According to a 1997 NME interview with Keith Cameron, Mark Owen is the most underrated member of Take That. The interview, republished from Rock's Backpages, highlights Owen's transition from boyband star to indie solo artist.
Owen, who was the most popular member of Take That and received two-thirds of the band's fan mail, surprised many by making an indie rock album called 'Green Man'. He wrote all the songs himself within four months of the band's split, drawing on personal experiences. The album was produced by John Leckie and Craig Leon, with contributions from musicians like Clem Burke of Blondie and Dave Gregory of XTC.
Owen explained that he wanted to create an album that felt authentically his, rather than relying on other writers for catchy pop tunes. He moved to a house in Cumbria and parted ways with manager Nigel Martin-Smith to focus on his new musical direction.
Unlike his former bandmates, Owen successfully left behind his Take That persona. Robbie Williams struggled to escape his bad-boy image, while Gary Barlow's solo album was delayed. Howard and Jason remained inactive. Owen's indie rock approach was seen as a bold move for a former pop star.
