Robbie Williams has admitted he is seen by many as "a joke" and says he would be working in a Pontin's holiday camp by now if it hadn't been for his song Angels.

The former Take That performer says he is a cabaret artist and "end-of the- pier" entertainer who has somehow managed to convince millions of people to buy his records.

His amazing confession comes ahead of this weekend's huge shows in Scotland.

Robbie, who will headline at Hampden Park, in Glasgow, tomorrow and Saturday, admitted: "I'm well aware of how many different things people perceive me as. To some, to the six million people that keep buying the records, I'm the best thing out there.

"Then there's the whole group of people who think I am a joke - which I am."

He added: "I was brought up on holiday camps. My father is a cabaret artist. That's where I learnt my craft.

"Some people like to pretend they never went to Blackpool on holiday, that they never spent a week in their caravan in Great Yarmouth.

"You know, I did. I'm a bluecoat. I'd be the entertainment manager in Carnarvon Bay if I hadn't written Angels."

He also confessed that his latest album, Rudebox, started off as a joke with his bass player during the recording of his last long player, Intensive Care, with producer Stephen Duffy.

Robbie, who releases the new album on October 23, told Music Week magazine: "To be honest, I made it by mistake.

"I was recording the last album and, while Stephen Duffy was doing overdubs, I started messing about on an Apple Mac. It was just me and JerryMeehan, who is my bass player, and we sort of share the same sense of humour.

"At the time, I was really into a song by The Mitchell Brothers called Routine Check.

"I played it to death and said to Jerry, for a laugh, 'We should do a song like this'. So we made a song called D***head, which is a hidden track on the album."

The workaholic singer has also started work on another record, which he claims has been influenced by the Nineties ecstasy generation.

He said: "The next album's on its way and it's a return to acid house."

But he said he is still trying to win over his critics after selling his "soul to Santa" while in Take That.

Robbie admitted: "I'm ultra competitive.

"When I'm writing there's a whole group of people that hate me and I'm like, 'Right, I want them'.

"It's a battle that, unfortunately, I don't think I can win.

"Being in Take That was more of a blessing than a curse.

"Coming out of Take That, I could hardly turn around and say, 'Well, now I'm going to be Radiohead'.

"I'm not Thom Yorke. I don't know where he went on holiday.

He probably went to museums and burlesque theatre or something, but I went to Tenby."
John Dingwall

Source: dailyrecord.co.uk

Robbie Williams has stunned the music industry by vowing to stop singing, according to newspaper reports.

The former Take That singer apparently wants to quit the industry in 18 months because singing turned him into a "monster".

Williams has carved out a hugely successful solo career since leaving the boy band.

In 2002 he signed an £80m deal with record label EMI.

This development comes as the Let Me Entertain You crooner is filling stadiums around the world with his Close Encounters tour.

Robbie, 32, says: "I don't see me singing again. It's a question of what I want and where I want to be.

"Can I live without radio picking my song and putting it on the playlist? Or is this fame thing something I'm addicted to?"

But, PR guru Mark Borkowski says that Robbie's new single is out on Monday and the star knows how to hit the headlines.

Source: ITV.com

RANDY Robbie Williams got a major boost to his ego after we heard TEN groupies entertained him in just two days.

Our source reported that the 32-year-old Rock DJ romped with a string of gorgeous fans on his Close Encounters tour in Vienna.

The Robster, right, arranged half-hour stints in his hotel room with the more-than-willing babes.

It was even said that he took just two minutes to bed one teen. An 18-year-old named only as Kathrin revealed she’d been in the lobby of the Trieste Hotel in the Austrian capital with a female pal.

When the Robster caught sight of her friend she was invited to his suite.

But she was told she had to wait until the next day because he had so many other “visitors”.

Kathrin said: “My friend came back the next day and was taken to his room by his manager.

“Robbie was sitting on the bed fully clothed, asked her how she was and even offered her a glass of water.

“Then he kissed her and her clothes were on the floor two minutes later as they were making love. He then took a shower and asked her to leave.”

During his concert in the city Robbie chatted to a female fan with a banner saying: “I’ll teach you to yodel for a kiss.”

And when he spotted a sign held by two big-chested blondes reading “threesome with 2 blondes” he reportedly told them: “I’m staying at the Trieste Hotel.”

Robbie has allegedly bedded dozens of beauties on the five-month tour.

His Viennese whirl smashed his previous record of four babes in a week last month.

Robbie admitted his sex life has improved during the tour.

He said: “My luck seems to have finally changed.” Just a bit mate, just a bit...

Quelle: dailystar.co.uk

Music mogul Louis Walsh has rubbished Robbie Williams' claims he wants to sleep with him, but has done little to quell enduring rumours about his sexuality.

The pair have been feuding since Walsh began criticising Williams' musical talent. He recently said, "Robbie Williams' voice isn't all that", prompting the former Take That star to hit back, "I just think Louis wants to manage me and sleep with me, so that must be a problem in his mind."

Bachelor Walsh insists he has no interest in the singer, sexually or otherwise, but doesn't deny he is homosexual. He says, "No. Not even if I was on a desert island. I wouldn't want to manage him and I certainly wouldn't want to sleep with him. Robbie has just made this stuff up to try and hurt me, and maybe a couple of years ago it would have done, but not anymore."

Source: contactmusic.com

HE has a massive gig at the National Stadium in Singapore on Nov 18. But there is nothing like a new album to get the masses up for it. That’s exactly what Robbie Williams has up his sleeves with his highly anticipated new album Rudebox due on Oct 23.

Rudebox, recorded during the early months of this year sees Williams collaborating with an array of musical mavericks. They include his heroes the Pet Shop Boys, king of ambient William Orbit, fellow Stoke natives Danny Spencer and Kelvin Andrews (aka Soul Mekanik), disco-house icon Joey Negro and NYC-based DJ/producer Mark Ronson, on both new original compositions and covers of some of his favourite tracks by artistes as diverse as Manu Chao, Human League, My Robot Friend, Lewis Taylor and old friend Stephen Duffy.

Through its 16 tracks, Rudebox marks out and charts his musical loves and life.

Led off by the title track and first single Rudebox, an electro-funk-pop monster, twisted around his own unique visceral lyrical stylings, the result is the sound of Williams’ jamming the electro-boogaloo on a bustling New York street corner in 1983.

There are highlights aplenty. Viva Life on Mars is the world’s country-space-funk-Technicolor-pop anthem. She’s Madonna sees Neil Tennant, Chris Lowe and Williams forming their super-group and paying lovelorn homage to the first lady of pop, they also cover their Pet Shop Boys cover of My Robot Friend’s We’re the Pet Shop Boys.

Elsewhere, Mark Ronson brings his trademark horn-infused modern soul revue to four tracks on the album. Lovelight, a spectacular cover of Lewis Taylor’s criminally unknown soul-anthem, is the one to warm the soul. King of the Bongo reinvents Manu Chao’s classic world-music original and it features the inimitable whirlwind that is Lily Allen.

