October 2008
Well... what a surprise! Robbie has been spotted here in England on a visit to his hometown of Stoke on Trent - but it was totally unannounced.
He shocked staff at Port Vale Football Club (his fave) by just strolling in and saying "hi"!
Later that day, he even popped into the Sneyd Green Oatcake shop to buy some of the local delicacy, and even had a cup of tea in a Burslem caff, stunning the customers in there.
The thing is that everyone has taken a vow of secrecy it seems - Vale won't comment, and even the oatcake shop owner just stays shtum. Did Robbie make them promise to keep it quiet?
It seems like he is visiting his Mum, Jan, and the rumour is that he may even be showing girlfriend Ayda around his boyhood haunts...
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I have been contacted by my friend Irilys, who is from Brussels in Belgium. She has been recently on a trip to L.A. where she met Pete Conway (Robbie Williams' dad, for those of you who have forgotten!). Well!
Very kindly, she said she'd let me have a report and pix - and here it all is... Click on the link below and enjoy it...
Thanks Irilys!听 That is such a lovely story.
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September 2008
Five Stoke Pupils Receive Awards From Robbie
I spoke today (19th) to Mr Chris Smith, the Headmaster of Robbie`s old school, St Margaret Ward RC High School/Arts College, and he gave me some details about the new awards that Robbie is the sponsor of, and about how if it were not for Robbie being the school's Private Sponsor in 2002, they could not have specialised in The Arts and included this in their current title. Robbie's Mum Jan is also a close friend of the school at all times.
Robbie's old school, in Stoke-On- Trent, held their annual awards evening at the city's听 Victoria Hall last night, and this year Robbie too sponsored a special award. Five pupils who had been chosen by the school teachers and pastoral staff had been selected to receive these special awards because of their commitment听and good humour, not to mention dedication to their studies against personal adversities (ranging from dyslexia to illness) which meant lots of hospital stays or visits which made them miss a lot of schooling.
As well as a cash prize all five pupils received a Certificate and a Personal Message written by Robbie and presented to them by his mum Jan, who used to be a Governor of the school but now just keeps close contact with all that's going on with them.
As well as the afore mentioned prizes the winning Young Lady received a mini version of the cup; hers will be the first name engraved on it.听 It will be presented annually from now on. The other four pupils each received a named plaque.
Nice one Rob...
Take That - The Next Generation
If this current T/T decide to retire again in the next few years, they have no problem with who will keep their name going. They seem to be all having children in quick succession now and will soon be an English Osmonds!
Gary has a boy and girl and another due soon; Mark has a boy and another due soon;听 then Howard has two girls. Poor Jay he must feel a bit of the odd man out some times, so get moving Jason if you want to catch up!
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Soccer Aid 08 Wembley Final - England 4-3 Rest Of The World
Didn't Jonny do well?听 Yes, though it was disappointing not to see Rob at Soccer Aid, still Jonny did brilliantly scoring the winning goal.听 Most of the goals were scored by the professional footballers, so his achievement stands out even more (and nice to see Craig David got the Man Of The Match award).
Great feet, Jon (and great legs too!).
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August 2008
Take That Back - and Robbie鈥檚 Hurt
When I went shopping in town with my Mother a couple of days ago we went into a bookshop which sells brand new books at a fraction of their original price as my Mum wanted to get another of a series she was reading.
While looking around for anything Robbie I noticed Gary Barlow鈥檚 book for 拢3.99 instead of about 拢15.00 plus. I grabbed it straight away. Now I must admit I am not an avid book reader as a rule but this one is very good.
I have not read all of it but dipped in and out at bits that caught my attention. In order of importance the chapter I must mention first is The 7/7 Tube Train Tragedy in London. Gary was on a tube train opposite the one which normally he could have been on except he had overslept this day and caught the later one and was stuck underground at Edgware Road Station straight opposite the tube on which all the tragedy and devastation had happened. He describes how he saw the injured and killed people and being stuck in the darkness and breathing in the toxic smelling air until they were let out. It truly is a heart breaking piece.
Now, I was never a Take That fan first time around, I had no opinions on them either way to be honest, but second time around I have a great feeling of fondness for them, esp Jay (s`times ref to as The Painter/Decorator), who even got chucked out of the group for a few hours and was left out of a now supposed four-piece band photo shoot (the reason was he turned up a few mins late).
After reading听 a fair bit of Gary Barlow鈥檚 book it has reinforced my good feelings, not only for Take That as they are now and what they have been through, but given me a more broad understanding of Robbie鈥檚 long held feelings of upset regarding Take That and Nigel their ex-manager.
I admire Gary鈥檚 honesty in the book for taking responsibility of his bad actions as well as anyone else鈥檚 and can easily see how things like not giving Robbie credit for rap on a single and Nigel taking Gary to America in the early days, but none of the others. I had always thought that maybe RW had held on to these bad feelings for too long and was blaming T/T and esp their Ex-Manager for most of the things that had gone wrong in his past but now I can see just how bad things could have been for him听 and others at a certain period of time. In fact quite honestly I am amazed that any of them have escaped with their sanity as intact as it is.
Gary and RW are in some ways sim in character and ambition and that鈥檚 prob why they clashed more than the more passive other three.
Hard to believe even sensible so called 鈥渂oring鈥 Gary had a Robbie-style lost year as well having听sim weaknesses as The Robster - but the advantage Gary had and still has to a certain degree is more stability in his way of life. He comes from a very close-knit background and has always lived around the corner from his Mum, Dad and Brother; and when he really went downhill he had a loving wife and child on the way to pull him back together.
