Zaterdag 18 januari 2014
Brian McFadden demons and irish son
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Dinsdag 14 januari 2014
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Vrijdag 20 december 2013
Hampton Court Palace Festival 2011 - Westlife in Concert -
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Dinsdag 26 november 2013
vervolg . westlife 2003 - 2004 - 2005 - 2006
Anyone ready to write-off Irish boyband
Westlife as too rich,
too old or not too bothered to keep their legions
of fans interested and buying their
records should think again -
the boys are back...
Ever since Brian McFadden left Westlife speculation has been rife in the media on the inevitable breakup of the remaining members - but by the looks of things Nicky, Shane, Kian and Mark are going to be clocking up Number Ones for another few years yet...
ShowBiz Ireland caught up with the boys recently as they slowly made their way through London's Standsted Airport and the hoards of screaming teenage fans with police, bodyguards and security staff trying their best to get the Irish lads to their destination.
If there is any doubt that Westlife fans are dwindling in numbers just look at these photos - just being amongst the thousands of screaming girls gave our photographer a taste of what Beetlemania must have been like in the 60s!
And even though Mark has come-out as gay and reportedly going to marry boyfriend Kevin McDaid and Shane has just had a baby with wife Gillian the boys look hungry again to take back the pop charts with a new album and upcoming duet with Diana Ross...
Plus Kian Egan's new surfer look is bound to keep their female fans' hearts pounding for another few years to come!
Ever since Brian McFadden left Westlife speculation has been rife in the media on the inevitable breakup of the remaining members - but by the looks of things Nicky, Shane, Kian and Mark are going to be clocking up Number Ones for another few years yet...
ShowBiz Ireland caught up with the boys recently as they slowly made their way through London's Standsted Airport and the hoards of screaming teenage fans with police, bodyguards and security
staff trying their best to get the Irish lads to their destination. If there is any doubt that Westlife fans are dwindling in numbers just look at these photos - just being amongst the thousands of screaming girls gave our photographer a taste of what Beetlemania must have been like in the 60s!
And even though Mark has come-out as gay and reportedly going to marry boyfriend Kevin McDaid and Shane has just had a baby with wife Gillian the boys look hungry again to take back the pop charts with a new album and upcoming duet with Diana Ross...
Plus Kian Egan's new surfer look is bound to keep their female fans' hearts pounding for another few years to come!
RUN FOR YOUR (WEST) LIVES!
Shane Filan swept out to sea - May 2005
THE Westlife star almost drowns on holiday in Miami after being swept out to sea by a freak wave. He is rescued by a lifeguard at South Beach as his pregnant wife Gillian watches in horror.
Shane says: "I thought I was going to die. I'm lucky to be alive. It was one of those moments when your life flashes before your eyes."
Promoting: The single You Raise Me Up
Kian Egan chased by lion - April 2005
FELLOW Westlifer Kian is nearly savaged by a lion while on safari in Durban, South Africa, after he leaves his tour guide's vehicle. Kian says: "It was the most terrifying few seconds of my life and I have never run so fast."
Promoting: Tour of South Africa.
Shane Filan swept out to sea - May 2005
THE Westlife star almost drowns on holiday in Miami after being swept out to sea by a freak wave. He is rescued by a lifeguard at South Beach
as his pregnant wife Gillian watches in horror. Shane says: "I thought I was going to die. I'm lucky to be alive. It was one of those moments when your life flashes before your eyes."
Promoting: The single
You Raise Me Up Kian Egan chased by lion - April 2005
FELLOW Westlifer Kian is nearly savaged by a lion while on safari in Durban, South Africa, after he leaves his tour guide's vehicle. Kian says: "It was the most terrifying few seconds of my life and I have never run so fast."
Promoting: Tour of South Africa.
EXCLUSIVE: WESTLIFE'S MARK: I'M GAY
SHOWBIZ EXCLUSIVE
By Caroline Hedley 19/08/2005
WESTLIFE star Mark Feehily (second from left) opened his heart yesterday to reveal that he is gay.
The 25-year-old pin-up said: "I want people to know the truth. I am gay and I'm very proud of who I am.
"I'm not asking for sympathy, or to be a role model for someone else.
"I simply felt it was the right time to tell the truth."
Mark, who is in a relationship with singer Kevin McDaid, 21, said: "In the past I haven't felt the need to say anything about my sexuality.
"But I want people to know I'm very comfortable with who I am."
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Mark and Kevin, who was in boy band V, met a few months ago.
Mark said: I'm not worried about how people react because I'm happy being who I am.
"I'm still the same person the day I was before. I'm sure Westlife fans will be pleased I'm happy. I don't think it changes anything."
Mark said: "All the lads in Westlife have settled down and are in relationships, so why can't I be?"
Loyal bandmates Kian Egan, 25, Shane Filan, 26, and Nicky Byrne, 26, all knew Mark was gay but have never spoken about it in public.
It's now 5.30am and Westlife are watching the sun come up from the terrace of Westlife's £1,000-a-night Ritz Carlton beach villa in Bahrain.
It's the penultimate night of the band's 56-date world tour and, having spent five hours necking champagne and ice, Shane is a bit worse for wear.
In a few weeks, his wife Gillian will give birth and the 26-year-old is finding it hard to concentrate on anything but the impending arrival.
The couple are expecting a girl and they've already named her Nicole. Nursing a grainy mobile phone picture of the scan, Shane coos: "Isn't she just beautiful? I just can't wait to be a daddy.
"I was speaking to Brian McFadden the other day and he keeps telling me how fatherhood's the best thing ever. To experience it will be incredible."
Just as things are in danger of becoming overly sentimental, Mark retreats to the kitchen and returns with two pints of nearly-neat vodka.
Glugging on one, he hands me the other with an assurance that it will "get me going".
Meanwhile the other inebriated lads debate whether to jump into their private pool, fully-clothed. It seems being in each other's company so much brings out their inner teens.
"We've been together seven years and we're pretty much like family," says Shane.
Kian, 25, agrees, saying: "The thing is we don't have egos among ourselves. A lot of bands have split up due to ego clashes - people getting above themselves and thinking they can do things by themselves.
"I would hate to do this by myself. I wouldn't like travelling around the world on my own."
Nicky, 26, chips in, "We were lucky to make it but it's even harder to stay successful - there are always new kids on the block. A lot of the new bands want to go to heaven but none of them want to die. No one wants to do that hard work."
After seven years at the top, do they still get starstruck?
"Kevin Spacey was pretty cool - very funny. And meeting Pope John Paul II was special," says Shane.
Westlife have had 12 No.1 singles and played to over three million fans on four sell-out arena tours. And they're not planning to stop.
I READ somewhere that we were going to call it a day in 18 months' time," says Shane. "That's bulls**t.
"If our next album's successful we'll make another one. We are still selling out concerts all over the world and it's a fantastic job."
Not that it's all work and no play. The boys boozed heavily in the early days and still like a drink or three.
"We're not as bad now but we still go out two or three nights a week and get absolutely plastered," admits Kian. "But we have to stay in shape and we work out most days, even when we really don't feel like it."
His face lights up when he gets a text from his girlfriend, Jodi Albert
The ex-Hollyoaks star is ready to walk down the aisle, but he won't be tied down just yet.
"I'm always taking the mickey out of her and saying I want five kids, so maybe the idea is settling in her brain," he laughs.
"But as for marriage, well we've only been together two years...
"You've got to be with someone for at least five years before you settle down. we're both young."
Shane is wed to Gillian Walsh and Nicky is married to Irish premier's daughter Georgina Ahern.
"That's just the way it is at the moment and I'm cool with it," he insists. "I'm building a house in Ireland and when I'm not working that takes up most of my time."
SHOWBIZ EXCLUSIVE
By Caroline Hedley 19/08/2005
WESTLIFE star Mark Feehily (second from left) opened his heart yesterday to reveal that he is gay.
The 25-year-old pin-up said: "I want people to know the truth. I am gay and I'm very proud of who I am.
"I'm not asking for sympathy, or to be a role model for someone else.
"I simply felt it was the right time to tell the truth."
Mark, who is in a relationship
with singer Kevin McDaid, 21, said: "In the past I haven't felt the need to say anything about my sexuality. "But I want people to know I'm very comfortable with who I am."
Advertisement
Mark and Kevin, who was in boy band V, met a few months ago.
Mark said: I'm not worried about how people react because I'm happy being who I am.
"I'm still the same person the day I was before. I'm sure Westlife fans will be pleased I'm happy. I don't think it changes anything."
Mark said: "All the lads in Westlife have settled down and are in relationships, so why can't I be?"
Loyal bandmates Kian Egan, 25, Shane Filan, 26, and Nicky Byrne, 26, all knew Mark was gay but have never spoken about it in public.
It's now 5.30am and Westlife are watching the sun come up from the terrace of Westlife's £1,000-a-night Ritz Carlton beach villa in Bahrain.
It's the penultimate night of the band's 56-date world tour and, having spent five hours necking champagne and ice, Shane is a bit worse for wear.
In a few weeks, his wife Gillian will give birth and the 26-year-old is finding it hard to concentrate on anything but the impending arrival.
The couple are expecting a girl and they've already named her Nicole. Nursing a grainy mobile phone
picture of the scan, Shane coos: "Isn't she just beautiful? I just can't wait to be a daddy. "I was speaking to Brian McFadden the other day and he keeps telling me how fatherhood's the best thing ever. To experience it will be incredible."
Just as things are in danger of becoming overly sentimental, Mark retreats to the kitchen and returns with two pints of nearly-neat vodka.
Glugging on one, he hands me the other with an assurance that it will "get me going".
Meanwhile the other inebriated lads debate whether to jump into their private pool, fully-clothed. It seems being in each other's company so much brings out their inner teens.
"We've been together seven years and we're pretty much like family," says Shane.
Kian, 25, agrees, saying: "The thing is we don't have egos among ourselves. A lot of bands have split up due to ego clashes - people getting above themselves and thinking they can do things by themselves.
"I would hate to do this by myself. I wouldn't like travelling around the world on my own."
Nicky, 26, chips in, "We were lucky to make it but it's even harder to stay successful - there are always new kids on the block. A lot of the new bands want to go to heaven but none of them want to die. No one wants to do that hard work."
After seven years at the top, do they still get starstruck?
"Kevin Spacey was pretty cool - very funny. And meeting Pope John Paul II was special," says Shane.
Westlife have had 12 No.1 singles
and played to over three million fans on four sell-out arena tours. And they're not planning to stop. I READ somewhere that we were going to call it a day in 18 months' time," says Shane. "That's bulls**t.
"If our next album's successful we'll make another one. We are still selling out concerts all over the world and it's a fantastic job
." Not that it's all work and no play
. The boys boozed heavily in the early days and still like a drink or three. "We're not as bad now but we still go out
two or three nights a week and get absolutely plastered," admits Kian. "But we have to stay in shape and we work out most days, even when we really don't feel like it." His face lights up when he gets a text from his girlfriend, Jodi Albert
The ex-Hollyoaks star is ready to walk down the aisle, but he won't be tied down just yet.
"I'm always taking the mickey out of her and saying I want five kids, so maybe the idea is settling in her brain," he laughs.
"But as for marriage
, well we've only been together two years... "You've got to be with someone for at least five years before you settle
down. we're both young." Shane is wed to Gillian Walsh and Nicky is married to Irish premier's daughter Georgina Ahern.
"That's just the way it is at the moment and I'm cool with it," he insists. "I'm building a house in Ireland and when I'm not working that takes up most of my time."
ROBBIE LOSES OUT TO WESTLIFE
2/11/2005
ROBBIE Williams might need Intensive Care after being beaten to No. 1 in the midweek album chart by Westlife, who sold 65,000 copies of Face To Face.
WESTLIFE'S 13TH NO1
31/10/2005
WESTLIFE were celebrating their 13th No 1 single last night after You Raise Me Up stormed straight to the top of the UK charts.
The latest offering from the Irish boy band - who have sold more than 25million albums worldwide - knocked the Arctic Monkeys back into the No2 spot.
2/11/2005
ROBBIE Williams might need Intensive Care after being beaten to No. 1 in the midweek album chart by Westlife, who sold 65,000 copies of Face To Face.
WESTLIFE'S 13TH NO1
31/10/2005
WESTLIFE were celebrating their 13th No 1 single last night after You Raise Me Up stormed straight to the top of the UK charts.
The latest offering
from the Irish boy band - who have sold more than 25million albums worldwide - knocked the Arctic Monkeys back into the No2 spot.22 dec 2010, 05:56
Westlife wil duet met Take That
25 oktober 2006
AMSTERDAM - De Ierse popgroep Westlife wil een duet opnemen met Take That. De Ieren zijn blij dat de Britten weer bij elkaar zijn, net als andere groepen uit de jaren negentig zoals All Saints.
"Take That was een van de groepen die me inspireerden om dit te doen en All Saints was ook een extreem gave band", zegt Westlife-lid Mark Feehily in diverse Britse media. "Ik sta altijd open voor samenwerking. In het verleden hebben we duetten opgenomen met meisjes als Delta Goodrem en Diana Ross, maar dit is weer eens wat anders."
Westlife werd in 1999 opgericht door voormalig Boyzone-zanger Ronan Keating. Inmiddels heeft de groep wereldwijd zo'n 25 miljoen albums verkocht. Met covers als 'Uptown girl', 'Mandy' en 'Against all odds' scoorden de jongens ook in Nederland hits.
25 oktober 2006
AMSTERDAM - De Ierse popgroep Westlife wil een duet opnemen met Take That. De Ieren zijn blij dat de Britten weer bij elkaar zijn, net als andere groepen uit de jaren
negentig zoals All Saints. "Take That was een van de groepen die me inspireerden om dit te doen en All Saints was ook een extreem gave band", zegt Westlife-lid Mark Feehily in diverse Britse media. "Ik sta altijd open voor samenwerking. In het verleden hebben we duetten opgenomen met meisjes
als Delta Goodrem en Diana Ross, maar dit is weer eens wat anders." Westlife werd in 1999 opgericht door voormalig Boyzone-zanger Ronan Keating. Inmiddels heeft de groep wereldwijd zo'n 25 miljoen albums verkocht. Met covers als 'Uptown girl', 'Mandy' en 'Against all odds' scoorden de jongens ook in Nederland hits.
Westlife No.1 In Irish Album & DVD Charts - 9 December 2006
The Things They Say
"I don't care if he has had a pop at us yet or not. To be honest, I'd never heard of PAUL WELLER until last week. So there." WESTLIFE singer NICKY BYRNE slams the former THE JAM rocker at the Brit Awards last night 15FEB
16/02/2006
"I don't care if he has had a pop at us yet or not. To be honest, I'd never heard of PAUL WELLER until last week. So there." WESTLIFE singer NICKY BYRNE slams the former THE JAM rocker at the Brit Awards last night 15FEB
16/02/2006
The Things They Say
"When we started out we had girls bringing their bras and chucking them on stage - now they bring their kids. It's scary." WESTLIFE are wary of their ageing fans. 04/06/2006
"When we started out we had girls
bringing their bras and chucking them on stage - now they bring their kids. It's scary." WESTLIFE are wary of their ageing fans. 04/06/2006
Geschreven door westlife om 00:00
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Dinsdag 26 november 2013
westlife 2003 - 2004 - 2005 - 2006
WHEN Westlife singer Nicky Byrne
went down on one knee and asked his
beautiful girlfriend
Georgina Ahern to marry him
his eyes filled with tears.
For his grandad - the one person with whom
For his grandad - the one person with whom
he had shared the secret
that he would propose on Christmas Day
did not live to see the spectacular
diamond ring slipped on her finger.
"It was a day of very mixed emotions,"
"It was a day of very mixed emotions,"
Nicky recalls.
"It was magical but bittersweet.
Grandad would have so loved
to see me getting married."
Nicky, 24, reveals how he had confided in
grandad Bernard McGarry - and tells how
his beloved grandparent
had carried his secret
engagement plan to the grave.