Grit and reflection is also in the mix. Inspired by The Mitchell Brothers, Ian Dury and Mike Skinner and recorded into an I-book in Williams’s bedroom in Los Angeles, The 80s and The 90s, sees him documenting 15 years of his life in song.

As early press reports indicated, this record might be pre-conceived as a “Robbie’s gone dance” statement.

“They might say its dance or it’s electro but it’s just what I like! It started off as a busman’s holiday this time around, but it’s become something on which I’ve found myself. I was just doing my YTS up till now,” he noted in his press notes.

“It has become something on which I’ve found myself. This is the right direction for me personally, this is what it is. I saw the whole Robbie thing coming to a close as it was, I couldn’t make another album like the ones I’d made, and this has just opened up a thousand other doors. What I am excited about now is making more music.”

Rudebox the album is released on EMI on Oct 23. The single precedes it on Sept 4.

Source: star-ecentral.com

Kate Moss has been crowned Britain's best celebrity hat wearer. The supermodel regularly tops off her outfits with a trilby.

But her boyfriend Pete Doherty, another trilby fan, failed to win the male crown. Instead the accolade went to pop star Robbie Williams.

Philip Wright of milliners Walter Wright said: "A hat is the final statement in personal style and to be recognised as one of the nation's most stylish hat wearers is an accolade for individuality and distinction."

Last year's winners were royal Zara Phillips and Sir Elton John.

Moss and Williams were chosen by consortium Luton First, to promote the town's reputation as the centre of hat-making.

A spokesman said: "Kate manages to wear the most elaborate and extravagant millinery designs with great confidence and aplomb and, most importantly, without the hat seemingly wearing her.

"She has the face to launch a thousand hat collections and has done much to promote hat wearing in recent years."

As for Williams: "He doesn't take fashion too seriously and appears to treat clothes as a bit of fun."

Source: uk.news.yahoo.com

Superstar Robbie Williams got into the swing last night at a star-studded golf dinner in Wales.

Taking time out between tour dates in the UK, the singer landed at the Celtic Manor Resort by helicopter to meet up with pals Ant and Dec, who are hosting this weekend's All*Star Cup.

But contrary to previous reports Robbie will not be taking part himself. Nor his erstwhile rival Gary Barlow.

Source: IC Wales

Videos from 23 & 24.08.2006 in Stade de Suisse, Berne, Switzerland

Click here to watch the videos

Robbie Williams live on 23 & 24.08.2006 in Stade de Suisse, Berne, Switzerland

Click Here to view the photos.

For weeks on end, the whole of Switzerland has been looking forward to the Robbie Williams concerts in Berne. The radio station, "Energy Zurich" has been setting the mood with ticket draws and special events to do with Robbie. For the concert, "Energy Zurich" had planned something special, for the mostly female fans.

Ahead of the concerts from Robbie Williams, "Energy Zurich" in co-operation with the international fashion house Tally Weijl had provided the Robbie-Groupies with branded G-strings. Namely in double pack. One in black and one in white, the idea being one to wear and one to throw.

The much sought after give-away was highly popular with the fans and Robbie was thrilled by the idea. When, during the concert an "Energy Zurich" G-string landed by him on the stage, he snapped it up and quickly built it into his programme. Finally tossing it back into the cheering crowd. The photo from Robbie and the G-string was to be seen the following day in all the media.: in the TV news, on the front page of '20 Minuten', 'im Blick', 'im Bund', etc.

More Pictures

Translated from the German article in persoenlich.com

Louis Walsh today makes his peace with Robbie Williams – after the singer claimed in an exclusive Sun interview that Louis wants to sleep with him.

The pair have been at war ever since Louis claimed that Robbie’s voice “isn’t all that.”

The former Take That star hit back in style this week by declaring that Louis wants to be his manager — and lover.

Louis, 54, refuses to get into a new slanging match and insists he thinks Robbie HAS got true X Factor — but he stands by his comments about Rob’s voice.

The Irishman said: “I wish the contestants on the show had Robbie’s drive and intelligence.

“He’s not the best singer in the world but he has everything else. He’s a great entertainer.”

Louis also praised Robbie’s new single Rudebox — a hip-hop track dubbed “the worst record in history” by Bizarre’s Victoria Newton — which is out next month.

He admitted: “At least he’s not being safe — I have to give him a pat on the back for that.

“It would be easy for him to have another single like She’s The One or Angels, but that would be predictable and boring.”
By EMMA COX

Source: The Sun.co.uk

Pop superstar Robbie Williams has vowed to remain an Oasis fan, even though he represents "everything they detest". The singer forged a short-lived friendship with Oasis - fronted by brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher - in the mid-90s. However, he has since publicly fallen out with the band.

Williams says, "I'm not their kind of person. I'm the old-time musical, I'm the end of the pier, I'm Norman Wisdom, I'm big show tunes. I'm everything they detest.

"I'm a huge fan of Oasis - of what they were anyway - and what they meant to me. They were very important in my life."

Source: contactmusic.com

Robbie Concert in Stade de Suisse, Berne: The Photos

Quelle: 20min.ch

Rod Stewart's stepson accuses singer of stealing his song.. and calls in the lawyers.

ROBBIE Williams is set for a legal battle with Rod Stewart's stepson Ashley Hamilton over claims that The Robster nicked a song they'd worked on together for his forthcoming album.

Ashley - whose mum Alana was Rod's first wife - says he and Robbie came up with the idea for the track She's Madonna, which is on Robbie's new album, Rudebox.

The 31-year-old songwriter alleges that Robbie eventually took the track to charttoppers Pet Shop Boys to finish - although they won't have known of Ashley's claim to have been involved in the song.

But when he challenged Robbie about it, he claims he was told: "Go and f*** yourself!" Now Ashley has called in Dean & Dean Solicitors to fight the case.

He is demanding to get the credit, as well as the money he claims is owed to him - or he will take the pop star to court.

It's not the first time that Robbie has faced legal wrangling over songs.

In February 2002 he was found guilty of plagiarising a Loudon Wainwright version of Woody Guthrie's song I Am The Way for his own Jesus In A Camper Van track.

He was ordered to remove it from future copies of his album I've Been Expecting You and to pay £50,000 in royalties.

Ashley, who helped pen Robbie's hit Come Undone, told us angrily: "We came up with this idea over coffee one afternoon.

"Robbie said he had an idea for a song about some girl he used to date, Tania Strecker, and how she was dumped by Guy Ritchie for Madonna.

"That was a slimey thing to do, so I said, 'Why don't we make a joke song about it?' That's how it started. We worked on the lyrics together at home and at the studio. "The next thing I know, a producer's ringing me up to say congratulations for getting my song on Robbie's record. I just said: 'I don't know what you're talking about!'

"I was shocked. When you start working with someone, or you start an idea with someone, you're legally entitled to a share of the publishing.