Robbie needs to take a look at his way of life now and maybe he might come out of things like Gary has. Gary has sold 鈥楧elaware鈥 his flash house in Cheshire with all the antiques etc and now has a three bed semi in London. He s`times goes on public transport and enjoys the down to earth way of life and can see how he let the pop star life style rule him, even if not on purpose, living in an unrealistic showbiz bubble. Through no fault of his own Robbie still is living this way of life with all its false surroundings and no real stability and knowledge of the real world that much (compared to most of us), and because of this he will never be totally happy and mature in his readiness to be a husband and parent long term.
He is still very much a little boy playing at being a millionaire maybe - in the nicest possible way this is meant.
This is pot calling kettle black in my case, as I am very much in a sim position myself, but I guess that鈥檚 how you can see your own faults easier - when you see them in s`one else as well鈥μ although I must stress I am no millionairess, thank goodness I think!
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Robbie selection!
Well, it looks like we could be a lot happier this September after all.听 It seems Robbie will captain the side at Soccer Aid after all.听 More news when I get it!
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Robbie pain
Well!!!听 It looks like a lot of Robbie fans are not happy that they will not get to see a public appearance by him at Soccer Aid.听
I spoke to Marika from the Italian Rob website, who is just one person who is upset, and she told me I could publish this open letter from her about her disappointment.
"...A message for ROB.
This is the first time I post a message for you.
I hope you will read it and understand my disappointment.
Do you know Cannavaro (a famous Italian football player)?
He had a serious injury right before Euro 2008 but he wanted to be with his team anyway, even if on the bench and with crutches.
So what is your problem?
You could do the same, even if actually I can't believe you are not able to run for a few minutes in a field, even if you have an injured knee - as you recently played golf in LA.
I saw you last august in Santa Monica and you had a problem with your knee as well, but it didn鈥檛 seem to be important by that time, you played football as usually.
It is a shame that the UNICEF Ambassador will not be present at the event!
I think they could sell more tickets if your presence is assured, even if you don鈥檛 play.
Sorry Rob, but I really think you should change your mind or find a better justification for your fans, who deserve a little more consideration鈥"
Rob 鈥 if you鈥檙e reading 鈥 what do you say?听 Tell us all via the messageboard link above!
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Robbie Williams' Fansites - United for Soccer Aid
A lovely man, who wants to be anonymous, has set up a fundraiser for some of Rob's fansites who have organized it in support of SoccerAid.
He wrote to me:听 鈥淲e thought it would be a great way for Rob's fans to show their support of Rob & Jonny's brainchild even though Rob says that unfortunately he can't play this year.
We'd be very appreciative if you could mention the site as the more of Rob's fans who know about it, the more successful it will be.鈥
Here is the URL...
www.justgiving.com/robbiewilliamsfansitesunitedforsocceraid2008
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Soccer Aid Is On (2)
Sadly Robbie will not be playing because of an ongoing knee prob. There is still a chance for adventurous Robbie fans (or ones in or near London) to see their idol though, as he is still involved behind the scenes and will be about sometimes I hope.
Here are the details for tickets etc. Try and help if you can, anything makes a diff.听 See: http://www.itv.com/socceraid/
Seeing Jonny W in " The Wedding Singer"
I went to see Jonny Wilkes in his present touring show 鈥楾he Wedding Singer鈥. I caught up with it at the Southampton Mayflower Theatre on 26th July.
It was a very uplifting and pro production; the dancing was that of a top West End production. Two characters who stand out in my memory are Robbie Hart鈥檚 Grandmother Rosie, played by Tricia Deighton.听 Her rapping and blunt sexual openness (not to be expected of an older lady) were delivered with perfect comedic timing and in an abso hilarious way, I would have loved her part to have been bigger in the play to be honest.
Then the other character who stood out with her fantastic versatility of singing and character voice was Julia鈥檚 best friend Holly (Jody Jacobs). She had a fab over egged Broncos accent and was quite open and free with her morals. She was, to put it politely, the slapper of the piece and proud of it; she had a very powerful voice which filled the theatre and her moves alongside were so well done I was transfixed when she had a solo,鈥 In The City鈥.
Funny enough a lot of the main female roles hit me in this play even though there were some great looking guys in it as well. Linda, played by Camille Devine was very entertaining in her man eating routine to get her ex back to her prowling around the boudoir; Let Me Come Home was the song in question.
Now to the GUYS, where do I start, they were all very talented and so entertaining. Sammy and George were hysterical with one being as camp as a row of tents and the other being so out of tune it鈥檚 unbelievable, but so watchable and funny - it鈥檚 great. These parts are played by Nick Hayes who trained in my stomping ground Bournemouth and Simon Lipkin, not to forget Stephen Webb, who played Glen Julia鈥檚 rich fianc茅 who is also very talented and has top comedic value in his performing.
Now last but not least the main man himself Mr Jonathan Wilkes. He was very good and I do believe he has more power and versatility in his voice, in his acting and movement too as well since I first saw him in Tommy three years ago. Alongside Natalie Casey (Julia), who also put in a sterling performance, Jonathan and she were a very endearing couple.
Sharri gets a hug from Jonny!
Here is a pic taken after the show of Jonathan and yours truly.听 I apologise for the quality but we were lucky to get this one!听 To you, who have ideas that anyone doing this sort of reporting gets treated diff than a normal fan, then believe me I do not. In fact I think I get treated maybe not as good as if I am in a place as an unidentified fan, so to speak, in some ways.
To give you a couple of examples I was not entitled to a Press Pass because I write for Stoke, and only a few top local Southampton Papers get Mayflower press passes, which to be honest does not bother me because the Press sit upstairs and I have bad eye sight and have to sit at the front - and there were offers, two tickets for the price of one which was only 拢21 for two of us.
