Gary Barlow: Quit Take That? I’d never do that
GARY BARLOW yesterday admitted he would be ‘devastated’ if he was ever forced to wave farewell to Take That — as he set off on a fresh bout of solo stardom.
The Love Won’t Wait singer was on stage in Edinburgh last night, as his debut album Open Road soared back into the top 10, nearly 21 years after it was released.
Explaining the significance of his surge in popularity, the 47-year-old told Guilty Pleasures: ‘It makes me think of so many things. Obviously that was a tricky time. It wasn’t the nicest time when that record came out.
‘The fact that we are here now talking about it emerging into the charts again — it is just lovely,’ he added.
Assuring fans his solo hiatus does not mean the end is nigh for Take That, Barlow promised the band will always come first.
‘I always say, I’ll move anything to do things with the band. We usually do a record and tour every three years. As someone who has been on a stage since the age of 11, to not tour for years… that’s not enough for me. I want to go out and do more,’ he said.
‘It is the same with records. Twelve songs every three years… I write all the time. I’m a really prolific songwriter, so the solo career satisfies me to work more. I love what I do,’ he added
In fact, Barlow can’t envisage ever walking away from the Greatest Day chart-toppers.
‘If there was a reason that I couldn’t do it anymore I would be devastated because I enjoy it so much,’ he said.
But he did hint his days as a reality TV show judge are numbered.
The former X Factor and Let It Shine mentor admitted: ‘What records and touring do is it takes you back to the heart of why you do what you do.
‘As a musician you can lose focus of what got you into newspapers and on to TV,’ he admitted.
‘I’ve lost track in the past and lost focus and you’ve just got to remind yourself the reason that you are special to people. It’s because you write songs and you sing. I’m celebrating coming off talent shows and going back to my roots.’
Author: Andrei Harmsworth