"I have the demos of that tape and will see him in court if I have to. The money can all go to charity, I just want him to be a man and do the right thing."

Ashley, who lives in LA and is the halfbrother of Kimberly and Sean Stewart, says that when his manager tried to contact Robbie's people, the singer himself came to the phone and "went ballistic".

Robbie, 32, claims he wrote the track after seeing Madonna at the MTV Europe awards last year.

But Ashley says they came up with it about three years ago. He said: "He called me a c*** and told me that I should go and f*** myself.

"He said that he would pull the track off the album. If he wants to do that, then that's up to him."

Ashley, who befriended Robbie when he first moved to LA, added: "It's not like the guy's hurtin' for dough. Who knows, maybe he needs it for an extra bag of fish and chips."

A spokesperson for Robbie was unavailable for comment last night.
Eva Simpson & Caroline Hedley

Source: Mirror.co.uk

Robbie Williams has slammed arrogant Hollywood actors.

The Angels singer believes many movie stars have an exaggerated view of their role in society and should be more grounded.

He said in an interview with Britain's The Sun newspaper: "They talk about acting as if it's saving someone's life, but it's not rocket science - it's just pretending to be someone else."

Robbie also rubbished celebrity-endorsed religions such as Scientology, a sci-fi cult followed by Tom Cruise and John Travolta, and Kabbalah, a mystical offshoot of Judaism practised by Madonna.

He said: "I was raised a Catholic and still have the guilt, but I'm against organised religion.

"I had a look at Kabbalah on the Internet out of interest but I wouldn't go to a meeting," Robbie also confessed despite living in Los Angeles, the movie capital of the world, he won't watch depressing films because they bring him down.

He said: "I'm depressed enough so I don't watch any depressing films. Schindler's List, Brokeback Mountain, Saving Private Ryan - no thanks.

"Take Million Dollar Baby, she bites her own tongue off to kill herself at the end. If I'd have known that was going to happen, I wouldn't have watched it. You don't need that in you life."

Source: tonight.co.za

She is young and beautiful. And she is hot - hot for a night with superstar Robbie Williams (32): Evelyne Estée Lauber (23) wants to follow in the footsteps of Williams-Groupie Noëmi (22). The model is clearly decided: "I want sex with Robbie!"

Robbie Williams is the one to be. Not enough that the British singer is staying in the President Suite in the noble hotel Hyatt in Zurich, no the most beautful Swiss women are queueing up to sweeten his stay.

And not too few either, should one of Robbie's "Angels" tire then the next one is ready and waiting. Therefore the superstar won't be overly bothered that his previous favourite Swiss playmate Noëmi Bänninger(22) has suddenly lost interst in him. In a text message to the Blick yesterday she wrote that: "she doesn't want anything more to do with all the trouble."

Evelyne's big chance! The model from Basel packed yesterday and made her way to Zurich - to inherit the empty groupie throne from Neomi!?
The lovely single woman excitedly declared: "After I had read that Robbie doesn't want to marry, instead simply seeking to enjoy himself. It was clear that he ticks just like me!"

Estée Lauber knows which secret weapons she has at her disposal to seduce Robbie: "With my long hair and my 1,15m (45 inches) long legs. Above all with my bewitching look".

Will she pull it off? Well tomorrow we shall know more...
Original article from Flavia Schlittler und Lukas Rüttimann

Source: Blick Online

TV presenter Ant & Dec are set to appear in the new Robbie Williams video.

Robbie is said to be desperate for the Geordie boys to feature in the new video for his cover of the Human League song ‘Louise’.

He is hoping that Ant & Dec will appear as the schoolboys that were so popular in their SMTV sketches years ago.

A source said: “It’s Robbie’s idea that the video be set in a school – with him, Ant, Dec and also his mate Jonathan Wilkes dressed up as school boys.”

Robbie is big friends with the Geordie lads and admits that his new track ‘Rudebox’ was inspired by hits from PJ & Duncan - as Ant & Dec were previously known, and his rapping style on the new single attempts to emulate hit’s like ‘Let’s Get Ready To Rumble’.

He said: “I have always wanted to be a rapper. I’ve always been jealous of rappers because of how comfy they are and how cool they look. I want to be a rapper – but the world won’t let me.”

There’s a reason Robbie…stick to the singing pet.
Lowri Williams

Source: entertainmentwise.com

Robbie Williams has slammed critics of fellow British solo artist James Blunt, insisting that the newcomer deserves praise.

The singer revealed that he thinks Blunt is a great entertainer, and should be respected for achieving something Williams has not - cracking the notoriously unforgiving American music scene.

Williams says, "He broke America and as a nation we should be proud of that. "I've been to see his show three times and I'd go again and again. "He's a good chap and one of the nicest people I've met in the business."

Quelle: contactmusic.com

ROBBIE WILLIAMS is convinced he knows why X Factor judge Louis Walsh keeps slagging him off – because he wants to sleep with him!

The singer told me he was hurt by Louis’ criticism of his talent because the pair used to be drinking buddies in the days before Robbie quit booze.

Louis said in a recent interview: “Robbie Williams’ voice isn’t all that.”

When I chatted to Robbie in Vienna last week, he told me without a hint of irony: “I just think Louis wants to manage me and sleep with me, so that must be a problem in his mind.

“Louis has started slagging me off all the time. I didn’t have any history with him so I don’t know why he’s doing it.

“He should decide if he wants to be a manager or a celebrity — I don’t think you can be both.”
Victoria Newton

Source: The Sun.co.uk

British singer Robbie Williams is afraid he will remain single forever, because no girl can ever live up to his ideal woman - Madonna. The singer admits he is jealous of her film-maker husband Guy Ritchie.

He says, "I've been in bed with somebody that I'm having a very romantic mini-break with, a couple of weeks relationship with, and then I watch the late shows in America and there will be a girl on there I'd rather be with. "Madonna is the ultimate in our day and age of the grass being greenest. Guy Ritchie is a lucky man.

"I do happen to fancy Madonna. She rehearses her a**e off. Goes to the gym every day. She does all that stuff to get it spot-on and then she delivers. I'm in awe of her drive."

Source: contactmusic.com

I’M afraid I owe Take That fans a massive apology.

When I met up with Robbie Williams to discuss his new album, he told me he’d refused to go back on stage with his old band — because I’d written that he would.

When Take That announced their reunion tour of the UK earlier this year, tickets sold out in minutes.

Mark Owen, Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Jason Orange took a nostalgic trip down memory lane to sell-out crowds at arenas up and down the country.

Robbie met up with the boys beforehand and discussed performing with them. He re-recorded the lyrics to Could It Be Magic and even appeared as a hologram on stage.

But he changed his mind about performing live at the last minute.

By VICTORIA NEWTON

Source: The Sun.co.uk

Pop star Robbie Williams credits his love of football with saving him from a life of drug addiction.

