Robbie Williams To Go On Strike Over EMI Takeover

Robbie Williams is refusing to work for his record label, EMI, following the company’s takeover by private equity firm Terra Firma.

Williams was due to release a new album in September but is now considering his future at the company, according to his manager.

“The question is, ‘Should Robbie deliver the new album he is due to release to EMI?’ We have to say the answer is ‘No’,” explained Tim Clark, Williams’ manager.

“We have no idea how EMI will market and promote the album. They do not have anyone in the digital sphere capable of doing the job required. All we know is they are going to decimate their staff.”

Mr Clark’s comments in an interview with The Times come just days after EMI’s UK chief executive Tony Wadsworth left the label after more than 25 years with the company.

Wadsworth’s exit is likely to be the first in a number of high profile departures ahead of an extensive shake-up by EMI’s new boss Guy Hands.

Coldplay, who are due to release new album ‘Prospekt’ with EMI later this year, are considering their position with the label following Wadsworth’s departure.

“Why would you want to release an album with a record company in the midst of massive lay-offs? Coldplay have a lot of options. They are in no hurry to deliver their new album,” their manager Dave Holmes said.

Meanwhile, Mr Clark said that Williams may opt to follow Radiohead’s recent business model of allowing fans to download music via their website.

He added that Williams was trying to seek control over his back-catalogue with EMI. Last year, Radiohead left EMI after failing to gain control of their previous releases with the label.

The unrest caused by Terra Firma’s £2.4 billion pound takeover last summer also prompted Sir Paul McCartney to leave EMI, opting instead for a deal with Starbucks’ Hear Music label.