Take That: The Life Story Behind the British Boy Band

In the early 1990s, Britain fell in love with a boy band. They were five young men from the north of England, they sang pop songs with big choruses, they danced in sync, and they had millions of teenage fans who screamed at their concerts and covered their bedroom walls with posters. Their name was Take That, and for a few years, they were the biggest pop group in Britain. Then they split up, and their fans cried. Then, ten years later, they came back, and their fans, now grown up, cried again, this time with joy. Take That’s story is a story about pop music, about friendship, about fame, and about second chances.

The band’s story begins in Manchester in 1990, when a manager named Nigel Martin-Smith decided to create a British boy band to rival the American group New Kids on the Block. He held auditions, and he found five young men: Gary Barlow, Robbie Williams, Jason Orange, Howard Donald, and Mark Owen. Gary Barlow was the songwriter, a talented young man from Cheshire who could write a hit song. Robbie Williams was the cheeky one, the joker who made people laugh. The other three brought singing, dancing, and charm. Together, they became Take That, and they became a phenomenon.

This is the story of how Take That rose to fame, how they became the biggest band in Britain, how they lost Robbie Williams, how they split up in 1996, and how they came back in 2005 to become even bigger than before. It is a story about the power of pop music, about the pain of losing a friend, and about the joy of coming home again. It is also a story about Gary Barlow, one of the great British songwriters, and about Robbie Williams, who became one of the biggest solo stars in the world.

Manchester Auditions: Five Young Men Become Take That

Take That formed in Manchester in 1990. The band was put together by Nigel Martin-Smith, a manager who wanted to create a British boy band. He had seen the success of New Kids on the Block in America, and he believed that Britain needed its own version. He held auditions in Manchester, and he found five young men who would become Take That. Gary Barlow, from Frodsham in Cheshire, was the songwriter. He had been writing songs since he was a teenager, and he had a gift for melody. Robbie Williams, from Stoke-on-Trent, was the youngest member, and he had a cheeky personality that made him stand out. Jason Orange, from Manchester, was a dancer and a singer. Howard Donald, also from Manchester, was a dancer who had worked as a DJ. Mark Owen, from Oldham, was the baby-faced singer who became a favourite with fans.

The band’s early years were hard. They played in small clubs, in schools, and in gay clubs in Manchester, where they built a following. They were not an overnight success. They worked hard, they rehearsed, and they learned how to perform together. Their first single, Do What U Like, was released in 1991, and it was not a hit. Their second single, Promises, was also not a big hit. But their third single, Once You’ve Tasted Love, began to get attention. The band’s first album, Take That and Party, was released in 1992, and it included the hit It Only Takes a Minute, a cover of a Tavares song. The album was a success, and the band began to build a fanbase.

The band’s image was important. They were five good-looking young men, they danced in sync, and they wore matching outfits. Their fans, mostly teenage girls, loved them. The band’s concerts were loud, with screaming fans, and the band learned how to handle that fame. They were young, they were excited, and they were living a dream. But the fame also brought pressure. They had to keep making hits, keep touring, and keep their fans happy. The next few years would bring them huge success, but also huge pressure.

Gary Barlow was the band’s main songwriter, and he wrote most of their hits. He had a talent for writing songs that were catchy, emotional, and easy to sing along to. His songs were the heart of the band’s success, and they gave Take That a sound that was different from other boy bands. While other boy bands sang songs written by other people, Take That sang songs written by one of their own. That gave them a special quality, and it is one of the reasons why their music has lasted.

Everything Changes: Pray, Relight My Fire and Number Ones

In 1993, Take That released their second album, Everything Changes, and it made them superstars. The album included the singles Pray, Relight My Fire, Babe, and Everything Changes, and it became one of the best-selling albums of the year. Pray was a beautiful and emotional song, and it became a number one hit. Relight My Fire, featuring the singer Lulu, was a dance hit. The album showed that the band could write and sing a wide range of songs, from ballads to dance tracks. It was a triumph, and it made Take That the biggest band in Britain.

The band’s fame grew quickly. They won awards, they appeared on television, and they were in magazines everywhere. Their fans were devoted, and their concerts were huge events. The band toured Britain and Europe, and they played to large crowds. They were the most popular pop group in the country, and they seemed unstoppable. But behind the success, there were tensions. Robbie Williams was beginning to feel unhappy in the band. He wanted more freedom, he wanted to drink and party, and he did not like the strict rules of the boy band life. The other members were also tired, and the pressure was growing.