He says: "When Georgina and
He says: "When Georgina and
I bought our dream house in Malahide
just outside Dublin,
I just knew it was
the perfect place to ask her to marry me.
"I wanted the timing to be really special and
"I wanted the timing to be really special and
I knew we would be inviting both our families
there for Christmas.
The house was going to look like something
out of a fairytale
and I knew that was when I would ask her.
"But grandad was quite poorly and
"But grandad was quite poorly and
I was worried he might not make it to Christmas.
So one day in September,
when it was just me and him in the room,
I told him what I was going to do.
"He was thrilled.
"He was thrilled.
He squeezed my hand and congratulated me.
The following month grandad died and
I was so pleased I had shared my plan with him.
"He didn't tell a soul,
"He didn't tell a soul,
not even my nana who
he had been married to for more than 50 years.
When I told her he had known she said: 'Really?
He never told me'."
Nicky and Georgina -
Nicky and Georgina -
the 24-year-old daughter of
Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern
- have been together for eight years
but are yet to set a date for their wedding.
And there are no plans
for a double wedding with bandmate
Shane Filan and his business
graduate fiancee Gillian Walsh.
Incredibly, Shane also proposed on Christmas Day.
He says:
Incredibly, Shane also proposed on Christmas Day.
He says:
"The most nerve wracking part
was asking Gillian's dad for permission.
I think it's something every
for three years and say
they hope to walk down the aisle
in the next 18 months.
But the band has an
incredibly punishing year ahead.
Their new single
Their new single
Tonight is released on March 3 and they begin
a gruelling world tour in April.
Heartthrob Shane says:
"The fans have been wonderful about
the engagement.
"There might be a few who are unhappy but
"There might be a few who are unhappy but
I think most realise we are normal lads
who have personal lives.
If we're happy, hopefully
they will be happy for us too."
The Westlife weddings
The Westlife weddings
will leave just two bachelors in the band
Mark Feehily and Kian Egan.
Bryan McFadden
Bryan McFadden
broke a million hearts in January
last year when he married former Atomic Kitten
Kerry Katona.
The couple,
The couple,
who have a 16-month-old daughter,
Molly, are expecting their second
child next month.
And it's not just the 22-year-old who is eagerly
And it's not just the 22-year-old who is eagerly
awaiting the new arrival - the rest of
the band are just as excited.
Unashamedly soppy over the imminent birth,
Unashamedly soppy over the imminent birth,
they admit babies make them broody.
Kian, 22, says: "When Bryan and Kerry had Molly
you could see the real meaning
of what it's all about.
"It made us realise we get stressed about
"It made us realise we get stressed about
silly little things.
Molly makes us look at the other side of life that
we haven't had a chance to experience yet
and it
makes us realise that having love in your life
is so important.
"Of course Molly will grow up with nice things
"Of course Molly will grow up with nice things
around her.
But without the love of her family,
the nice things aren't important.
"In us, she has four uncles who adore her.
"In us, she has four uncles who adore her.
Life is about happiness,
not wealth, not even success but happiness.
Molly has brought that back to us."
Bryan says angel-faced Molly
Bryan says angel-faced Molly
worships her famous uncles
but thinks they are all her dads.
With a broad grin, Bryan says:
With a broad grin, Bryan says:
"When Molly sees a picture of me in a magazine,
she points to it and says 'Daddy,' and we all go 'Ah'.
"But then she'll point to Mark and say 'Daddy'
"But then she'll point to Mark and say 'Daddy'
and then Kian and say
'Daddy' and on she goes right
through the band.
"People often say to me
"People often say to me
it must be hard trying
to juggle being a pop star
with family life but it can be just
is about to get married.
He works nine to five and has a child
but I get to see more of Kerry and Molly
than he does of his family."
Watching Bryan with his family
Watching Bryan with his family
or seeing his engaged bandmates
with their sweethearts heightens
the loneliness Mark confesses to feeling.
Millionaire Mark admits
Millionaire Mark admits
he can never be sure
if a girl likes him or what he represents.
"It's difficult to find someone
who is genuine and who wants
to be in a real relationship
with me rather than because
I'm part of Westlife," he says.
His long eyelashes
His long eyelashes
sweep down from his blue eyes and
he looks crestfallen.
Mark, 21, says: "There are a lot
of vultures out there who
would pounce on you
because of Westlife.
"If we go to a club in London,
"If we go to a club in London,
there will be a good few people in
there who will have heard of Westlife.
"While you have
"While you have
to accept that and live with it
that and live with itbecause you are in a successful band,
it's difficult to deal with the fact
that people only ever see you as Westlife.
"We are all willing to sacrifice
"We are all willing to sacrifice
certain things for the band but
it is difficult when it comes to relationships.
There's a lot of people
who pretend to be something
they're not and sometimes
girls coming up to me to talk but
when I see what Bryan,
Shane and Nicky have,
I want to find someone special too.
"I'm at the point now where
"I'm at the point now where
I believe I'll have to wait for a while."
P IN-UP Kian,
P IN-UP Kian,
who recently parted from Scandinavian
dancer Jessica Forsman, agrees it
he says. "When we go out
it has to be somewhere which
can facilitate us.
"It sounds a bit fancy
"It sounds a bit fancy
but we have to go into the VIP section.
I actually despise them because
I want to meet real people but
it's difficult because of
a record-breaking 11 consecutive
number one songs,
including Flying Without Wings,
and topped the charts with their latest album,
Unbreakable, The Greatest Hits Volume One.
But they are worried about sustaining
their amazing level of success.
Kian says: "When we started off
Kian says: "When we started off
we never expected any of
the success we have at
the minute and
never expected to get as far as we have got.
"It's always scary when you see new bands
"It's always scary when you see new bands
coming out and
you see music
changing and people liking
different types of music."
The Irish boys
The Irish boys
three from Sligo
and two from Dublin
marvel at their fan base,
which ranges from toddlers to
a great gran in her 90s.
And the lads adore seeing the
And the lads adore seeing the
"mums in leather trousers".
It is these older fans who help make
the band's tours a sell-out.
Mark says: "I love to look into a crowd
Mark says: "I love to look into a crowd
and see a bunch of
mums in leather trousers
dancing away and going crazy.
"Every band is marketed - we are too -
"Every band is marketed - we are too -
but it gives you a feeling that
we have got a wider appeal."
Kian adds: "When we first came
Kian adds: "When we first came
out you would see three women
with four kids but now they leave
the kids at home and come
by themselves and that's very cool."
They would love to sing with
They would love to sing with
Bryan Adams or
Celine Dion but what about pop
diva Britney Spears?
"Nah," says Bryan. "She can't sing."
Bryan says with a grin:
Bryan says with a grin:
"The lifestyle in which we grew
up is so different to
the lifestyle we have in Westlife
that it wouldn't be difficult
to fall into the trap of becoming a big
international popstar persona
and end up hanging around with people
like Britney.
But we work hard to keep
our feet on the ground."
The boys hope that
The boys hope that
when the time comes for the band to bow out,
each Westlife member will still
care enough about
the others to take part in a reunion.
Kian says: "We know
Kian says: "We know
this isn't going to last for ever
but I would wish in 20 or
30 years time we will be able to get back
together and sing one of our hits.
"Robbie Williams
"Robbie Williams
would never touch Take That again
and Ronan Keating would never
that I'm sure we would
still get together
when this eventually comes to an end."
Hopefully that moment is
Hopefully that moment is
still some time away
Band in floods of tears after split with Bryan
10/03/2004
left Westlife fans sobbing their hearts out.
And when
Bryan McFadden said his goodbyes
to the rest of the band yesterday
it was just as emotional.
As Bryan revealed why
As Bryan revealed why
he had decided to quit
the chart-topping boyband,
tears rolled down his cheeks.
His wife Kerry was in floods,
His wife Kerry was in floods,
fellow Westlifer Kian Egan was also crying,
while Shane Filan, Mark Feehily and Nicky
Byrne clearly struggled to keep it together.
The band, who have had 12 No 1 singles,
The band, who have had 12 No 1 singles,
told 3am about
the painful split at the plush
Bryan was "like splitting up from a girlfriend
after five wonderful years together"
and revealed they had even
considered counselling
in an attempt to make him stay.
Meanwhile, a visibly shaken Bryan revealed,
Meanwhile, a visibly shaken Bryan revealed,
"It's absolutely
nothing to do with the other four guys.
"It's hard juggling two lives.
"It's hard juggling two lives.
And for the past year,
especially after my daughter
Lilly-Sue was born,
I haven't been able to commit
100 per cent to my family or Westlife.
I felt it was the right time to stand back
and concentrate on my family."
The father-of-two
The father-of-two
dropped his bombshell
following the Meteor Awards
in Dublin on March 2.
"It's been weighing on
"It's been weighing on
my mind for the past six months,
" admitted Bryan, 23.
"After the Meteor Awards we talked things
through and the decision was
made in the past couple of days.
"The group understand
"The group understand
that family is very important to me.
They know there is no point me being in
the band if I'm not happy and
they respect my decision."
He insisted that it was his decision
He insisted that it was his decision
and he wasn't influenced by wife Kerry,
the I'm A Celebrity... winner.
"There's no TV or music work lined up,
"There's no TV or music work lined up,
I just want to have a break
and be with my family," said Bryan.
"Yes, I'll be a house-husband for a bit,
but I'm cr*p at housework."
He claimed his departure bears
He claimed his departure bears
no similarity to Robbie Williams
quitting Take That.
"Robbie left because
he didn't like the other people
in the band and they didn't like him,"
he said.
"I'm leaving because
"I'm leaving because
I have a wife and two children.
I need to spend more time with them."
The others remain optimistic
The others remain optimistic
about their future as a four-piece.
Nicky told us, "It was such a shock.
Nicky told us, "It was such a shock.
I said, 'Let's go to a counsellor
so we can sort this out and get to
the bottom of what was making Bryan unhappy'.
"We were prepared to
"We were prepared to
do anything to stop him leaving.
But in the end he was adamant
and there was nothing
we could say or do to change him mind."
Mark Feehily added,
Mark Feehily added,
"It's better he leaves before we hit the road.
It would have been a disaster
if he'd pulled out halfway through the tour,
or if his heart wasn't in it.
Maybe that would have damaged
our friendship and we
didn't want that to happen."
Westlife are now working on an album
Westlife are now working on an album
of duets which will feature the likes
of Lionel Richie, Diana Ross
and Donna Summer.
And they say their 70-date world tour,
And they say their 70-date world tour,
which kicks off in Belfast on March 29,
will be their "best ever".
Shane added:
Shane added:
"We have defied the odds so many times
and we hope we will continue
to do so for many years to come."
So do we lads,
So do we lads,
Archive
THE REAL REASON WHY BRYAN QUIT WESTLIFE
He's managing new band tipped for big time
By Andy Rudd 15/03/2004
Westlife star Bryan McFadden has been
THE REAL REASON WHY BRYAN QUIT WESTLIFE
He's managing new band tipped for big time
By Andy Rudd 15/03/2004
Westlife star Bryan McFadden has been
secretly managing a rock band for
the past year and plans to
launch them on to the music scene this summer.
Bryan, 24, talent spotted South Africangroup
Bryan, 24, talent spotted South Africangroup
Franklin while on honeymoon in Sun City in 2002.
He was "blown away"
He was "blown away"
by their music and signed them up.
But he kept the deal
under wraps because he
didn't want to be seen working with a rival band.
Bryan has been bankrolling them and has
Bryan has been bankrolling them and has
already shelled out more
than £300,000 on wages, travel and recording costs.
He said: "Franklin are a brilliant
He said: "Franklin are a brilliant
band with a great sound which is
why I am backing them.
"It's a very exciting time for them at
"It's a very exciting time for them at
the moment and hopefully everything will go to plan.
The music
I want to do won't be in competition
with Westlife either.
"Franklin do rock music which is
"Franklin do rock music which is
different to Westlife and
my own solo stuff will be different again."
He moved them from their
He moved them from their
Johannesburg home to Ireland
early last year and hopes
they will break into
the Irish, UK and European music markets.
Bryan announced last week that he was quitting boy
Bryan announced last week that he was quitting boy
band Westlife to go solo and spend
more time with I'm A Celebrity
winner wife Kerry and daughters
Molly and Lily Sue.
He told distraught fans:
He told distraught fans:
"I just feel it's the right time to concentrate on
singer Ronan Keating's.
He announced in August 1999 that
He announced in August 1999 that
he was quitting Boyzone to go solo
then went on to co-manage Westlife.
Bryan has been busy writing
Bryan has been busy writing
and producing songs with Franklin.
He has already showcased
He has already showcased
the band to family and friends
including Westlife
at Precious nightclub in Belfast.
Major record companies including BMG,
Major record companies including BMG,
Universal and Polydor are interested
and insiders are
tipping Franklin for the big time.
Singer Bryan will co-manage them with best friend
Singer Bryan will co-manage them with best friend
Mark Murphy. Mark said:
"They are definitely up there in the league
of play and will be huge.
and will be huge.They love Ireland."
A friend of the band said:
A friend of the band said:
"They can't believe their luck.
They are on the brink of achieving
what they have been dreaming about for years.
"Nobody imagined things would turn
"Nobody imagined things would turn
out how they have.
Everyone has put a lot of hard work
and time into the band and now
it looks as if all that has finally paid off."
Westlife, who were on the eve of
Westlife, who were on the eve of
an American tour when Bryan,
quit have vowed to go on.
They have been one of the world's
They have been one of the world's
most successful boy bands.
They topped the charts for the past five years
They topped the charts for the past five years
with 12 number one hits
and sold 320 million records worldwide.
De Ierse popformatie
Westlife veroverde een paar
jaar geleden met verschillende hits
de wereld en intussen hoort Westlife
met meer dan 30 miljoen verkochte albums
wereldwijd bij de toppers.
De band is ongekend populair
De band is ongekend populair
en zorgt overal waar ze optreedt voor volle zalen.
Westlife zanger Byrne Nicky
Westlife zanger Byrne Nicky
kwam op 06.04.04 met zijn vrouw
Georgina Aherne (dochter
van de Ierse Minister President)
naar de Alpha Klinik.
Hij had kort voor een live optreden in het
Olympisch Stadion van München
zijn knie ernstig geblesseerd.
In de kliniek werd een ernstige keuzing
van de knie en een los zittende
meniscus geconstateerd.
De behoorlijk opgezette knie werd
met injecties behandeld om de zanger
ondanks
de pijn toch in staat te stellen op te treden.
Ook onder het Alpha Klinik
Ook onder het Alpha Klinik
personeel bevonden zich vele fans:
en die kwamen natuurlijk naar
het concert om de zanger en
zijn band luidkeels toe te juichen
Mark Feehily could lose his sight - October 2004
MORE misery for Westlife when Mark is
MORE misery for Westlife when Mark is
warned he could go blind due to
of permanently damaging his peepers
after excessive exposure to
camera bulb-popping.
He says: "Photographers
He says: "Photographers
complain and ask why
I sometimes wear sunglasses
but I have no choice unless
I want to ruin my eyesight for ever."
Sunday October 10 2004
THERE'S no love lost between
Sunday October 10 2004
THERE'S no love lost between
Mark Feehily
of Westlife and Kurt Cobain's widow.
Mark was trying to enjoy a performance
Mark was trying to enjoy a performance
of Alicia Keyes
at the recent World Music Awards in Las Vegas
when Courtney Love - plus ca change
was determined to be heard above all else.
"Can you shut the f*** up!" Feehily bravely
informed the psychotically-inclined Miss Love.
Like Vincent Browne,
it is an unconscionably long time
since Courtney's gargoyle gob last fell shut.
For which Feehily surely deserves an award.
Westlife better off without Brian
August 25 2004,
Westlife star Nicky Byrne
has told The Sun that
the group is better
off without former member
Brian McFadden.