Then I was so looking forward to meeting Jonny again as I have always had a soft spot for him as he鈥檚 so sweet and nice a person. I had two or three things I wanted to say to him as it happened but unlike last time a couple of years or more ago when I last met him at the Mayflower and he seemed pleased to see me and made the first move to hug me and act as though I was his pal of a kind and we talked as usual about RW as well, this time he was very nice and polite to everyone including us but he said a couple of words to me with no sign of recognition.
I said "Could I have a pic for 大象传媒 Stoke Jonathan?鈥 and he said "Sure or of course duck鈥, then after saying something to Jackie my friend, I turned around and he was gone, vanished. Boy did that hurt. We had pulled out all the stops to get there and I guess if I am honest I was looking forward to talking to Jonny again more than anything, not because I am a mad Jonny Wilkes fan (RW is and will poss always be my main man even though he drives me around the bend sometimes in a manner of speaking), but I always looked forward to meeting Jonny and having a chat about Rob and him and everything in gen.
I left a message for him with the stage door to tell him about this and when it鈥檚 going out but I do not know what I have done to upset him. Maybe my articles are a bit too blunt, esp. The Soccer Aid one last, or maybe my reputation as a man eating groupie has preceded me (Joke); and he is half scared of me?听听 Come to think of it last year at a charity footie match in Bournemouth he had this big security guy with him all the time which is unusual and he was halfway home before I had finished talking nearly, as though he was scared of what I might do to him.
I never go after married men Jonny, so you are safe, sweet!
But after my pathetic hard-done-by ramblings, I must say Jonny and everyone involved were very good and fab -on and off the stage!听听 Five Stars all round鈥
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Soccer Aid Is Back
Good News!听 Robbie and Jonny's 'Soccer Aid' is back!
Harry and Jamie Redknapp are fronting the promo press at the moment but the final players will be announced next week. It sounds like it will be quite diff in format this year than two years ago. This year, word has it it will be at Wembley, which, Robbie fans, is a massive stadium as you all know so I am afraid there will not be an awful lot of chance to MEET and GREET your Idols I am thinking.
But as I type this I am wondering if I am maybe jumping to the wrong conclusions.
Two years ago I went to see one of the matches at Fulham鈥檚 Craven Cottage ground, which I believe is owned by Harrods Boss Mr Al Fayed. Anyway it was wonderful it was small and easy to see everything and a wonderful low-key atmosphere.
Funnily enough the one man out of two whom I met or came close to my seat was Jamie Redknapp, who is the Captain of one of the teams this year as well. He was very sweet and so lovely and he took time to talk to us which impressed me a great deal. Also Gazza came over - he seemed very lovable and nice as well and very humble.
I do wish Gazza well and hope he finds the right people to help him get over this bad time he is going through.
About Soccer Aid in Sept this year鈥μ I was just thinking of everything being done at Wembley, but of course this could just be The Final (which was held at Manchester United last time).听 Maybe there will still be the prelim rounds played at the smaller clubs.
Maybe even at my home town of B`mouth, where we have very strong connections to The Redknapp Family. Ever since Harry managed The Cherries (B`mouth FC), Harry has lived in B`mouth, has biz here and just travels up to Portsmouth, even now.
And Jamie has a home in B`mouth as well but only lives there some times - for breaks.
It would be nice if some games are played in the smaller grounds so everyday people can meet the players as well. It really annoys me when the People who spend their hard earned cash on gig tickets and music or whatever to give famous People their luxury life styles never get repaid for their loyalty; just a hello or a hand shake would make most fans鈥 day.
Instead what you get will prob be: a massive stadium like Wembley; Robbie with his very glam also famous G`friend Ayda swamped by flash bulbs and fifty thick security entourages rushing them into some VIPs section where (never mind buying the music disc) the people in the selected Meet and Greet Areas could poss buy the whole music shop!
Sorry for the rant Peeps. I sound like a real Power to the People Type but it鈥檚 a pet hate of mine, nepotism or abuse of one鈥檚 power. Oh well there goes my invite. Hey Ho. Just call me The Female Citizen Smith, (A very old Robert Lindsay comedy prog).
PS鈥μ Some great news Robbie fans.
As we speak Robbie is working out every day, which means the chances of him playing are good; he will be getting fit in LA during July and having a holiday with his Family and then they will all be coming back to England some time in August.
So keep your ears and eyes as open as things are changing all the time but at least it looks like UK RW fans will be rewarded for their loyalty, and Robbie will at least be back in The Country for a while.
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Robbie鈥檚 Camp!
There is an old acting adage,鈥 He is as camp as a row of Tents鈥. Well folks, in the Robster鈥檚 case it is literally true.
No, he is not camp acting, as in a Dame in Pantomime, but he is out in his TENT, camping in America at week-ends getting back to his roots and nature it seems. Some will have it he鈥檚 looking at the stars for UFOs (who knows?), but my theory is he missed out on being a 鈥渘ormal" 9-5 lad and is doing it now because he can, which is why he and Ayda were having diffs, it is said in the Tabloids.
They say she cannot cope with his eccentric laddish ways. I think she can. After a year, she is aware of what a catch of a b`friend she has and knows how to handle it all. Good luck to her. We would all swap with her in a flash.
I am sure he鈥檚 just catching up on his missing NORMAL years when he was a Take That, a prisoner of luxury and fame. I can imagine the scenario; Rob and his mates being Sid James and male "Carry On鈥 types of听 characters and then a lot of Babs Windsor type girls/femme fatale St Trinian types parking beside their tent.
Robbie鈥檚 tent is no battered old scout tent; he has one with all mod cons to go with it, and he鈥檚 not exactly roughing it I think.
