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Guy Chambers is an English songwriter, musician and record producer, best known for his work with Robbie Williams. He has been a part of 34 Gold/Platinum certified albums (UK and US) including twelve #1 albums, and 22 Top 10 singles including six number 1 singles.

Biography [edit]

Chambers wrote music from an early age and had performed in London when he was just 11. When he was 15, Chambers composed and performed in a rock opera for his school in Liverpool. From 18, he studied composition and piano at the Guildhall School of Music, London, winning the composition prize in 1985. While at the Guildhall, Chambers started to record his own songs and performed with a band called ‘The Burmoe Brothers’ releasing their first single, featuring Marc Almond "Skin" on Some Bizarre Records in 1984. After graduating, he toured as a keyboard player with, among others, Julian Cope and The Waterboys before joining World Party in 1986. He co-wrote, with Karl Wallinger, on the band’s most successful album: "Bang!". He appeared on the Mission’s Carved in Sand, providing the orchestral arrangement and keyboards for the song "Grapes of Wrath" and was producer for the short-lived group Stress with their eponymous debut album.

In 1992 Chambers formed his own band The Lemon Trees and wrote, produced and performed with them until they disbanded in 1995. The band only released one album, though a second one was completed but not released because the record company didn't like it. Following the end of The Lemon Trees, Chambers spent time writing successfully with Cathy Dennis and others until an opportune meeting facilitated by music industry veteran Paul Curran with Robbie Williams in January 1997.

Work with Robbie Williams [edit]

Chambers collaborated as songwriter, producer & musical director on Robbie Williams' first five solo albums, which all reached number 1 in the United Kingdom and have globally sold over 40 million records to date. Chambers co-wrote a variety of Williams' best known tracks, including "Rock DJ", "Feel", "Millennium", "Let Me Entertain You", "Angels", "Supreme", "No Regrets" and "Eternity".

For his work with Williams, Chambers won three BRITS, three Ivor Novello awards, a Q classic Songwriter award, MTV Video Music Award for Best Special Effects, Rock DJ and an MMF best produced record award for I've Been Expecting You.

Chambers produced a cover of the Carole King/Gerry Goffin classic "Goin' Back" for Diana Ross, which was the only new song recorded for her Gold certified "Love & Life: The Very Best of Diana Ross" in 2001.

Chambers has since co-written the song "Blasphemy" for Robbie Williams' 2009 album Reality Killed the Video Star.

Recent work [edit]

Nov 2012: Guy and Robbie Williams are reunited onstage for Robbie's sell-out shows at the 02. This marked a very special moment for the songwriting duo as they haven't performed on a stage together for ten years.

October 2012: Guy Chambers, Steve Rotheram MP and Kenny Dalglish called a press conference in the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday 25 October 2012 to announce the release of the charity single He Ain't Heavy ... He's My Brother - a cover of the Hollies classic which aims to raise funds - and seek justice for - the Hillsborough families who lost 96 loved ones in the historic football disaster of 1989. Artists who have already pledged their support and will feature on the single include: Paul McCartney, Mick Jones, Robbie Williams, Paloma Faith, Beverley Knight, Pete Wylie, Holly Johnson, Dave McCabe, Ren Harvieu, Paul Heaton, Hollie Cook, Jon McClure, John Power, Gerry Marsden, Rebecca Ferguson, Paul Heaton, Shane MacGowan, Melanie C with many more to be announced in days to come. Speaking the press conference Guy said: '“I am deeply honoured to be asked to produce this record for the 96. If we can help to raise money to support the families’ legal battle so that they finally get their time in court then our job will be done. I spent my teenage years in Liverpool and feel a deep affection for both its musical heritage and the unique solidarity of its people."' The single will be released on the 17th December 2012 and all proceeds will go to the families.

2011: Guy works with the BBC's The Voice star Tyler James. Together they penned 'Single Tear', the first track from Tyler's second studio album 'A Place I Go' due for release in October 2012. In addition to working with Tyler James, Chambers has also been working with English singer-songwriter's Katy B and Charlene Soraia on their new material.