In 1995, the band released their third album, Nobody Else, which included the single Back for Good. Back for Good was written by Gary Barlow, and it became the band’s biggest hit. It was a beautiful ballad about wanting someone back after a break-up, and it was sung with feeling by Barlow. The song reached number one in Britain, and it was a hit in many other countries. It is still one of the band’s most loved songs, and it is often called their greatest song. The album also included the singles Sure and Never Forget, and it was another success. But the band were about to face their biggest crisis.

Robbie Williams left the band in July 1995, during the recording of Nobody Else. His departure was a shock to fans, and it was covered widely in the press. Williams had been unhappy for a while, and he wanted to leave the boy band life behind. He went on to become a huge solo star, but his departure left Take That as a four-piece. The band carried on without him, and they released Back for Good as a single, which became a hit. But the band were tired, and they knew that the end was near. In 1996, they announced that they were splitting up, and their fans were heartbroken.

The Split of 1996: Tears, Solo Careers and Silence

Take That split up in February 1996, and the news caused a sensation in Britain. Fans were devastated, and some even needed counselling, according to reports at the time. The band played a farewell tour, and they released a greatest hits album. Their final single as a group was How Deep Is Your Love, a cover of a Bee Gees song, which became a hit. The band’s split was the end of an era, and it left a gap in British pop music. For five years, Take That had been the biggest band in the country, and now they were gone.

After the split, the members went their separate ways. Gary Barlow began a solo career, but it was not as successful as he had hoped. His solo album, Open Road, was released in 1997, and it had some hits, but it did not match the success of Take That. He later became a songwriter for other artists, and he wrote songs for many famous singers. Robbie Williams became a huge solo star, with hits like Angels, Let Me Entertain You, and Rock DJ. He became one of the biggest pop stars in the world, and his success showed that he had been right to leave the band. Mark Owen also had a solo career, with the hit Child in 1996. Howard Donald became a DJ, and Jason Orange left the music business for a time.

The years after the split were quiet for Take That as a group. The members did not play together, and they lived their own lives. But their music lived on. Their songs were still played on radio, and their fans still loved them. A documentary about the band, Take That: For the Record, was shown on television in 2005, and it brought the band members back together to talk about their story. The documentary was a success, and it made people realise how much they missed Take That. It also set the stage for one of the greatest comebacks in pop history.

The documentary showed the band members talking honestly about their time together, about the split, and about their lives since. It was emotional, and it reminded fans of why they had loved the band. The band members also realised that they still cared about each other, and that they still had something to offer as a group. The documentary was the first step toward a reunion, and it would lead to a comeback that surprised everyone, including the band themselves.

The Reunion of 2005: Beautiful World and Patience

In 2005, Take That announced that they were getting back together, without Robbie Williams. The news was greeted with excitement by fans, who had waited nine years for a reunion. The band released a greatest hits album called Never Forget: The Ultimate Collection, and they announced a reunion tour called The Ultimate Tour. The tour was a huge success, with tickets selling out quickly. The band played to large crowds, and their fans, now grown up, came to the shows with their children. It was a joyful reunion, and it showed that the band’s music had lasted.

In 2006, the band released Beautiful World, their first new studio album in eleven years. The album included the single Patience, a beautiful ballad that became a number one hit and won awards. Patience was a song about waiting for love, and it was sung with feeling by the band. The album was a success, and it proved that Take That could still make great music. The band toured the album, and they played to huge crowds. They were back, and they were bigger than ever. The reunion had worked, and the band were enjoying their second chance.

In 2008, the band released The Circus, another successful album, which included the single Greatest Day. The band’s live shows became famous for their scale and their spectacle, with elaborate staging, acrobatics, and special effects. They played stadiums, and they became one of the biggest live acts in Britain. The band’s second career was even more successful than their first, and they were now respected as a serious pop group, not just a boy band. Gary Barlow’s songwriting was praised, and the band’s harmonies were admired. Take That had grown up, and their music had grown up with them.

The band’s reunion was a remarkable story. Most boy bands that split up never come back, or they come back for a short time and then fade away. Take That came back and became bigger than they had been before. That is a rare achievement, and it shows the power of their songs and the loyalty of their fans. The band had been given a second chance, and they had taken it with both hands. The next chapter would bring Robbie Williams back, and it would be even more exciting.