Mind you if any good looking Pop Stars want to park their tent in our nearby Golf Course I will bring you a cup of tea in the morning.
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A Tribute To Nipper And The Barraud Family (His Family Carers)
A week ago, writing about EMI and Nipper, its famous and loved Doggie Trade Mark, inspired me to read about Nipper and his background, here is what I found out. It is a wonderful story of Animal-Caring People and some sad happenings to the family, and how Nipper was there with them all through a lot of it.
Nipper was born in Bristol in 1884. He was a stray dog听 (of Fox Terrier mix) taken in and looked after by a gentleman called Mark Barraud. After three years, Mark tragically lost his fight to survive听 against the听 poverty and destitution he had found himself fallen upon.
Mark鈥檚 younger brother who lived in Liverpool came and took Nipper and his late brother鈥檚 belongings including a phonograph, with many recordings of his thoughts included, back home to听 Merseyside and took over caring for Nipper.
Francis was a Painter of The Artistic Type, and he and Nipper lived together for a long time until the widow of Nipper鈥檚 original master Mark) took over caring for Nipper in her home which was now in听 Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey. Here Nipper was loved again and had many a happy times chasing all sorts of birds, rats and all manner of creatures all over the place including pheasants in Richmond Park and very prob maintaining his named reputation of (NIP/per/ING) the backs of people鈥檚 legs in his playful manner.
This was the way of things for Nipper and his beloved family until Sept 1895 when Nipper sadly died aged approx eleven years old.
The story goes on three more years to 1898 when Artist Francis was obviously still remembering darling little Nipper and he compiled his memories to canvas, painting a wonderful portrait of Nipper looking down the black horn of Francis鈥檚 inherited phonograph, still holding his late brother Mark鈥檚 thoughts in voice, with the little dog wondering where his original Master鈥檚 voice was coming from, so looking down the horn in bewilderment.
After finishing the painting Francis had no听luck in selling it to various phonograph or technical People (including Edison, the makers of the pictured black horned phonograph) and was about to give up until a friend of his suggested he changed the black horn to the now fashionable brass Berliner one. This he did and took a copy of the picture to the manager of the Berliner Gramophone听 Company who loved it and paid Francis Barraud 拢50 for the original.
The Manager put the picture on the wall and it was eventually seen by the inventor of The Berliner who insisted they buy听 the听 rights of the picture called, in the making, 鈥楧og Looking Down Phonograph Horn鈥 and later subtitled 鈥楬is Master鈥檚 Voice鈥 for their business.
He was paid another 拢50 for all his previous copyright ownership to his picture of Nipper, which meant the sum total he received from his work was 拢100, which in those days was a lot more money than now. But it is now worth a fortune!听 Also remember Mark, Francis Barraud`s older Brother, had lost his life to听 destitution.
How tragic that his people and Nipper never saw any part of Nipper鈥檚 fame and world wide love of him from Peeps like me.
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EMI goes full circle but with New Bosses
EMI, Robbie鈥檚 record company, has gone full circle it seems, with Guy Hands saying he is going to step back from taking such an active part in the running of听 the beleaguered Record Company. Once again each dept will be run by its own Chief Executive.
This means two more newbies to the board. The first is non-music background Elio Leoni-Sceti who will be overall in charge of day to day running of all, and then Nick Gatfield, who will be in direct contact and control of signing New Artists and looking after the current, at the moment unhappy ones, e.g. Robbie and The Rolling Stones.
Nick, believe it or not comes from Universal, so maybe a bit closer to the recording biz side. One Man doing what half a dozen used to do and with a fraction of the budget maybe鈥 well, he is a brave Man. Gone is Nipper the sweet little doggie's day.听听听听听
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Thanks Ayda
The听 single Robbie, out with the LA Vale lads, looked so much more energetic and bright eyed (sorry Rob, it makes you sound like a little pet!), but you know what I mean, more lively and fresh and fun loving.
How appropriate that Robbie and his mates seem to be frequenting the newly opened Yuppie type steak house (aimed at a wider clientele than the macho stereo-typical steak house male type) in LA which听 is named STK a catering abbreviation for Steak - and also for STOKE!听
The last pic I saw of him in a grey top, last Friday 19-6-08, gave me a strange feeling听听 reminiscent of his T/T Image.
Thanks Ayda: you have obviously helped him in the last year and made him a lot more relaxed and more comfortable in his own skin, just being able to be an average guy who is accepted for himself, whatever he looks听 and acts like.听听
And thanks again Ayda, for always being by his side, even though being a very sought after Glam Lady who could get any Man, who stayed听 with her obviously cared-a-lot-about Boyfriend, whatever the situation. And that in itself has give the much needed feeling of sincerity and possibility of finding a genuine Partner and long term real and loving relationship, which before he thought maybe impossible听 (I think maybe).
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Robbie鈥檚 Big Change
It鈥檚 amazing how a Man such as Robbie can have such a strong constitution as to turn his whole self around in one month approx.
It was about a month or so ago that Robbie looked a little bit bigger and his hair was longish and curly and he was cute - but, not my Robbie, I am afraid I felt.听 But that did not make me give up on him.
Considering I have met him very little and cannot claim to know him well as a person I do find him very easy to understand in many ways and now know pretty much his way of acting and character, in part I think due to the fact I myself have quite a few of the same ways of things as him and have a very similar background and character in many ways.
(Thankfully I never had the drink and drugs probs but it could have easily have happened if I had played the fame game as I was tempted to when I was young. Lucky enough I decided early on that I was not prepared for all the hardship physically and mentally for that and stuck to enjoyment and a part-time or hobby kind of balance to my love of Entertainment; but I can see how things can push otherwise level headed and sensible People over the edge).
