbie will feature in the new series of the hit TV show X Factor next month.

He will be performing the world exclusive of his new single,Bodies, live on the show, which will be Robbie's first performance in the UK since 2006.

“I’m a huge fan of The X Factor," said Robbie about his upcoming appearance on the show. "Of course I’ll be watching every week, just like everyone else.”

How exciting... we'll certainly be tuning in to see him perform Bodies!

courtesy of RobbieWilliams.com

U.K. pop artist Robbie Williams has launched a music publishing company, Farrell Music, as the new home for all of his music publishing rights.

Williams' new and future material will now go through Farrell Music, including songs from his forthcoming album' "Reality Killed the Video Star," (Virgin/EMI) which is released on Nov. 9. The singer has partnered with independent music publisher Notting Hill Music, which has put in place a structure whereby Williams will be paid directly from collection societies on a global basis. Notting Hill Music will broker the relationships with collection societies and will provide administration services in return for a fee from Farrell Music.

"Robbie Williams has been and remains one of the defining U.K. artists of our generation and we are honored to be helping him with the launch of his new music publishing company," said Andy McQueen, chairman of Notting Hill Music, in a statement. "This new agreement utilizes our experience and expertise in the music publishing field while giving Robbie complete ownership and control of his songs. We are looking forward to working with Robbie and his management team and feel sure that this new venture will be a big success."

As Williams' existing copyrights revert to him, they will also go through Farrell Music. Universal Music Publishing Group currently represents Williams' copyrights up to 2007, following its acquisition of BMG Music Publishing three years ago.

"I've always wanted my own publishing company... though it could make me broke beyond my wildest dreams," Williams said in a statement - a quip that refers to his "rich beyond my wildest dreams" remark after re-signing to EMI in October 2002.

"This is yet another ground-breaking deal by Robbie Williams and it's what makes working with him so exciting," added the singer's managers David Enthoven and Tim Clark of London-based IE Music.

courtsey of Billboard.biz.com

The Bodies video is directed by Vaughan Arnell, acclaimed director of classic Robbie videos including Angels, Feel, Let Me Entertain You, Millennium, Radio, Rock DJ, Somethin' Stupid and Supreme. Wow!

BRITISH pop star Robbie Williams will visit Australia in November to promote his new album, Reality Killed the Video Star, and appear as a special guest at the ARIA Awards in Sydney on November 26. Williams will perform his new single, Bodies, at Acer Arena, Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush Bay, in his only performance on the three-day promotional visit.

In his 12-year solo career, Williams has sold more than 55 million albums, including 2.5 million in Australia. ARIA chairman Ed St John said: ''With Robbie Williams confirmed as the first live performer at this year's ARIA Awards, we are set for an absolutely stellar live event. ''He is a true superstar and someone that Australian music lovers have warmly embraced over the last 10 years. ''We are thrilled that Robbie is able to join us to perform his new single, and look forward to delivering one truly memorable music event''.

PATRICK DONOVAN
Source

I have had the exclusive first listen to Bodies, the much awaited single from his new album Reality Killed The Video Star. And Robbie fans across the globe will be pleased to hear it's a belter. Rob and I have had our differences over the years but I haven't got a bad word to say about his big comeback song. He has returned from the wilderness and gone back to the winning formula of good old-fashioned commercial pop, produced by veteran knobs-and-dials man TREVOR HORN. His influence is a stroke of genius, with a rich new electronic sound.There's a touch of Rob's northern roots and a hint of IAN BROWN about the track. The tune is a step in the right direction for Robbie after a bit of, er, artistic experimentation on his last project. The chorus is hands in the air, singalong magic that made Robbie a stadium star. The lyrics are typical Robbie rhymes, with a bit of religious contemplation for good measure. He sings: 'Jesus really died for me. Jesus tried for me.' There are also references to deity and a bit of Gregorian chanting thrown in to create an eerie atmosphere.