"We are stronger than ever,"
"We are stronger than ever,"
Nicky insisted. "Brian was just going through
the motions and you cant go on like that.
"He didnt want to be
"He didnt want to be
in Westlife and we wanted him to go.
He now looks physically
better and as a foursome were
better than ever."
Despite Nicky's comments,
Despite Nicky's comments,
the Westlife boys are apparently
of the band, added,
"We will keep going until we are
not having fun,
and right now we are having a great time."
The group are currently
The group are currently
working on their next album.
Geschreven door westlife om 00:00
Reageer op dit bericht
Zondag 24 november 2013
div afbeeldingen westlife 8
*
Geschreven door westlife om 00:00
Reageer op dit bericht
Zaterdag 23 november 2013
1 ex westlife - brain mcfadden
brain 12 april een ram dus ..
de Ram
is een energiek en geïnspireerd persoon, een initiatiefnemer die risico's niet uit de weg gaat. Omdat hij onafhankelijk is ingesteld, heeft hij de goedkeuring van anderen niet per definitie nodig. Hij verzet zich dan ook sterk als andere mensen hem denkwijzen of werkmethoden proberen op te leggen.
Zijn temperament is groot. Hij kan snel boos worden, maar is dat nooit lang: zodra hij zijn boosheid geuit heeft, is het over. Hij is een mens die snel vergeet en vergeeft. Inherent aan een dergelijk temperament is zijn directheid en het gegeven dat hij te hard van stapel kan lopen. Hij gelooft in directheid, duidelijkheid en volstrekt eerlijk zijn.
Hij doet de dingen die gedaan moeten worden het het liefst alleen. Werkt hij in teamverband, dan heeft hij moeite met het feit dat anderen de dingen anders of langzamer aanpakken. Hij kan op dergelijke momenten snel zijn geduld verliezen. Het gevoel dat hij gehinderd wordt door anderen is dan sterk
Brian McFadden (Dublin, 12 april 1980) is een Ierse zanger, vooral bekend geworden als lid van Westlife.
Biografie
Brian begon zijn muziekloopbaan in een tienerbandje genaamd Cartel, maar hij werd beroemd als lid van de groep Westlife met wie hij in Engeland 7 opeenvolgende nummer-1 hits scoorde, genoeg om in het Guinness Book of Records te komen staan.
Hij was getrouwd met Kerry Katona (van de Britse meidenband Atomic Kitten), met wie hij twee dochters heeft: Molly en Lilly Sue.
Op 9 maart 2004 kondigde hij aan Westlife te verlaten, omdat hij te weinig tijd kon doorbrengen met zijn gezin. Al snel begon hij met het maken van een solo-single Real to me, waarmee hij meteen weer een nummer-1 hit scoorde in Engeland. Enkele maanden later verscheen zijn eerste solo-cd Irish son.
Zijn huwelijk liep echter in deze tijd op de klippen en ze besloten te scheiden.
Nu is hij gedumpt door zijn platenmaatschappij. Reden hiervoor zouden de dramatische verkoopcijfers van debuutalbum zijn.
Brian's eerste solosingle, 'Real to me', was een nummer één-hit in Engeland. Poging twee om door te breken als internationale soloartiest mislukte daarentegen. Zijn tweede single 'Everybody's someone' die hij opnam met countryzangeres Leann Rimes was niet erg geliefd bij het publiek. 
Eerder al heeft McFadden geprobeerd zich weer bij de formatie Westlife te voegen, maar deze zeggen nu gewend te zijn aan het performen met 4 man.
Brian McFadden - Real To Me
Brian McFadden Anonymous @ Westlife's HMV signing
Brian Mcfadden - Irish Son
Brian McFadden - Sorry Love Daddy
Brian McFadden-Can you tell us about the tattoo
nog samen met westlife
Westlife with Brian
Brian Leaves Westlife
Wednesday March 28th, 2007
Brian McFadden: marriage to Kerry Katona was a showbiz sham
Former Westlife star Brian McFadden has admitted he only married ex-wife Kerry Katona for the big party - and the money from selling the photos. 
The couple were reportedly paid a six-figure amount by a magazine for the 2002 wedding and had two daughters together before separating in 2004. 
Brian told Reveal magazine recently: ut wasnt a real wedding. We were getting married to have a big party and get loads of money for it - and to appear showbiz.
The day my marriage ended was on the stag night [when Brian had a one-night stand with a lapdancer]. That was the time I felt this is not supposed to be. At first, I denied the lapdancer thing, but then I was taken to court for calling her a liar.
Me and Kerry didnt even see each other on our wedding night.
If we hadnt had kids, the marriage wouldn,t have lasted as long as it did. I was too young to understand what having kids meant. Having a child was like getting a dog.
Kerry had previously said that Brian dumped her but Brian now claims it was a mutual decision: Kerry had taken the kids and was living with her mum. I was in New York and she phoned me and asked Don,t you love me any more? I said: Not like I did at the start. She said: Neither do I. We have to end it.
I left it at that, then got another call [from Kerry] saying um having a press conference to say weure separating. I want to move on with my life.I felt relieved, although I felt sad for the children.
After the press conference she phoned again and said um having nothing to do with this, you ure the one leaving me. I don,t want to break up.I said Are we getting back together? And she said No. Then it spiralled out of control. All of a sudden it was: He didn,t love me any more, and wants to break up.
I dont talk to her now. But if I had to, I only do it for the sake of the kids.
My private life became as artificial as my pop life in Westlife, but I couldnt see it at the time. We became a showbiz couple, and everyone was talking about us. That swept me off my feet.
After we had the first baby, bought a house and spent time together, I woke up one morning and realised 8this is not what I want to do with my life. We dont have anything in common.
Brian is now dating former Neighbours star Delta Goodrem while Kerry married Mark Croft in a private ceremony in Gretna Green last month.
Brian McFadden calls ex-wife Kerry Katona an unfit mother.
Tuesday May 23rd, 2006 at 4:09 pm by Heather
When it came to getting custody of their children, Brian McFadden promised to drop bombshells when the case got to court but it sounds like he already started launching attacks on ex-wife Kerry Katona.
Kerry has a different best friend practically every month and recently she seems to have a different man just as often. She,s an unfit mother, he told Star magazine.
She lays down crazy demands about when I can visit, designed to make it impossible for me to see them.
If we can,t sort this out and I have to do it in court it will be a miracle if a judge doesnt give the girls to me.
Kerry is, naturally, denying his claims: um happy for Brian to see the girls but he got to understand theyre at school and have their own routines. All I want is for Brian to be reasonable but he wont.
Kerry Katona woedend op ex-man Brian McFadden
Kerry Katona heeft uitgehaald naar haar ex-man Brian McFadden. De oud-zangeres van Atomic Kitten zegt in The Mirror dat haar ex-man door en door slecht is.
Kerry Katona heeft uitgehaald naar haar ex-man Brian McFadden. De voormalige zangeres van Atomic Kitten zegt in de Britse krant The Mirror dat haar ex-man door en door slecht is. Zij reageert op uitspraken die de ex-Westlifezanger volgens haar heeft gedaan.
McFadden zou haar gezegd hebben alleen met de 26-jarige zangeres getrouwd te zijn vanwege het feestje en het geld dat de media voor de foto's van het huwelijk betaalden. Hij zou verder de komst van hun twee dochters, Molly en Lilly-Sue, hebben vergeleken met de aanschaf van een hond.
Katona laat de krant weten dat hun kinderen uit liefde geboren zijn. "Ik kan niet geloven dat Brian zo gemeen en harteloos is", zegt ze. "Je kinderen met honden vergelijken is wel het gemeenste wat je kunt doen."
McFadden kan zich niet veel negatieve publiciteit meer veroorloven. Eerder liet Westlife weten McFadden niet meer terug bij de band te willen, en tot overmaat van ramp werd hij door zijn platenlabel Sony BMG gedumpt.
Katona en McFadden trouwden in 2002 in Ierland en vierden hun huwelijksreis op Mauritius. Ze kregen in 2001 hun dochter Molly en in 2003 Lilly-Sue. Het stel scheidde in 2004 na amper drie jaar huwelijk.
Delta's true blue Brian
June 11, 2008 12:00am
IRISHMAN Brian McFadden wants to call Australia home. He told Confidential he would seek Australian citizenship after he married Delta Goodrem.
The former Westlife singer told Confidential he would seek Australian citizenship after he married his fiancee, songbird Delta Goodrem.
"Absolutely, yes," he said when asked if he would eventually become an Australian.
"When Delta and I get married and some day we do have kids, we see Australia as the place we want to raise them. When I do get married I will apply for citizenship."
McFadden said he would keep his European passport.
The singer hosts Foxtel's Football Superstar show and is filling in for two weeks on the FOX FM breakfast shift.
Yesterday, on his first day, he arrived half an hour late at 5.30am, but the group made light of it. According to FOX, he didn't sleep in; his schedule said 5.30am and not 5am.
Goodrem is spending most of this year promoting her records overseas, and it's been tough for the couple being apart.
"We have done everything together the last four years, and it's difficult to do all these things on our own.
But it's something that is only short term, and hopefully in a few months we will be back together," McFadden said.
The couple's wedding probably won't be this year.
"We have to decide where we're going to have it. Until we've set a destination, we won't start planning at the moment. We have to think through the right time, so all our family can be there."
McFadden is enjoying the good reception he has had from Australians.
"I've been here since February, and I've already made so many friends and have been offered all these gigs. Maybe they like the Irish accent."
Brian McFadden doesn't like the way his daughters speakBrian McFadden: I hate my daughters' skanky accents
Former Westlife star doesn't like Molly and Lilly-Sue sounding like their mum Kerry Katona
Wednesday, 7 May 2008
Brian McFadden has revealed he hates his children's northern accents.
The former Westlife star has 2 daughters with ex-wife Kerry Katona, 27 Molly, 6, and Lilly-Sue, 5. 
But Brian can't stand their Warrington twang.
'It's horrible the way they speak,' he tells the Daily Star. 'They have skanky northern English accents.
'It makes me want to scream.'
And Irishman Brian who's engaged to 23-year-old Aussie singer Delta Goodrem doesn't mince his words when talking about his ex, either, describing her as 'a disgusting human being'.
'Me and my family have been put through hell by her. She uses my two girls as a weapon in her childish games. She is an embarrassment to me, my family and my children.'
Brian, 28, is currently seeking custody of his daughters.
Brian to write autobiography?
Brian McFadden has apparently threatened to unleash a war of words against ex-wife Kerry Katona.
The former Westlife singer is in talks with a ghost writer about writing his first autobiography and has vowed to reveal all about his relationship with the 27-year-old mother of his children.
The pair are currently embroiled in a custody battle over daughters Molly, six, and Lilly Sue, five, and have traded many insults in the papers.
Brian told New! magazine he has resisted writing a tell-all book until now but said: "I am pushed into a corner really and I have taken years of personal attacks. I don't care what the public believe but all I ask is that they give me this one chance."
The 28-year-old singer is engaged to Australian singer and former Neighbours star Delta Goodrem, 23, and hopes to win custody of his daughters.
Brian McFadden has apparently threatened to unleash a war of words against ex-wife Kerry Katona.
The former Westlife singer is in talks with a ghost writer about writing his first autobiography and has vowed to reveal all about his relationship with the 27-year-old mother of his children.
The pair are currently embroiled in a custody battle over daughters Molly, six, and Lilly Sue, five, and have traded many insults in the papers.
Brian told New! magazine he has resisted writing a tell-all book until now but said: "I am pushed into a corner really and I have taken years of personal attacks. I don't care what the public believe but all I ask is that they give me this one chance."
The 28-year-old singer is engaged to Australian singer and former Neighbours star Delta Goodrem, 23, and hopes to win custody of his daughters.
McFadden in his own right
Wednesday 30 July, 2008
HE may be better known in Australia as Delta Goodrem's fiance but Brian McFadden is a star in his own right.
An original member of the chart-topping pop band Westlife, he left the group in 2004 to embark on a solo career.
Now he's bringing his musical talents to Rooty Hill RSL on August 8 to help promote his debut solo album Set In Stone.
With two hit singles already from the album Like Only a Woman Can and Twisted McFadden says the response to his music in Australia has been amazing.
"Twisted has been getting some good airplay and everything's going better than expected," he told the Mt Druitt-St Marys Standard.
"I'm delighted. I wasn't expecting it (the album) to get going as quickly as it has."
With Set In Stone McFadden said he wanted to show some depth and variety.
He said Twisted ("a pure pop song with raging power") showed a lighter side of his music.
He said it was especially chosen from the more than 150 songs he wrote for the 10-track album because of its energy.
McFadden's creative input is evident in every song, something he's been allowed to do only since leaving Westlife.
"I much prefer being on my own. You're more in control of where you go and what you do," he said.
"There are a lot of people that help me like my manager, Delta and friends. I need that network but I still work on my own."
McFadden said his relationship with Australia was something he cherished.
He was recently the host of FOX8's Football Superstar, which gave him a chance to explore his second love football.
He said playing a pre-season game with Sydney FC was a highlight.
So with a marriage to Delta sometime in the future, would the Irishman settle in Oz?
"I don't think I could settle anywhere," he said.
"I have kids in England (from a previous marriage) and I will always be between here and there. I've been doing that all my life."
Brian McFadden interview
Friday August 08, 2008
Former Westlife singer Brian McFadden is to perform in New Zealand.
'Twisted' video - courtesy of Universal Music
'Like Only a Woman Can' - Universal Music
Interview with Brian McFadden
Our celebrity gossip blogger, Myrddin Gwynedd, caught up with former Westlife singer Brian McFadden this week for a chat about his new single and album.
McFadden, currently in Auckland to promote his new album, Set In Stone , revealed that he plans to bring his Live & Twisted tour to New Zealand in October.
The pop singer will play two intimate shows in Auckland and Wellington.
Fans will get up close and personal with the Irish singer-songwriter at Wellington's Bar Bodega on Friday, October 3, and in Auckland at the Transmission Rooms on Saturday, October 4.
McFadden last visited New Zealand in April, and recently completed a stint as co-ost on Auckland's
Is McFadden really anti-gay?
Published: Today
BRIAN McFADDEN has sparked outrage by saying heterosexual men should not wear pink.
The ex-WESTLIFE star shocked listeners on a New Zealand radio show, saying: "If you are not gay, a man should not be wearing pink.
"Saying pink is a form of red is the same as saying homosexual is a form of male."
Understandable, gay rights activists have accused the singer of homophobia.
A local Auckland charity have spoken out, with Rainbow Youth co-ordinator Robert Marshall saying: "It's the sort of stuff that gets said every day in the schoolyard. A lot of young people are quite impressionable, and when they see celebrities saying stuff like that, they think it's OK to say it themselves."
Life without Brian ... Westlife
Meanwhile Brian revealed the moment he wanted to quit his former boyband was when they were asked to record a cover of BARRY MANILOW's Mandy.
The Irish singer announced his departure just months later and started making plans for a solo career.
He said: "We never got any respect as artists because we didn't write all the songs and we weren't a self-producing product. We were being controlled more like puppets than anything else."
But despite his fizzling career, he's the last one laughing having traded in KERRY KATONA for DELTA GOODREM.
.....
Published: Today
BRIAN McFADDEN has sparked outrage by saying heterosexual men should not wear pink.
The ex-WESTLIFE star shocked listeners on a New Zealand radio show, saying: "If you are not gay, a man should not be wearing pink.
"Saying pink is a form of red is the same as saying homosexual is a form of male."
Understandable, gay rights activists have accused the singer of homophobia.
A local Auckland charity have spoken out, with Rainbow Youth co-ordinator Robert Marshall saying: "It's the sort of stuff that gets said every day in the schoolyard. A lot of young people are quite impressionable, and when they see celebrities saying stuff like that, they think it's OK to say it themselves."
