That’s a whoosh, right? That’s Robin Williams, who is about twenty years older.
American here.
I have all his CDs and luuuuuurve him.
I’ve heard of him.
I lived in Europe for four years, so I would be more likely, but…
I distinctly remember Millennium. I would guess that most people my age (class of 2000) would know of him. Just as much as they’d know of any other kind of mega one-hit wonder.
This was my thought too. I don’t know why, but it seems we tend to like entertainers who take themselves more seriously. And sometimes I’m afraid my fellow Americans may miss the joke. I can imagine people watching the “Let Me Entertain You Video” and thinking he looks like a Kiss wannabe without realizing that’s the point.
I’m sorry, I must have misread that. It looked like you said Garth Brooks is the USA’s biggest-selling artist. Of course that can’t possibly be true.
I can’t speak for Zebra, but I think in the US someone named Robbie* is much more likely to be under the age of 12.
*I’d venture to say that as adult nicknames for Robert, Rob, Bob, and even Bobby are more common. As a given name, Robbie is very rare.
American here. Rawwwr, I’ve heard of him. He’s quite handsome.
Lame attempt at humor or whoosh. Pick your poison. 
It was true at one time though. Maastricht posts from the Netherlands and perhaps read some outdated info.
I remember hearing “Angels” and “Millennium” on the radio in the late 90s (I believe) and being fairly underwhelmed. I was kind of shocked when I found out that he’s so popular in Britain. I guess “Millennium” is a pretty neat song, upon listening to it now. Is he really that great of a pop singer/songwriter? If not, why is he so popular there?
I don’t know if Garth Brooks is quite an apt comparison–he belongs to a whole subset of music (modern country) that doesn’t seem to have much of a market outside the US. I’ve heard that this nation has more country radio stations than any other kind, though I’m not sure if that’s still true. Maybe a better reversal of the question would be, “Why doesn’t the rest of the world dig our modern country music?”
And the answer would be, “because it sucks.” 
The reason Robbie Williams is so popular here? A boyish impish humor, very good looks… first and foremost, he is an entertainer, the kind of boy who wanted to make people laugh ever since he was little. You cannot help but loving the guy; when he’s on stage he just looks so darn happy and energised.
He’s authenthic. For instance, he did an entire album with old Sinatra and other Bratpack covers, just because he had always just liked those songs. Here is the one hit from that album, a cover with RW and, of all people, Nicole Kidman singing “Something Stupid” that was originally sung by Frank and Nancy Sinatra. Businesswise, that album, titled " Swing while you’re winning" was a completely WTF decision. Robbie even hired off the Royal Albert Hall, the most prestigious concert hall in all of London, to give a show singing those numbers. Here’s his live version of "Mr. Bojangles " (YouTube clip).
He’s troubled, but in a light hearted way. He mocks his own addictions, his own fucked up behavior. For instance, in this clip "Come undone " (great poetic title, IMHO) which mixes images from a wild party the night before and the hangover feeling you get watching the party’s remains in the harsh morning light.
He has depth. His song Angels, believe it or not, is very popular at funerals of young people. His song Feel, a ballad, of which the clip features moviestar Daryl Hannah, is another example.
I didn’t see that anyone answered this; yes, that’s the man.
Ah, the good old days. Thanks.
I thought Nicole did about as good a job as Nancy, frankly. 
While watching the accompanying Sinatra/Sinatra clip I remembered reading Nancy’s description of recording the song. She said her dad came in and did it in two takes. It would have taken only one but he kept fooling around and sounding his s’s endlessly (think Sylvester the Cat).
She also said she was annoyed that it became known in some circles as “The Incest Song.”
I recall Robbie Williams and Take That being popular back when I was in high school. The last I heard, he was being a bit of a celebrity asshole and lording about in public. Meh.
I’m aware of who he is, I could put a name to the face.
I’m not so sure about the music, however. I do remember one very distinct music video where he strips for a bunch of ladies- right down to the bones. It was…interesting.
Heard of him? I already mentioned him on the Dope before!
Doesn’t he live in America these days? That’s gotta grate…
I heard Supreme on TV in Japan while I was listening there and loved it. Then I bought the CD (Sing When You’re Winning just to discover that every other song on the CD except Supreme was the world’s most attrocious girl-bop music.
All I know about him is that he kicked ass at Live 8.
Let Love Be Your Energy and Rock DJ
are girl-bop?!
Canadian here, and yup. Millenium was huge, and I love Rock DJ. I’ve also heard his version of Beyond the Sea. I’m pretty musically dumb and out of touch, too.
I’ve seen his name in a magazine here or there, and he wrote the song that played at the beginning of Rowan Atkinson’s movie Johnny English. I may be the only person who remembers that movie but didn’t work on it. There’s little reason to.