In his time out of the spotlight it's fair to say Robbie hit the muffins pretty hard. But this shot from the video shows he has shed the extra stone or two and is back in great shape. In one line of the song he sings: 'All we ever wanted was to look good naked. Save me rejection from my reflection. I want perfection.' The girls in Bizarre HQ seem pleased. They reckon he's back to his best. I liked the beardy, fat lad-look better. The shot looks like a scene from No Country For Old Men, with Rob holding hitman JAVIER BARDEM's brutal gas canister gun. A nod to the title of the song Bodies, perhaps?

Radio 2 are already planning to make the track record of the week and Radio 1 have stuck it on the playlist six weeks before its release.

Bodies is due out on October 12, with Reality Killed The Video Star set to follow on November 9.

Britain has been missing a massive solo star. It's good to see Robbie returning to reclaim his throne.

I'm off to stick a few quid on at the bookies for The Brits to be The Robbie Show next year.

Source

Robbie will be joining Chris Moyles on his breakast show for some Friday morning fun when he drops by the BBC Radio 1 studio next week. He'll will be stopping by on Friday, 4th September, to be interviewed by the DJ and play his amazing forthcoming single, Bodies.

We've been told by BBC Radio 1 that it all kicks off at 08:00 BST, so make sure you cancel any plans and are near a radio or computer!

Tune into 97-99FM on your radio, or listen live via the Radio 1 website or the iPlayer.

For more details on how to listen to BBC Radio 1 click here.

courtsey of www.RobbieWilliams.com

Robbie Williams had the edge on his chart-topping former bandmates Take That today as he was named the greatest superstar in music. Williams, who is about to hit the comeback trail, nudged his old pals into second place in a poll of music fans by MTV. He even proved more popular than late Michael Jackson – despite the huge interest in his songs following his death – who was pushed into third place in the MTV’s Greatest Superstar list. Despite his low profile since the release of 2006’s 'Rudebox' album, Williams rocketed ahead of Take That who have enjoyed a massive wave of interest and success since reforming. The singer is about to return to the fray with the release of a single 'Bodies' in October and a new album 'Reality Killed The Video Star' in November.

Here are the top 10 stars:
1. Robbie Williams
2. Take That
3. Michael Jackson
4. The Killers
5. Girls Aloud
6. The Prodigy
7. Red Hot Chili Peppers
8. Beyonce
9. Pussycat Dolls
10. Oasis
MTV's Greatest Superstars is to be broadcast by MTV on Saturday August 29 at 5pm UK time.

Source

The search is on for MTV's Greatest Superstar and Robbie Williams is up for nomination, alongside the likes of Katy Perry, Christina Aguilera, Girls Aloud and many more.
If you haven't already voted, we need you to cast your vote and win him the crown!
If you haven't already voted, click on the banner below - voting closes at the end of August so there's not long left.

You'll need to complete a quick sign up form before you can vote for Robbie as your MTV Greatest Superstar and as a thank you you'll also be entered to win a state of the art iPod speaker system!

courtsey of RobbieWilliams.com

We're very excited to announce that Robbie Williams will be releasing his much-anticipated new album, Reality Killed The Video Star, on November 9th, 2009.
However, ahead of that, the first single to be released will be Bodies, on October 12th, with the digital version available one day earlier on the 11th.
As you'll know from Robbie's blogs, he has been busy working on the new material with Trevor Horn, who has produced both the album and the single.
The video clip on the homepage, is exclusive to RobbieWilliams.com and takes us behind-the-scenes of Robbie's first day back at work..!

HE'S BACK! WE HAVE COUNTDOWN!! CHECK OUT THE LATEST NEWS FROM MONDAY ON WWW.ROBBIEWILLIAMS.COM

Our Heroes: 'Shy Robbie will be just thrilled at this' The Sentinel. Stoke & Staffordshire 29th June 2009

ROBBIE Williams is used to receiving awards for his music – but now he has been nominated as a Sentinel Hero for the work he does for charity.

While the singer, above, may have long left his native Stoke-on-Trent, the Potteries are never far from his thoughts, as he has shown in his song lyrics and interviews. And numerous charities and community groups have been given cash by the singer, through the Give It Sum fund he set up for Comic Relief in 2000. Then, Robbie used £2 million he earned from advertising Pepsi cola to launch the venture so he could give back to worthy causes in the city of his birth. Since then he has donated generously to help set up a number of charities and community groups; provided children's play equipment, football team strips and tackled poverty; and ploughed cash into schools and education.

