Robbie Williams' New Deal

LONDON, UK (R. Williams Fans Website) - EMI has re-signed Robbie Williams to the largest record deal in U.K. history.

The deal, depending on whether you believe U.S. or U.K. reports, is valued somewhere between �50 million ($78 million) and �80 million ($124.4 million). The deal is said to be the largest in U.K. history, and second only to Michael Jackson in music history.
"I am rich beyond my wildest dreams," Williams joked at a Wednesday (Oct. 2) press conference in London announcing the deal, as quoted by the BBC.
"Robbie Williams is an extremely talented and versatile artist with a wonderful catalogue of albums," said Alain Levy and David Munns, EMI Recorded Music's Chairman & CEO and Vice Chairman, respectively, in a joint statement released Wednesday. "We are delighted to have signed a new deal on terms which are good for both parties and to be working with him for many years to come".

Williams has sold over 20 million albums as a solo artist since defecting from British boy band Take That in 1995. His fifth solo effort, Escapology, is due in the U.K. on Nov. 18.

Escapology, Williams' third U.S. release, will surface Stateside on Capitol Records in early 2003, according to a spokesperson for EMI North America. Williams has sold just under 700,000 copies of his first two solo albums in the U.S. on Capitol.

The biggest U.K. record deal previously belonged to Elton John, who signed a �42 million ($66 million) deal in 1996.