2011: Chambers teams up with English singer/rapper Example co-writing the song "Microphone" which featured on Example's number 1 album, Playing In The Shadows. In the same year, Chambers worked with Marlon Roudette in which he produced and co-wrote Roudette's single "New Age". The track was initially in released in Germany for radio airplay in July 2011 and then officially released the next month. It went on to become number 1 in the German singles charts the week of its release and remained at the top of the charts for 8 consecutive weeks. The single was certified Platinum in Germany and Switzerland, and Gold in Austria.

2011: A track Guy had written with Julian Lennon entitled "Never Let You Go" was released on Lennon's comeback album "Everything Changes". Guy also plays bass on the track. 2011 also saw Chambers working with BBC2 for two three-part programmes: 'Goldie's Band: By Royal Appointment' airing in April and "Secrets of a Pop Song" which aired throughout July. Both series' displayed Chamber's songwriting talent and ability to share his experience with others. 'Goldie's Band…' saw Chambers acting as a musical mentor to a group of disadvantaged, young musicians, put together by Goldie, and ultimately leading the group to a performance in Buckingham Palace. The series 'Secrets Of A Pop Song' explored the process of successful songwriting, collaborating with artists to write a new song each week – a ballad, an anthem and a breakthrough single - with a variety of celebrated musical contributors divulging the secrets of the trade along the way. Through the series, Chambers worked alongside Mark Ronson to create a breakthrough single, acclaimed singer-songwriter Rufus Wainright to create a ballad, and British band Noisettes to compose an anthem. Guy & Rufus' World War III features on the digital version of Rufus' latest album Out of the Game.

2011: Guy collaborates with Berlin-born/based star, SCHMIDT to co-write her debut album 'Femme Schmidt'.

2010 began with Chambers working on the single 'World Behind My Wall' released by pop/rock band, Tokio Hotel, who embarked on a large European tour, picking up MTV Best Group and NRJ Best International Band Awards. Chambers also co-wrote Tokio Hotel's track, "Pain Of Love" which featured on their album, 'Humanoid'. Katie Melua's album The House, released 24 May 2010, included five co-written songs for her new album produced by William Orbit. Tracks include "I'd Like To Kill You", "The Flood" (first single), "A Happy Place", "A Moment of Madness" and "Tiny Alien"

Chambers' work in 2010 also includes the track "Virtual Friend", co-written with Armin van Buuren for his new album, Mirage. He will write a song for the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 Lena Meyer-Landrut for her bid to represent Germany again in the Eurovision Song Contest 2011.^[1]

Following on from The Isis Project, Chambers wrote the album Songs for a Boy written for his son, Marley and was released as an EP with Sophie Hunter (The Isis Project). The alternative-folk EP was co-produced with Richard Flack

2009 saw Chambers writing with Beverley Knight, co-writing the song "100%", also the name of her album. 2009 also included work with French artist Christophe Willem on his second record Cafeine, co-writing with Matt Hales from Aqualung on the single "Heartbox" and co-writing with Cathy Dennis on "Sensitized", a duet with Kylie Minogue, for Cathy's solo record, due out in 2009.^{[dated info]} Additional work that year involved new work with British artists Julian Perretta, Katie Melua, Random Impulse, Marlon from Mattafix and Taio Cruz.

The Orgasmatron [edit]

Since 2010, Chambers has been working with Ross Clarke to create a monthly live-music experience, 'The Orgasmatron' at London's Floripa club (formally Favela Chic). The Orgasmatron celebrates a wide variety of live acts and musical genres picked by Chambers himself, to present the music he knows including big names, rising stars, DJs and dancers. Those previously involved in the ongoing project included Mark Ronson, Paloma Faith, Gary Kemp, Steve Norman and Noisettes.

