January 11, 2008 12:18

Robbie Williams goes on strike

Singer threatening to withhold music from record label

Robbie Williams had gone on strike in protest against Terra Firma - the company that recently bought his record label EMI.

The star is threatening is withholding his new album, which had been scheduled to be released in September, from the label.

He is striking because, according to his manager, Tim Clark, he believes Guy Hands, the new head of EMI is behaving like a “plantation owner”.

Clark told The Times: “The question is, ‘Should Robbie deliver the new album he is due to release to EMI?’ We have to say the answer is ‘No’.

“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.

“EMI can sue or pay up his contract. Robbie needs to know what services EMI can provide to an artist of his standing.”

Meanwhile Coldplay’s manager David Holmes said that his band had been surprised by recent changes at the label, saying that the band were disappointed by the departure of Tony Wadsworth, who used to be head of EMI’s UK and Ireland music division.

“Tony was the reason a lot of bands signed to EMI,” he said. “Artists want to work with music people, not finance guys.”