Robbie Williams (A-Side)
Robbie Williams talks to John Wilson about the 1997 hit 'Life Thru a Lens', his first post-Take That album. From November 2013.
Robbie Williams discusses the 1997 hit 'Life Thru a Lens', his first post-Take That album.
Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk about the album that made them or changed them.
Recorded in front of a live audience at the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s iconic Maida Vale Studios, each edition includes two episodes - the A-side and B-side.
This is the A-side.
Robbie Williams is the UK's best-selling solo artist of all time. But when he released his debut solo album, "Life Thru A Lens", after leaving the all-conquering boyband, Take That, it was initially met with negative reviews and was slow to take off.
However, with songs like Ego A Go Go, Lazy Days, Let Me Entertain You and, of course, Angels, the album not only went on to spend more than 4 years in the charts and become the 58th best-selling album of all time, it also laid down the solid foundations for all that was to follow: nine further solo albums, seven number one singles and more BRIT awards than any other artist.
Here Robbie Williams talks candidly with John Wilson about the album that started it all and they are joined in the studio by the album's co-writer and producer, Guy Chambers as well as guitarist Gary Nuttall and a string quartet.
In the B-side of the programme, it's the turn of the audience to ask the questions.
Producer: Paul Kobrak.
First broadcast on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 4 in November 2013.
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The B-Side
The audience questions Robbie about Life Thru A Lens, his debut solo album.
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Robbie talks to John Wilson about the highs and lows of his career.
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Clips
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Robbie Williams: 'I came out of Take That owing £500,000'
Duration: 01:42
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Robbie Williams sings Angels for Mastertapes
Duration: 04:23
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Robbie Williams sings Killing Me
Duration: 03:55
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Robbie Williams sings One Of God's Better People
Duration: 03:32
Broadcasts
- Mon 11 Nov 2013 23:00´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 4
- Fri 3 Aug 2018 18:30´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 4 Extra
- Sat 4 Aug 2018 00:30´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 4 Extra
- Mon 12 Jun 2023 21:00´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 4 Extra
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Radio 4 on Music
Re-releasing music documentaries from the Radio 4 Archive.
Podcast
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Mastertapes
John Wilson talks with musicians about a career-defining album.