As I mentioned before, I believe RW could turn himself around so to speak anytime he liked, but I must admit even I was about to give up on him wanting to come back and听 be a bit more of his old self again. I said the same to a friend last week when she told me of s`thing planned for Robbie this month, which was then cancelled for a couple of months or more at least.
But鈥 later that night all the pics appeared of Rob and the LA Vale Guys at the STK restaurant, having a get together.
Rob looked so lovely: not his pop star self, which is not a bad thing, but mature, modern and very gorge. Even his green eyes shone more.
He may not look the same as when I first met him five years ago, but who does?, and he is deffo as-good-as, in a grown up way.
I think Robbie-the-pop-star, as was, has been put out to pasture; and from now on it will be Robert the s`times Singer and many other things (including a strong connection in Sport), not always even playing but sometime behind the scenes, as well as with Music.
We shall see!
Party
It will be a great party at Hyde Park next Friday for Mr Mandela. Everyone will be appearing, including (I suspect) our own Robster. I hope!
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Steve Weds Claire
Steve Duffy, the Musical Genius who has worked a lot with Robbie in the past, married Robbie's longtime keyboard and guitar player Claire Worrell - on May 29th 08.
Congrats from us all to them both!
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Robbie Goes South!
Note to all you Southerners, south of the Watford Gap.听听 鈥淩obbie鈥 is making a guest appearance at St Leonards Hotel in Ringwood Dorset, July 29th (the venue is approx 8 or 9 miles north of Bournemouth).
Added bonus - Howard Donald of Take That lives nearby as well!
All you 70 or more Robbie fans who went to this year鈥檚 Forum Meeting in Holland will know how good this show of Robbie`s is because, YES, you鈥檝e guessed it, it is "Mike Andrew - The Robbie Tribute Show鈥, who is very good.听 Just watch his videos on the web; he is quite as near as anyone can be to the REAL Robbie. I might even pop along and have a look myself as my family home is nearby and I might even take a few pics, and hand out a few pressies. Maybe - if I am in the area.
Big Brother Is Back
All I can say is, make MIKEY WIN. Please.
More Robbie
Last but not least - Robbie has a song he he has done with Mams Taylor, which can now be heard in part on Mams Taylor鈥檚 MySpace,听 It`s called "More To Life".
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Hot news...听听
The lovely Josie Cliff (Lodge) - Robbie`s longtime P/A - is branching out more; and is now听the enigmatic Morrissey's manager as well. Good luck to her....
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Radio Robbie!
We have been spoilt with Robbie been on the wireless of late have we not?
First there was The Joss Stone on Gemini FM two-part RW Interview, then the much talked about 大象传媒 Radio 4 (no less!) Jon Ronson UFO Interview and all things Alien doco.
I listened to this Interview the day after it was transmitted, on the pc鈥. what a good thing these pc catch-ups are!
I expected it to be a lot longer than 30 mins and I must admit I was going to get food and drink to give myself fortitude to sit for a couple of hours, but I did not need to bother.
I am a very broad minded Laydee, I like to think, and do not make a decision one way or another, if I can, unless I have been shown definitive proof either way. It was a very well done and very fair hearing, and point of view, of all sides, shown by Jon and Robbie - and once again totally hyped to the hilt regarding The Robster's need to be taken away by the white coated Peeps (as reported media wise in some cases).
Far from being crazy he was his normal inquisitive and eloquent self, who just has a bit of an over-the-top (due to too much time on his hands) hobby.
Once he is playing Footie or doing s'thing else听 to keep his听 constant need for mental stimulation mind busy听 he will be crazy in some other way - as seen by some - I am sure.
I personally think he gets a bit of a kick winding up the media in his own dry humoured way.
The one bit of the doco which stands out to me and I think is very sad was about "Jason" (The Indigo Child).
He was bullied and singled out from a young age because of the other school kids knowing about his beliefs in Alien life and his personal involvement.
What I do not understand is why he was let to go public about his experiences and beliefs in Extra Terrestrial subjects, when at that age it would be obvious to adults that other children would single him out and upset him鈥. Why was he not protected by his Family and Teachers until he had left school and could look after himself and not be bullied by other kids etc, and then go public and write the books as so on?
Now he it seems has nothing to do with the public side of things; his Mother does it all on her own, when they used to do it together. I am sure one could feel and act diff when it is your own child and you want to show your belief and trust in them and, it鈥檚 true, that things can be taken over and snowball out of control by other People connected to you. But I do hope RW does contact Jason and try and cheer him up and make him feel happier from now on if needed.
Robbie on The Other Side
Don't forget to listen in to 大象传媒 Radio 4 (UK) to hear Rob on Tuesday May 6th at 6.30pm!
Robbie听 is taking time out from working in the music industry to pursue his interest in the world of the paranormal. In this programme, he goes to a UFO conference in Laughlin, Nevada (in the USA).听听
Robbie has a genuine interest in UFOs and has been researching sightings, abductees and the possibility of extra terrestrial life. During the course of the day in Nevada, Robbie meets a doctor who claims to have 15 metallic objects which are not earthly, and Ann Andrews, a British woman who believes that her youngest son Jason is an 鈥榠ndigo child鈥櫶 - a child abducted by extra terrestrials听 while in the womb and sent back to Earth to save the planet.听听
Oo er.
Website is: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/factual/robbieandjonjourney.shtml
Hear some clips from the programme here ---
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Jonny In Snow White
Jonathan Wilkes will be back in Stoke for this year鈥檚 Panto there, Snow White.
