Tuesday 5 June 2012

“Arise Sir Gary Barlow”



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.