Robbie Williams's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Robbie Williams.

Robbie Williams is an English singer and songwriter who rose to prominence as a member of the pop group Take That (1990-1995) before embarking on a successful solo career in 1996. His debut album, *Life thru a Lens* (1997), featured the hit single "Angels". He achieved further success with his second album, *I've Been Expecting You*, which included his first two number-one singles, "Millennium" and "She's the One". Williams has a discography boasting seven UK number-one singles and nearly all his albums reaching number one in the UK. He holds a Guinness World Record for selling 1.6 million tickets in a single day during his 2006 tour.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

June 1996: Signed with Chrysalis Records

On 27 June 1996, after legal battles to free himself from his Take That contract, Robbie Williams signed with Chrysalis Records.

2000: Release of Rock DJ

In 2000, Robbie Williams released "Rock DJ" as a single, which reached number one in the UK and New Zealand and won several awards, including "Best Song of 2000" at the MTV Europe Music Awards.

Loading Video...

2000: Most Successful Album-Artist of the Millennium

In October 2010, Media Control named Robbie Williams the most successful album-artist of the millennium due to the fact that he had spent No. 1 on the German Albums Chart for 38 weeks since 2000.

2000: Topped UK airplay chart

Robbie Williams topped the 2000–2010 UK airplay chart, solidifying his popularity in the UK.

2002: Record-breaking contract with EMI

In 2002, Robbie Williams signed a record-breaking £80 million contract with EMI, which gave him greater creative control and aimed to break him into the US market. This remains the biggest music deal in British history.

August 2003: Knebworth concerts

From August 1st to 3rd, 2003, Robbie Williams performed three consecutive concerts at Knebworth, each attended by 125,000 people. This was the biggest event in UK music history at the time.

2003: Knebworth concerts

In 2003, Robbie Williams' three concerts at Knebworth drew over 375,000 people, marking the UK's biggest music event at the time.

2004: Induction into the UK Music Hall of Fame

In 2004, Robbie Williams was inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame after being voted as the Greatest artist of the 1990s, recognizing his significant contributions to music.

November 2005: MTV Europe Music Award and Guinness World Record

In November 2005, Robbie Williams won the MTV Europe Music Award for 'Best Male'. He also entered The Guinness Book of World Records for selling 1.6 million tickets in one day for his 2006 World Tour.

2005: "Angels" voted Best Single of the Past Twenty-Five Years

In 2005, eight years after its release, Robbie William's song "Angels" was voted the "Best Single of the Past Twenty-Five Years" at the Brit Awards.

Loading Video...

2005: "Angels" Voted Most Desired Funeral Song

In 2005, the British public voted Robbie Williams' song "Angels" as the song they would most like played at their funeral, showcasing the song's emotional impact.

Loading Video...

2006: World Tour Announcement and Ticket Sales

In 2006, Robbie Williams announced his World Tour, resulting in 1.6 million tickets being sold in a single day, earning him a place in The Guinness Book of World Records.

2006: Guinness World Record

In 2006, Robbie Williams earned a Guinness World Record for selling 1.6 million tickets in a single day during his Close Encounters Tour.

2008: Record Album Sales

By 2008, Robbie Williams had sold more albums in the UK than any other British solo artist in history, solidifying his place as a top-selling artist.

October 2009: Outstanding Contribution to British Music Award

In October 2009, it was announced that Robbie Williams would receive the Outstanding Contribution to British Music award at the 2010 Brit Awards.

2009: Guinness World Record for Cinematic Screening

In 2009, Robbie Williams appeared in the Guinness Book of World Records when his sell-out show at the BBC Electric Proms at London's Roundhouse was screened by more than 250 cinemas across 23 countries, setting a new record for the most simultaneous cinematic screenings of a live concert.

July 2010: Rejoined Take That

On 15 July 2010, Robbie Williams reconciled with his former colleagues and rejoined Take That.

October 2010: Release of In and Out of Consciousness: The Greatest Hits 1990–2010

In October 2010, Robbie Williams released his second greatest hits album, In and Out of Consciousness: The Greatest Hits 1990–2010, celebrating 20 years as a performing artist. The single "Shame", written and sung by Williams and Barlow, was also released.

Loading Video...

2010: Topped UK airplay chart

Robbie Williams topped the 2000–2010 UK airplay chart, solidifying his popularity in the UK.

2011: Wealth Estimate in Sunday Times Rich List

In 2011, Robbie Williams's wealth was estimated at £90 million in the Sunday Times Rich List of wealthiest people in the British music industry.

2014: Awarded freedom of Stoke-on-Trent

In 2014, Robbie Williams was awarded the freedom of his hometown, Stoke-on-Trent, and was honored with a tourist trail and streets named after him.

2017: Brits Icon Award

In 2017, Robbie Williams received the Brits Icon award for his "lasting impact on British culture", adding to his already impressive collection of Brit Awards.