Life without Brian ... Westlife
Meanwhile Brian revealed the moment he wanted to quit his former boyband was when they were asked to record a cover of BARRY MANILOW's Mandy.
The Irish singer announced his departure just months later and started making plans for a solo career.
He said: "We never got any respect as artists because we didn't write all the songs and we weren't a self-producing product. We were being controlled more like puppets than anything else."
But despite his fizzling career, he's the last one laughing having traded in KERRY KATONA for DELTA GOODREM.
.....
McFadden apologises for gay remarks
Wednesday, September 3 2008,
Brian McFadden has apologised for causing offence by claiming that only gay men should wear pink clothing.
The former Westlife singer said he was only having a "light-hearted conversation" on the radio when he made the comments and insisted that they were not meant to be taking seriously.
Speaking at UNICEF's Soccer Aid event, McFadden told DS: "I made the joke when I was on a radio station in New Zealand.
"Some woman rang in and said my husband wears pink. I was winding her up, saying, 'He must have a dark secret'. But then it got completely taken out of context.
"It went on every bloody gay website in the world and people called me homophobic. It's ridiculous!"
He continued: "It wasn't a big deal on the day, people were laughing. One person got offended, put it on a website and everyone jumps onboard.
"I apologise if I upset anybody, but it was supposed to be a light-hearted conversation."
Wednesday, September 3 2008,
Brian McFadden has apologised for causing offence by claiming that only gay men should wear pink clothing.
The former Westlife singer said he was only having a "light-hearted conversation" on the radio when he made the comments and insisted that they were not meant to be taking seriously.
Speaking at UNICEF's Soccer Aid event, McFadden told DS: "I made the joke when I was on a radio station in New Zealand.
"Some woman rang in and said my husband wears pink. I was winding her up, saying, 'He must have a dark secret'. But then it got completely taken out of context.
"It went on every bloody gay website in the world and people called me homophobic. It's ridiculous!"
He continued: "It wasn't a big deal on the day, people were laughing. One person got offended, put it on a website and everyone jumps onboard.
"I apologise if I upset anybody, but it was supposed to be a light-hearted conversation."
Saturday, August 16 2008
McFadden reveals Westlife frustration
Brian McFadden realised that he wanted to quit Westlife when the group were asked to record a cover of Barry Manilow's 'Mandy', he has revealed.
The Irish singer announced his departure just months later and started making plans for a successful solo career.
"We never got any respect as artists because we didn't write all the songs and we weren't a self-producing product," McFadden explained. "We were being controlled more like puppets than anything else."
Speaking about 'Mandy', he continued: "They were formulating how to get a No.1 record. I wanted to write my own songs and sing my own music."
McFadden's debut solo song 'Real To Me' topped the UK singles chart in 2004. However, his album Irish Son and future single releases suffered as a result of the backlash surrounding his marriage split with Kerry Katona.
"That has shaped my career," he admitted. "Hero to villain literally in one weekend."
Brian has released his second album Set In Stone in Australia, where it has been a top five hit. The LP will hit shops in the UK next year.
McFadden reveals Westlife frustration
Brian McFadden realised that he wanted to quit Westlife when the group were asked to record a cover of Barry Manilow's 'Mandy', he has revealed.
The Irish singer announced his departure just months later and started making plans for a successful solo career.
"We never got any respect as artists because we didn't write all the songs and we weren't a self-producing product," McFadden explained. "We were being controlled more like puppets than anything else."
Speaking about 'Mandy', he continued: "They were formulating how to get a No.1 record. I wanted to write my own songs and sing my own music."
McFadden's debut solo song 'Real To Me' topped the UK singles chart in 2004. However, his album Irish Son and future single releases suffered as a result of the backlash surrounding his marriage split with Kerry Katona.
"That has shaped my career," he admitted. "Hero to villain literally in one weekend."
Brian has released his second album Set In Stone in Australia, where it has been a top five hit. The LP will hit shops in the UK next year.
brain mcfadden kids
molly & lilly
molly & lilly
The new life of Brian
5/11/2008 1:00:00 AM
BACK in July, Irish musician Brian McFadden made an appearance on ABC1's music trivia comedy Spicks and Specks.
It wasn't his first time on the show, but for the many Australians tuned in, his tongue-in-cheek treatment of Guns N' Roses' Patience was significant.
The Irish boy-band superstar, who quit Westlife in 2004, flexed his sense of humour and further endeared himself to a country's people who tend not to pander to musicians who take themselves too seriously.
"That was just a bit of fun. We had a laugh," McFadden recalled before going on to explain the welcome embrace of Australians.
"It's been amazing. It makes you really feel at home you know, especially after the treatment I got in England with the press."
Formed in 1998, when McFadden was 18, Westlife stormed the UK charts with 14 number-one singles - the third-highest in UK history. Only Elvis Presley and The Beatles prevented Westlife from taking the top spots.
The UK boy bands of the era, such as Take That and Boyzone were pop-culture phenomenons. Spawned by the success of the Spice Girls, all-female groups like The Sugababes and Atomic Kitten were also created.
The "treatment" by the UK press McFadden referred to was part of the fallout after his 2002 marriage to Atomic Kitten's Kerry Katona ended in 2004, and his decision (also in 2004) to quit Westlife.
"To come to a new country and be so welcomed it's like a safe haven now for me Australia. It's like my safe place to go to."
His relationship with fellow musician and former Neighbours actor Delta Goodrem started after his split from Katona, but the UK press went with different stories and the accusations flew.
McFadden has since enjoyed an extended stay in Australia and his new album - made both in the UK and Sydney - reflected that.
"I've spent a lot more time than I expected to spend here," he said.
"I originally came over just to release my album here, maybe spend five or six weeks and do the album in the UK."
With his life splashed all over the media, it's hard not to read into the emotional, sometimes bitter, lyrics of his new album Set In Stone.
"All my songs are quite personal," McFadden answered when asked of his lyrics' autobiographical nature.
"I can't write any other way. I write songs and whatever comes out comes from the heart. I find it hard to manipulate a song with something I'm not really feeling.
"If I don't believe it how can anybody else believe it? I have to believe it first."
Goodrem has songwriting credits on Set In Stone and McFadden said working together again was a pleasure. They initially collaborated on Together We Are One which they wrote, along with Guy Chambers, for the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games opening ceremony.
"We decided we worked well and we ended up writing a couple (of songs) for my album and doing half her album and I think that's how we are going to work for the future - do a lot together.
"Especially at the moment, being in different parts of the world all year. It gives us a chance to spend time together as well."
Goodrem has spent most of 2008 in the US while McFadden has happily carved out a niche for himself in Australia.
"I got here and had so much fun ... and ended up doing the football show. I just never really got a chance to leave," he laughed of the circumstances that led to him hosting Foxtel's Football Superstar.
With the first season in the bag he said he is in talks about doing a second.
"I didn't have any interest in doing TV presenting at the time ... and they said you get to play football everyday. And I was like `I'm in, I'm in!'," he laughed.
The 28 year old said he is not really longing for home because Australia reminds him of Ireland.
"The only thing that's different is the weather. The people in Australia are pretty similar to the Irish - the same kind of humour, fun-loving people."
On Set In Stone, Goodrem's father Dennis is included on McFadden's list of thankyous and he agreed when asked if his fiancee's dad wasn't the only one he felt he had to win over when he fell for Goodrem.
"I had a lot of things to prove when I got to Australia ... I'm doing my best to live up to her good name."
Brian McFadden will appear at Wrest Point Entertainment Centre, Hobart, November 14; and Launceston Country Club, Launceston, November 15.
5/11/2008 1:00:00 AM
BACK in July, Irish musician Brian McFadden made an appearance on ABC1's music trivia comedy Spicks and Specks.
It wasn't his first time on the show, but for the many Australians tuned in, his tongue-in-cheek treatment of Guns N' Roses' Patience was significant.
The Irish boy-band superstar, who quit Westlife in 2004, flexed his sense of humour and further endeared himself to a country's people who tend not to pander to musicians who take themselves too seriously.
"That was just a bit of fun. We had a laugh," McFadden recalled before going on to explain the welcome embrace of Australians.
"It's been amazing. It makes you really feel at home you know, especially after the treatment I got in England with the press."
Formed in 1998, when McFadden was 18, Westlife stormed the UK charts with 14 number-one singles - the third-highest in UK history. Only Elvis Presley and The Beatles prevented Westlife from taking the top spots.
The UK boy bands of the era, such as Take That and Boyzone were pop-culture phenomenons. Spawned by the success of the Spice Girls, all-female groups like The Sugababes and Atomic Kitten were also created.
The "treatment" by the UK press McFadden referred to was part of the fallout after his 2002 marriage to Atomic Kitten's Kerry Katona ended in 2004, and his decision (also in 2004) to quit Westlife.
"To come to a new country and be so welcomed it's like a safe haven now for me Australia. It's like my safe place to go to."
His relationship with fellow musician and former Neighbours actor Delta Goodrem started after his split from Katona, but the UK press went with different stories and the accusations flew.
McFadden has since enjoyed an extended stay in Australia and his new album - made both in the UK and Sydney - reflected that.
"I've spent a lot more time than I expected to spend here," he said.
"I originally came over just to release my album here, maybe spend five or six weeks and do the album in the UK."
With his life splashed all over the media, it's hard not to read into the emotional, sometimes bitter, lyrics of his new album Set In Stone.
"All my songs are quite personal," McFadden answered when asked of his lyrics' autobiographical nature.
"I can't write any other way. I write songs and whatever comes out comes from the heart. I find it hard to manipulate a song with something I'm not really feeling.
"If I don't believe it how can anybody else believe it? I have to believe it first."
Goodrem has songwriting credits on Set In Stone and McFadden said working together again was a pleasure. They initially collaborated on Together We Are One which they wrote, along with Guy Chambers, for the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games opening ceremony.
"We decided we worked well and we ended up writing a couple (of songs) for my album and doing half her album and I think that's how we are going to work for the future - do a lot together.
"Especially at the moment, being in different parts of the world all year. It gives us a chance to spend time together as well."
Goodrem has spent most of 2008 in the US while McFadden has happily carved out a niche for himself in Australia.
"I got here and had so much fun ... and ended up doing the football show. I just never really got a chance to leave," he laughed of the circumstances that led to him hosting Foxtel's Football Superstar.
With the first season in the bag he said he is in talks about doing a second.
"I didn't have any interest in doing TV presenting at the time ... and they said you get to play football everyday. And I was like `I'm in, I'm in!'," he laughed.
The 28 year old said he is not really longing for home because Australia reminds him of Ireland.
"The only thing that's different is the weather. The people in Australia are pretty similar to the Irish - the same kind of humour, fun-loving people."
On Set In Stone, Goodrem's father Dennis is included on McFadden's list of thankyous and he agreed when asked if his fiancee's dad wasn't the only one he felt he had to win over when he fell for Goodrem.
"I had a lot of things to prove when I got to Australia ... I'm doing my best to live up to her good name."
Brian McFadden will appear at Wrest Point Entertainment Centre, Hobart, November 14; and Launceston Country Club, Launceston, November 15.
McFadden 'dumps' Katona designer gear
Tuesday, January 2009,
Brian McFadden has revealed that he gave away all of Kerry Katona's clothes to his relatives.
The former Westlife singer admitted that he got rid of all of Katona's designer gear by giving it to members of his family.
"I invited all my sisters' friends and all my cousins around to the house and literally opened up the wardrobe and said, 'Have what you like'," he said on his Fox FM breakfast show.
"All my cousins, they live down in the country in Ireland so they live on farms and stuff, are all walking around small villages in Dolce & Gabbana dresses and Gucci shoes and the like.
"She [Katona] did not know, but she knows now."
McFadden recently denied claims that he will seek custody of his daughters
Tuesday, January 2009,
Brian McFadden has revealed that he gave away all of Kerry Katona's clothes to his relatives.
The former Westlife singer admitted that he got rid of all of Katona's designer gear by giving it to members of his family.
"I invited all my sisters' friends and all my cousins around to the house and literally opened up the wardrobe and said, 'Have what you like'," he said on his Fox FM breakfast show.
"All my cousins, they live down in the country in Ireland so they live on farms and stuff, are all walking around small villages in Dolce & Gabbana dresses and Gucci shoes and the like.
"She [Katona] did not know, but she knows now."
McFadden recently denied claims that he will seek custody of his daughters
brain mcfadden - twisted (live)
McFadden signs up for TV role again
Former Westlife star Brian McFadden has signed up to present a second series of the Australian reality television show 'Football Superstar'.
According to TV Tonight, the singer will co-host the show with Lee Furlong later in the year.
McFadden previously hosted the Fox8 programme last June.
AdvertisementSpeaking about the show, he said: "I had an absolute blast filming the first series and am really excited to be back at the helm again."
"We uncovered some serious talent in season one which is testament to the growing popularity of football in Australia. I can't wait to see who we discover this year."
McFadden is set to marry his long-term girlfriend, singer Deltra Goodrem, next Christmas.
Former Westlife star Brian McFadden has signed up to present a second series of the Australian reality television show 'Football Superstar'.
According to TV Tonight, the singer will co-host the show with Lee Furlong later in the year.
McFadden previously hosted the Fox8 programme last June.
AdvertisementSpeaking about the show, he said: "I had an absolute blast filming the first series and am really excited to be back at the helm again."
"We uncovered some serious talent in season one which is testament to the growing popularity of football in Australia. I can't wait to see who we discover this year."
McFadden is set to marry his long-term girlfriend, singer Deltra Goodrem, next Christmas.
Delta and Brian call wedding off
May 24, 2009 12:00am
SINGERS Delta Goodrem and Brian McFadden have put off their Christmas wedding, but have insisted their relationship isn't onthe rocks.
McFadden told The Sunday Telegraph he was still madly in love with Goodrem, but simply too busy to walk down the aisle.
Gallery: The many faces of Delta Goodrem
"We were sitting down to try to organise the wedding and we were thinking, `We're never going to get this wedding organised by Christmas','' said McFadden, 29.
Gallery: McFadden McMaddened
"I know if we don't get married, everyone is going to say there are problems because we pushed the wedding back.
"But we want to get married and take a nice block of time off, like three months, enjoy our families being there and have a nice honeymoon ... not get married between gigs.''
The pair spent much of the past 18 months apart as Goodrem based herself overseas, attempting unsuccessfully to break into the competitive American market.
Now back in Australia, Goodrem is getting ready to begin work on her fourth album.
And McFadden is about to launch a new music project named Wall Of Sound with former Savage Garden producer Rob Connolly. He is also busy filming the second series of Foxtel's Football Superstar.
"Since Christmas, we've only spent about one day apart, which is great,'' said the former Westlife singer. ``Hopefully the rest of the year it will be like that.
"I know she's going to go back to America and she's about to get knee-deep into her new record, so we're planning each week as it comes.''
The pair announced their engagement in November 2007, having met two years earlier while working together on a duet, Almost Here.
McFadden was then married to former Atomic Kitten singer Kerry Katona, with whom he has two daughters: Molly, 7, and Lily-Sue, 6. He and Goodrem have carefully kept the details of their planned nuptials secret.
Even close friends and family had been kept inthe dark on the wedding and invitations were expected to be sent out at the last minute to protect their privacy.
"I've been waiting but nothing's arrived,'' said one close friend, who did not want to be named.
"It's going to be in a magazine so they are keeping everything secret.
"Maybe I'll just get a text a few hours before.''
Earlier this year, Goodrem even indicated she may design her own wedding dress.
May 24, 2009 12:00am
SINGERS Delta Goodrem and Brian McFadden have put off their Christmas wedding, but have insisted their relationship isn't onthe rocks.
McFadden told The Sunday Telegraph he was still madly in love with Goodrem, but simply too busy to walk down the aisle.
Gallery: The many faces of Delta Goodrem
"We were sitting down to try to organise the wedding and we were thinking, `We're never going to get this wedding organised by Christmas','' said McFadden, 29.
