Product Description

Take That was the original and the best British boy band ever. Their records sold millions, and they sold out arenas in less time than it took to play one of their singles. Gary Barlow was the band's secret weapon: their gifted, down-to-earth front man who not only wrote most of their greatest hits - "Back for Good", "Never Forget", and "A Million Love Songs" - but sang them too. But the band decided to quit at the height of their fame. What followed for Gary is an inspiring journey of highs and lows: from the promising start of his solo career to his crisis in confidence. The public who had once worshipped him almost seemed to forget he existed. Much has been said about Gary but he himself has remained silent until now. For the first time, Gary tells his full story from his childhood in Cheshire to life after Take That: the early start at thirteen working in a social club; a career as a teenager working the northern clubs; and the life-changing moment when he met Nigel Martin-Smith, a Manchester modeling agent who wanted to put together a boy-band. Gary will reveal what life on the road with Take That was really like and the truth behind the rumours of their petty feuding. He will also finally settle the speculation around his painfully public fall-out with Robbie. Throughout his experiences Gary has remained as determined and as positive as he was when he was given his first keyboard at eleven. It is this determination and spirit that has helped him bounce back. He has established himself as a successful songwriter writing for the likes of Blue, Delta Goodrem, and Charlotte Church. And now he's made one of pop's great comebacks with the Take That reunion tour, ten years after the band split up. Gary Barlow and Take That are back centre stage once again - where they belong.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #18986 in Books
• Published on: 2006-10-05
• Released on: 2006-10-05
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 278 pages

Review
'You'll be hooked' Heat 'A must-read for fans' Sunday Express 'Insightful, honest and revealing' Heat 'This is an honest and down-to-earth read' Sun

Natasha Harding, The Sun
`This is an honest and down-to-earth read'

Sunday Times
`Entertaining ... Barlow makes an unfailingly reliable narrator'

Customer Reviews

brilliant read
Well written page turner from Gary Barlow. This book is a real eye opener, I had always assumed that Gary was the boring one but NOT SO this book is full of gossip and revelations on Take That's rise to glory.

His comments on his Manager, Nigel Martin-Smith are absolutely hilarious! Gary has such a great sense of humour.

He talks about his personal life and his public life in a very honest way, the book includes some wonderful photos for Take That fans. Gary is not afraid to admit his faults along the way and I admire his honesty.

It is clear he is a committed family man and they in turn are totally devoted to him.

This book deals with his feelings about the current Take That revival which is proving to be a massive success.

Recommended reading - LONG OVERDUE FOR TAKE THAT FANS

Fan or not, doesnt matter - Couldnt put it down..
Admittedly I do have a bit of a soft spot for Gary Barlow, but this has only been since take that's 'rebirth' last year, as I was too young to appreciate the band the first time around. Yet that doesn't matter if you are a fan or not.
This book not only takes you on a tour of the bands highs and lows but the personal hurdles Gary has overcome too; good and bad.
I found myself smiling along with him, laughing with him, bracing myself during the tough moments...and when I came to the last page I didn't want it to end.

To sum, it has made me appreciate Gary Barlow as a song writer and a singer, as a performer and a band member, he is a marvel who desreves everything he has worked so hard for.

Gary Barlow - My Take

I have to say what a thoroughly enjoyable read this book was. Although I was never a take that fan back in the 90's I was fascinated to read Gary's side of events after seeing him on Jonathan Ross, and also after watching the Take That Documentary at the end of last Year.

The book is an honest account of how things were in the Take That days, and the eventful lives they all lived at that time. Gary is also not frightened of highlighting mistakes he made and reflecting on how his actions may have led to some of the animosity between him and other band members.

It is very informative and a fascinating read. It is clear from reading the book that Gary is a very well grounded lad (which is understandable when you read about his early days performing on his organ in small working mens clubs) and although he likes his extravagances (Cheshires answer to Elton John...by his own admission!!) he truely has a well balanced understanding of the important things in life.

You can't help but warm to the guy and empathise with the struggle he went through after the break up of Take That, and the way the media tried their best to destroy him.

He has a very refreshing attitude to all that has gone on, good and bad in his life, and you get a real sense that writing the book has helped him to face his demons and finally put the past behind him.

A great read