That That The "Brit Pop" rave of the early 1990s, this talented Manchester-based vocal group restored the ballad to the popular music charts. In some ways reviving the youth adulation which the Beatles received during the 1960s, Take That became the role models for many young people. Their clean cut wholesome music and image, complemented by slickly choreographed on-stage dance performances was a winning combination. Despite not actually playing any musical instruments, they topped the music charts for several years. However, by the end of 1995 Robbie decided to leave and make a solo career, amid a great deal of acrimony, and in April 1996 the group made their last performance and split up. When Robbie Williams (who was actually from Stoke-on-Trent), ended his association with Take That, effectively signing a death warrant to the group, he also took what amounted to a big personal risk into possible oblivion himself. Other ex-members of the group fared less well, including Gary Barlow. However, he has proved to be a supreme pop performer in his own right and confounded all the critics, with hit after hit. This success has not come easily and at times has seemed rather tenuous, with forays into drink, drugs, and promiscuity all highlighted loudly in tabloid newspaper headlines. However, musically there have been very few setbacks. 'Freedom', his first solo single sold more than a quarter of a million copies, and later in 1997, his debut solo album, 'Life thru a Lens' was received with tumultuous acclaim by music critics, and is approaching quadruple platinum status at the time of writing, thanks largely to the popularity of the track, 'Angels'. The 1999 song, 'Let Me Entertain You' was very popular with record buyers, and has virtually become his personal anthem, earning large volumes of record sales, has received much critical acclaim, and attracted a number of awards. Despite prophets of doom, his career promises to continue to prosper, and he has won many awards for his music over the past few years, having established himself firmly at the top of the so-called Brit Pop music scene. In recent times, Take That have reformed, reached number 1 position in the music charts again and seem to have regained their fan base.