Page 79 - PROTAGONIST-134

Robbie Williams attends the Better Man European Premiere at the Odeon
Luxe Leicester Square on November 27, 2024 in London, England.
©Samir Hussein/WireImage

Evolutionism in the world of pop-music, the emancipa- trend, in fact, cannot be separated from the existence and
tion of the species: from hit parade prince to world icon, the media boom of the Take That brand. Which, after Robbie
upward trajectory of an artist who, from very young, for very Williams’ departure, would enter a grey area, to the point
young people, has been able to transform himself into an all- that a multitude of fans would suddenly find themselves ‘or-
round phenomenon. Without boundaries of age, geography, phans’ of the music and musicians with whom so many had
style or sound. grown up.
Robbie Williams (born 13 February 1974) is as if we have Moreover, since show business is a peculiar slice of the
known him all our lives, he is a multiplier of talent and ability, world, capable of creating fairy-tale idylls, Robbie agreed to
of victories and defeats, of affirmations, escapes, relaunch- join the reunion in 2010, only to leave the group again just a
es. From recognized boy-band symbol to commercial fly- year later. End of the story? Not at all!
wheel, cornerstone of unqualified popularity. A splendid Like those organisms in science fiction films that never
50-year-old, with a motor at full throttle good for all kinds die and regenerate, Take That will boldly resume their adult
of music. jobs and songs, while Robbie Williams will continue to grind
Outside the market considerations that have made the out hits and amazing tours.
record multinationals happy, and an endless applauding A prodigious case that should be studied as a school of
public, especially female, Take That, in whose ranks Rob- marketing, amidst ruinous falls, but without ever being too
bie had made his debut at the tender age of sixteen, paved badly hurt, and above all luminous resurrections, to confirm
a road of astonishing and courageous success, inventing, that, even when he was a little boy, what was around him
forging a fashion among and for teenagers. The boy-band was real love.

Protagonist Portrait 77