The Lemon Trees discography [edit]

Album:

• Open Book (Oxygen Records/MCA Records - 1993)

Singles include:

• "Love Is In Your Eyes" (MCA-1992)
• "The Way I Feel" (MCA-1992)
• "Let It Loose" (MCA-1993)
• "Child Of Love" (MCA-1993)
• "I Can't Face The World" (MCA-1993)

Writer's discography [edit]

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• 34 Gold / Platinum certified albums [UK & US]
• 22 top 10 singles
• 6 No.1 singles
• 12 No. 1 albums

Albums [edit]

Tracks featured on the following albums:

Singles [edit]

• "He Aint Heavy ... He's My Brother by The Justice Collective (Dec 17th 2012)
• "Single Tear by Tyler James (2012)
• "New Age" by Marlon Roudette (2011)
• "La Claque" by Axelle Red (2011)
• "A Happy Place" by Katie Melua (2010)
• "Virtual friend" by Armin van Buuren feat Sophie Hunter (2010)
• "The Flood" by Katie Melua (2010)
• "World Behind My Wall" by Tokio Hotel (2010)
• "Heartbox" by Christophe Willem (2009)
• "Why Not Us" by Monrose (2008)
• "Naïve" by Axelle Red (2007)
• "Romantique à Mort" by Axelle Red (2007)
• "Afterglow" by INXS (2006)
• "Pretty Vegas" by INXS (2005) #9 Australia
• "First Day Of My Life" by Melanie C (2005) #1 Germany, #1 Switzerland, #1 Spain, #1 Portugal, #2 Austria
• "Come As You Are" by Beverley Knight (2004) #9 UK
• Soul Survivor (Beverley Knight song) by Beverley Knight (2010)
• "Real To Me" by Brian McFadden (2004) #1 UK, #1 Ireland, #1 Denmark, #1 Norway, #2 Sweden, #4 Finland, #54 Australia
• "Irish Son" by Brian McFadden (2004) #6 UK
• "Out of the Blue" by Delta Goodrem (2004) #9 UK, #1 Australia
• "Together We Are One" by Delta Goodrem (2006) #2 Australia
• "Your Disco Needs You" by Kylie Minogue (2001)
• "Skin" by The Burmoe Brothers with Marc Almond (1985)
• "Old Before I Die" by Robbie Williams (1997)
• "Lazy Days" by Robbie Williams (1997)
• "South of the Border" by Robbie Williams (1997)
• "Angels" by Robbie Williams (1997)
• "Millennium" by Robbie Williams (1998)
• "No Regrets" by Robbie Williams (1998)
• "Strong" by Robbie Williams (1999)
• "She's the One/It's Only Us" by Robbie Williams (1999)
• "Rock DJ" by Robbie Williams (2000)
• "Kids" by Robbie Williams & Kylie Minogue (2000)
• "Supreme" by Robbie Williams (2000)
• "Let Love Be Your Energy" by Robbie Williams (2001)
• "Somethin' Stupid" by Robbie Williams (2001)
• "Come Undone" by Robbie Williams (2003)
• "Something Beautiful" by Robbie Williams (2003)
• "Sexed Up" by Robbie Williams (2003)

Films [edit]

• What A Man (2012) "New Age" - Marlon Roudette
• Arthur (2011) "Can't Buy You" - Mark Ronson & Daniel Merriweather
• Kinky Boots (2005)
• Fantastic Four (2005) "Always Come Back To You" - Ryan Cabrera
• Love Actually (2003) "I'll See It Through" - Texas
• Finding Nemo (2003) "Beyond The Sea" Robbie Williams
• Bridget Jones's Diary (2001) "Have You Met Miss Jones?", "Not Of This Earth" - Robbie Williams
• A Knight's Tale (2001) "We Are the Champions" Robbie Williams
• Bend It Like Beckham (2002) "Dream The Dream" Shaznay Lewis
• Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels (1998) "Man Machine" Robbie Williams
• Nobody Someday (2002) "Nobody Someday" Robbie Williams
• Mean Machine (2001) "Let Me Entertain You" Robbie Williams

Orchestral arrangements [edit]

• Julian Cope - "Sunspots" (Fried 1984)
• Julian Cope - "Sunshine Playroom" (World Shut Your Mouth 1984)

Awards [edit]

• 3 Ivor Novello Awards
• 3 BRIT Awards
• Q Classic Songwriter Award
• MMF Best Produced Record Award

References [edit]

External links [edit]

• Guychambers.com
• Audio interview with Guy Chambers on the Sodajerker on Songwriting podcast
• [1]
• Guy Chambers discography at Discogs