GUY CHAMBERS

Taught a harsh music industry lesson when his short-lived pop act The Lemon Trees was disbanded after one album, classically trained producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Guy Chambers rerouted to embark on a career in production. After some success with British songwriter Cathy Dennis, the opportunity to co-write with the charismatic pop star Robbie Williams, formerly of UK chart toppers Take That, proved to be an irresistible challenge. His 1997 debut album, Life thru a Lens, was written within a week — 60 songs later, the duo had amassed tens of millions of sales, toured the world and earned prestigious industry awards.

The partnership ended acrimoniously in 2002, but with his reputation intact, Chambers went on to work with the likes of pop heavyweights Kylie Minogue, James Blunt, Mark Ronson and John Newman before resuming writing with Williams in 2013. This year saw the release of Chamber’s debut solo album Go Gentle into the Light. Inspired by the death of his mother two years ago, it features instrumental piano versions of Robbie Williams’ tracks co-written by the duo. We talk to the self-effacing Chambers about the album, his early days and one of the most successful songwriting partnerships in British pop history.

You recorded a song with Marc Almond in 1984. What was it like working with him?

Some friends of mine were in his band, Marc and the Mambas. I wrote this song, got a demo of it to Marc, who liked it, and he came into