Although the singer has been sober for more than five years after battling alcoholism, he admits he is heavily addicted to chocolate and coffee and occasionally takes recreational drugs.

But he insists he would spiral out of control if he didn't need to keep fit to play sport.

He says, "I'm addicted to everything. I drink far too much coffee. I'm never asleep before 4 or 5am - and ten o'clock in the morning is like the middle of the night for me.

"I straddle the line between f**king 'Sport Billy' who loves getting up in the morning and attacking my day with gusto, playing football and being fit, and then there's the half of me that just wants to be somewhere else in my head.

"I'm cut between a druggie and a professional athlete. I hate drugs. I love drugs.

"I can honestly say that I don't take too many prescription drugs. And you can easily get into the too many sleeping tablets thing. But I love football - and sleeping tablets don't mix with it."

Source: Yahoo Newa UK

Robbie Williams will be backed by a host of guest stars on his new album 'Rudebox'.

The record, out on October 23, sees the star collaborating with a host of his musical heroes, including the Pet Shop Boys and producers William Orbit and Joey Negro.

There are five cover versions featured - and on his version of Manu Chao's 'King Of The Bongo', current chart sensation Lily Allen provides backing vocals.

The title track of the album is released as a single on September 4.

The full tracklisting is:

'Rudebox'
'Viva Life On Mars'
'Lovelight' (Lewis Taylor cover)
'King Of The Bongo' (Manu Chao cover)
'She's Madonna'
'Keep On'
'Good Doctor'
'The Actor'
'Never Touch That Switch'
'Louise' (Human League cover)
'We're The Pet Shop Boys' (My Robot Friend cover)
'Burslem Normals'
'Kiss Me' (Stephen 'Tin Tin' Duffy - cover)
'The 80s'
'The 90s'
'Summertime'
'Dickhead'

Robbie Williams is currently on his 'Close Encounters' world tour, which hits the UK in September.

Source: NME.com

Superstar Robbie Williams has given up looking for a wife – because he can’t resist playing the field.

The 32-year-old singer dated a string of beauties including Nicole Appleton, Andrea Corr, Anna Friel and Rachel Hunter as he searched for a soulmate.

But now, he says, he is happy to remain single and reckons he won’t become “marriage material” for at least 10 years.

Sympathising with George Michael’s recent adventures on London’s Hampstead heath, Robbie reveals: "If there was a wood near my house full of women who wanted to have sex then I'd find it difficult not to go there.

"I won't be fit to marry for another 10 years - just look at my life.

"For the first two or three years of my sobriety I was desperate to be in a relationship because I thought it would fix me.

"But if you're in a relationship you have to keep your little Robbie in your pants - and I'd struggle with that. Now I don't want one. I look at every relationship and think 'What's in it for me?’"

Robbie, currently on tour and promoting his new album, also spoke of his ongoing battle to stay drug-free despite years of therapy.

"I hate drugs, I love drugs. They haven't invented a new one that's not bad for you or less depressing than Ecstasy, or one that makes you less paranoid than coke. As depressing as it is, as soul-destroying, relationship- destroying as it is, it makes life f***ing interesting," he admitted.

When not on stage, Robbie is obsessed by football and British reality TV shows. But he adds: “I’ll watch any old s*** but I refused to watch Big Brother this year because it’s like looking at mental patients.”

Source: mirror.co.uk

The preparations for the Robbie Williams' concerts; on the 23rd and 24th of August, in Berne, Switzerland, are in full swing. The parts for the elaborate stage were delivered by 50 lorries.

Here the pics.

Quelle: 20min.ch

Robbie Williams live on 18 & 19.08.2006 in Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna

Click Here to view the photos.

Click here for the first photos from Robbie's concert in the Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna on the 18th August 2006.

For about a week now, Robbie's been keeping Vienna in suspense. Yesterday, his fans finally got to see Robbie - at the first of his two concerts.

Just a quick glimpse, perhaps a "Hi" or a photo with Robbie that's what his fans dream of. Since Monday evening is Robbie staying in Vienna and ever since not just teenagers, but also rather elderly ladies can be seen travelling between the designer hotel "Das Triest" and the "Semper Depot". There he is shooting a new video, in which three well known Austrian break dancers are also involved. At the casting for the video they didn't have a clue with whom they would be working. So a big surprise at the actual shoot, although they cannot reveal anything due to a confidentiality clause in their contract.

Robbie, the profi that he is, always used an entrance away from the fans and was always surrounded by his personal security. Hardly a soul has seen him in the last few days apart from the barman at the "Triest", whose alcohol free ginger cocktails Robbie swears by.

The first staunch fans had already arrived at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion on Thursday afternoon, to spend the night there so they could be in pole position to get a place in the first row for the first Vienna concert. Then by a hot 27 degrees, many thousand more descended on the Prater Friday afternoon.

In the stadium 55 000 sweating, impatient Robbie fans waited for him to appear. Shortly after 9pm, smoke, firework and at last Robbie, who opened with the song "Radio", as playback to which he laughs at himself. With "Rock DJ" the live show begins in earnest.

Source: tirol.com

Lily Allen will feature on the new Robbie Williams album, after recording three tracks as an unknown, according to reports.

The pop star, who claimed a debut Number One with her first single, "Smile", apparently contributed vocals to the forthcoming LP before she became famous.

Robbie is understood to have been workng with Mark Ronson, along with the Pet Shop Boys and William Orbit, on the album when he encountered Lily.

She told Australia's Herald Sun newspaper how it happened: "I was recording with Mark Ronson, and he was working on Robbie's album.

"It was before anything happened with me. He needed a female vocalist. I said fine and did it and I think Robbie's quite pleased now.

"I think they sound pretty good, though I can't actually remember what they're called or how they go."

The first material from Robbie's new album, "Rudebox", is released on September 4.

Source: Yahoo.com

British chart sensation Lily Allen was amazed when she collaborated with Robbie Williams, because the hitmaker has an employee to sweeten his hot drinks. The singer has collaborated with Williams on a number of songs produced by Mark Ronson and was surprised by how down-to-earth he is - except for his one extravagance. She says, "The only thing I saw that was slightly affected by fame was the fact he had someone to put his artificial sweetener in his coffee and stir it. "I thought, 'I'd quite like an artificial sweetener person.'"

Source: contactmusic.com

Watch the full length video to Rudebox here.

Source: uk.launch.yahoo.com

Here are some pictures of the Robbies (no Robbie though) whereabouts in Wien unfortunately text is in German

Video Shoot Slideshow

Source: oe3.orf.at

The long wait is over - Robbie has finally arrived.

The "Robbiemania" can now finally begin, as the superstar arrived Monday afternoon in Vienna and is staying at the Hotel Triest.

In the morning, several fans had taken up position outside the Hotel "Triest" or reserved rooms there in. Then Monday afternoon, Robbie Williams actually did arrive at the noble, designer hotel. Mind you he didn't show himself, instead choosing to drive straight into the underground car park of the hotel (as we have now come to expect).

