English singer-songwriter, record producer and TV personality Gary Barlow was born 54 years ago in Frodsham, Cheshire, is married and has 3 children. He is best known as the lead singer of the pop band ‘Take That’.
Gary’s interest towards music began at a very young age and when he was 10, started playing the keyboard and later the piano. Pop music of the late 70s and early 80s was his major influence, plus singers and groups like Elton John, OMD, Depeche Mode and Pet Shop Boys.
At age 15, Gary participated in a song competition and made it to the semi-finals. He was then invited to a studio to record the participating song, which encouraged him to begin performing in clubs, singing songs he himself composed as well as cover versions.
In 1989, Gary met a casting agent who wished to create a boy band and Barlow was chosen as lead singer after the agent heard his material and was positively impressed. So the group ‘Take That’ was formed, made up of 5 members. Their first album was released in 1992, followed by another two during the rest of the 90s. They included hits like ‘Pray’, ‘Could it be Magic’, ‘A Million love Songs’, ‘It only takes a Minute’, ‘Everything Changes’ and ‘Relight my Fire’. During this period, Gary also recorded 2 solo albums, with the first one being very successful and the second not as much.
Gary quit singing in late 1999 and began composing songs for other artists until 2004. He started singing again and appeared in a TV documentary featuring the band ‘Take That’ which proved very successful. The group reunited in 2006 and Gary wrote most of the band’s songs and 7 more albums were recorded until 2023. Meanwhile, Gary also released 4 solo albums until 2021.
Late in 2024, Gary announced that he would be embarking on a solo tour in his homeland in April this year and will be performing a total of 41 shows across the country.
Barlow is considered as one of the most successful songwriters in the UK. He wrote/co-wrote over 300 tracks including songs for movies and stage plays, as well as collaborated with numerous artists.
Apart from music, Gary appeared in some TV shows and movies and published 3 books. He is also known for his charitable work and huge donations, particularly in support of children.
During his career, Gary received 19 awards, including 6 Ivor Novello, 2 National Television and 2 GQ, amongst others. In 2012, he was appointed as Officer of the Order of the British Empire by HM Queen Elizabeth II in recognition for his services to charity and music.
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