Progress, III and This Life: A Trio That Keeps Going

In 2010, Robbie Williams rejoined Take That, and the band became a five-piece again for the first time in fifteen years. They released the album Progress, which became the fastest-selling album of the century in Britain at the time. The album included the single The Flood, and it was a huge success. The band toured as a five-piece, playing stadiums, and their fans were thrilled to see the original line-up together again. It was a historic moment, and it showed that the band had healed the wounds of the past. Robbie was back, and the band were whole again.

Robbie left again in 2012, to focus on his solo career, and Jason Orange left in 2014. The band became a trio of Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, and Mark Owen, and they released the album III in 2014. The album was a success, and it showed that the trio could still make great pop music. They toured the album, and they continued to play to large crowds. The band had changed, but they had not stopped. They were still Take That, and their fans still loved them.

In 2017, the band released Wonderland, another successful album, and they toured it with a spectacular live show. In 2023, they released This Life, their first album in six years, and it reached number one in Britain. The album included the single Windows, and it showed that the band could still write fresh and exciting songs. The band toured This Life in 2024, playing stadiums and arenas, and they showed that they were still one of the biggest live acts in Britain. They were in their fifties, but they still played with energy and joy.

Take That’s story is still going on. They have been together, in one form or another, for more than thirty years, and they are still making music. Their songs, from Pray to Back for Good to Patience, are part of British pop history, and they are loved by millions. The band’s story is a story about friendship, about second chances, and about the power of a good song. It is a story that is not over yet, and their fans are waiting to see what comes next. The band have shown that a pop group can grow up, can change, and can still matter, and that is a rare and valuable thing in music.

The Songs That Made Them: Pray, Back for Good and Patience

Take That’s songs deserve a closer look, because they are the reason the band lasted. Pray, released in 1993, was a beautiful and emotional ballad, written by Gary Barlow, and it became a number one hit. The song was about love and about prayer, and it was sung with feeling. It showed that the band could write a serious and moving song, not just a fun pop song. Pray became a favourite with fans, and it is still one of the band’s most loved songs. It proved that Gary Barlow was a songwriter of real talent, and that Take That were more than a boy band.

Back for Good, released in 1995, is widely seen as the band’s greatest song. It was written by Barlow, and it is about wanting someone back after a mistake. The words are simple, but they are deep, and the melody is beautiful. The song reached number one in Britain, and it was a hit in many other countries. It is a song that has helped many people through break-ups, and it is often played at weddings and at romantic occasions. Back for Good is a timeless ballad, and it is one of the greatest pop songs of the 1990s. It shows that a boy band can write a song that lasts for decades, if the song is honest and well written.

Patience, released in 2006 after the reunion, is another great song. It was written by Barlow and the band, and it is about waiting for love. The song became a number one hit, it won awards, and it became a symbol of the band’s comeback. Patience is a fitting title for a song by a band that had waited nine years to come back. The song’s success showed that Take That had not lost their touch, and that their fans had not forgotten them. Together, Pray, Back for Good, and Patience tell the story of Take That in three songs: a young band finding its voice, a band at its peak, and a band coming back with maturity and with hope. Those three songs are the heart of the band’s legacy.

The Live Shows: Stadiums, Spectacle and Singalongs

Take That’s live shows deserve a special mention, because they became famous for their scale and their spectacle. In their early years, the band played in clubs and theatres, with screaming fans and simple staging. After the reunion, their shows became huge productions, with elaborate sets, acrobats, dancers, and special effects. They played stadiums, including Wembley Stadium, and they filled them with tens of thousands of fans. Their shows were not just concerts. They were celebrations, with the band and the audience singing together, dancing together, and sharing a night that felt like a party.

The band’s Progress tour in 2011, with Robbie Williams back in the group, was one of the biggest tours in British history. It broke records for ticket sales, and it showed that Take That were one of the biggest live acts in the country. The band’s later tours, including the Wonderland tour in 2017 and the This Life tour in 2024, were also spectacular, with the band playing their hits to large crowds. Their live shows are a key part of their legacy, because they show that Take That are not just a studio band. They are a live band, and they give their fans a night to remember, every time they play. The band’s story is also a reminder that pop music can be a family affair, passed from parents to children, and that a good song can outlive the moment it was made in. Take That’s songs are played at weddings, at parties, and on radio, and they will keep being played for many years to come.

