1999 MSN Webchat

23 August 1999
Robbie's first ever live webchat...the first of many to come!

MSN Live says: Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the Robbie Williams Online Chat. We have had an estimated 69,000 questions in advance on 23,000 emails.

Questions have come in from all over the world - two-thirds from the USA and Canada. There have also been emails from Vietnam, New Mexico, Italy, Spain, Germany, Hong Kong, Australia, Russia, Iceland, Colombia, Venezuela and South Africa...

The Microsoft Network at www.MSN.co.uk is delighted to welcome audiences from Sky and Skyrocket.co.uk as well as Capital FM and Ireland Online, and of course Robbie's own web site www.RobbieWilliams.com, MSNBC, Hotmail and Link Exchange as well as Windows Media.com, MSN US and MSN International. Good morning all at Nine MSN in Australia. This chat will be repeated directly after the main event.

To whisper a question during the chat please click on a Host (people with gavels by their name) and right-click for options of type and press the middle enter button.

We have had thousands of questions in advance so bear with us, we will try to get as many live as possible.

Ladies and Gentlemen ... Robbie Williams!
Robbie says: Welcome online, everybody! Bollocks! :o)

MSN Live says: lol ! Quite! Robbie you are very welcome :O) ...first question Donald O says: Hello there. After playing third from the top of the bill at last year's Slane gig (and completely stealing the show), how does it feel coming back a year later to do your own headline showand selling it out in record breaking time?
Robbie says: I'm absolutely petrified. There's 80,000 people bought tickets and they're going to come and see me! It's the most petrifying experience of my short life, up to yet!

MSN Live says: Cindy Large says: Rob, I'm so happy that you've finally broken through here in the US. How do you feel about your success so far in America? What further plans do you have for the States? Your #1 American fan.
Robbie says: It's going really well. It's very slow. I think I've sold about a quarter of a million albums .. I've got another single coming out andhopefully that will kick it in good and proper for me.

MSN Live says: Martin Field says: How did u get that scar on your head?
Robbie says: I got it in Switzerland when I was 18 and I was drunk and I dived into the fountain at a reception of a hotel and there was no water in it ...

MSN Live says:
Would you intro the lads behind you.
Robbie says: Introducing ... this is Jonathan
And this is Misty ...
Jonathan's my cousin and I've known him since I was born ... and Misty isn't.

MSN Live says: Ah lol
Robbie says: Chris is Misty's real name :-) and he plays drums in my band. Misty says: Hi!

MSN Live says: Do you think that, in a near future, internet would be another way of seeing your favourite concerts? What makes global broadcast so important to you?
Robbie says: Not much. Sorry. I don't know anything about it, it all baffles me. There's lots of cameras and people typing stuff, but I haven't got a cluewhat it's about ...but it must be good because my managers have told me to be here :-)

MSN Live says: What's in the pipeline right now?
Robbie says: I'm recording Angels 2!. It's the Angels video again but for the Americans - Angels 2 - This Time It's Personal .

MSN Live says: Alettia Munoz says, I've seen you on David Letterman. "Angels" is a beautiful song. When are you going to release that single in North America and what inspired you to write that song? It really moved a little girl from Ireland Angel Donohoe mailed Ireland Online to say that when you had them all singing it at the point depot it really really got to her - and all the audience that night.
Robbie says: Angels is about spirits and believing in people that can help you that aren't necessarily around you and it came at a time when I was very unhappy and I needed guidance from somewhere. And these lyrics came through and I knew it was a special song. The whole thing about it is if I can't rely on myself to get out of the bed in the morning or fulfil my obligations in my work or personal life then I can always lean on somebody else from beyond the grave, to help me out.

