If you would have told
Gary Barlow in 1989 after he'd signed with Nigel Martin-Smith, that
23 years later he would be staging one of the world's biggest outdoor
pop concerts in recognition of the Queen's 60 years on the throne, he
would have laughed at you with that cheeky boyish grin. Well Ladies &
Gentlemen, that, is exactly what he has done and for that I would
myself most dearly award him a knighthood. Here is a boy that became
a man almost overnight due mostly for his love of music. By the time
he was ten all he wanted for Christmas was a keyboard having watched
Depeche Mode on Top of The Pops. As with all good fairy tales...the
rest is history.
He's had his fair share
of knocks from the press over the years regarding his bland
music/lyrics, his dress sense and his biggest demon...weight issues.
I have followed Gary & Co's career closely and have not once
found a bad song written by him yet. As I watched the other night on
TV a documentary on Gary's making of the single Sing for the Queen's
Jubilee, I was astounded at just how far his career behind the scenes
has risen. He was meticulous in finding a common ground for his
lyrics in the song, that he spent weeks on the road, travelling the
Commonwealth to find musicians to include on the single – a massive
200 in all. I bet Robbie’s £80m EMI deal seems very small to what
is about to bestow Gary. A massive well done and boy do you now
deserve a knighthood.