Sony Music signs an “inspired” Robbie Williams, new album this year

After years of trying, Sony Music has finally landed Robbie Williams to a multi-million dollar record deal.

With sales of 70 million albums as a solo artist (18 million in Britain alone), the 42-year old is the most successful UK pop star over the past twenty years. With a personal fortune put at A$217.6 million, he has won no less than BRIT awards. He entered The Guinness Book of World Records when his 2006 world tour sold 1.6 million tickets in one day.

One of his Australian tours sold 500,000 tickets, and hailed as a “master entertainer” on last year’s visit. 

He will head into the studios with long time collaborator Guy Chambers, with whom he co-wrote hits including Angels, No Regrets, Let Me Entertain You, Rock DJ, Feel and Millennium. 

The result, his eleventh solo studio album, is scheduled for release by the end of 2016 through Sony label Columbia. 

Jason Iley, Chairman and CEO of Sony Music UK said: “We are delighted to be working with Robbie. This is a once-in-a-lifetime signing with the biggest male solo artist of our generation. 

“Robbie Williams is one of the most charismatic, unique and creative artists this country has ever produced and his incredible achievements continue to make him one of the most successful in the world today.”

Williams said there was an immediate connection when he met with the Sony team, whom he regards as “professional, incredibly hungry, and (with) a great energy. They’re inspired, I’m inspired. I’m more ready than I ever have been and I’m totally convinced I’m in the right place.

“I look forward to working on this album, which is an album I’m immensely proud of, in this exciting new partnership with Sony Music.”

Williams was previously with Island / Universal with whom he signed with in 2011 and had two hit albums with. Take The Crown (2012) went to #1 in eight countries (peaking at #4 in Australia) and sold 1.2 million worldwide, while Swings Both Ways (2013) did the same in five (and #2 in Australia) and shifted 1.6 million. Sony reportedly offered a £100 million (A$196.5 million) package when it heard of the Universal deal.

Before Universal, Williams released eight solo albums on EMI, to whom he signed with in 2002 for £80 million ($157.2 million). At the time he famously declared, “I am rich beyond my wildest dreams.” His debut solo record Life Thru A Lens came out in 1997 with a nod to Britpop and sold 2 million.

EMI was purchased in 2012 by Universal for £1.2 billion (A$2.35 billion).

Last month, there were reports he would reunite with Take That to record bonus new tracks for a Greatest Hits set and tour as part of their 25^th anniversary next year.

He first quit the band in 1995 due to his bad ways at odds with the others. He returned in 2010 for the chart topping Progress album and toured with them through the UK. He left them again in April 2014.