Gallery: McFadden McMaddened
"I know if we don't get married, everyone is going to say there are problems because we pushed the wedding back.
"But we want to get married and take a nice block of time off, like three months, enjoy our families being there and have a nice honeymoon ... not get married between gigs.''
The pair spent much of the past 18 months apart as Goodrem based herself overseas, attempting unsuccessfully to break into the competitive American market.
Now back in Australia, Goodrem is getting ready to begin work on her fourth album.
And McFadden is about to launch a new music project named Wall Of Sound with former Savage Garden producer Rob Connolly. He is also busy filming the second series of Foxtel's Football Superstar.
"Since Christmas, we've only spent about one day apart, which is great,'' said the former Westlife singer. ``Hopefully the rest of the year it will be like that.
"I know she's going to go back to America and she's about to get knee-deep into her new record, so we're planning each week as it comes.''
The pair announced their engagement in November 2007, having met two years earlier while working together on a duet, Almost Here.
McFadden was then married to former Atomic Kitten singer Kerry Katona, with whom he has two daughters: Molly, 7, and Lily-Sue, 6. He and Goodrem have carefully kept the details of their planned nuptials secret.
Even close friends and family had been kept inthe dark on the wedding and invitations were expected to be sent out at the last minute to protect their privacy.
"I've been waiting but nothing's arrived,'' said one close friend, who did not want to be named.
"It's going to be in a magazine so they are keeping everything secret.
"Maybe I'll just get a text a few hours before.''
Earlier this year, Goodrem even indicated she may design her own wedding dress.
By Melanie Finn
Wednesday September 02 2009
Brian McFadden helped his elder daughter celebrate her birthday after flying back home from Down Under.
The former Westlife star flew back in the wake of ex-wife Kerry Katona's alleged meltdown.
And the devoted dad made sure to pay a special dedication to his daughter Molly as she marked her eighth birthday.
He sent special wishes to his elder child on his popular Twitter page, where he first revealed his plans to fly back to Ireland. "Happy birthday baby girl X," he wrote on his home page.
Brian has been on red alert for the past week, since Kerry was snapped allegedly taking drugs at her home -- in Warrington, England -- which she shares with her hubby Mark Croft and four children.
But the singer became so concerned for the plight for his two children, Molly and Lilly-Sue (7), that he jetted back over the weekend.
An incriminating video of the former Atomic Kitten star emerged just after Brian's two children returned to Britain after spending a three-week holiday with their dad in Ireland.
Just a few days later, Kerry was arrested by police after her accountant David McHugh claimed she had assaulted him during a heated meeting in his office.
After returning to her Cheshire home, she collapsed in hysterics and threatened to slash her wrists.
Her arrest came soon after she lost her €300,000 contract with Iceland, her last high-profile job after MTV axed her reality show.
Now Brian is said to be gearing up for a custody battle with the troubled reality star, as he has expressed his hope of bringing his daughters back to live in Ireland.
"He may live in Australia, but he's mad about his two girls and would do anything for them," said a source.
"He feels like all this bad stuff is unfolding around them without being able to do anything about it, and he's sick and tired of reading about the latest saga in Kerry's troubled life.
Wednesday September 02 2009
Brian McFadden helped his elder daughter celebrate her birthday after flying back home from Down Under.
The former Westlife star flew back in the wake of ex-wife Kerry Katona's alleged meltdown.
And the devoted dad made sure to pay a special dedication to his daughter Molly as she marked her eighth birthday.
He sent special wishes to his elder child on his popular Twitter page, where he first revealed his plans to fly back to Ireland. "Happy birthday baby girl X," he wrote on his home page.
Brian has been on red alert for the past week, since Kerry was snapped allegedly taking drugs at her home -- in Warrington, England -- which she shares with her hubby Mark Croft and four children.
But the singer became so concerned for the plight for his two children, Molly and Lilly-Sue (7), that he jetted back over the weekend.
An incriminating video of the former Atomic Kitten star emerged just after Brian's two children returned to Britain after spending a three-week holiday with their dad in Ireland.
Just a few days later, Kerry was arrested by police after her accountant David McHugh claimed she had assaulted him during a heated meeting in his office.
After returning to her Cheshire home, she collapsed in hysterics and threatened to slash her wrists.
Her arrest came soon after she lost her €300,000 contract with Iceland, her last high-profile job after MTV axed her reality show.
Now Brian is said to be gearing up for a custody battle with the troubled reality star, as he has expressed his hope of bringing his daughters back to live in Ireland.
"He may live in Australia, but he's mad about his two girls and would do anything for them," said a source.
"He feels like all this bad stuff is unfolding around them without being able to do anything about it, and he's sick and tired of reading about the latest saga in Kerry's troubled life.
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Zaterdag 23 november 2013
2 WESTLIFE 2009
Westlife's Feehily wants critics to lay off
Westlife land at two with 'What About Now', narrowly missing out on a 15th UK chart-topper
1. (1) Cheryl Cole: 'Fight For This Love'
2. (-) Westlife: 'What About Now' 
3. (-) Jay Sean ft. Lil Wayne: 'Down'
4. (2) Alexandra Burke ft. Flo Rida: 'Bad Boys'
5. (9) Michael Bublé: 'Haven't Met You Yet'
6. (11) Black Eyed Peas: 'Meet Me Halfway'
Westlife land at two with 'What About Now', narrowly missing out on a 15th UK chart-topper
1. (1) Cheryl Cole: 'Fight For This Love'
2. (-) Westlife: 'What About Now'
3. (-) Jay Sean ft. Lil Wayne: 'Down'
4. (2) Alexandra Burke ft. Flo Rida: 'Bad Boys'
5. (9) Michael Bublé: 'Haven't Met You Yet'
6. (11) Black Eyed Peas: 'Meet Me Halfway'
7. (3) Chipmunk: 'Oopsy Daisy'
8. (5) Whitney Houston: 'Million Dollar Bill'
9. (4) Robbie Williams: 'Bodies'
10. (7) Black Eyed Peas: 'I Gotta Feeling'
8. (5) Whitney Houston: 'Million Dollar Bill'
9. (4) Robbie Williams: 'Bodies'
10. (7) Black Eyed Peas: 'I Gotta Feeling'
Mark Feehily says he’s fed up of people criticising Westlife for doing cover songs.
The 29-year-old vocalist said he was annoyed his group – who have had 14 number one hits and sold more than 43 million records sold worldwide - were “misunderstood”.
The ‘Flying Without Wings’ vocalist said: “Our record company, they don’t want to take risks, so they are happier to do more covers.
“To anyone who criticises what we do, we actually do a lot of original pop songs and a lot of our best songs, a lot of our number one singles, are actually original pop songs. “
Although he added: “We definitely did go too far, we did too many covers. That’s something we allowed to happen and shouldn’t have.”
Despite this, Westlife’s new single ‘What About Now’ is actually a cover of a track by Daughtry, an American rock band.
Defending their choice, Feehily said: “It’s a cover in the way that it’s been recorded by another artist but it’s not a cover in the way ‘Mandy’ was, in that it’s been a massive hit already.”
2009
Westlife Nicky's father dies, aged 60
Wednesday, November 4 2009,
Westlife have cancelled their current promotional tour after singer Nicky Byrne's father died at the age of 60.
The band had been in London to support their comeback single 'What About Now' but Byrne has now returned to Ireland to support his family following Nicky Snr's death from a suspected heart attack, the Daily Mail reports.
An official statement read: "The family would like to confirm the sad news of the very sudden loss of a husband, dad and grandad today.
"A wonderful man who will be sadly missed by everyone whose life he touched. The Byrne family would like to ask that you respect their privacy at this time."
A spokesman for the group added: "The boys in the band's main priority is looking after Nicky at this tragic time."
Bandmate Kian Egan, who lost his own father to cancer in July, told the Irish Independent: "It's been such a shock. Everyone feels so sad. It was just so sudden and unexpected."
The group's founder Louis Walsh said: "Westlife are all devastated. They can't believe a second father is dead."
Wednesday, November 4 2009,
Westlife have cancelled their current promotional tour after singer Nicky Byrne's father died at the age of 60.
The band had been in London to support their comeback single 'What About Now' but Byrne has now returned to Ireland to support his family following Nicky Snr's death from a suspected heart attack, the Daily Mail reports.
An official statement read: "The family would like to confirm the sad news of the very sudden loss of a husband, dad and grandad today.
"A wonderful man who will be sadly missed by everyone whose life he touched. The Byrne family would like to ask that you respect their privacy at this time."
A spokesman for the group added: "The boys in the band's main priority is looking after Nicky at this tragic time."
Bandmate Kian Egan, who lost his own father to cancer in July, told the Irish Independent: "It's been such a shock. Everyone feels so sad. It was just so sudden and unexpected."
The group's founder Louis Walsh said: "Westlife are all devastated. They can't believe a second father is dead."
New album for Westlife
Pop's most enduring group, Westlife, have finally emerged from the studio after a year-long break to present their brand new album, 'Where We Are'.
Spending much of 2009 hidden away in studios across Europe and the US, Westlife have been quietly creating their most exciting album to date. 'Where We Are' features work from pop's finest craftsmen, including grammy nominated Ryan Tedder (Leona Lewis, Beyonce) Steve Robson (James Morrison, Take That) Steve Booker (Duffy) Louis Biancaniello and Sam Watters (Whitney Houston, Anastacia.) and Shaznay Lewis, who co-writes a track with band member Mark Feehily.
These stellar production teams have helped the boys create a new and contemporary sound, whilst retaining those classic Westlife soaring melodies and rousing lyrics. Featuring the already massive hit single 'What About Now' it's a collection bound to excite fans and pop enthusiasts alike.
Perhaps best showcasing this new sound is 'Shadows', co-written by Backstreet Boy A. J. Mclean. A classic Westlife choral anthem, peppered with a futuristic military drum roll fashioned by urban-pop maestro Ryan Tedder. The song sets the benchmark for the sound which brings Westlife bang up-to-date on the eve of the new decade.
Elsewhere 'The Difference' visits rockier terrain, while 'Another World' allows Mark Feehily's exquisite vocal to escalate to gospel territory, a moment sure to thrill live. 'I'll See You Again' laments the passing of a loved one, set to a haunting landscape of piano, synths and acoustic guitar, a moment surely relatable.
Shane Filan of the band says "We've been experimenting with a fresh vibe on this record, working with new producers and writing songs for the album ourselves. After eleven years we see this as phase two of the Westlife story."
Westlife's new material is the first since 2007's 'Back Home', which became the band's seventh number one album, spending two months in the Top Ten and selling over 1 million copies in the UK alone.
No pop band can compare to Westlife's extraordinary success. During their 11 years at the top of pop's hierarchy, the band has sold over 40 million records globally. In the UK alone they have scored nine multi-platinum albums and a record breaking 14 No.1 hits (behind only Elvis and The Beatles). They have also picked up innumerable awards and appeared on hundreds of magazine covers around the world. They are the only recording artists to win the prestigious 'Record Of The Year' an incredible four times (other top awards include two BRITS and an MTV Europe Award). Westlife are also the biggest selling Arena act ever, holding the record for the most concerts held at Wembley Arena, an incredible 23.
Pop's most enduring group, Westlife, have finally emerged from the studio after a year-long break to present their brand new album, 'Where We Are'.
Spending much of 2009 hidden away in studios across Europe and the US, Westlife have been quietly creating their most exciting album to date. 'Where We Are' features work from pop's finest craftsmen, including grammy nominated Ryan Tedder (Leona Lewis, Beyonce) Steve Robson (James Morrison, Take That) Steve Booker (Duffy) Louis Biancaniello and Sam Watters (Whitney Houston, Anastacia.) and Shaznay Lewis, who co-writes a track with band member Mark Feehily.
These stellar production teams have helped the boys create a new and contemporary sound, whilst retaining those classic Westlife soaring melodies and rousing lyrics. Featuring the already massive hit single 'What About Now' it's a collection bound to excite fans and pop enthusiasts alike.
Perhaps best showcasing this new sound is 'Shadows', co-written by Backstreet Boy A. J. Mclean. A classic Westlife choral anthem, peppered with a futuristic military drum roll fashioned by urban-pop maestro Ryan Tedder. The song sets the benchmark for the sound which brings Westlife bang up-to-date on the eve of the new decade.
Elsewhere 'The Difference' visits rockier terrain, while 'Another World' allows Mark Feehily's exquisite vocal to escalate to gospel territory, a moment sure to thrill live. 'I'll See You Again' laments the passing of a loved one, set to a haunting landscape of piano, synths and acoustic guitar, a moment surely relatable.
Shane Filan of the band says "We've been experimenting with a fresh vibe on this record, working with new producers and writing songs for the album ourselves. After eleven years we see this as phase two of the Westlife story."
Westlife's new material is the first since 2007's 'Back Home', which became the band's seventh number one album, spending two months in the Top Ten and selling over 1 million copies in the UK alone.
No pop band can compare to Westlife's extraordinary success. During their 11 years at the top of pop's hierarchy, the band has sold over 40 million records globally. In the UK alone they have scored nine multi-platinum albums and a record breaking 14 No.1 hits (behind only Elvis and The Beatles). They have also picked up innumerable awards and appeared on hundreds of magazine covers around the world. They are the only recording artists to win the prestigious 'Record Of The Year' an incredible four times (other top awards include two BRITS and an MTV Europe Award). Westlife are also the biggest selling Arena act ever, holding the record for the most concerts held at Wembley Arena, an incredible 23.
Where We Are
Shane says: "We've been experimenting with a fresh vibe on this record, working with new producers and writing songs for the album ourselves. After eleven years we see this as phase two of the Westlife story."
Shane says: "We've been experimenting with a fresh vibe on this record, working with new producers and writing songs for the album ourselves. After eleven years we see this as phase two of the Westlife story."
Westlife star Nicky Byrne lays his father to rest in emotional ceremony
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated on 07th November 2009
Westlife star Nicky Byrne laid his father to rest today in an emotional ceremony.
The 31-year-old's face was contorted by grief as he acted as pallbearer for his father Nicky Sr.
Earlier the grieving star and his family had been joined by Nicky's Westlife bandmates as they sang at the service in tribute to the 60-year-old, a musician and singer on the cabaret scene.
Grief: Westlife star Nicky Byrne (R) helps carry his father's coffin to the hearse at at Lawrences Church in Balldoyle, Dublin today
Amongst the mourners were writer Cecelia Ahern and her boyfriend athlete David Keoghan, Irish TV chef Terry McCoy, Miriam Ahern, the former Taoiseach of Ireland Bertie Ahern, Irish singer Michael English, Boyzone singer Ronan's wife Yvonne Keating, Irish TV producer Bill Hughes, and Gaelic footballer Gary Kavanagh.
Famous faces: X Factor judge and Westlife founder Louis Walsh joined former Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern at the service
Nicky Sr, who had his own band called 'Nicky and the Studz', was the person who inspired a young Byrne to go into the music business and the pair used to sing karaoke together.
The pair were partularly close and in December, Byrne threw a lavish party at a Dublin hotel for Nicky Sr 60th birthday and presented his father with a Harley-Davidson motorbike as a present.
His sudden death earlier this week left Byrne devastated. He was in London on a promotional tour and immediately flew home to Ireland.
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated on 07th November 2009
Westlife star Nicky Byrne laid his father to rest today in an emotional ceremony.
The 31-year-old's face was contorted by grief as he acted as pallbearer for his father Nicky Sr.
Earlier the grieving star and his family had been joined by Nicky's Westlife bandmates as they sang at the service in tribute to the 60-year-old, a musician and singer on the cabaret scene.
Grief: Westlife star Nicky Byrne (R) helps carry his father's coffin to the hearse at at Lawrences Church in Balldoyle, Dublin today
Amongst the mourners were writer Cecelia Ahern and her boyfriend athlete David Keoghan, Irish TV chef Terry McCoy, Miriam Ahern, the former Taoiseach of Ireland Bertie Ahern, Irish singer Michael English, Boyzone singer Ronan's wife Yvonne Keating, Irish TV producer Bill Hughes, and Gaelic footballer Gary Kavanagh.
