With enormous photos of the legendary Frank Sinatra playing on the big screen behind him, Robbie Williams took to the stage at the Royal Albert Hall in 2001 to perform a cover of the iconic singer’s hit song “My Way.” Here at The Music Man, we love it when artists pay tribute to their musical heroes by performing covers of the songs they love. It’s even more exciting when they take some of the most iconic songs of all time and make them their own.
That is exactly what Robbie did with his Albert Hall performance, backed by an impressive 58-piece orchestra and met with raucous applause from the audience. The remarkable performance has since reached a whopping 41M views online. One fan commented, “This is beautiful – you can see how emotional this is for him,” referring to a moving part of the performance where Robbie is seen shedding tears as he took in the audience in front of him.
The concert was held in order to promote Robbie’s 2001 album – ‘Swing When You’re Winning’, which was heavily influenced by the work of Frank Sinatra and his contemporaries. Robbie teamed up with many fellow singers on the album, featuring collaborations with Nicole Kidman, Rupert Everett, and Jon Lovitz. However, no one expected Robbie to perform a duet with Frank Sinatra himself – especially since the Rat Pack legend had passed away three years prior to the album’s release.
By using Frank Sinatra’s original track for his song, ‘It Was A Very Good Year,’ Robbie was able to duet with the artist by recording his vocals over the instrumental track for the first verses and keeping the original vocals for the later verses. Music Man readers are sure to be moved when they listen to the result, as performed by Robbie during his 2001 concert. The singer’s emotional reaction to hearing Sinatra’s voice only makes the moment even more poignant.
As many Music Man fans will agree, the music we grow up with often leaves a lasting impact, with songs that touch our hearts and stay with us throughout our entire lives. When contemporary artists like Robbie Williams pay tribute to the artists who influenced them, it serves as a powerful reminder of the lasting importance of music. Not only do these tributes honor the original artists, but they also introduce their music to new audiences, ensuring that their legacy lives on and continues to inspire listeners for generations to come.
If you would like to hear more from Robbie Williams, you can subscribe to his YouTube Channel for more incredible music. Follow him on Facebook and Instagram. For more information, visit his website.