To confuse the media and fans, Robbie's management had booked four hotels in Vienna. The hot favourite was none the less the "Triest". On the last occasion he was so impressed with the bar, that he had a replica built for his home.

No secret was made of the fact that his entourage were booked into the luxury hotel Radisson SAS am Ring. One hundred rooms at 260 Euro each with breakfast of course. The stock of beer in the bar was doubled to 600 litres, to prevent any stagehand having to go thirsty.

Source: orf.at

Although Robbie has been enjoying playing songs such as Sin Sin Sin, Come Undone, Feel and Angels in his sci-fi themed concerts, he reckons he's not had as many laughs on tour this time round.

He admitted: "There's not a lot of shenanigans, really. My best friend on tour would be Johnny and we wind people up.

"There's been no tricks or anything.

"It's difficult to say whether there's been shenanigans because I'm either in my hotel room or I'm at the venue."

Robbie believes he owes it to his fans to be on top form, so he's been keeping out of nightclubs.

He said: "You know I can't go out really and sometimes I can't even go to the hotel bar. So there's not been a lot of shenanigans. There's just been a lot of 'let's watch this movie' or 'let's do a quiz'.

"Because 1.6. million or 2.8 million people have turned up and bought the tickets, I've got to turn up and give them a good show.

"It's scary."

Source: Daily Record

So far Robbie Williams has played arenas in Dublin, Brussels, Paris and Amsterdam, and he reckons one of his highlights was in the San Siro Stadium in Milan.

He said: "Italy had just won the World Cup when I got on stage in this huge stadium that looked like the Death Star from Star Wars on the outside. The San Siro Stadium just carries on forever and the crowd just doesn't stop.

"And it was like I'd been invited to their party because they'd won the World Cup."

He also found his first night in Munich more of a pleasure than a chore.

"I don't know why it was," he said. "I think it was because the weather wasn't so hot.

"Everywhere else we've been has been really, really hot.

"But the first night in Munich it threatened to rain and I think that just gives the crowd more energy because the sun is sapping for me and the crowd.

"I think I performed the best on the first night, the best I have performed this year.

"I hope the people who were at that concert that night agree with me."

Robbie says he can't wait to visit River Plate Stadium in Argentina and the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.

"I'm looking forward to doing that," he said.

"And that's South America. That's thousands of miles away from Stokeon- Trent. Why are they buying tickets, you know?"

Source: Daily Record

Videos from Hockenheim 13 & 14.08.2006

Click here to watch the videos

ROBBIE Williams claims he was worried about the length of his current Close Encounters tour... in case he found it too hard to keep up the pace.

The singer, who has gigged for seven weeks of his five-month 2006 tour, said: "I've only toured for, at the most, one month at a time when I was in Take That and in my solo career.

"This tour's five months and I was very concerned that I wasn't going to get through it or that something would happen.

"I got very scared of the length.

"But it's easy. I've done two months and I'm still here - two arms, two legs. I've still got a voice. I'm good."

Robbie, who plays Hampden Park in Glasgow on September 1 and 2, said that everything on the tour has been going really well.

"I can't believe how fast it is actually getting from one gig to another," he added.

Source: Daily Record

It's rumoured that Robbie Williams will be included in the upcoming ITV Tribute to Queen Legend Freddie Mercury singing the classic hit A Kind of Magic.

The ITV show includes a special documentary about Freddie Mercury next month to mark what would have been the Queen star's 60th birthday.
His mum Jer Bulsara and and a host of celebrity fans includding Robbie Williams are rumoured to be taking part.

Robbie, a self confessed Queen fan has already covered Queen classics such as We Will Rock You and We Are The Champions and is the perfect showman to do Freddie proud on what would have been the stars 60th Birthday.

Source: News of the World

It is rumoured that Robbie Williams is to shoot a video clip in Vienna in the next couple of days.

The dancers for the new clip arrived on Sunday and have started to rehearse. The director, according to 'Ö3' information is already having a ball in Vienna.

The video is meant to be recorded on Tuesday and Wednesday, but where is a closely-guarded secret. A good bet for the location would be the Semper Depot in Wien-Mariahilf.

Quelle: wien.orf.at

Popstar Robbie Williams is said to be gutted after finding out that his former band mate, Gary Barlow will be competing directly against him in a forthcoming celebrity golf tournament.

The tournament, hosted by Ant and Dec, is to be shown on ITV later this month and Robbie has taken time out from his current ‘Close Encounters’ European tour.

A source told the Daily Star: “Robbie is miffed that Ant and Dec didn’t tell him themselves. He and Gary are still very awkward around each other.”

Isn’t it time these two buried the hatchet once and for all?

Source: entertainmentwise.com

Robbie Williams live on 12 & 13.08.2006 in Hockenheim

Click Here to view the photos

On two nights running (the 12th & 13th August 2006) were Robbie's fans able to see him live at the Hockenheimring on the hr-3 stage.

He is at the moment the biggest star, the European music world has to offer. His albums sell millions worldwide and when his world tour was announced, the concerts were sold out within minutes. The biggest concert of the German leg of his tour took place at the Hockenheimring where he entertained two nights running 80 000. The fans experienced his greatest hits from "Radio" to "Let Me Entertain You" and his latest single "Rudebox" .

Here the photos from the Megashow:

Source: hr-online

Stephen Dewaele of Soulwax has confirmed that the electro dance group has remixed one of Robbie Williams' new singles "Love Light." The original is "a very Studio 54, gay disco tune that we remixed into something more electro," said Stephen. "I can honestly say that I feel this is the best remix we’ve ever done. We’ve called it 'Grease Light.'"

Williams loved the work Soulwax did with "E Talking" and wanted their help with his dance-oriented new album due out this fall.

Stephen also said that group is going back into the studio with Tiga next week to work on his new album. On September 12, the two brothers of Soulwax will finally be releasing their own remix album "Night Versions" stateside on the hotter than hot Modular label.

Source: arjanwrites.com

From Bill Lamb

"Rudebox 74" is likely to follow Robbie Williams usual pattern and make the UK pop top 10, but that doesn't mean we all have to love it. "Rudebox 74" is likely to be ignored in the US, and this time around that might be the most appropriate response. Robbie may be getting back to his roots and having fun, but we will all be better served when he gets back to work.

Description
Early 80's-inspired electro dance beats
Robbie raps...then breaks into a sweetly sung pop chorus
It's all supposed to sound rather rude...I think
Guide Review - Rudebox 74 - Robbie Williams
"Rudebox 74's" primary asset is abundantly clear after listening once. It is catchy, and your brain stem is likely to be involuntarily humming the tune for hours after listening. However, there are many problems here when it comes to recommending the song as a truly satisfying listening experience.