Now, after winning 15 Brit Awards – more than any other artist – Robbie has been nominated for a Sentinel Our Heroes Award in the Charity Champion category. John Reynolds, chairman of Holden Lane Residents' Association, is grateful to Robbie for the £30,000 he provided to build a new playground on land off Repington Road, Sneyd Green. Mr Reynolds said: "Robbie has put a lot of money into Sneyd Green over the years. It was Robbie Williams who first started our residents' association with a donation of £500. "If it wasn't for Robbie we wouldn't exist and we wouldn't have been able to build the playground. In fact, if it wasn't for Robbie there are a lot of community groups that wouldn't exist today."

The Give It Sum Fund allocates grants of up to £30,000 to community organisations with an income under £150,000. The fund has given out more than 260 grants since it was set up. Kerry Bradbury, secretary of Newcastle Albion Football Team, says the singer bought coats and jumpers for the under-10s players. She said: "It's great to see Robbie being recognised for the good work he does."
Robbie's mum Jan Williams is a director of the charity. She said: "I think it's really good of them to nominate him. He has never asked for anything in return from anyone. "He's just glad he's been able to do something. Robbie will be thrilled, but in a shy way." She added: "It has been lovely to be part of it, to make a difference. "And you can see the difference Give It Sum has made. It has been a most wonderful period, one of the best of my life.
"Robert wanted it to be a hand up, not a hand out."

For more details on the grants, contact a Give it Sum adviser.

courtsey of The Sentinel

Robbie Williams and his girlfriend Ayda Field arrive at Miami Airport. 19th June 2009

pictures courtsey of Splash News

Robbie Rocks Unique Shades At Recording Studio 11th June 2009 popsuger

Robbie Williams was looking smiley and a little dishevelled outside a recording studio in London yesterday, wearing some funky monochrome sunglasses.

Robbie has been working hard on some new material in the studio in the capital. The songs will appear on his new album which should be released later this year.

source

'£10m tour' for Robbie Monday, May 11, 2009 The Sentinel

ROBBIE Williams is rumoured to be planning a £10 million UK comeback tour and a brand new album next year.
The Potteries-born superstar is said to be in talks about a 10-date appearance at London's O2 Arena and other venues in the UK.
He is rumoured to have ditched plans to rejoin Take That and will instead concentrate on reviving his successful solo career.
He is said to be working with Angels songwriter Guy Chambers and producer Mark Ronson to put together the last album under his £80 million EMI contract ahead of the tour.

source

New album on it's way!

Robbie's "big" comeback Yahoo! Music News. April 20, 2009

Robbie Williams says he is "buzzing" about his new album, as work gathers pace on the follow-up to "Rudebox".
The singer recently moved back to the UK after a number of years living in Los Angeles and is readying himself for a pop comeback.
According to reports, he has written 50 songs for his latest record and is now recording with legendary producer Trevor Horn.
Speaking to a UK tabloid, Williams said he was "positive" about the album, explaining: "It sounds 'Big', very. I'm buzzing."

There are currently no release details or title for the new Robbie material.
source

ROBBIE FEATURES IN BEST ALBUM COVERS OF THE 21ST CENTURY [SO FAR] by James Hurley, MSN Music Editor

They say you can't judge a book by its cover, and the same clearly applies to albums. But there's nothing wrong with judging a cover on its own merits.
While some people will tell you the golden age of album artwork died when vinyl ceased to be the format of choice for most music-lovers, it would be wrong to suggest the 21st century hasn't produced some corkers.

Intensive Care - Robbie Williams © EMI Designed by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, the cover of Intensive Care uses the classic 'angel on one shoulder, devil on the other' idea to great effect. Better still is the main image of Williams apparently rubbing on the lens of the camera.
Courtesy of MSN

Robbie with 3 entries in the most played songs in public places in the last 75 years.

