Robbie rocks Europe

Robbie Williams is the most listened to chart star in Europe as music fans revel in a rock renaissance, a survey found today.

The singer triumphed in a survey of 30,000 people who were quizzed on their musical preferences in eight countries.

Williams topped the music census - for TV channel Music Choice - in the UK, as well as Denmark, Germany and Norway.

Rock music replaced pop as the biggest selling music genre last year and the success of bands such as The Darkness have emphasised its resurgence.

Although rap act Eminem is second in the list, third place goes to US rock act Metallica, while in fourth place is U2. Madonna flew the flag for pop at number five.

Rock was the preferred listening in six of the eight countries the survey found.
UK artists fared well on the continent in the poll. Radiohead and David Bowie were 7th and 10th in Sweden, while Travis were ninth in Norway.

Only one TV talent show contestant appeared in the top tens of each country - Bisbal, winner of the Spanish equivalent of Pop Idol. Spain was also the only country to cite pop as the favourite genre.

The other countries to take part in the poll were France and Italy.

A majority of Brits (82%) who were polled believed the singles chart was no longer an accurate barometer of musical taste.

Music Choice music & marketing director Simon George said the census showed Europe, and particularly Britain, was tiring of manufactured pop.

"The music industry will need to start signing and promoting credible and talented acts in order to keep up with changing tastes and reinvigorate interest in the charts.

"Rock is back and it's packing a punch."

European top five most listened to acts according to Music Choice:

1. Robbie Williams
2. Eminem
3. Metallica
4. U2
5. Madonna