If you think you would like to join him in his Panto then contact "The Regent" Theatre in Stoke for an application form - and if you win the "Stoke Has Got Talent" contest, you could be on stage beside Jon at Xmas. Check out
http://www.theambassadors.com/regent/
(Pete Conway, Robbie鈥檚 Dad, is one of the judges too!).
Banana Splits, Who Knows Who They Are?
No I am not meaning the banana fruit halved and filled with cream and ice cream but a kids' TV prog of yesteryear.
I am sure most of you have heard at least Part One of Robbie talking to Joss Stone (Gemini Exeter Radio, Sat 6.00pm)?听
Well, Robbie was saying who his fave concerts musicians etc were; and the first concerts, when he went to Showaddywaddy which were the first normal type pop group he remembers - I know them, having been my first gig as well but I saw them a diff year to him and a diff Town, with Bournemouth for me and up Stoke way with him I would think.
Then he came up with another group he remembers seeing maybe before that called The Banana Splits whom Joss did not know, being very young I think. She is that young she asked Robbie which one of听The All Saints he dated!!听 They were Joss鈥檚 first concert.
But me not being her age, I remember The Bananas well on TV. They were more on the track of The Wombles who, most will remember, were animals (cats? or monkeys I think) and they had a Sat morning show where they sang. Their theme tune was very well known at the time and I can remember a saying you always associated with them, which was "O Oh Bungo", Bungo being one of them.
Who would have thought of Robbie remembering them as well? He never ceases to amaze me with his all round knowledge, of old things as well as current.
Alex Lees - a little Robster?
This little boy from Essex came on to audition to Simon Cowell & Co on the programme Britain鈥檚 Got Talent last Sat night; and he was cute! Not only cocky and very self assured in the way that only a child could get away with but very entertaining as well.听 Remember Robbie was a child actor himself!!
He sang Kids (Kylie/Robbie), one of my lesser fave Robbie songs I must admit, but, although quite out of tune, Alex still had that (as Simon calls it) likeability factor, which I agree with, as a lot of little children can be a bit off key but still get away with it because they are cute kids.
However Simon said it was awful singing, as did the others, but gave him a chance to come back later as a comic with a couple of jokes - which Alex duly did. He is a real nat comic who is now through to the semi finals of the show.
Celine Dion at Caesar鈥檚 Palace Las Vegas
Much as I love the Titanic theme (My Heart Will Go On), and Leonardo would be welcome at my gaff for a cuppa any day, I am not a Celine devotee or fan, so called. However last weekend I happened to turn over and see this glitzy show and thought I will have a look. I thought it was Celine but was not sure, having not heard some of her songs, but I carried on watching and guessed it was a special from Las Vegas starring Ms Dion - and it was so well done I had to praise it.
She sang along with听 Frank Sinatra once - just like Robbie!
Even though I knew very few of the songs听 and am not usually into Women Pop Singers per se, she was so good, so听 endearing and nat, and the show itself was so well done.听 You really need to see the pictures to see how slick and well done this was, not have my rubbish commentary, but I hope you get the gist.
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Doco promo
There will be an exclusive article by Jon Ronson in next week鈥檚 Guardian Weekend Paper/Magazine on 19th April all about the doco he did with Robbie about UFOs and Aliens. (The programme is aired 6.30pm Radio 4 (UK) on May 6th.)
Mams Taylor (Rap)
I was looking on Myspace and came across this good looking Guy from London on听the OCT Myspace site, I listened to his music and it鈥檚 great. It鈥檚 Rap of sorts with a diff. I read that he spends his time between LA and his native London and he helps Charities for under-privileged kids in both places.
I wrote to him and said I liked what he was doing and he wrote back saying he thinks People should help other less fortunate - whether with time, or money.
I happened to see Robbie鈥檚 pic on Myspace as well and it turns out that he and Robbie have done a song together which will be on his (Mams) next album. Look him up on his Myspace; he is good looking and very talented.
Also Savannah has contacted us to say that on Saturday 31 May in Amsterdam that there will be the biggest Robbie Forum Meeting ever. Check it out:
http://www.purerobbie.com/showthread.php?p=1017550
Sorry Oliver
And it seems like I went a bit dizzy the other day. Oliver Trevena sent me a My space message to say thanks for the article about him and Robbie鈥檚 other friends - but, he said he was NOT in Heroes as I thought, but another footy friend of RW's, called Santiago Cabrera, was.听 OOps!!听 Still, he is enough to make a gal a bit distracted...!
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Robbie in Augusta, Georgia
Robbie is due to go to watch The Masters Golf Championship as a guest of Michael Campbell (NZ player).听 He will be arriving once The Main Event has started.
Any bets on what Robbie will look like?听听 Beard or no beard?
Robbie on 大象传媒 Radio 4
For those who doubt The Robster's听 power to hold a clever conversation with anyone very educated and very non pop. then tune in on MAY 6TH听 to Radio 4 where RW will be听 talking, and going to a convention in Nevada with听 host Jon Ronson.
The doco is one of a series Jon Ronson is doing on Radio 4 - and hears him and Robbie discuss the subject of Aliens and UFOs鈥
It is rumoured Gary Barlow may be included on the prog too.
The next best thing to supporting Robbie is to support his friends.........
No 1 Friend鈥μ There is Jonny Wilkes who I have seen several times and is a fabbo Musical Star and a thoroughly lovely guy as well.
There is Sean Maguire who is so sweet and gorge, but I am afraid he is in America appearing on their TV on Monday nights.听 Last I knew: no touring with his music at the moment....
Then my current fave, Oliver Trevena, who was in the big blockbuster American show Heroes.听 He tours fairly reg and although he is one person I have not met I am sure he is very sweet and level headed and down to earth. He is also very macho looking and anything to do with Italy (Trevena 鈥 Italian name鈥) has my vote anytime!听 His Group are called OCT, and Oliver has a wonderful song he has written, and sings as well, called Hello. Look up Oliver on his Myspace.