If the intent is to be a rude, edgy track, that candy-coated chorus immediately sinks the effort. The repeated "Why you so nasty?" sounds like it drifts in from a different studio recording a different song. Robbie Williams reveals once again that, at heart, he is in love with simple pop melodies, and that is not at all a bad thing. Without that tendency, "Angels" would not exist.

However, if the intent is to give us another pure pop classic, "Rudebox 74" is sorely lacking here as well. We've heard the Robbie-style rapping before ("Rock D.J."), the 80's style beats are retro in a boring, not energizing, way, and the "lyrics," such as they are, sound like Robbie Williams on autopilot.

So...if you're in the UK, you're already hearing this on the radio, but I doubt it will last much after the early September release date. If you're in the US, don't worry about missing it, and look forward to the full-length album 1974 with contributions from the likes of the Pet Shop Boys and William Orbit. Robbie on the dance floor may yet bear high quality fruit.

Pros - It is catchy
Cons - It all just sounds so lazy

Guide Rating -

Source: About Entertainment

Rudebox Robbie Williams 01.09.2006

CD single wallet 00946 374930 2 1
1. Rudebox (Album Version Radio Edit)
2. Lonestar Rising (Soul Mekanik)

CD single slim line 00946 374928 2 6
1. Rudebox (Album Version Radio Edit)
2. Lonestar Rising (Soul Mekanik)

12inch single 00946 372169 1 0
1. Rudebox (Soul Mekanik Extended Vocal)
2. Rudebox (Chicken Lips Malfunction)

Enhanced CD single 00946 372169 0 3
1. Rudebox
2. Rudebox (Soul Mekanik Extended Dub)
3. Rudebox (Chicken Lips Malfunction)
4. Rudebox (Chicken Lips Malfunction Dub
5. Rudebox Video
6. Two Minute Video Clip

Thanks to robstuff

Robbie has announced he will be playing in the beautiful surrounds of Mexico City at Foro Sol on 21st October 2006.

These hotly-awaited tickets will go on general sale on Monday 14th August at 15.00 BST (09.00 Mexico).

Inner Sanctum subscribers who don't yet have tickets for the Close Encounters 2006 tour, however, can access the advanced sales for Inner Sanctum subscribers right now. The Inner Sanctum sale begins on Friday 11th August at 15.00 BST (09.00 Mexico) and closes at 06.00 BST on Monday 14th August (Midnight Mexico, Sunday 13th August).

If you are not yet an Inner Sanctum subscriber and would like to take advantage of the advance sales - not to mention the myriad exclusives only the Inner Sanctum provides - fear not, there is still time to subscribe. Simply got to www.robbiewilliams.com and enjoy Blogs written by Robbie himself, and video exclusives.

Source: www.robbiewilliams.com

The hairdesser from Saxony,Germany, Heidi Lessau who claims to have slept with Robbie Williams in his Berlin hotel( as we reported ) has now her own website.

Click here to see Heidi with her frontpage story.

Also a pic of those famous knickers from the German tabloid the 'Bild' http://www.bild.t-online.de/BTO/leute/fotogalerien/saenger-m/international/williams-robbie/williams-robbie-s-ex-sachsen-heidi-310706/fg-sachsen-heidi,templateId=renderInline.html

No comment!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Videos from the Jahnwiesen in Cologne 08/09.08.2006

Click here to watch the videos

Naughty Robbie Williams is at it again in the video for his new single Rudebox.

Judging by these pictures, the pop promo for the cheeky chappie's first track in a while looks likely to live up to its title, as he goes all out on the sexiness stakes.

Robbie is shown writhing around for the cameras - as are a bevy of scantily-clad beauties.

But to see more you will need to wait a couple more weeks - the saucy single isn't due out until September 4.

Source: Daily Record

Robbie Williams live on 08 & 09.08.2006 in Cologne

Click Here to view the photos.

British pop star Robbie Williams did not take up an invitation to take part in a training session with German soccer club Bayern Munich, Bayern coach Felix Magath said.

The singer's management had told the club he was interested in training while he was in Germany on a world concert tour.

Bayern invited Williams to join in on any one of three training sessions last week in Munich and hordes of photographers and fans showed up to watch but the singer failed to appear.

"Evidently he was afraid in the end to come out and practice with us," Magath told Wednesday's edition of the Passauer Neue Presse newspaper.

"Maybe he heard from someone that the coach in Munich is a bit tough. He then perhaps decided: 'No, that's a bit much for me. I want to be able to finish my concert tour in one piece."'

Williams, who has the same German mobile phone company as Bayern Munich as a sponsor, is a keen soccer player and hurt his wrist badly while training with a regional league club during a stay in Berlin last year.

Source: Reuters via Yahoo! News

Superstar Robbie Williams (32) had a secret football game against the German punk band, the Toten Hosen. "It was organised spontaneously and we were happy to oblige" said a speaker for the LTU Arena in Dusseldorf. The 50 000 capacity ground was completely empty for the game.

The 'Toten Hosen' singer, Campino, was unavailable for the Geman-British friendly as he is in the middle of rehearsals for his part as Bertolt Brecht's "Mack the Knife". The Williams team ended up winning the Monday night's game 4-3. The following fun penalty shoot out was won by the punk rockers from Dusseldorf.

Quelle: SZOn

Robbie wows 80 000 fans on the Jahn-Wiese in Cologne.

Here the first photos.

Source: Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger

Pet Shop Boys frontman Neil Tennant was exasperated during recording sessions with Robbie Williams, because the British pop hunk kept getting distracted.

The West End Girls singer admits the former Take That star has a limited attention span so he had to work extra hard to keep Williams in the studio. Tennant says, "He does have a short attention span. He'll do anything rather than rehearse."

The Pet Shops Boys are helping Williams out with his forthcoming album Rudebox, while he contributes to their live album Concert.

Source: contactmusic.com

MORE than 5000 extra tickets are to go on sale for superstar Robbie Williams' Hampden gigs.

Final agreement on the stage design means 55,000 fans will be able to pack the Glasgow stadium for the sell-out shows on September 1 and 2.

Today's news is certain to spark a mad scramble for the tickets when they go on sale on Friday.

Source: Glasgow Evening Times

I was so thrilled after sex with Robbie that I phoned my boyfriend to tell him... He wasn't as pleased as I thought

A STUNNING girl fan has told of her amazing night of sex with randy Robbie Williams - and confessed she was so thrilled she immediately phoned her BOYFRIEND to tell him.

Amazingly, Heidi Lessau was surprised when jealous Sven Martin hit the roof and threatened to smash all her Robbie CDs, The People can reveal.

German hairdresser Heidi, 22, is the latest in a string of Robbie conquests during his European tour. In an exclusive interview she told how he:

ROMPED with her twice, insisting that she kept her white stiletto boots on

SOAPED her body as they took an erotic shower together

STUFFED a Mars Bar into her mouth as she finally left his room exhausted.

Heidi said: "I was so excited and on such a high afterwards that I just had to tell everyone I knew. Sven went ballistic. He was fuming. He kept asking me, 'Why? Why?' I told him it was my dream. Robbie is my dream man. Sven has always known that.

