Gary Barlow was so devastated by his flop solo career after Take That's split in 1996, he refused to sing in public for seven years.
- May 3, 2011
AceShowbiz - Gary Barlow launched his own career after the group disbanded, and his debut album "Open Road" topped the charts in the U.K. in 1997.
However, the follow-up - 1999's "Twelve Months", "Eleven Days" - limped into the charts at number 35 and Gary Barlow retreated from the spotlight, concentrating on his songwriting career.
The star has now admitted he was so disheartened by his lack of success, he stopped singing in public altogether.
He tells Britain's The Sun, "I never saw myself being back on stage again. Now I can look back and see just how bad things were."
"I realised I had spent seven years where I never sang at all, until I got back with the lads. Well, I'd sing in the studio, but never outside. I thought I was done and abandoned."
"The reason I hadn't thought about going back on stage was that there was no possibility of people wanting me back up there. It was horrible the way it ended. Nobody wants any involvement in you whatsoever."
Take That reunited as a four-piece - without original member Robbie Williams - in 2006 and Barlow took to the stage for the first time since his solo career. The group, now with Williams, is embarking on a summer tour of Europe as a five-piece - and Barlow can't wait.
He adds, "We are a happy band this time and we have lived a bit. I think it takes the seriousness out of music this time - every day is special for us."