Famous faces: X Factor judge and Westlife founder Louis Walsh joined former Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern at the service
Nicky Sr, who had his own band called 'Nicky and the Studz', was the person who inspired a young Byrne to go into the music business and the pair used to sing karaoke together.
The pair were partularly close and in December, Byrne threw a lavish party at a Dublin hotel for Nicky Sr 60th birthday and presented his father with a Harley-Davidson motorbike as a present.
His sudden death earlier this week left Byrne devastated. He was in London on a promotional tour and immediately flew home to Ireland.
United in grief: Brian McFadden's mother Mairead McFadden, Westlife member Mark Feehily and his boyfriend Kevin McDaid, Brendan McFadden
Tuesday - November 17 - 2009
Westlife to switch on Christmas lights
Westlife, who will switch on the Christmas lights in Grafton Street this evening, have dedicated their new album to the fathers of Kian Egan and Nicky Byrne who died this year.
Egan (29), who lost his father Kevin in July to cancer, said 2009 had been an extremely tough year for the band. His wife Jodi Albert also suffered a bereavement when her grandfather died.
Byrne's father Nicky snr (60) died suddenly of a heart attack earlier this month. The death of Boyzone's Stephen Gately also affected Westlife as both bands are close.
The album sleeve for Where We Are was due to go to the printers on the day that Byrne's father died.
The day Nicky's father died, a girl from the record label rang me and said, 'we have enough time to put Nicky's father on the dedication if he would like that'," Egan said.
We rang Nicky reluctantly because it was all so sudden for him. Luckily we had enough time. It would have felt wrong if the album was only dedicated to my father.
Mr Egan, a father of seven, died in July after a year long battle with cancer. Pictures of him and Mr Byrne will be on the inside cover the album.
We never had to deal with death ever as young adults. This year it seems that we have to deal with a lot of it. It makes you question what life is all about, his son said.
It has been a very strange and difficult year for us. I had not been to a funeral since I was a child when I think about it. All of a sudden in the last six months we have been to four funerals, two of them being parents of Westlife
The new album includes a song about death entitled I'll See You Again .
The first time I heard it, it nearly broke my heart, but then as I kept listening to it, I thought that it really fits. Anybody in the world who hears this song will see that it really means something for anybody who was lost somebody. It will really touch them emotionally,Egan explained.
Egan accepted criticisms Westlife had played it safe in the past by covering well-known songs such as Bette Midler's The Rose and Michael Bublé's Home were valid. He said the new album marks a departure from that with 11 original songs out of 12, mostly written by American songwriters.
It features only one cover, What About Now , a song by the American group Daughtry which is the first Westlife single from the new album.
Looking back, we had one too many well-known cover songs," Egan said. If we'd gone out there singing songs like The Rose and Home for the rest of our career, we would not enjoy it as much.
The album also features a rare self-penned Westlife track Reach Out , co-written by band member Mark Feehily.
We went through a phase in the early part of our career where we did want to write our own songs and we did, but they were crap in comparison with all the other great songs that we had, Egan said.
If we wanted to write the album ourselves, we could, but we know we're not naturally gifted songwriters. We know our strength is in singing the songs and performing them on stage.
Westlife to switch on Christmas lights
Westlife, who will switch on the Christmas lights in Grafton Street this evening, have dedicated their new album to the fathers of Kian Egan and Nicky Byrne who died this year.
Egan (29), who lost his father Kevin in July to cancer, said 2009 had been an extremely tough year for the band. His wife Jodi Albert also suffered a bereavement when her grandfather died.
Byrne's father Nicky snr (60) died suddenly of a heart attack earlier this month. The death of Boyzone's Stephen Gately also affected Westlife as both bands are close.
The album sleeve for Where We Are was due to go to the printers on the day that Byrne's father died.
The day Nicky's father died, a girl from the record label rang me and said, 'we have enough time to put Nicky's father on the dedication if he would like that'," Egan said.
We rang Nicky reluctantly because it was all so sudden for him. Luckily we had enough time. It would have felt wrong if the album was only dedicated to my father.
Mr Egan, a father of seven, died in July after a year long battle with cancer. Pictures of him and Mr Byrne will be on the inside cover the album.
We never had to deal with death ever as young adults. This year it seems that we have to deal with a lot of it. It makes you question what life is all about, his son said.
It has been a very strange and difficult year for us. I had not been to a funeral since I was a child when I think about it. All of a sudden in the last six months we have been to four funerals, two of them being parents of Westlife
The new album includes a song about death entitled I'll See You Again .
The first time I heard it, it nearly broke my heart, but then as I kept listening to it, I thought that it really fits. Anybody in the world who hears this song will see that it really means something for anybody who was lost somebody. It will really touch them emotionally,Egan explained.
Egan accepted criticisms Westlife had played it safe in the past by covering well-known songs such as Bette Midler's The Rose and Michael Bublé's Home were valid. He said the new album marks a departure from that with 11 original songs out of 12, mostly written by American songwriters.
It features only one cover, What About Now , a song by the American group Daughtry which is the first Westlife single from the new album.
Looking back, we had one too many well-known cover songs," Egan said. If we'd gone out there singing songs like The Rose and Home for the rest of our career, we would not enjoy it as much.
The album also features a rare self-penned Westlife track Reach Out , co-written by band member Mark Feehily.
We went through a phase in the early part of our career where we did want to write our own songs and we did, but they were crap in comparison with all the other great songs that we had, Egan said.
If we wanted to write the album ourselves, we could, but we know we're not naturally gifted songwriters. We know our strength is in singing the songs and performing them on stage.
November, 2009
Westlife: Us against the world
It has been a year of sorrow and loss for Westlife. Or, as Nicky Byrne puts it, 'It has been a shit year and I can't wait to see the back of it.' In their only in-depth interview this year, the four members of the band tell Barry Egan how tragedy has made brothers of them. Photography by Sarah Doyle
Sunday November 29 2009
May, 2003: I get to spend two ostensibly fun days and nights in London in the company of Westlife. At 3am one night, Louis Walsh and I are standing in the courtyard of the Conrad Hotel overlooking Chelsea Harbour when one Robbie Williams comes over and tries to wind up the Westlife manager. The ex-Take That singer repeatedly says to Louis: "What did you mean, man? I respect you . . ." A few months before, Louis, being Louis, had dubbed Robbie "a bad karaoke singer" in Heat magazine.
Standing to our immediate left, Kian Egan is waiting by his brand-new BMW. Then Louis, myself and Kian make our excuses and leave Mr Williams to argue with himself.
Five hours earlier, Kian and his bandmates had been mobbed by thousands of teenage girls as they attempted to leave Wembley Arena. I wonder whether a certain insufferable glamour model was in the audience, not least because that day's newspaper featured the particularly tender headline: "Jordan -- I want to f**k Kian".
The day before, the band are in their dressing room before the show. Outside, in the backstage area, Georgina Ahern looks utterly gorgeous in a demure, summery dress, wandering around happily as her fiance Nicky prepares to go on in front of 15,000 fans. When Westlife -- Kian and Mark and Shane and Nicky and a fella by the name of Bryan McFadden -- take the stage, each song is greeted with a veritable volcanic eruption of pubescent squeals: the choruses of Tonight and then Flying Without Wings building over soulful, multilayered, five-part harmonies are not your average boy band fare.
"Westlife are a great, great vocal group," Louis tells me during the show. "They appeal to everybody. It's not just to kids. Mammies and daddies and twenty-somethings love them. That's why they sell so many records."
"The one thing that Westlife have and that Boyzone and Take That didn't have -- it's not about one person," Bryan tells me after the show. "With Take That, Gary was the singer and Robbie was the joker. In Boyzone, it was Ronan and the other four. In our band, we are all singers."
I meet Nicky and Georgina the following morning over breakfast. I ask Nicky how they met. "We met in first year when we were like 12 or 13," Nicky says fondly, "but we didn't really talk to each other then. We were a little bit shy. She was more shy than me. We started going out when we were 16."
During the 48 hours I spend with the band, they all appear happy young people untouched by life's pain and suffering, especially Nicky Byrne who, like a young Larry Mullen in his jeans and jacket, walks around like a personification of love's young dream with Georgina.
November, 2009: Nicky Byrne's face carries the permanent, troubled aura of someone who only two weeks ago lost his father. He is standing in the Four Seasons Hotel in Dublin's Ballsbridge. He points to the room opposite and says that his father, Nikki, often came here for Westlife album launches and after-show parties. It is still too soon to put any kind of proper perspective on losing his father but Nicky, who was always mature, says he is still in shock. And shock is probably an understatement. "I still don't believe it. Actually, it's not that I don't believe it's real, I can't believe it's real. I can't," Nicky says.
"I hate to sound like I'm sorrowful," he adds, needlessly. "People have dealt with grief before me and people will deal with it tomorrow and the next day. But he was the youngest 60 years. He was so full of life. He had everything going for him. He was fit and healthy. He loved his job. He loved his motorcycle. He loved his gigs at the weekends. He sang. He played guitar and he could play a bit of keyboards but his main thing was vocals."
You obviously came to music through your father?
"I spent all my childhood watching my dad sing," he answers, immediately. "He went out gigging seven nights a week. Every night after dinner, he would get his clothes on and go out singing. You would see him going out during the summer in pale blue trousers and flowery shirts. He was a cabaret star."
Nikki's favourite song, the song he always did without fail, was Honey (I Miss You), made famous by Bobby Goldsboro. At the funeral in St Laurence O'Toole Church in Baldoyle in early November, Nicky asked his mother, Yvonne: "Do you want me to sing Honey?"
She said: "No way -- I couldn't hear that."
The song Nicky did sing with Westlife at the funeral was Please Stay by The Cryin' Shames.
"It was a song that my dad always wanted Westlife to do," he recalls. "He always thought the song would suit Westlife, and me in particular. It was one of those songs that I never did. And I did it at the funeral. I said in my eulogy, 'It is probably a bit late, Dad, but I'm doing it now for you.'"
His father singing was Nicky's earliest childhood memory. He can remember Nikki singing at the Racecourse Inn in Baldoyle, or at the Grand Hotel in Malahide throughout his childhood.
"There are hundreds of people, thousands probably, walking around this city whose weddings my dad sung at. He was such a likable man. He always had a smile," says Nicky, almost smiling himself.
I ask Nicky what his oul' fella was like.
"Oh, he had bundles of energy," he smiles, adding that the Sunday before his father died he was playing football with Nicky's godson, Zack, in the garden. "I never thought we'd only have him until he was 60. I thought we'd have him until he was at least 75 or 80. But it wasn't to be."
There is a long pause. Then Nicky says: "My dad looked amazing in the coffin. He didn't look dead. He looked asleep. I have seen so many people over the years in coffins that had illness and they deteriorated and they looked terrible. He looked like he was asleep. I have a picture of him on my phone. I can't believe he is not just awake. But all those things help.
"You know, I think talking about him kind of helps it," he adds, leaving the sentence hanging there.
One of toughest parts of losing his father so suddenly was that Nicky never got a chance to say goodbye. "I was chatting to him on Saturday night, Halloween night, and he died Tuesday morning," he says. "He was out in the house on the Saturday night. We had a fancy dress for the kids and a few of the friends' kids and my dad was over and I was chatting to him. He seemed in good health and in good form."
And then he says: "I had a bad day on Sunday. And my mam had a bad day on Sunday. It is just so strange. I mean, where do you even start to pick up the pieces? His birthday is coming up on December 14 and Christmas after that. Last month, we were talking about Christmas. He was looking forward to his Christmas gigs at the Regency Hotel on the Airport Road. It is all such a punch in the face. It is like a steam train. Every morning, I get up, I feel sick."
Death of a loved one, I say, makes you realise what forever means: you will never see that person ever again in this world.
"I know," Nicky says. "The finality of it all kills me. The fact that I can never see him; the fact that I can never talk or have a laugh with him or anything like that. I suppose when you realise that, that's a bad day. Other days, you still think you have all the memories and a million photographs of him. Things like that, I suppose, help. A part of you dies with them and obviously you learn to cope and you do your best, especially when you're married and you have kids. But a part of me died with him."
His and Georgina's twins, Rocco and Jay, have been told that their grandad has gone to God. They call Nikki 'Grandad Nucan'. Ten years ago, Nicky explains, his father came in from a night out with his wife, and was plastered. When Nicky started to rib his father for being drunk, he said, "I'm not drunk at all. I could drive from all the way to Nucan and back."
"He meant to say Lucan," Nicky explains. "From that day on, his nickname was Nucan. The boys called him that. I told them that Grandad Nucan is in heaven and he is a star. So at every night at nighttime they point up at the stars to Grandad Nucan."
In July of this year, another member of Westlife, Kian Egan, had his father, Kevin, die after a long battle with cancer. The new Westlife album Where We Are is dedicated to both Nicky and Kian's late fathers.
It was a very difficult time, Kian says. He and his bride, Jodi Albert, had planned to get married in Barbados in May. But his dad, he recalls, got progressively very ill, fast. "And by Christmas of last year we knew he wouldn't be here by this time next year," Kian says. "We had to try and make a final decision on whether to move the wedding or not; you know, was he going to be able to come to the wedding, etc. So that was a whole rigmarole in itself.
"He wanted us to go ahead with the wedding. So we did. Then we came and we were on cloud nine for a week. But then we were kicked off it with my dad on his deathbed. He was dead on July 19.
"It was a very strange year," Kian says. "But that was meant to be for me."
Some people say that a man truly stops being a boy and only really becomes a man when his father dies, I say.
"My dad was a teacher in his role to me as a father," Kian says. "He would teach you how to do something. That was the type of man he was. He was a quiet man but he read books on how to fix an engine."
Kian's mother said to him recently: "Death comes in waves."
"There has been so many deaths around us this year," Kian adds. "So I kind of hope that our wave is over and that is it."
Boyzone singer Stephen Gately's sudden death on October 10 was another part of the dark wave that hit Ireland this year, lest we forget.
"People tend to forget about how powerless everyone is against the reality of the inevitable," says Mark Feehily. "It definitely does bring it right to the front of your mind. Stephen was so young. Kian's dad's death was prolonged. Nicky's dad's death was so sudden. It instilled in me, in a way, that whole thing of 'Get out there and do it before it is too late. Don't leave things unsaid.'
"Over the past year I have taken time to be able to hear myself think by taking some time away from Westlife. I took time to decide what I liked about life and what I didn't like about life. And it is quite difficult to do that in the middle of the madness. I am following my gut and believing in myself more. I stand up for what I believe. Automatically I started being happier. I wrote a song on this new Westlife album. It's called Reach Out. I've been putting my songwriting off with Westlife." His dreams, growing up in Sligo and watching Top Of The Pops, were, he says, always to sing and write songs.
So, Jedward -- pop heroes or the end of civilisation as we know it?
"I have grown to like them an awful lot," says Mark. "Some people hate them. I look at them as two 18-year-old lads from Dublin over in London and they have become the two most famous people in the country overnight. I look at them and hope they are OK and hope they can cope with all the madness. I am so close to it because I can understand to a certain extent what they are going through."
How did you deal with being judged?
"I didn't deal well with it, because I don't think I have ever been designed to be, like, a pop star. I hated it all. I couldn't believe there were people who would just casually say to you, 'You need to lose weight', or, 'You look terrible', or, when you were singing your heart out, 'That was fucking shit'. I was brought up by a lovely family with two lovely grannies, Bridget and May. So I was brought up to be nice to people."
2009 for Westlife's Shane Filan was, he says, both joyful and horrific. He started the year with him and his wife Gillian having their first son, Patrick -- someone for four-year-old Nicole to play with. "So that was great to be at home with the new baby," Shane says. "It was a big family year for me; to stay at home a lot, and doing normal stuff like having me pints in the normal pub with my father-in-law. But then, as the year went on, Kian's dad got sick and he was dealing with that the whole time. It was hard to see that. Then he died and then Stephen died and then Nicky's dad. There was so much sorrow and sadness in the year for us."
