Mark Owen
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Mark
was the cute one, the one that was showered with chocolates
and teddy bears and awards for 'sexiest male' and 'best haircut'
at award ceremonies. His loveable smile and honest ways made him
the most popular Thatter of all with the biggest fan base.
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He grew up in a catholic family in Oldham, Greater Manchester in the North of England, where he attended The Holy Rosary Junior school. At the age of 11 Marke then moved on to St. Ausgustines Catholic School. At home, he shared a room with his brother Daniel, and sister Tracey in a small council house that could quite easily be part of the UK's famous Manchester-based soap opera 'Coronation Street'.
In his younger years, Mark could usually be found playing football and impersonating Elvis Presley, his idol. Mark fondly tells a story of the time he broke a window at the back of the house whilst playing football in the back alley. Afraid of what his parents would say, he trotted off to buy a new pane of glass - when his parents found him. he was covered in blood from the cuts he had got from trying to replace the window! That
alley way has now become a shrine to Mark fans, who tour
Manchester and leave messages on the wall despite the fact
that Mark and his parents no longer live there. The bleach
is still evident where his mum had tried to clean it off
before she left! |
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It was around this time he also had a trial out with Huddersfield Town, Manchester United and Rochdale football clubs, but he damaged his groin and was unable to continue.
To earn some extra money, Mark started work at Strawberry Studios, as teaboy during the weekends. He became good friends with one of the singers working on some demo tapes and it is from this point that Mark's life began to change.
That singer was Gary Barlow! Mark and Gary joined forces to form a band called The Cutest Rush. Gary was in touch with local Talent Agent, Nigel Martin-Smith and it wasn't long before the idea of recruiting two other members to form a 'boy band' began to take form.
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Jason and Howard had strolled into Nigel's office one day looking for management for their new 'dance act' only to be confronted by Nigel's suggestion they join together with Mark and Gary. That leaves only one person in Mark's life to yet appear, Robbie. Rob's mum saw an advert in a local newspaper from Nigel searching for the final member of the band and applied on Robbie's behalf. Robbie was the last of the Thatter's to enter Mark's life and the person with whom he would form a good friendship. |
During his Take That days, Mark was never really interested in writing songs for the band. However, since the split he has become a talented artist in his own right. His first two singles Child and Clementine both reached number 3. After that things were quiet for a couple of years on the music front.
However, Mark was still out and about on the football pitch, playing in the annual charity event Soccer Six or occasionally making an appearance on TV in programmes such as Mind the Buzzcocks. In 2000 he made a series called Celebrity Scooters for BBC Choice (now BBC 3), in which he travelled through Belgium and Holland during Euro 2000, a football championship.
After Take That split in 1996, Mark dated an art student named Joanna Kelly and embarked on a solo career and started writing his own songs. His first two singles, 'Child' and 'Clementine' both reached number 3. In 1997 his first album Green Man was released, charting at 33. After another single, 'I Am What I Am' charted at 29, Mark was dropped by BMG Records in late 1997. The next few years were quiet for Mark, who would still make the occasional TV appearance on programs like Never Mind The Buzzcocks or play in the annual charity event Soccer Six.
In November 2002, Mark took part in and won Celebrity Big Brother. This returned him to the spotlight and signed a deal with Island/Universal Records. In August 2003 Mark received a call from his old bandmate, Robbie Williams who invited Mark to perform with him live on stage at Knebworth. Mark returned to the charts with a new single 'Four Minute Warning' which reached number 4 in the charts and released his second album 'In Your Own Time' in November that year. After his next single 'Alone Without You' charted at 26, Mark was dropped by Island/Universal Records.
In April 2004 Mark established his own record company, Sedna Records and released a new single 'Makin' Out' which reached 30 in the charts. Mark also released his third album 'How The Mighty Fall' and single 'Believe In The Boogie' which charted at 57 in 2005. The last single to be released from the album was 'Hail Mary' which charted at 103.
Then in 2005 Mark took part in the documentary Take That for the Record, which brought Take That back together to record their story. From this came the wonderful news that, at long last, Take That were getting back together for a THE REUNION Tour! Take That announced that they were going on Tour in Spring 2006. The Tour was a sell out within half an hour and more dates added, which sold out in 15 minutes.
Then on 19th August 2006, Mark became a dad for the first time, following the birth of his son Elwood Jack to his fiance Emma Ferguson. There then followed the No 1album Beautiful World, from which the No 1 single Shine was released on which Mark took lead vocals. This was followed by another record-breaking Tour in 2007.