Robbie Williams Greatest Hits album cover

Whiter Shade 'most played' song
BBC News. 13th April, 2009

Procol Harum's A Whiter Shade of Pale is the most played song in public places in the last 75 years, according to a chart compiled for BBC Radio 2.
The song, with its distinctive organ riff, stayed at number one for six weeks in the UK in the summer of 1967.
Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody was at number two followed by All I Have To Do Is Dream by the Everly Brothers. There was no place in the top 10 for The Beatles. The UK chart, presented by Rob Brydon, was compiled by licensing firm PPL.
Procol Harum lead singer Gary Brooker, who last year won back full royalty rights to the band's hit after a court battle, said its number one position in the 100-song chart was a "great and unsought honour".
"It isn't something I could have remotely imagined when I wrote the song and then made that legendary recording with Procol Harum all those years ago.
"Every musician and singer hopes to reach out and communicate to the audience so it means a great deal that the record has such an indefinable popularity and lasting appeal."
Wet Wet Wet's summer smash of 1994, Love Is All Around, was at number four followed by Bryan Adams' 1991 hit (Everything I Do) I Do It For You.
The Beatles and Robbie Williams both had the most number of entries in the chart with three each.
For the Beatles, Hello Goodbye was at number 11, Get Back was at number 13 and From Me To You was at number 51.

For Williams, Angels was at number six, Rock DJ was at number 16 and Strong was at number 56.

TOP 10 MOST PLAYED SONGS
1. Procol Harum - A Whiter Shade Of Pale
2. Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody
3. Everly Brothers - All I Have To Do Is Dream
4. Wet Wet Wet - Love Is All Around
5. Bryan Adams - (Everything I Do) I Do It For You
6. Robbie Williams - Angels
7. Elvis Presley - All Shook Up
8. Abba - Dancing Queen
9. Perry Como - Magic Moments
10. Bing Crosby - White Christmas
Source: PPL
Source

Robbie at friend's opening night

picture HipCelebrity/Splash News Virgin Media 25th March 2009

Pop star Robbie Williams set flashbulbs popping after turning up to watch his best friend perform in a hit musical.
The singer was in Manchester for the opening night of We Will Rock You, the popular show based on the songs of rock legends Queen.
Williams' friend, actor Jonathan Wilkes, is starring in the show, which is embarking on a UK tour opening at the Palace Theatre.
Despite eschewing the red carpet for the venue's more discreet stage door, the former Take That star was spotted by hordes of waiting press and fans as he disembarked from a large black bus with the letters VIP written on the side.
Williams, dressed in a black jacket and grey scarf, declined to comment as he made his way through a sea of cameras and autograph books into the theatre.
TV presenter Ant McPartlin also attended the show along with stars from Coronation Street and Hollyoaks.
On learning that Williams was in attendance, McPartlin said: "I haven't seen him for a while, so I'm looking forward to seeing him."
Choreographer Arlene Phillips said: "Queen music lives for ever. You love the music, you love Freddie Mercury's voice - he had the most unusual voice.
"The musicianship, it's legendary music and I love working to it."
She added: "I love Robbie. I'm thrilled he's here and his best friend's in the show and he's very good."

Source

Robbie joins fight for rights Williams made no comment as he arrived.
PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Robbie attends lobby group meeting Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Robbie Williams has attended a musicians' lobby group meeting

Stars including Robbie Williams, KT Tunstall and David Gray have attended a meeting by a lobby group fighting for the interests of artists and fans.
Robbie arrived for the meeting by the Featured Artists' Coalition and was quickly surrounded by photographers and autograph hunters. His security staff quickly ushered him into the venue and he did not stop to comment.

Of Robbie's involvement in the coalition - which campaigns for effective laws and regulations, and for transparent and fair business practices - KT Tunstall said: "If somebody like Robbie stamps his feet the earth will move."

She added: "I'm here because I think that the writing part of music doesn't get a lot of attention when it comes to doing business deals.
As artists we haven't stopped to think about the digital movement and what that means to us as owners of our own intellectual property."
Richard Jones, bass player in The Feeling, said: "The internet has basically rewritten the rule book on how the music industry works.
It's important for the people who are making the music that they get what they need to facilitate that because we've got to make a living after all otherwise we won't be able to carry on doing it."
David Gray added: "Everybody is filled with uncertainty. Record sales are disappearing and we don't know how it is all going to work in the future."
The FAC's first board of directors comprises Blur drummer David Rowntree, Soul II Soul's Jazzie B, Billy Bragg, Radiohead guitarist Ed O'Brien, Kate Nash, Marillion keyboard player Mark Kelly and Master Shortie.