"But to be honest I couldn't care less what Sven thinks. It was the night of all nights. The best hour of my life."

Heidi met Robbie, 32, at the five-star Ritz Carlton hotel in Berlin last week. She had tracked down the singer's tour hotel on the internet before driving three hours from her home in Meerane with her sister Claudia, 20.

Heidi recalled: "When I got to the hotel there were hundreds of fans standing outside, trying to get a glimpse of him." But the sight of the sexy brunette in her tiny black and white mini-dress and 5in white PVC stiletto boots was enough to persuade a security guard to let her in.

She and her sister sat in the hotel lobby sipping mineral water until Robbie turned up three hours later.

Heidi said: "He came out of the lift dressed in blue jeans, white trainers and a tight white T-shirt that showed off his muscles. As he walked past us he said, 'Wow, very hot, girls'." Heidi and her sister followed the star into the VIP section - where she and Robbie spent an hour eyeing each other up.

She said: "He kept looking at me. And eventually he whispered something to his bodyguard, pointing to me as he got up to leave. The bodyguard then came over and asked me if I wanted to go to Robbie's room.

"I jumped at the chance and left my sister behind as I followed him to the lift, up to the 11th floor and into Robbie's suite. It was huge, with loads of rooms. It was very luxurious.

"The bodyguard led me to Robbie's bedroom, called him and then left. I was sitting on the sofa and in walked Robbie.

"He was leaning against the bedroom door. He was wearing his jeans but had no top on. He had such a sexy body. Just looking at it turned me on. All those tattoos and all that hair on the body. He's so hairy, it's very manly. He said, 'Hi, Heidi'. I wondered how he knew my name but realised the bodyguard told him.

"He then walked towards me. He kneeled down in front of me and started stroking my face. His hands were soft and he whispered to me how beautiful I was and how much he wanted me. I was so turned on it was unreal. I just wanted him there and then.

"He then leaned forward and kissed me. It was the most erotic kiss of my life. All I was thinking was, 'Oh my God. Robbie Williams just kissed me'.

"I could see he was turned on I knew what he wanted. So he took me by the hand and led me to the bed. We lay side by side on the bed. He was stroking my face and kissing me.

"Then his hands started wandering down my body. I wasn't wearing a bra and he noticed that. He then moved his hands further down and then put them under my dress. He unzipped my dress as he kissed my body. I was in just my turquoise knickers and white stilettos.

"He took off his jeans and Calvin Klein briefs and was completely naked. He took off my knickers as he kissed by body.

"I went to take my boots off but he insisted that I kept them on.

"We had amazing sex. It was just amazing. We pleased each other and it was pure pleasure.

"After the sex we lay holding each other. All I could think was I'd just had sex with Robbie Williams. THE Robbie Williams."

Heidi, who has angel wings tattooed on her back and a giant barbed wire tattoo on her stomach, said: "He had such an amazing body. His tattoos were gorgeous. He kept telling me how much he liked my tattoos and my body. He kissed me loads."

She continued: "Once we'd recovered, he asked me if I wanted to go for a shower with him. I was so excited and said yes.

"Again he led me by the hand and walked me to his marble bathroom. He turned on the shower and checked the water temperature was OK.

I said it was a bit too cold and he turned the heat up a bit. We both climbed into the shower. He was standing in front of me. We kissed and we both rubbed soap all over each other.

I could tell he was getting turned on.

"After we came out, he dried me off with a towel.

He rubbed my body all over. We walked out naked from the bathroom into the bedroom and again we went to the bed.

"This time I was on top. It was amazing. By the time the moment came we were both ready to explode. Robbie was a kind and gentle lover. He was very tactile and affectionate. He kept kissing my body all over.

"He was definitely one of my best lovers. Even if he wasn't Robbie Williams, I'd still say he was a good lover.

"Having sex with him was one of the best feelings of my life. I was shaking as I left the room.

"It told him I was tired and I had to go. My sister was waiting downstairs. I could tell he was tired too.

"He then put a Mars bar in my mouth and led me to the door. I finished the chocolate and he kissed me passionately one last time.

"He said thank you for a lovely night. By this time it was six in the morning."

Heidi, who has a four-year-old daughter, could not wait to tell car mechanic Sven, her boyfriend for a year.

She said: "His reaction wasn't good. He shouted at me and hung up.

"Later he came to see me and threatened to smash all my Robbie CDs up - luckily I managed to grab them just in time.

"I framed the knickers I was wearing the night I had sex with Robbie. It's a little memento. When Sven comes round I have to hide them under my bed."

Fuming Sven, 27, said: "I know Heidi's a big fan but how is a man supposed to react to something like this?

"I'm so angry that if I saw Robbie I don't know what I'd do. If she does anything like this again, we're through."

But Sven added: "I'm prepared to forgive her this once - because I know it could happen to me if I was lucky enough to get picked up by Christina Aguilera."

After claiming to be celibate for five years, Robbie has been making up for lost time on this summer's Close Encounters tour. The People told how he showed Swedish doctor Marie Annerstedt his bedside manner in Gothenburg.

In Danish capital Copenhagen he melted Icelandic beauty Snaedis Gudnadottir.

And he is rumoured to have been regularly bedding two gorgeous models.

Robbie has denied claims he needed vitamin jabs in his bum to keep his stamina up. And he played down his antics, saying: "I've been watching a lot of DVDs, playing football and being a good lad."

Very good, according to Heidi...

Source: people.co.uk

Robbie lets us see a clip from his new video for 'Rudebox' on his website.

The song which has split his fans and been branded as the worst single ever by the 'Sun' newspaper in the UK is the first release from his new album due out in October.

The clip can be seen at robbiewilliams.com

Source: mtv.de

The music video to Robbie's new single, "Rudebox" is to get its exclusive first play on Channel 4 in the UK . August the 8th is the date between 11:00pm and 11:05pm (23:00-23:15 British Summer Time). The single is to be released on the 4th of September.

Source: Channel 4

More Rudebox

SUPERSTAR Robbie Williams has booked a week off from his European tour-to play golf.

Robbie, 32, has signed up to play in Ant and Dec's ITV celebrity golf tournament this August for the second year running.

An insider said: "Robbie had a whale of a time last year and has booked a week off."

This year rocker Alice Cooper will join the US team for the event at Celtic Manor resort, near Newport, Wales, starting on August 26.

Reigning champions Europe, will be led for the second year by Scot Colin Montgomerie.

Ex-Eastenders star Ross Kemp, DJ Chris Evans, model Jodie Kidd, actor James Nesbitt and singer Ronan Keating will also play.

Source: Daily Record

Robbie Williams' "Lovelight" was played for the first time on the on East Village Radio by Mark Ronson, who also produced it.

