HYPEBy Nicholas Joshua Lee
Think of the 90’s and 3 things come to mind: Friends, Pamela Anderson and the birth of the Internet. However, there was something else in the era that changed the world of fandom forever: Boy bands.
Yes, those guys who captured the hearts of teenage girls all over the world.
But as time passed and the teens outgrew their elaborate dance moves and perfectly coiffed hair to make room for more modern genres of music, most of them ended up fading into obscurity.
Well, maybe except a certain British boy band.
Originally formed in 1989 by Nigel Martin-Smith, Take That was the United Kingdom’s answer to the wave of American boy bands. The 5-member band comprised of Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Jason Orange, Mark Owen and Robbie Williams.
Through 1992 to 1995, they released 3 wildly successful albums, and with their charming good looks and upbeat pop tunes, they easily gained an epic international following.
Their success however, took a nosedive when Robbie Williams, arguably the band’s most popular member, overdosed on drugs in July 1995. The near fatal incident led to tension between the band members and Williams. A year later, the group formally announced that they were disbanding.
Long-time fan Gloria Tan, a finance accountant, 30, still recalls how she felt when she heard the news.
“I was devastated when Robbie Williams left. I was even more shocked when the band disbanded! I can’t remember if I cried, but I probably did and so did all my other friends who loved the band,” Gloria claims.
However, in 2006, Take That (sans Robbie Williams) released their comeback single, “Patience”. It topped the charts and the music world welcomed them back with open arms.
In 2007, they chalked up another hit, “Rule the World”, and their chart-topping streak scored a hat trick in 2008, when the revived pop group released their second album, The Circus, and its first single, “Greatest Day”, went straight to number one again.
While many other boy bands are now struggling to make an impact in the fickle music industry, Take That has certainly proved that they have staying power – at least in the United Kingdom.
Their most recent concert, Take That Presents: The Circus Live, even managed to outsell Michael Jackson’s Bad Tour to make it the fastest-selling concert in the UK.
But now with the band has gained some new fans, what do old fans think of its revival?
“I still love their music!” Gloria says with passion.
“Their sound may have changed a bit… but I’ve matured and so have my taste, I guess that’s why I like their new sound,” she adds.