Westlife are like a band of brothers, I say.
"That's really true," he says. "We always were close but I think now we are closer than ever. We see each other like brothers. We feel like giving each other a hug more often."
So, you will be watching Nicky at this very difficult time for him?
"Oh yeah," he says instantly. "We've got to take care of him. Me and Mark, we still have our dads, but our job now is to make sure Kian and Nicky are OK in their personal lives and try to make things easier on them whatever way we can; because there are going to be really hard days for them, I'm sure. We just got to look after each other now because, as a band, without each other we don't have a band.
"It has been such a strange, strange year," he adds.
"The whole year was very strange," concurs Nicky. "Imagine: two months before my dad, Kian's dad passed away from his illness; he had been sick for a while and he didn't make Kian's wedding in Barbados. And then there was Stephen at 33. That was impossible to comprehend.
"I'll tell you what," Nicky adds, "it has been a shit year and I can't wait to see the fucking back of it, to tell you the truth."
It must have taught you a hard lesson of how random and cruel life can be.
"Absolutely. When Stephen died, I remember going to the funeral and we had to fly to Iceland the next day to shoot a video. On the plane it was just so morbid, the four of us. It only really sunk in then.
"I noticed this with my own dad's death. At the funeral, as sad as it is, you are on a bit of a high because everybody is around you and you are doing so many things. But even a day or two afterwards . . . everyone is gone, and you are alone with just your close family. I have been going to the graveyard. It's just, he was my best friend. I bought him a motorbike for his 60th last December. I bought him a brand new Merc in 2002. It is just so hard to even consider at the minute. I don't know where to start. I really don't."
Westlife's new album, 'Where We Are', is out now
Westlife: Us against the world
It has been a year of sorrow and loss for Westlife. Or, as Nicky Byrne puts it, 'It has been a shit year and I can't wait to see the back of it.' In their only in-depth interview this year, the four members of the band tell Barry Egan how tragedy has made brothers of them. Photography by Sarah Doyle
Sunday November 29 2009
May, 2003: I get to spend two ostensibly fun days and nights in London in the company of Westlife. At 3am one night, Louis Walsh and I are standing in the courtyard of the Conrad Hotel overlooking Chelsea Harbour when one Robbie Williams comes over and tries to wind up the Westlife manager. The ex-Take That singer repeatedly says to Louis: "What did you mean, man? I respect you . . ." A few months before, Louis, being Louis, had dubbed Robbie "a bad karaoke singer" in Heat magazine.
Standing to our immediate left, Kian Egan is waiting by his brand-new BMW. Then Louis, myself and Kian make our excuses and leave Mr Williams to argue with himself.
Five hours earlier, Kian and his bandmates had been mobbed by thousands of teenage girls as they attempted to leave Wembley Arena. I wonder whether a certain insufferable glamour model was in the audience, not least because that day's newspaper featured the particularly tender headline: "Jordan -- I want to f**k Kian".
The day before, the band are in their dressing room before the show. Outside, in the backstage area, Georgina Ahern looks utterly gorgeous in a demure, summery dress, wandering around happily as her fiance Nicky prepares to go on in front of 15,000 fans. When Westlife -- Kian and Mark and Shane and Nicky and a fella by the name of Bryan McFadden -- take the stage, each song is greeted with a veritable volcanic eruption of pubescent squeals: the choruses of Tonight and then Flying Without Wings building over soulful, multilayered, five-part harmonies are not your average boy band fare.
"Westlife are a great, great vocal group," Louis tells me during the show. "They appeal to everybody. It's not just to kids. Mammies and daddies and twenty-somethings love them. That's why they sell so many records."
"The one thing that Westlife have and that Boyzone and Take That didn't have -- it's not about one person," Bryan tells me after the show. "With Take That, Gary was the singer and Robbie was the joker. In Boyzone, it was Ronan and the other four. In our band, we are all singers."
I meet Nicky and Georgina the following morning over breakfast. I ask Nicky how they met. "We met in first year when we were like 12 or 13," Nicky says fondly, "but we didn't really talk to each other then. We were a little bit shy. She was more shy than me. We started going out when we were 16."
During the 48 hours I spend with the band, they all appear happy young people untouched by life's pain and suffering, especially Nicky Byrne who, like a young Larry Mullen in his jeans and jacket, walks around like a personification of love's young dream with Georgina.
November, 2009: Nicky Byrne's face carries the permanent, troubled aura of someone who only two weeks ago lost his father. He is standing in the Four Seasons Hotel in Dublin's Ballsbridge. He points to the room opposite and says that his father, Nikki, often came here for Westlife album launches and after-show parties. It is still too soon to put any kind of proper perspective on losing his father but Nicky, who was always mature, says he is still in shock. And shock is probably an understatement. "I still don't believe it. Actually, it's not that I don't believe it's real, I can't believe it's real. I can't," Nicky says.
"I hate to sound like I'm sorrowful," he adds, needlessly. "People have dealt with grief before me and people will deal with it tomorrow and the next day. But he was the youngest 60 years. He was so full of life. He had everything going for him. He was fit and healthy. He loved his job. He loved his motorcycle. He loved his gigs at the weekends. He sang. He played guitar and he could play a bit of keyboards but his main thing was vocals."
You obviously came to music through your father?
"I spent all my childhood watching my dad sing," he answers, immediately. "He went out gigging seven nights a week. Every night after dinner, he would get his clothes on and go out singing. You would see him going out during the summer in pale blue trousers and flowery shirts. He was a cabaret star."
Nikki's favourite song, the song he always did without fail, was Honey (I Miss You), made famous by Bobby Goldsboro. At the funeral in St Laurence O'Toole Church in Baldoyle in early November, Nicky asked his mother, Yvonne: "Do you want me to sing Honey?"
She said: "No way -- I couldn't hear that."
The song Nicky did sing with Westlife at the funeral was Please Stay by The Cryin' Shames.
"It was a song that my dad always wanted Westlife to do," he recalls. "He always thought the song would suit Westlife, and me in particular. It was one of those songs that I never did. And I did it at the funeral. I said in my eulogy, 'It is probably a bit late, Dad, but I'm doing it now for you.'"
His father singing was Nicky's earliest childhood memory. He can remember Nikki singing at the Racecourse Inn in Baldoyle, or at the Grand Hotel in Malahide throughout his childhood.
"There are hundreds of people, thousands probably, walking around this city whose weddings my dad sung at. He was such a likable man. He always had a smile," says Nicky, almost smiling himself.
I ask Nicky what his oul' fella was like.
"Oh, he had bundles of energy," he smiles, adding that the Sunday before his father died he was playing football with Nicky's godson, Zack, in the garden. "I never thought we'd only have him until he was 60. I thought we'd have him until he was at least 75 or 80. But it wasn't to be."
There is a long pause. Then Nicky says: "My dad looked amazing in the coffin. He didn't look dead. He looked asleep. I have seen so many people over the years in coffins that had illness and they deteriorated and they looked terrible. He looked like he was asleep. I have a picture of him on my phone. I can't believe he is not just awake. But all those things help.
"You know, I think talking about him kind of helps it," he adds, leaving the sentence hanging there.
One of toughest parts of losing his father so suddenly was that Nicky never got a chance to say goodbye. "I was chatting to him on Saturday night, Halloween night, and he died Tuesday morning," he says. "He was out in the house on the Saturday night. We had a fancy dress for the kids and a few of the friends' kids and my dad was over and I was chatting to him. He seemed in good health and in good form."
And then he says: "I had a bad day on Sunday. And my mam had a bad day on Sunday. It is just so strange. I mean, where do you even start to pick up the pieces? His birthday is coming up on December 14 and Christmas after that. Last month, we were talking about Christmas. He was looking forward to his Christmas gigs at the Regency Hotel on the Airport Road. It is all such a punch in the face. It is like a steam train. Every morning, I get up, I feel sick."
Death of a loved one, I say, makes you realise what forever means: you will never see that person ever again in this world.
"I know," Nicky says. "The finality of it all kills me. The fact that I can never see him; the fact that I can never talk or have a laugh with him or anything like that. I suppose when you realise that, that's a bad day. Other days, you still think you have all the memories and a million photographs of him. Things like that, I suppose, help. A part of you dies with them and obviously you learn to cope and you do your best, especially when you're married and you have kids. But a part of me died with him."
His and Georgina's twins, Rocco and Jay, have been told that their grandad has gone to God. They call Nikki 'Grandad Nucan'. Ten years ago, Nicky explains, his father came in from a night out with his wife, and was plastered. When Nicky started to rib his father for being drunk, he said, "I'm not drunk at all. I could drive from all the way to Nucan and back."
"He meant to say Lucan," Nicky explains. "From that day on, his nickname was Nucan. The boys called him that. I told them that Grandad Nucan is in heaven and he is a star. So at every night at nighttime they point up at the stars to Grandad Nucan."
In July of this year, another member of Westlife, Kian Egan, had his father, Kevin, die after a long battle with cancer. The new Westlife album Where We Are is dedicated to both Nicky and Kian's late fathers.
It was a very difficult time, Kian says. He and his bride, Jodi Albert, had planned to get married in Barbados in May. But his dad, he recalls, got progressively very ill, fast. "And by Christmas of last year we knew he wouldn't be here by this time next year," Kian says. "We had to try and make a final decision on whether to move the wedding or not; you know, was he going to be able to come to the wedding, etc. So that was a whole rigmarole in itself.
"He wanted us to go ahead with the wedding. So we did. Then we came and we were on cloud nine for a week. But then we were kicked off it with my dad on his deathbed. He was dead on July 19.
"It was a very strange year," Kian says. "But that was meant to be for me."
Some people say that a man truly stops being a boy and only really becomes a man when his father dies, I say.
"My dad was a teacher in his role to me as a father," Kian says. "He would teach you how to do something. That was the type of man he was. He was a quiet man but he read books on how to fix an engine."
Kian's mother said to him recently: "Death comes in waves."
"There has been so many deaths around us this year," Kian adds. "So I kind of hope that our wave is over and that is it."
Boyzone singer Stephen Gately's sudden death on October 10 was another part of the dark wave that hit Ireland this year, lest we forget.
"People tend to forget about how powerless everyone is against the reality of the inevitable," says Mark Feehily. "It definitely does bring it right to the front of your mind. Stephen was so young. Kian's dad's death was prolonged. Nicky's dad's death was so sudden. It instilled in me, in a way, that whole thing of 'Get out there and do it before it is too late. Don't leave things unsaid.'
"Over the past year I have taken time to be able to hear myself think by taking some time away from Westlife. I took time to decide what I liked about life and what I didn't like about life. And it is quite difficult to do that in the middle of the madness. I am following my gut and believing in myself more. I stand up for what I believe. Automatically I started being happier. I wrote a song on this new Westlife album. It's called Reach Out. I've been putting my songwriting off with Westlife." His dreams, growing up in Sligo and watching Top Of The Pops, were, he says, always to sing and write songs.
So, Jedward -- pop heroes or the end of civilisation as we know it?
"I have grown to like them an awful lot," says Mark. "Some people hate them. I look at them as two 18-year-old lads from Dublin over in London and they have become the two most famous people in the country overnight. I look at them and hope they are OK and hope they can cope with all the madness. I am so close to it because I can understand to a certain extent what they are going through."
How did you deal with being judged?
"I didn't deal well with it, because I don't think I have ever been designed to be, like, a pop star. I hated it all. I couldn't believe there were people who would just casually say to you, 'You need to lose weight', or, 'You look terrible', or, when you were singing your heart out, 'That was fucking shit'. I was brought up by a lovely family with two lovely grannies, Bridget and May. So I was brought up to be nice to people."
2009 for Westlife's Shane Filan was, he says, both joyful and horrific. He started the year with him and his wife Gillian having their first son, Patrick -- someone for four-year-old Nicole to play with. "So that was great to be at home with the new baby," Shane says. "It was a big family year for me; to stay at home a lot, and doing normal stuff like having me pints in the normal pub with my father-in-law. But then, as the year went on, Kian's dad got sick and he was dealing with that the whole time. It was hard to see that. Then he died and then Stephen died and then Nicky's dad. There was so much sorrow and sadness in the year for us."
Westlife are like a band of brothers, I say.
"That's really true," he says. "We always were close but I think now we are closer than ever. We see each other like brothers. We feel like giving each other a hug more often."
So, you will be watching Nicky at this very difficult time for him?
"Oh yeah," he says instantly. "We've got to take care of him. Me and Mark, we still have our dads, but our job now is to make sure Kian and Nicky are OK in their personal lives and try to make things easier on them whatever way we can; because there are going to be really hard days for them, I'm sure. We just got to look after each other now because, as a band, without each other we don't have a band.
"It has been such a strange, strange year," he adds.
"The whole year was very strange," concurs Nicky. "Imagine: two months before my dad, Kian's dad passed away from his illness; he had been sick for a while and he didn't make Kian's wedding in Barbados. And then there was Stephen at 33. That was impossible to comprehend.
"I'll tell you what," Nicky adds, "it has been a shit year and I can't wait to see the fucking back of it, to tell you the truth."
It must have taught you a hard lesson of how random and cruel life can be.
"Absolutely. When Stephen died, I remember going to the funeral and we had to fly to Iceland the next day to shoot a video. On the plane it was just so morbid, the four of us. It only really sunk in then.
"I noticed this with my own dad's death. At the funeral, as sad as it is, you are on a bit of a high because everybody is around you and you are doing so many things. But even a day or two afterwards . . . everyone is gone, and you are alone with just your close family. I have been going to the graveyard. It's just, he was my best friend. I bought him a motorbike for his 60th last December. I bought him a brand new Merc in 2002. It is just so hard to even consider at the minute. I don't know where to start. I really don't."
Westlife's new album, 'Where We Are', is out now
Westlife Look To Put Tough Year Behind Them
December 02, 2009
Westlife have admitted they can't wait to see the back of 2009 following a year of personal tragedy.
December 02, 2009
Westlife have admitted they can't wait to see the back of 2009 following a year of personal tragedy.
Saturday, December 5 - 2009
Westlife 'unconcerned by singles' success'
Westlife have declared that they are not concerned about having number one singles, claiming that they are more interested in conquering the album charts.
The band released latest album Where We Are on Monday and are hoping to hit the top spot come the weekend.
"Getting the album to number one is more important than having a number one single for us and Simon [Cowell] agreed," Westlife singer Shane Filan said.
"He pushed us to make a great album. He agreed we needed to up our game and not to record as many covers. We needed to get back to making great pop music."
Filan also spoke about how the Irish group changed direction on the LP, adding to Playlist: "Simon got us in with everyone we wanted to work with. And we only hired producers we haven't worked with before.
"Simon and Louis Walsh think it's the best album we've ever made."
December 4 - 2009
Ireland this week.The top ten albums in full:
1. (1) Susan Boyle: 'I Dreamed A Dream'
2. (-) Westlife: 'Where We Are'
3. (2) JLS: 'JLS'
4. (3) Black Eyed Peas: 'The E.N.D.'
5. (5) Michael Bublé: 'Crazy Love'
6. (4) Lady GaGa: 'The Fame Monster'
7. (6 ) Leona Lewis: 'Echo'
8. (-) Andrea Bocelli: 'My Christmas'
9. (7) The Priests: 'Harmony'
10. (8) Mario Rosenstock: 'Gift Grub 10
Westlife 'unconcerned by singles' success'
Westlife have declared that they are not concerned about having number one singles, claiming that they are more interested in conquering the album charts.
The band released latest album Where We Are on Monday and are hoping to hit the top spot come the weekend.
"Getting the album to number one is more important than having a number one single for us and Simon [Cowell] agreed," Westlife singer Shane Filan said.