MSN Live says: Sharon Hall says: A lot of your songs seem very spiritual, what is your take on spirituality? do you believe in astrology at all, or the Chinese horoscopes, or have you ever consulted someone in that sphere?
Robbie says: Do I have any spirituality? Well, I'm a great believer in the Force. The good and the bad and may the Force be with you. I don't realise I have spirituality until it leaves and then I am just blank and I have nothing at all ...:o) I don't know, I do believe in the Force, though :-)

MSN Live says: Cool.
Wendy Beaney says: When you break the American market, do you anticipate your life needing to be moved and based in the US, like that of George Michael?
Robbie says: I don't know. I haven't got a clue what I'm doing, where I'm going ... I'm 25, I m not sure if I'm in the right job, the right place, where my head is. I'm just suffering from being a 25 yearold at the moment. But I'm enjoying my life :-)

MSN Live says: Nihh says: Would you ever sing in other languages, Spanish, German, French, Italian, perhaps,
etc?
Robbie says: I would do. I was presented with singing ... "Angels" in Spanish and it just didn't sound right, didn't seem right, so I didn't do it. If it sounds sexy and the feeling is still there, then yeah, maybe ...

MSN Live says: Michael says: You have done some cover songs (mostly as b-sides) in the past. Why do you like doing them (such as "Antmusic" or "Making Plans For Nigel"), and are there other songs that you really want to do?
Robbie says: It's really wierd (sic) because those aren't my favourite songs at all. I did "Making Plans for Nigel" out of spite for someone I know called Nigel and "Ant Music" I did because ... I don't know! I wouldn't mind doing "Death on Two Legs" by Queen ...

MSN Live says: There were a couple of questions in the live chat rooms about duets who would you fancy doing it with? You did a great one with Tom Jones.
Robbie says: Yeah, I've done one with Tom Jones. That was great, fantastic. Tom Jones said at the start of the song, he goes: "Are you ready Robbie?" And I said "I'm ready". And he said "You were born ready. I should know. I was there." And I did one with Kylie Minogue.

MSN Live says: Yep, we have a question about that...Neil Murphy says: Is it true you recorded a single with Kylie Minogue? What's it called and what's it like? Who else would you like to work with?
Robbie says: I've had a crush on Kylie since I saw her in dungarees in Neighbours and she had grease all over her face cos she worked in a garage ... Now I can t look her in the face, I'm really insecure about it and I have to leave because THIS IS KYLIE MINOGUE!!!

MSN Live says: ab..so...lutely :o)
Robbie says: But she's gorgeous and she sings really really well ... and she's sexy :-}} and I want to give her baba.

MSN Live says: Lol ! I see. Er....back to the questions There was a track recorded with The Orb. Any more to come?
Robbie says: No. I worked with The Orb and it was kind of a tantastically mad day and I couldn't really talk about it for fear of God knowing what we did.But they are kooky guys, I enjoyed being with them.

MSN Live says: The Queen thing is interesting do you see any similarities many of the emails we received mentioned the similarity people saw between you and Freddie Mercury?
Robbie says: Well, I got rid of the handlebar moustache which didn't seem to work. :o) I do a lot of pretending on stage, if I'm not happy sometimes being Robbie, sometimes I just want to be someone else. Usually Mick Jagger, Tina Turner, Neil Tennant... Jason Orange ;o).

MSN Live says: Sanela Begic -FRAN both say: What is your relationship with Madonna? What did you think of her? Any chance of you working together?
Robbie says: She's a fantastic shag. I don't think that we'll be working together. She hasn't called or faxed me for a long time. Ever. :-(

MSN Live says:
Claire Reynolds What I'd like to ask Robbie is where he got the idea for his song, Jesus In A Campervan?
Robbie says: It came to me when I was in rehab. And a man got out of a VW campervan and he was one of the counsellors there and he looked like Jesus...and that's where it was born, really, from that morning.

MSN Live says: It's Linda Boman here and tjaba (hello in Swedish). Are you a good kisser?
Robbie says: Am I a good kisser? Erm ... Jonathan says I'm good. But he's terrible. Good shag, though.

MSN Live says: Samantha Chamberlain says: What gives you the greatest buzz, performing on stage or sex?
Robbie says: Sex on stage!

MSN Live says: How do you relax?
Robbie says: Good question. I haven't felt relaxed in about 5 weeks, so I don't know really. But I'm getting better. I feel alright today.

