Gary Barlow

Gary Barlow OBE born 20 January 1971 is an English songwriter singer record producer and television personality He is the lead singer of the pop group Take That Barlow is one of the United Kingdoms most successful songwriters having written thirteen numberone singles ten with Take That two solo one with the Robbie Williams song Candy and twentyfour topten hits As a solo artist he has had three numberone singles six topten singles and three numberone albums and has additionally had seventeen topfive hits twelve numberone singles and eight numberone albums with Take That Barlow has also established himself as a talent show judge and television personality He has judged on The X Factor UK 20112013 as well as Let It Shine 2017 and Walk the Line 2021 Barlow has received six Ivor Novello Awards from the British Academy of Songwriters Composers and Authors including the award for Outstanding Services to British Music He has sold over 50 million records worldwide He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire OBE at the 2012 Queens Birthday Honours for his services to the entertainment industry and charity According to the British Phonographic Industry BPI Barlow as a solo artist has been certified for 11 million albums and 18 million singles in the UK Gary Barlow was born on 20 January 1971 in Frodsham Cheshire the second son of Colin died 15 October 2009 and Marjorie Barlow née Cowan He attended Weaver Vale Primary School and moved on to Frodsham High School in 1982 In Barlows autobiography he relates that his love of music began at an early age and calls himself one of those kids thats forever dancing in front of the TV looking at his reflection He was heavily influenced by late 1970s and 1980s pop music At age 10 after watching Depeche Mode perform on Top of the Pops Barlow acquired his first keyboard he practiced constantly thereafter Barlow has also identified Trevor Horn and future collaborators Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark OMD as important early influences He has credited Elton John with inspiring him to play the piano The first CD he bought was by the Pet Shop Boys who later supported Take That on the Progress Live tour in 2011 In 1986 when Barlow was 15 years old he entered a BBC Pebble Mill at One Christmas song competition with Lets Pray for Christmas After reaching the semifinals he was invited to Londons West Heath Studios to record his song This inspired him to perform on the northern club circuit singing cover versions and his own songs Barlows first performance was in Wales at the Connahs Quay Labour Club in the late 1980s and he was paid 18 per performance on Saturday evenings where he performed songs such as Michael Jacksons The Way You Make Me Feel and The Power of Love by Frankie Goes To Hollywood Source Article Gary Barlow from Wikipedia in English licensed under CCBYSA 30