Take That

Take That were assembled in Manchester in 1990 by manager Nigel Martin-Smith, who placed an advertisement in the Manchester Evening News seeking young men for a pop group. Gary Barlow, already a seasoned songwriter, was the first recruited. He was joined by Howard Donald, a skilled dancer; Jason Orange, a breakdancer; Mark Owen, a former bank clerk; and finally Robbie Williams, the youngest. After a period of intensive training in singing and choreography, they released their debut single Do What U Like in July 1991, which peaked at number 82. Their debut album Take That & Party reached number 2 on the UK Albums Chart in 1992.

The group's breakthrough came with the single Pray in 1993, their first UK number one. Their second album Everything Changes spawned three number-one singles and established them as the dominant British boy band of the era. By 1995, they were a global phenomenon, with Back for Good reaching number 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100. However, internal tensions grew as Williams sought greater creative control, and he left the group in July 1995. The remaining members completed the Nobody Else tour and disbanded in 1996.

After a decade apart, the four remaining members reunited in 2005 for a documentary, which led to a full comeback. Their 2006 album Beautiful World debuted at number one and sold over 2 million copies. They followed with The Circus in 2008. In 2010, Williams rejoined for the album Progress and the record-breaking Progress Live tour. After Williams and Orange departed in 2014, the trio of Barlow, Donald, and Owen continued, releasing albums III, Wonderland, and This Life. They have maintained a busy touring schedule and remain one of the UK's most reliable live acts.[edit]

Nigel Martin-Smith, a Manchester-based manager, placed an ad in the Manchester Evening News in 1990 looking for talented young men to form a pop group. Gary Barlow responded and impressed Martin-Smith with his songwriting and vocal ability. Howard Donald, a dancer who had won local competitions, joined next. Jason Orange, a breakdancer, was recruited after being spotted at a dance club. Mark Owen, who had been working at a bank, auditioned and was chosen for his looks and charm. The final member, Robbie Williams, was the last to join, brought in at age 16 after a recommendation from a friend. The five underwent a rigorous training regimen, living together in a house and spending months perfecting their dance routines and vocal harmonies. Their first public performance was at a holiday camp in 1991, and they released their debut single later that year.[edit]

Take That's early sound was polished teen pop with strong New Jack Swing influences, exemplified by tracks like Pray and Relight My Fire. Their production, overseen by Barlow and various producers, featured crisp beats, layered harmonies, and catchy melodies. After their reunion, they shifted toward a more mature pop rock and adult contemporary sound on albums like Beautiful World and The Circus, with songs such as Patience and Shine incorporating richer instrumentation and emotional depth. During the Williams-reunion era, Progress experimented with electronic and dance elements, including synths and darker production. As a trio, they have continued to evolve, drawing on soul, funk, and gospel influences on Wonderland and This Life, while maintaining their melodic core. Barlow's songwriting, often dealing with love, loss, and resilience, has remained the group's musical anchor.[edit]

Take That redefined the boy band model in the UK, demonstrating that such groups could achieve longevity and artistic credibility beyond a teen audience. Their 2005 reunion inspired a wave of 1990s pop comebacks, including the Spice Girls and East 17. Their early fashion, matching denim jackets, baggy trousers, and bucket hats, became iconic of the era. The group has supported numerous charities, including Comic Relief, Children in Need, and the Prince's Trust. Gary Barlow organized the Queen's Diamond Jubilee concert in 2012, and the group performed at the event. They have served as cultural ambassadors for British music globally, with tours across Europe, Asia, and Australia. Their influence is seen in later UK boy bands such as One Direction, who cited them as an inspiration.[edit]

Take That fans, often called Thaters, have no official fandom name but maintain a strong community. The unofficial fan color is blue, and fans traditionally wave blue glow sticks at concerts, especially during Shine and Patience. October 1 is celebrated by some fans as Take That Day, marking the date of their first UK number one single Pray in 1993. Notable fan projects include a blue flash mob at the Beautiful World tour launch in 2006 and a charity fundraiser that raised £10,000 in the group's name in 2011. The group's social media accounts have millions of followers, and fan forums remain active.[edit]

The group's name was inspired by a line from the song Take That by The Pasadenas, a favorite of manager Nigel Martin-Smith. Robbie Williams's departure in 1995 was so shocking that a helpline was set up for distraught fans. The 2006 reunion was initially planned as a one-off documentary, but the positive reception led to a full comeback. Gary Barlow wrote the majority of the group's hits, but Howard Donald co-wrote several tracks, including The Garden and Hold Up a Light. Jason Orange was a trained breakdancer and won dance competitions before joining. The music video for Back for Good was filmed in London and directed by Andy Morahan. Take That have a star on the Manchester Walk of Fame, awarded in 2007. The 2011 album Progress was originally titled The Flood but was changed to reflect the group's evolution.[edit]