See: http://www.myspace.com/olivertrevenaofficial
Then of course there is Max Beesley- who can be seen talking in a wonderful Irish accent in his new film out soon (if not now?) called "Red Roses And Petrol".
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Robbie`s ""One And Only Interview" With Chris Dinnis/Joss Stone
I spoke to Chris today again regarding the main details of the much talked about annual Interview he and Singer Joss Stone did a few weeks ago with The Robster.
It will be transmitted in the next two or three weeks on听Sat at about six o'clock, and, as the whole interview lasts about听 two hours nearly, it will be split between two following Saturdays on Joss Stone's hour show.
It is very informal like mates chatting - as opposed to a structured interview - and is very much Robbie being himself.
Chris says he thinks a few Peeps will be surprised at how nice and down to earth Rob the real person is, compared to what their pre-conceived ideas of him might have been.
The original first show will be transmitted in two or three Saturdays' time on four south-western radio stations and then repeated on these stations the next day, and in The Sun, and it will also be online Radio and the usual web places for this sort of thing as well.
For details, check: www.geminiexeter.co.uk
I expect a lot of people are wondering why is Robbie doing his so called one annual interview with a (compared with Radio 1 etc) very small Devon, and three other also included, South West local radio stations.
The answer is simple: Joss Stone. A while back Joss contacted Gemini FM in the Devon Town where she has a house, and her Family live. She has been harbouring a wish to do Radio for some time she told the station, and she has done a couple of impro interviews with people she had met on the road working with etc.
She wondered if Gemini would be keen to do s`thing with her. Gemini decided to form the one-hour 鈥楯oss Stone Special on Sat`, and听 got in the experienced DJ Chris Dinnis to help give her some back up and pointers - thus the show was born.
Robbie came to mind as being pals with Joss which Chris thinks swung it their way.
Chris Dinnis is a cheeky Chappie type also, in looks & personality. I was trying to think who his voice reminds me of and he will love me for saying this, but from me it is a compliment, he sounds like the comedian Alan Carr. He is so nice to talk to and great fun, he is a laugh a minute but also very patient and sympathetic when needed.
You feel like you have known him for years even even if it鈥檚 really only a minute and his shows are full of variety and all sorts of diff bits and pieces, as well as a lot of easy to join into 80`s etc music a lot.
He has been everywhere and met everyone but he鈥檚 as down and grounded as can be.
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Spring 2008
The Robster still loves Port Vale
I daresay most of you have heard bits and pieces about the interview coming up on Gemini Radio with Joss Stone, which is being advertised as Robbie鈥檚听 one and only interview coming up soon.
For those of you who have not heard, RW talks at ease with Chris from Gemini and Joss his good friend (who does a special guest spot on some interviews for Gemini).
He said, if he thought he could lead a fairly normal life back here, he would be back like a shot and would like to get Port Vale up to The Premiership as听 a .. wait for it鈥hairman maybe!
Time and other details to follow.
There Might Be Another Soccer Aid This Summer
Jon Wilkes happened to mention in an interview that he and Robbie were thinking of doing another Soccer Aid or something similar again this summer.听 Fingers crossed!
Rob In The Highlands?
The word is that RW will be doing a one off singing gig at the wedding of Golfer Colin Montgomerie on听 The Banks of Loch Lomond in a couple of weeks time, Chris Evans will compere the Posh Event.
They all met at Ant/Dec's Golf Tournament in Newport South Wales at the lovely Celtic Manor Golf course a while back.
Sad death of Jonathan Wilkes鈥 father
Death affects all of us, doesn鈥檛 it, and now it has struck Jonny鈥檚 family.听
Our love to Jon鈥檚 Mum Joan and his Sister and the rest of the Wilkes Family on the tragic loss of Mr Graham Wilkes.听 Graham was a star too in his way, being big in the entertainment field.听
I don鈥檛 think Rob was able to make the funeral, but I should think he is thinking hard about his best friend鈥檚 loss.
Banksy Works Up for sale.
As is common knowledge, Robbie has a liking of the 鈥楶ropagandian Artist鈥 from Bristol鈥檚 works of modern art. He might be pleased to know that a limited number of them will be going under the hammer at Sotheby鈥檚 soon. They include CND Soldiers, Napalm and Morons, the most expensive piece up for sale and expected to get between 拢6-拢8.000; plus Soup Can (Green) along with Bomb Hugger and Toxic Virgin estimated to fetch 拢4-拢6.000
Later in the month his picture of Kate Moss is expected to raise 拢60-拢80.000, all being sold at Sotheby鈥檚 in London.
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Robbie's ONLY Interview in 08?
Well, at least, this is the billing for an interview Robbie has done with soul singer Joss Stone for her new Radio Show called Peace-Love-and-Music to be broadcast in the next few weeks on local radio in Exeter.
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Jonny in Wedding Singer
Rob's Pal Jonny Wilkes starts a run of a new touring production of The Wedding Singer听 in Newcastle (look out for Ant/Dec in the audience), on March 10th. This is the first ever tour done of this 1997 Movie starring Drew Barrymore.
Robbie Helping NASA?
Talking of听 things connected to听 The Alien Subject (Drew Barrymore starred in ET - how`s that for a seemless link?), word has it that The Robster is helping fund a project with The American Space Agency to see if there are Aliens on听Mars.
It has shown pictures on Nasa`s equipment of a shadowy Human-looking form on the pics transmitted back to Earth from Mars and so they are looking into it more. I know the saying is Men are from Mars and Women from Venus but this is too strange.