Source

Robbie Williams and Catherine Tate Provide Comic Relief!

Get ready for the best Comic Relief night of TV you’ve ever seen this Friday night!
The fantastic line-up has just got even better now that David Walliams and Matt Lucas are coming back to our shores with two exclusive Little Britain sketches for the big TV show.
The Little Britain duo will be joined by the sensational pop star, Robbie Williams and comedy genius, Catherine Tate for a perfect comedy collaboration!
In the Uber Carol sketch, the credit crunch comes to Little Britain - and Carol (David Walliams) is summoned to her boss Dawn’s (Catherine Tate) office. Will Carol keep her job or will Dawn’s computer evaluation of her skills lead to the immortal line “Computer says no”?
And the second sketch will see Ellie Grace (Matt Lucas) get her friend Candy Marie-Candy (Robbie Williams) to sleepover. Whilst Mom (David Walliams) is cooking breakfast they begin to play a game of ‘I love you more…’ with some interesting results!

On filming the sketch, Robbie said, ‘It’s hard to say no when asked to take part in a Little Britain sketch for Comic Relief. But I have to admit that dressing up as a small American child in a pretty dress made it all the more appealing!’

These two brilliant sketches will form just part of a whole night of comedy gold in a one-off extravaganza of top telly treats on
Comic Relief – Funny for Money, this Friday on BBC One from 7pm.
Make sure you tune in!

Source

Robbie's back for Comic Relief

Red Nose Robbie
DotMusic.
Thursday March 05, 2009

Robbie Williams is to make his return to British TV screens on Comic Relief this month, according to reports.
The pop icon recently moved back to the UK, after a number of years living in Los Angeles.
He is set to star in a comedy sketch alongside Matt Lucas, David Walliams and Catherine Tate on the annual Red Nose day.
The "Little Britain USA" clip will apparently mirror a similar piece he recorded for the fundraising event in 2005.

This year's Comic Relief takes place on Friday, March 13.

source

Charity Patron, Robbie Williams backs SOS Appeal

The Donna Louise Trust

“Ay up! Being a Stoke lad, I am very proud to be a Patron of Donna Louise Children’s Hospice. It is a very special place of which we should all be proud and grateful. The whole place was built through the generosity of the people of Staffordshire and South Cheshire and now they are really struggling and need our help. They can’t exist without your support…every bit helps so please do what you can and join me in supporting their SOS Appeal.”

Robbie Williams supports Children’s Hospice SOS Appeal

Pop star Robbie Williams has spoken out in support of Donna Louise Children’s Hospice, a local charity he has supported for a number of years.
At the end of January, the charity which cares for life threatened children and their families, closed its doors 2 nights a week in a bid to cut costs at a time when donations are dropping as a result of the economic slowdown.
Williams, who has been a Patron of the children’s hospice since 2002 and has made numerous donations to the charity, joined television comedians Jo Brand and Nick Hancock in backing the charity’s SOS Appeal.

He said, “Ay up! Being a Stoke lad, I am very proud to be a Patron of Donna Louise Children’s Hospice. It is a very special place of which we should all be proud and grateful. The whole place was built through the generosity of the people of Staffordshire and South Cheshire and now they are really struggling and need our help. They can’t exist without your support…every bit helps so please do what you can and join me in supporting their SOS Appeal.”

The charity relies on the generosity of the public to raise the £2 million needed each year to provide respite and end of life care to children with life threatening conditions.

Melanie Mills, Head of Fundraising and PR said, “Robbie has been a Patron since 2002 and we are grateful for his ongoing and generous support. Even whilst in USA we have sent him news and pictures of the hospice from time to time. It is wonderful to have him back home continuing his support for the charity. His message was sent from him with love and in the hope that others will join him in doing what they can to support our SOS Appeal.”

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