MSN Live says: Steve Beebee says: Does Robbie believe that he is a role model, and if so, does he think he is a good one?
Robbie says: I'm completely lost for the majority of the timeand I have no control over a lot of my actions and what I do. Sometimes I feel like a right idiot, sometimes I am a right idiot ...and sometimes I say and do things no human being should do and do so on a regular basis. So don't follow me, I'm lost too.

MSN Live says: Sara.xxxxx Absolutely the most popular question, How do you plan to celebrate the Millennium? Where andwho with? I went to see you in Glasgow this year and you were "pure dead brilliant", as we would say in Glesgae!
Robbie says: I'm really not bothered about the Millennium, I'm never really bothered about any New Year's Eve. I'm going to stock up on a lot of crisps and pop and water... and bread... and make some crisp sandwiches and eat them with water.

MSN Live says: Kate Gushulak Whats in your CD player now?
Robbie says: Nothing!

MSN Live says: lol er...hehe ! What was the last CD you bought?
Robbie says: Well...we've been listening to Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band today.
Oh, I bought Slick Rick's new album.

MSN Live says: Hello, this is Sammy from Vancouver Canada. They have just recently shown your biography "Some Mother's Have 'em" here on Much Music. If you have seen it, did you think that it portrayed you honestly? Will it be shown in the UK?
Robbie says: I think it was a good documentary, I can't remember much about it now. I have the mind of a sieve. I know I didn't not like it so I guess I liked it.

MSN Live says: Will it go out in UK?
Robbie says: It was broadcast in the UK first, Boxing Day.

MSN Live says: Ah drat I'll have to catch the repeat :o) Claire Martin says:I loved your last gig at Wembley Arena. Thestage and projected videos and graphics looked great. How much input do you have in the presentation of your concerts.
Robbie says: I know where the stage is. And I manage to get there many evenings, but apart from that ... yes, I OK things. People bring me things and I go yes or no.

MSN Live says: Kathy Mathews Your songs seem rather autobiographical and I wonder how it feels to put your soul out there for all to see. Is it hard to do or rather like you're getting it out of your system. Wish I could see you at Slane Castle, but I'll be watching on MSN!
Robbie says: I heard someone say on the telly one day that you should write songs about what you know about and I'm self-obsessed so I write about me. I'm the only me I know about so it makes sense.

MSN Live says:
It's a story captured the imagination of the people mailing in. Donna (RW NO1 FAN) Ward / Sanela Begic says: Ask Robbie if he would ever consider making a movie?
Robbie says: Yeah, lots of people want me in lots of different things and that's very flattering, that people are considering me for stuff. The films have quality, I d like to think and sooner or later I'll be branching out. I'd like to give it all up, actually. If I could take a pill that would make you completely satisfied working for charity, I'd take it now...Charity or swimming baths.

MSN Live says: ANGIE HOMER says: Bearing similarity to a James Bond Movie on your "I've been expecting you" album and your fantastic video for "Millennium" Would you like to be the next James Bond Movie as 007 Or would you prefer to play the villain or perhaps himself? Would you prefer to play bond or villain?
Robbie says: I'd like to play a gay villain. "Come back, we weren't expecting you. Get the lar-maaay out ..."

MSN Live says: What have we to expect by your book of poetry that you may bring out in the future?
Robbie says: Give us a poem? I've said so many depressing things this evening ... so why change now? No. They'll be in the book.

MSN Live says: Sarah Andrews says: Do you have a "best mate"? Is anyone given licence to tell you the real truth? If so, who is it?
Robbie says:No, I haven't got a best mate ... The one I've got is a 2@

MSN Live says: Lol aha a bit of net slang! (keeps an eye on Robbie who clearly knows a trick or two) What is the best thing about being a Port Vale FC fan? Mickhala and Chris Jackson.
Robbie says: It's getting to see all the beautiful stadiums and football players :-)

MSN Live says: Alan Baker When are you going to rescue the club from the clutches of Bill Bell ? I reckon that you'd get it for 2M. I've always wondered whether you think that the club has made the most of your success? Do they invite you as guest of honour etc? If you can't buy the club, how about buying us a new forward?
Robbie says: I think that getting into football being Chairman is losing a lot of money. I wouldn't mind fronting a consortium, I have a lot of passion for sex .. are we talking about football now? I'd like to see the finances going the right way and the club being handled as best as possible. Which it isn't right now. But that's another story.

