Robbie, Howard, Jason, Mark and Gary frolic in the ocean in never-before-seen photos taken more than 30 years ago
WORDS: KENZI DEVINE PHOTOS: JANET MACOSKA/ICONIC IMAGES, GETTY
BEACH BOYS
It’s been more three decades since Take That first took to the stage, but with their This Life tour kicking off this month, there’s no sign of the band hanging up their mics any time soon.
Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen are heading across the UK and Ireland to perform for their fans, their first tour since the Greatest Hits Live tour celebrating the band’s 30th anniversary back in 2019.
While Gary, now 53, Mark, 52, and Howard, 55, have made up the band for the last decade, Take That was originally a five-piece, with Robbie Williams, now 50, and Jason Orange, 53, completing the line-up. Coming together in 1990, the group made waves in the music industry, going on to become the most successful boyband in UK chart history.
Before they were household names, Gary, Mark and Robbie were performing as a trio named The Cutest Rush. They were then joined by Jason and Howard, who were members of breakdancing group Street Beat, to create Take That. Robbie, the youngest member of the band, was just 16 years old at the time.
Created as Britain’s answer to US boyband New Kids On The Block, Take That catapulted to fame with their 1992 single It Only Takes A Minute, followed by Gary’s first ballad, A Million Love Songs, which both reached No7 in the UK charts. Their debut album, Take That & Party, followed shortly after and reached No2, remaining in the UK Top 75 for a whopping 73 weeks. Take That mania had begun and the quintet were Britain’s biggest pop act.
With their cheeky smiles, Northern charm and infectious energy, the boys – who all hailed from the North West – had captured the hearts of the nation.
After enjoying massive success across Europe, the band attempted to crack the US, heading across the pond to Miami in 1993 for a promotional shoot with photographer Janet Macoska. In newly unearthed snaps from the shoot shared with OK!, the lads can be seen enjoying some time at the beach and showing off their ripped physiques.
A lively Robbie, Gary, Howard, Mark and Jason are wearing tiny shorts and big grins as they frolic in the ocean. Other shots show the band rollerskating across the promenade in typical 90s outfits, and frontman Gary on a swing. Never one to blend in with the crowd, Robbie catches the eye in purple trousers and a shirt. And a fresh