My Take:

When I think about Take That, I think about the power of a good pop song. Pray, Back for Good, Patience, these are songs that make you feel something, even if you are not a pop fan. They are well written, well sung, and full of heart. Gary Barlow is one of the great British songwriters, and his songs are the reason Take That have lasted for more than thirty years. A boy band with weak songs would have faded away. Take That had strong songs, and that is why they are still here. I think that is a lesson for any musician: write a good song, and the rest will follow.

I admire Gary Barlow a great deal. He was the songwriter, the quiet one, the one who stayed in the background while Robbie Williams got the attention. But without Barlow, there would be no Take That. His songs gave the band their sound, their heart, and their success. After the split, his solo career did not work out as he had hoped, and that must have been painful. But he did not give up. He became a songwriter for others, he worked on television, and he waited for his second chance. When Take That came back, he was ready, and he wrote Patience, one of the band’s greatest songs. That is a story of patience, in every sense of the word.

Robbie Williams is a fascinating person, and his story is both exciting and sad. He was the cheeky one, the joker, the one who made people laugh. He left the band because he wanted freedom, and he became a huge solo star. Angels is one of the greatest songs of the last thirty years, and it is a song that Robbie will always be remembered for. But his life has also been difficult, with problems with drink, drugs, and mental health. He has spoken openly about those problems, and I respect him for it. His story shows that fame does not fix everything, and that even the most successful people can struggle. I hope he is happy now, because he deserves to be.

The split in 1996 makes me sad, because I can imagine how the fans felt. They were mostly teenage girls, and Take That were their whole world. When the band split, it felt like the end of something important. Some fans were so upset that they needed help, and that shows how much the band meant to them. I think that is a sign of the power of pop music. It is not just entertainment. It is a part of people’s lives, a part of their youth, and a part of their identity. When a band splits, it feels like losing a friend, and that pain is real.

The reunion in 2005 is one of my favourite stories in pop music. The band came back after nine years apart, and they became bigger than they had been before. That is almost unheard of. Most reunions are short and disappointing. Take That’s reunion was long and triumphant. Patience became a number one hit, Beautiful World became a bestseller, and the band played stadiums. That is a remarkable achievement, and it shows that the band’s music had lasting power. It also shows that the band members had grown up, and that they appreciated their second chance in a way they had not appreciated their first.

I also think about the fans, and how loyal they have been. Take That’s fans waited nine years for a reunion, and they came back in large numbers. They brought their children to the shows, and they sang along to every word. That loyalty is a sign of how much the band meant to them. The fans did not just like the band. They loved the band, and they kept that love alive through the years when the band were apart. That is a beautiful thing, and it is why Take That’s story is so moving. It is a story about a band and its fans, growing up together, and coming back together.

What I take from Take That is the idea that it is never too late to come back. The band split up, they went their separate ways, and many people thought they were finished. But they came back, and they became even bigger. That is a hopeful message, for anyone who has lost something and wonders if they can get it back. Take That shows that you can. It takes work, it takes forgiveness, and it takes good songs, but it is possible. I think that is a lesson that goes beyond music, and it is one that many people need to hear.

I also admire the way the band have aged. They are in their fifties now, and they still play with energy. They do not try to look like young boys. They look like grown men, and they sing like grown men. Their songs have grown up with them, and their fans have grown up with them. That is a dignified way to grow old in pop music, and it is one that many bands could learn from. Take That are not chasing their past. They are building on it, one album at a time, and that is why they are still relevant.

Back for Good is the song I would play for someone who had never heard Take That. It is a beautiful ballad, written by Gary Barlow, and it is about wanting someone back after a mistake. The words are simple, but they are deep. The music is gentle, and the singing is full of feeling. It is a song that has helped many people through break-ups, and it is one of the greatest pop ballads ever written. It proves that Take That were always more than a boy band. They were songwriters, and they could write about real life.

The band’s live shows are also worth thinking about. In recent years, Take That have become famous for their spectacular stadium shows, with elaborate staging, dancers, and special effects. Those shows are a celebration of their music, and they bring together fans of all ages. I think those shows are a fitting reward for a band that has worked so hard for so long. They started in small clubs in Manchester, and now they play stadiums. That is a long journey, and they earned every step of it.

If I had to pick a lesson from Take That, it would be this: write good songs, be patient, and never give up on your friends. The band’s songs are the reason they lasted. Their patience is the reason they came back. And their friendship, even after the split and the arguments, is the reason they are still together today. Those three things, songs, patience, and friendship, are the heart of Take That’s story, and they are things that anyone can learn from, whether they are a musician or not.