MSN Live says: Jen Vass says: I want to know about his tattoo. What it means how he chose the design and whether he has plans to extend it. What does it mean and can we have a look?
Robbie says: What does it mean? I don't know, I woke up one day and it was there... (shows Tattoo on upper arm).

MSN Live says: It 's fabulous, Is it Maori?
Robbie says: It's Maori and it's a prayer to a hammerhead shark and it's protecting me from myself. That's what all the tattoos are about. (Shows other arm) This is a lion, that protects me too. "Born to be mild" - it was just a whim I wish I hadn't got done :o(

MSN Live says: Robbie many of the emails we got mentioned you were a Star Wars fan we have a present for you....and while I get it perhaps you can take this question :o) What did you think of the new Star Wars movie?
Robbie says: I went to see the Star Wars movie at George Lucas's ranch in San Francisco, Skywalker Ranch, and I was so overwhelmed by the offer of being taken there ...and being privy to George Lucas's land that I don't think I took in the film as much as I could have done, as I was so thrilled to be there. So I'm going to go and see it again. I remember I enjoyed how it looked.

MSN Live says: We heard you already had a Storm Trooper, so reckoned you'd need this - at the risk that you might already have one, here is a hand made replica of the original 1977 Star Wars Lightsaber. It was made using all the original parts. This is Anakin Skywalker's Light Saber. He makes it and leaves it with Obi Wan Kenobi to pass on to his son Luke. Whoever plays the older Anakin in the next StarWars movie will have to make this to pass it on...
Robbie says: Do you know what, I nearly bought it. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!

MSN Live says: So, it's an exact replica of the one Luke uses in A New Hope Episode IV. It's our pleasure, it's to wish you every good luck in everything youdo, and hey, may the force be with you.
Robbie says: It's fantastic!!!! :-)))))

MSN Live says: Til says: Did you by any chance enjoy wearing the make-up and outfit for the "Let Me Entertain
You" video? Anji Pierce-Taylor: You did wear a skirt and a dress on TOTP. Is there something you want to tell us?
Robbie says: Yeah, I think it's about time I finally admitted to the world... that I'm straight. There's been a rumour going around for sometime that I am straight, and I've chatted to my mother and father about it and they're fine that I can be what I want to be. There's a pressure for boy bands and I tried very hard to conform ... but I'd like to say once and for all - and I think it's a brave step to admit this .... If anyone else wants to come back into the closet and admit their heterosexuality, then please follow me and come in. It's no good living a lie.

MSN Live says: Nicola Ritchie: You sing a song called "These Dreams" - What dreams in life have you accomplished and what ambitions have you yet to achieve?
Robbie says: One dream? I'd like to have a family and I'd like my children to love their Dad. And I'd like my wife to love her dog.

MSN Live says: Michele Bello Hello. Just wanted to say that I think Robbie absolutely rocks. I'm a new Robbie Williams fan, just heard of him when I moved to the UK (from Canada), and now I want to learn everything about him that I can. So my question: I'm sure I saw Robbie Williams singing in a group with a bunch of other guys on MTV one night. Did he sing with another group before going solo? What was the name of the group? Keep up the great songs Robbie!

Thanks a lot for coming online and look forward to seeing you at Slane.
Robbie says: Thanks for having us. (aside to Jonathan and Misty) You two were crap! Bye!!!!

MSN Live says: Bye bye
Robbie says: Thanks everybody!!!

MSN Live says: Thanks Robbie, that was great fun. For more Robbie see the Webcast archive footage for extra questions and answers. Don't forget to come back on Sunday 28th of August to see Robbie live in concert. Concert times: 8pm BST, 7pm GMT, 12pm PT, 3pm ET, 9pm CET, 5am AEST

Courtesy of MSN.