Take That in 1990/1991

During the summer of 1990, Jason and Howard went to see well known local manager Nigel Martin-Smith for a bit of support and guidance. At around the same time Gary's aunt had told him about an Acting Agency that was looking for extra's and who also managed singers. Gary who had been working with Mark made an appointment and took his demo tape along, just in case.

Nigel, who also managed Damian, had decided that he wanted to manage another musical venture and had found the 4 people who he wanted to be in a group. He felt an extra member was needed so in stepped Robbie Williams.

Once all the members were decided on, Nigel set up meetings with all the band's parents and contracts were signed in September 1990.

TT first mission as a band was shopping in London. While walking past Hyper Hyper in Kensington High Street, Jason spotted a leather jacket with tassles and instantly bought it. Everyone else then had to find something to match and the leather look was born!

The band's first show was a night-club in Huddersfield called "Flicks" Gary remembers "There were only about 20 people out there and a dog, and only about 10 of those were interested in watching" The show included some of the songs on the band's demo tape (which included A Million Love Songs, Another Crack In My Heart and various other tracks that never made it onto any TT release, the tape is now a collectors item with only a few dozen copies ever being made). The band were paid around £20 which according to Jason "paid for a Kentucky fried chicken for each of us"

Word soon spread about this great new band and a regular slot on the BSB show "Cool Cube" was secured in March 1991. The band performed a different song each week. Gary wrote 2 songs especially for the show, Waiting Around, (which appeared as the B-side of Do What You Like) and Girl.

The band undertook a low-key tour of Scotland during April and plans were made to release a debut single, Do What You Like.

Nigel had been passing the band demo tapes around, but the major record companies were showing little interest in the band so it was decided to release the single on Nigel's own label, Dance UK.

Do What You Like entered the UK charts at Number 82. The major record companies were now interested, and the band signed to RCA in September 1991.

October saw the release of the band's second single "Promises". Gone was the leather look and a more natural look appeared. The band were doing 1 or 2 shows a night and also appeared on some major TV shows including Wogan, Pebble Mill and Going Live. "Promises" entered the UK charts at Number 38. Work on the album had began and it looked like the band were finally on their way.



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