I will keep listening to their music, and I will keep thinking about the five young men from Manchester who became the biggest boy band in Britain, who split up, and who came back bigger than ever. Their story is a story about pop music, about friendship, and about second chances, and it is a story that is still being written. I am glad I know it, and I think anyone who hears their songs will be glad too.

One last thought stays with me. Take That’s name is simple, but it says a lot. Take that, as in, take this music, take this song, take this feeling. The band gave their music to their fans, and their fans took it, and they kept it for thirty years. That is a fair exchange, and it is why Take That will always be loved. They gave, and their fans gave back, and that bond is still strong today.

I also think about Howard Donald and Mark Owen, and how important they were to the band. Gary Barlow wrote the songs, and Robbie Williams got the attention, but Howard and Mark were the heart of the band’s harmonies and dancing. Howard was a talented dancer, Mark had a sweet and distinctive voice, and both of them gave the band a warmth that fans loved. Without them, Take That would not have been Take That. I think they deserve more credit, because they were the team players who made the band work, night after night, year after year.

I think about Jason Orange, too, and how he left the band in 2014 to live a quieter life. He was a dancer, a singer, and a much-loved member of the group, and his departure was sad for fans. But I respect his decision to step away and to live life on his own terms. Not everyone wants fame forever, and Jason chose a different path. That takes courage, and it is a reminder that a band is made of real people, with real lives, and that sometimes, the bravest thing is to walk away and find peace.

I also think about the band’s songwriting, and how Gary Barlow’s songs have been covered by many other artists. His songs are not just hits for Take That. They are songs that other singers want to sing, because they are well written and full of feeling. That is a sign of a great songwriter, and it is why Barlow is respected in the music industry. He did not just write hits for his own band. He wrote songs that became part of British music, and that is a legacy that will last long after Take That have stopped performing.

I think about the future of Take That, and I wonder what comes next. The band are in their fifties now, but they still play with energy, still write songs, and still make people smile. As long as they have music to make, and as long as their fans want to hear it, they will keep going. That is a beautiful thing, and it is why I believe their story is not over yet. Take That began as five young men in Manchester, and they are still singing, still dancing, and still making people happy, more than thirty years later. I think about the future of Take That, and I wonder what comes next. The band are in their fifties now, but they still play with energy, still write songs, and still make people smile. As long as they have music to make, and as long as their fans want to hear it, they will keep going. That is a beautiful thing, and it is why I believe their story is not over yet. Take That began as five young men in Manchester, and they are still singing, still dancing, and still making people happy, more than thirty years later. I hope they keep going, because their music brings joy to so many people.

I also think about the band’s influence on other boy bands. Take That showed that a boy band could write its own songs, could grow up, could split up and come back bigger than before. Many boy bands that came after them learned from Take That, and they tried to follow their example. That influence is a lasting legacy, and it is one that goes beyond their own records. Take That did not just make great music. They showed other bands how to survive, how to grow, and how to come back. That is a gift to British pop music, and it is one that will last.

I think about the band’s fans, and how they have grown up with Take That. Their fans were teenagers in the 1990s, and they are now in their forties and fifties, with children of their own. They bring their children to the shows, and they share the music with a new generation. That is a beautiful thing, and it shows that Take That’s music has been passed from one generation to the next. A band that can do that, that can make music that parents and children both love, is a rare and special band, and Take That are one of those bands.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Take That form and who were the members?

Take That formed in Manchester in 1990. The members were Gary Barlow, Robbie Williams, Jason Orange, Howard Donald and Mark Owen, put together by manager Nigel Martin-Smith.

What is Take That’s most famous song?

Back for Good, released in 1995, is their most famous song, along with Pray from 1993 and Patience from 2006. Back for Good became a number one hit in Britain and many other countries.

Why did Robbie Williams leave Take That?

Robbie Williams left Take That in July 1995 because he was unhappy with the strict boy band life and wanted more freedom. He went on to become a huge solo star with hits like Angels.

When did Take That split up and when did they reunite?

Take That split up in February 1996, after a farewell tour. They reunited in 2005 without Robbie Williams, and released the album Beautiful World in 2006 with the hit Patience.

Did Robbie Williams ever rejoin Take That?

Yes, Robbie Williams rejoined Take That in 2010 for the album Progress and a stadium tour. He left again in 2012 to focus on his solo career.

Are Take That still performing today?

Yes, Take That continue as a trio of Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen. They released This Life in 2023 and toured it in 2024, playing stadiums and arenas.