Sounds nothing like "Rudebox". Here the link:

http://www.eastvillageradio.com/auto-archives/MARK_RONSON/MARK_RONSON-07.28.06.mp3.m3u

If you don't want to lsiten to the whole show copy the URL and paste it in your favourite media player and fast forward to 27:30 minutes. (Works on Real Player and Windows Media Player, I haven't tried others).

A number of Robbie Fans were cheated by an online ticket shop, www.theonlineticketshop.com registered in the state of Delaware, USA. As their tickets hadn't arrived before the first show in Munich, they were asked to meet in the Scheidplatz in Munich-Schwabing. There they would be handed personally their tickets. Instead of the ordered tickets, the disappointed fans were handed inferior tickets; by a 49 year old Briton, for the standing area

The fans were in uproar and the police were called. They found by the Brit 43 standing area tickets and a list with 86 names. The police also managed to trace a second ticket distributor, also a Briton (37 years old) and both were charged with involvement to defraud. The fans were allowed to keep the cheaper tickets, which at least enabled them to see the Robbie Williams concert.

At the Olympia Stadium, a further ten persons informed the police that they had ordered and paid for tickets at "The Online Ticket Shop", but hadn't received any. The police have called on other aggrieved concert goers, to press charges, if they were left empty handed. Since the firm is based in the USA, the chances of a successful settlement are very small.

The homepage of the ticket shop continues to advertise tickets for the shows in Cologne, Hockenheim, Vienna and all the concerts in the UK!!

Source: münchen24.info

Sir Elton John is begging pop sensation Robbie Williams to end his feud with former bandmate Gary Barlow, branding their hostility petty.

Take That recently reunited as a foursome for a sell-out UK tour following a 10-year hiatus and performed alongside a hologram of Williams, who refused to participate after quitting the band in 1995 to pursue a solo career.

But pop legend John insists their feud is tired and should end immediately.

He says, "I wish he'd drop the whole Gary Barlow thing. It's like, 'Robbie, just let it go, it doesn't matter.'

"I'd like to sit down with Gary and Robbie and say, 'For f**k's sake, get rid of it, you don't need to go on about it any more.'

"Get the monkey off your back."

Source: uk.news.yahoo.com

Robbie Williams live on 01 - 03.08.2006 in Olympia Stadium, Munich

Click Here

A few Webcam pics here

Olympia Stadium, Munich on 01-03.08.06

Click here or here to see the videos.

His latest song is certainly strange, but Britain's greatest entertainer is brimming with new-found confidence, says Neil McCormick.

Has Robbie Williams lost his marbles?

A new single has been unveiled on the nation's airwaves, although you could be excused for not immediately recognising it as the work of Britain's most popular entertainer.

Over some squelchy noises, a sparse, electronic bassline and a chorus melody blatantly borrowed from reggae legends Sly and Robbie's '80s dance classic Boops (Here to Go), Williams delivers a nonsensical, scatological rap in a bored Stoke-on-Trent accent.

"Up your jaxie, split your kecks, sing a song of Semtex, pocket full of Durex." It's a long way from Angels.

Rudebox (as it is aptly titled) is more of an electro skit than a song, almost deliberately amateurish, squeaky clean yet oddly lo-fi.

It is a record so bizarre, it is hard to decide whether its a work of wonky genius or a bad joke.

That, in fact, may be its charm. The Sun, never a paper given to understatement, has declared it the worst record ever made, but Williams himself is so pleased he has announced that, after some 15 years in the music business, he has finally found his true musical identity.

"I was just doing my YTS [Youth Training Scheme] up until now," is his typically double-edged pronouncement, at once self-deprecating (suggesting his former work is nothing to be proud of) and egotistic (the best is yet to come).

Rudebox is to be released next month, with an album to follow in October, recorded in a flurry of creative activity with a variety of collaborators, including ambient boffin William Orbit and club guru Mark Ronson.

Rumours abound that Robbie has abandoned his pop fan base to embrace underground dance culture. So does this mark the birth of Electrobbie? Has he invented a new genre of pop hop?

Or is this set to be one of those embarrassing follies de grandeur that sometimes occur when you allow a star complete creative control, or even a blatant attempt to fulfill contractual obligations with the least possible effort (most notoriously achieved by Lou Reed in 1975 with two sides of screeching feedback released as Metal Machine Music).

Having had a sneak preview, I think its safe for EMI's shareholders to come in off the ledge. It is true that there is a lot of rapping (ranging from Williams's patented comic deadpan to high speed onomatopaeic nonsense), an emphasis on '80s-referencing synths and dance beats, some odd cover versions (from the Human League to world music star Manu Caoi) and a general sense of anything goes.

But, while the anthemic, widescreen pop that established Williams as a family favourite is nowhere in evidence, his well-honed entertainer's instincts, lively sense of the absurd and notoriously short attention span ensure that he remains engaging even at his most self-indulgent.

The songs are short if not always sweet, packed with hooks and delivered with a real spirit of fun and creative freedom. With 16 tracks, none of which outstays its welcome, the overall impression is of ideas piling up. If one crashes and burns, another one will be along in a minute.

It may not please the entire demographic of his enormous audience, but that is what makes it such an intriguing project for such an inveterate crowd pleaser.

At times, it has seemed Robbie Williams can't make up his mind whether he wants to be Liam Gallagher or Frank Sinatra, but this is the eccentric sound of a man with a new-found confidence in his own talent.

Given that Williams has been a solo star for 10 years, it is probably not before time.

Source: Telegraph.co.uk

Here the possibility to watch today's concert in Munich with the Live
T-Info Tower-Cam (Robbie on stage around 20:30 Central European Time)

Click Here

Robbie Williams live 01.08. in Munich's Olympia Stadium

With Kai Plaume German TV show host and Nina Ruge German journalist, TV presenter and author.

Click Here to see the pics.

Robbie Williams: Serious about Vale

Fan and multi-millionaire pop star Robbie Williams wants to become chairman of League One side Port Vale when his music career is over.

Current chairman Bill Bratt says Williams, who is the club's leading shareholder with a 24.9% stake, has revealed the ambition to him.

But Williams has declined the club's offer to become its honorary president as his work commitments mean he is unable to devote enough time to the role.

Speaking at the Vale EGM on Monday night, Bratt said: "I can guarantee you that providing the club moves forward and he likes what he sees, he will become more and more involved. Robbie is one person you could trust and he has the club at heart.

"He said in the future he would like to be chairman of Port Vale or get involved a lot more. But that could be a long time into the future once his recording career is over."

Lifelong Vale fan Williams sank £249,000 into the club in January but Bratt said the singer is not likely to invest more in the near future. He said: "We are keeping him informed about how things are going. I am sure he is happy with the situation as it stands."

Source: Sporting Life

Hi Johnny...May happiness fill every minute of your birthday
Enjoy yourself. Hope you have a great time in Munich, and for the rest of the tour. (Sorry running a little late with this)

You can leave Birthday wishes for Jonathan Wilkes here.