I have no idea if it is true about RW`S connection in this or not, but he is very keen on that subject.听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听
Justin听 is back in regular contact with Britney
This is just a little footnote to any reg readers to my writing here that I am not as wacky as some may think..
If you remember I commented in a previous article that I think Justin could help Britney a lot etc etc.听 Well, hey presto, "Breaking News" in "Heat" mag this week听 says Justin has been in tel contact, on a plea from Britney`s Mum for a few weeks now.
You see, you doubting Thomases, my amateur psychology is spot on... now and again sort of..!
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Happy B`day Rob (from all of us at Robbie News) on 13th February
I spoke to The Chairman of Port Vale, Bill Bratt, today and he asked me to relay this B`day message to Rob: "I hope Rob has a lovely B`day and is very happy now and in the future in all he does. Port Vale, all its Players and staff and People connected thank him for his ongoing interest, and patronage he gives to our club and wish him Best Wishes."
At the time of talking to Bill, he had 300 local children looking around The Vale Ground thus proving how accessible and part of the local nucleus Port Vale is. He believes that the local and grassroots love of the game should be brought to the forefront of the game again, and there should not be not so much over indulgence and greed as sometimes football becomes associated with now.
All of us have fond memories of our local footie grounds formed over the years, even me - who nearly fell asleep (watching The Robster no less) at "Craven Cottage" during Soccer Aid a couple of years ago.
My听 local team is B`Mouth(The Cherries) and as I told Bill I once totally embarrassed my Dad when he took me as a tiny Child to watch听our team play, donkey鈥檚 years ago, when long hair was men鈥檚 thing. All was silent for the impending goal about to be scored, then a shrill highly-projected little voice emanating from my Dads shoulders shouts 鈥淟ook Daddy, a Lady is playing Football"鈥μ
My Dad - not being of the Artistic Loud Mouth variety as his daughter is - tried to hide under his bench.
Robbie has so much and more connection to Port Vale as does his Family. Bill says many years ago Pete his Dad used to be Licensee at a pub near Port Vale even. Anyway once again Happy B`day Robbie, 鈥淗ave Fun".
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Lee Through To The 'One And Only' Finals.
It`s great to see that Lee, the Robbie Williams sound alike, is in the finals of this 大象传媒 show next week.听听 Poor Lee says he was so nervous of his last performance, when he had to strip to his underwear for "Rock DJ ". He was dreading the show a bit but he did well.
I do not think he was that spot on with his vocals this week but he does do good entertaining,听 which is the main thing. He has "Robbie`s"听moves and characteristics very well marked and even, without make-up, could pass for the REAL Robster at a quick glance. He is just a more thick-set bone structure and not so lithe with his movement听(which comes as normal as moving to the REAL RW); this is no slur on what Lee does though. I think he seems a nice Guy and a good Representative for Robert and I hope Robbie now sees him and agrees how good he is - word has it he is and does!
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Does Robbie Look Like A Young Oliver Reed?
I am sure most of you will have seen the pics of Robbie on a Ski Holiday in California recently. Yes! He does still have long hair and a bushy beard. What is the big deal about it? I must admit I am not a fan of beard (bushy or otherwise) but it鈥檚 up to him if he wants to hang loose for a while as they say.
As for saying he looks like Oliver Reed, that鈥檚 no bad thing. Oliver Reed was a fantastic Actor and very popular with many听People including a lot of very glam women.
Excuse me doing a bit of name-dropping here but it鈥檚 just to prove my point how Mr Reed was very appealing to the opposite gender. I actually went to college with a girl who was very fond Of Oliver Reed and she was no desperado, she was a very well off, well educated glam blonde, quite a bit younger than Mr Reed obviously - but she knew him it seemed and thought him fantastic in many ways.
Anyway what do you think?听 Add a comment on the messageboard if you like.
Robbie and Guy Split Writing Together Again
Yes! it seems this is true. The two of them did get together a few months ago to give their writing another go. They did do a bit but they have both moved on in various ways and could not re-ignite their old successful formulae again.
This all happened quite some while ago long before Guy Chambers started working with Gary and Mark from Take That and Arlene Philips among others on a new Reality Show about a Fame-type High School.
Robbie Sound-Alike Doing Well
I must admit it`s quite nice to have Graham Norton`s prog "The One And Only", 大象传媒1`s (UK) version of "Stars In Their Eyes", filling the void that is left with the REAL Robbie not doing anything public at the moment.
All the People on the show are very good but, to be honest, there`s no substitute for the REAL thing.
The judges said his version of Angels was spot on. He was good but not Robbie to me or my Mum who also has a soft spot for The Robster too.
My Mum is also a great lover of Frank Sinatra and The Rat Pack as well and loves RW`s swing of course but in actual fact met Robbie before me. It was at The Albert Hall Oct 10th a few years ago on the red carpet at The Princes Trust fashion Rocks. Robbie was representing Donatella Versace. We were just looking to see Robbie but me being me wanted to move to make out who was whom clearer so I ended up with the Press and TV Cams by the front door and my Mum stayed right over the other side.
To cut a long story short, Robbie stopped in front of my Mum and some other older Peeps who were from the Stoke area and getting pics for their Grand kids; he was there for ages talking, with Mum too shy to speak but she took everything in and thought him very sweet. I never even saw him!
But I have made up for that now and I can confirm he is sweet and very approachable and a normal Guy from Stoke most of the time; in fact he`s adorable. You want to look after him and protect him, maternal instincts of sorts you could call it I guess鈥 or maybe not?
That's your Robbie round-up for now. Check back next week for another blast of your favourite artist's hot news!
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