"He pushed us to make a great album. He agreed we needed to up our game and not to record as many covers. We needed to get back to making great pop music."
Filan also spoke about how the Irish group changed direction on the LP, adding to Playlist: "Simon got us in with everyone we wanted to work with. And we only hired producers we haven't worked with before.
"Simon and Louis Walsh think it's the best album we've ever made."
December 4 - 2009
Ireland this week.The top ten albums in full:
1. (1) Susan Boyle: 'I Dreamed A Dream'
2. (-) Westlife: 'Where We Are'
3. (2) JLS: 'JLS'
4. (3) Black Eyed Peas: 'The E.N.D.'
5. (5) Michael Bublé: 'Crazy Love'
6. (4) Lady GaGa: 'The Fame Monster'
7. (6 ) Leona Lewis: 'Echo'
8. (-) Andrea Bocelli: 'My Christmas'
9. (7) The Priests: 'Harmony'
10. (8) Mario Rosenstock: 'Gift Grub 10
Westlife exclusive
We were at parties with beautiful women and we wondered why Mark wasn't chatting up
Talking to The Sun ... Westlife's Mark Feehily, Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan and Shane Filey chat with Gordon Smart
GORDON SMART
Bizarre Editor
Published: 26 Dec 2009
WESTLIFE are modern pop legends. Under the watchful eye of SIMON COWELL they have dominated the charts for a decade, selling more than 45million records.
Here, on Day One of our exclusive two-day special on the band, MARK FEEHILY talks about his decision to reveal his homosexuality and band mate NICKY BYRNE recalls meeting the world's most important man.
Since coming out in The Sun, Mark says he feels as if a weight has been lifted from his shoulders.
The Irish heart-throb revealed his homosexuality in August 2005. Up until then he had kept it from his legions of fans, but the burden of secrecy took its toll.
"I spent a lot of my teenage years and early 20s in a very dark place," says Mark, now 29.
Happy now ... Kevin McDaid and boyfriend Mark Feehily
"There's a real misconception about when I came out.
"I didn't tell the guys when I was 18 or 16 or anything. It took me a long time to sort everything out in my own mind before I was open to anyone about it.
"I just shoved it all down and ignored my feelings and paused, closing the door and leaving it."
Mark, now settled with long-term boyfriend KEVIN MCDAID, says: "It wasn't hiding a secret from the guys or the public. I didn't have any love life or relationship or sex life at all.
"That's why things went so dark for me. It was like a ticking time bomb but now I am so happy."
Bandmate and friend Nicky says he is relieved his pal can finally relax, and that he wasn't surprised to hear he was gay.
"We are at the best of parties with the best-looking women," says Nicky, 31.
"Obviously if you have a girlfriend it's a different scenario but if you looked at Mark, and he didn't have a girlfriend, we kept wondering why he wasn't chatting up the girls. I always knew with Mark. He had what people say is a swagger but it was a gay swagger, that thing going on.
"But you never say anything because it's no one's business.
"I remember the day he told Shane and me. We were all jumping around, hugging and everything. At last he felt comfortable in himself.
"I remember ringing round when the story came out. I rang one of my mates to tell him Mark was gay and he said, 'Make sure you tell him we are all behind him'. Then he panicked and said, 'No, no. Don't say it like that'. "
More than four years after going public over his sexuality, Mark says he is happier and stronger than ever.
He says: "I am embracing getting older. I feel more powerful against all the badness because I know how to deal with it better than I did. I know how to protect myself. I know more about life.
"Don't get me wrong, no one looks forward to getting grey and old and bald and wrinkly but I feel happier now than I ever have."
Critics
Westlife, whose album Where We Are is out now, have come under fire from critics who object to their boy-band brand of pop.
Nicky says: "People say we are not cool but I feel that's something to be proud of. I feel that's cool.
"After 11 years in the music industry and being at all the parties in the world, to have what I have and live the life I live, I am proud of it."
Mark added: "We're desensitised to people calling us s*** now.
"We don't get so worried about people slagging us off any more. We're numb to it."
Westlife were discovered by music industry supremo Simon Cowell. Although they weren't discovered through a talent show like most of Cowell's signings, the lads can empathise with new acts, including X Factor winner JOE MCELDERRY.
"One thing about Joe is he's very innocent and naive," says Nicky. "He was going on about how he doesn't really drink and he just wants to be around the house with his mum and he's a virgin.
"I just think all of that in one day? If he was more mature he wouldn't have gone down that road but he's only a kid."
Mark adds: "We were green like Joe once. When we started off everyone was so passionate and full of life. There were all sorts of positive and negative moments.
"I look at JLS and they remind me so much of us. Their eyes are so wide open. They are loving it, enjoying every minute.
"Since we started there have been BUSTED, BLUE, 5IVE. There has always been another band. We can all co-exist, no one has to go."
I wasn't hiding anything. I didn't have any love life or sex life at allMARK
Earlier this month the band met BARACK OBAMA at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony and ended up being introduced to another US mega star.
Nicky says: "We were in a holding room with WILL SMITH and his wife. We got a picture taken with them. Will was so cool.
"We were talking about the guy with him who was a humanitarian who he was shadowing as research for a movie. He just stood in the corner chatting to everyone and we were all in another corner going 'it's f****** Will Smith!'
"Will was great. He told us this story how he was preparing all these questions about humanitarianism for the big interview with Obama. He said he was up all night practising the delivery and then when he met him he was telling himself to be on the ball.
"Then he met him and just said, 'What's it f****** like being the president of the United States?'"
Mark adds: "A security guard stuck his head in the door and asked for a picture with Will and handed me the camera.
Foreign
"It helped break the ice. A few other people started queuing for pics then."
Nicky says: "Meeting Barack Obama was incredible. It felt really important. On the bus going there we were with DONNA SUMMER, WYCLEF, NATASHA BEDINGFIELD and other foreign artists.
"You couldn't get anywhere near him without being vetted or given some sort of security clearance.
"We were meeting the President of America so it was incredible.
Mark says: "I came away thinking what an amazing person. The President was impressive too. He handled the situation so well, meeting everyone."
In 2003 Nicky married childhood sweetheart Georgina, daughter of former Irish Prime Minister BERTIE AHERNE. Still talking about meeting Obama, he says: "We were doing the picture and there was a moment when there was a silence waiting for the pic to be taken.
"So I asked Mr Obama if he was familiar with Bertie Aherne.
"He said yes and I told him I was married to his daughter.
"He said he was a great guy and to tell him he said hello. There were more flashes and we broke the ice then.
"I think I must be the diplomat in the band. He is a man of the people. He was cool, genuine. He was like a cool dad."
The band are enjoying continued success, despite being one man down from the original line-up. BRIAN MCFADDEN left the band in 2004 and has since become engaged to Aussie actress DELTA GOODRAM. "Brian lives in Australia now so we hardly see him but when we do it's a happy reunion," says Mark. "It's weird not knowing his day-to-day life any more. He has never said to any of us he regrets it."
Nicky says: "We played in Soccer Aid together last year and we hadn't seen each other for a while. It was great.
"He told me he never regretted leaving the band but he did hate it when we did Croke Park. He said that killed him.
So what's next for the lads?
"We've met Barack Obama, performed for the Pope, duetted with MARIAH CAREY," says Nicky. "We even knew Simon Cowell before he was really famous.
"Ten years on we are very alive and the passion is still there. We dream about the next goal all the time."
We were at parties with beautiful women and we wondered why Mark wasn't chatting up
Talking to The Sun ... Westlife's Mark Feehily, Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan and Shane Filey chat with Gordon Smart
GORDON SMART
Bizarre Editor
Published: 26 Dec 2009
WESTLIFE are modern pop legends. Under the watchful eye of SIMON COWELL they have dominated the charts for a decade, selling more than 45million records.
Here, on Day One of our exclusive two-day special on the band, MARK FEEHILY talks about his decision to reveal his homosexuality and band mate NICKY BYRNE recalls meeting the world's most important man.
Since coming out in The Sun, Mark says he feels as if a weight has been lifted from his shoulders.
The Irish heart-throb revealed his homosexuality in August 2005. Up until then he had kept it from his legions of fans, but the burden of secrecy took its toll.
"I spent a lot of my teenage years and early 20s in a very dark place," says Mark, now 29.
Happy now ... Kevin McDaid and boyfriend Mark Feehily
"There's a real misconception about when I came out.
"I didn't tell the guys when I was 18 or 16 or anything. It took me a long time to sort everything out in my own mind before I was open to anyone about it.
"I just shoved it all down and ignored my feelings and paused, closing the door and leaving it."
Mark, now settled with long-term boyfriend KEVIN MCDAID, says: "It wasn't hiding a secret from the guys or the public. I didn't have any love life or relationship or sex life at all.
"That's why things went so dark for me. It was like a ticking time bomb but now I am so happy."
Bandmate and friend Nicky says he is relieved his pal can finally relax, and that he wasn't surprised to hear he was gay.
"We are at the best of parties with the best-looking women," says Nicky, 31.
"Obviously if you have a girlfriend it's a different scenario but if you looked at Mark, and he didn't have a girlfriend, we kept wondering why he wasn't chatting up the girls. I always knew with Mark. He had what people say is a swagger but it was a gay swagger, that thing going on.
"But you never say anything because it's no one's business.
"I remember the day he told Shane and me. We were all jumping around, hugging and everything. At last he felt comfortable in himself.
"I remember ringing round when the story came out. I rang one of my mates to tell him Mark was gay and he said, 'Make sure you tell him we are all behind him'. Then he panicked and said, 'No, no. Don't say it like that'. "
More than four years after going public over his sexuality, Mark says he is happier and stronger than ever.
He says: "I am embracing getting older. I feel more powerful against all the badness because I know how to deal with it better than I did. I know how to protect myself. I know more about life.
"Don't get me wrong, no one looks forward to getting grey and old and bald and wrinkly but I feel happier now than I ever have."
Critics
Westlife, whose album Where We Are is out now, have come under fire from critics who object to their boy-band brand of pop.
Nicky says: "People say we are not cool but I feel that's something to be proud of. I feel that's cool.
"After 11 years in the music industry and being at all the parties in the world, to have what I have and live the life I live, I am proud of it."
Mark added: "We're desensitised to people calling us s*** now.
"We don't get so worried about people slagging us off any more. We're numb to it."
Westlife were discovered by music industry supremo Simon Cowell. Although they weren't discovered through a talent show like most of Cowell's signings, the lads can empathise with new acts, including X Factor winner JOE MCELDERRY.
"One thing about Joe is he's very innocent and naive," says Nicky. "He was going on about how he doesn't really drink and he just wants to be around the house with his mum and he's a virgin.
"I just think all of that in one day? If he was more mature he wouldn't have gone down that road but he's only a kid."
Mark adds: "We were green like Joe once. When we started off everyone was so passionate and full of life. There were all sorts of positive and negative moments.
"I look at JLS and they remind me so much of us. Their eyes are so wide open. They are loving it, enjoying every minute.
"Since we started there have been BUSTED, BLUE, 5IVE. There has always been another band. We can all co-exist, no one has to go."
I wasn't hiding anything. I didn't have any love life or sex life at allMARK
Earlier this month the band met BARACK OBAMA at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony and ended up being introduced to another US mega star.
Nicky says: "We were in a holding room with WILL SMITH and his wife. We got a picture taken with them. Will was so cool.
"We were talking about the guy with him who was a humanitarian who he was shadowing as research for a movie. He just stood in the corner chatting to everyone and we were all in another corner going 'it's f****** Will Smith!'
"Will was great. He told us this story how he was preparing all these questions about humanitarianism for the big interview with Obama. He said he was up all night practising the delivery and then when he met him he was telling himself to be on the ball.
"Then he met him and just said, 'What's it f****** like being the president of the United States?'"
Mark adds: "A security guard stuck his head in the door and asked for a picture with Will and handed me the camera.
Foreign
"It helped break the ice. A few other people started queuing for pics then."
Nicky says: "Meeting Barack Obama was incredible. It felt really important. On the bus going there we were with DONNA SUMMER, WYCLEF, NATASHA BEDINGFIELD and other foreign artists.
"You couldn't get anywhere near him without being vetted or given some sort of security clearance.
"We were meeting the President of America so it was incredible.
Mark says: "I came away thinking what an amazing person. The President was impressive too. He handled the situation so well, meeting everyone."
In 2003 Nicky married childhood sweetheart Georgina, daughter of former Irish Prime Minister BERTIE AHERNE. Still talking about meeting Obama, he says: "We were doing the picture and there was a moment when there was a silence waiting for the pic to be taken.
"So I asked Mr Obama if he was familiar with Bertie Aherne.
"He said yes and I told him I was married to his daughter.
"He said he was a great guy and to tell him he said hello. There were more flashes and we broke the ice then.
"I think I must be the diplomat in the band. He is a man of the people. He was cool, genuine. He was like a cool dad."
The band are enjoying continued success, despite being one man down from the original line-up. BRIAN MCFADDEN left the band in 2004 and has since become engaged to Aussie actress DELTA GOODRAM. "Brian lives in Australia now so we hardly see him but when we do it's a happy reunion," says Mark. "It's weird not knowing his day-to-day life any more. He has never said to any of us he regrets it."
Nicky says: "We played in Soccer Aid together last year and we hadn't seen each other for a while. It was great.
"He told me he never regretted leaving the band but he did hate it when we did Croke Park. He said that killed him.
So what's next for the lads?
"We've met Barack Obama, performed for the Pope, duetted with MARIAH CAREY," says Nicky. "We even knew Simon Cowell before he was really famous.
"Ten years on we are very alive and the passion is still there. We dream about the next goal all the time."
We slagged off Simon"s shoes and high trousers before anybody knew who he was
By GORDON SMART
Bizarre Editor
Published: 28 Dec 2009
IT may have been a grim 12 months for Westlife but Simon Cowell's favourite band are looking forward to a great 2010.
And the key to that will be keeping their most famous fan happy.
The lads, still our top-selling boy band after 11 years, are pop guru Simon's breakthrough success story.
And they constantly remind the record company chief he was not always the stellar name he is today.
In the final day of our Westlife series, Shane Filan reveals: "The big reason we still do so well is down to our relationship with Simon.
"We have worked together for 11 years and things go from strength to strength. Simon speaks highly of us, which means the world."
Missed ... Stephen Gately
But Kian Egan points out: "We used to slag him off about his shoes and his high trousers before anybody knew who he was.
"We used to slag off the shoes so badly, the big heels. Cobbler's shoes, we called them.
"We used to pull his trousers down lower and pull the T-shirt down and rip the p**s out of him, mocking his posh accent.
"As soon as he got on TV, people saw exactly what we saw and started to do the same thing."
Shane adds: "We were one of the first bands on Simon's S Records label, which he sold to BMG for £22million.
"He got a lot of money then before TV took over."
Despite almost 50million record sales, 14 number one songs and a host of sold-out tours, Westlife are still hungry for more.
"We're pocket change to what Simon makes annually but we've got history with him," says Shane.
"The hardest thing to do in our situation is sustain success.
"Every year is like a mountain to climb for us, even though people expect us to succeed now. We s**t ourselves before the midweek chart - we are still so ambitious."
The past year has seen the band rocked by tragedy. They have been hit by what they call "a big wave of death" that has struck their friends and family.
The recent loss of close pal and Boyzone singer Stephen Gately hit them hard, but Kian also lost his father, as did bandmate Nicky Byrne.
But with their usual upbeat, positive attitude they are now even more determined to appreciate everything they have and continue to enjoy life to the full.
Westlife have spent the best part of a year out of the spotlight, but in my interview with Shane, Kian, Nicky and Mark Feehily it was obvious they have used this testing 12 months to grow stronger.
Kian told me about the terrifying moment they discovered their good pal Stephen had passed away and Shane, 30, says: "Until then, we hadn't really thought about people from our generation not being here.
"As singers we are always thinking about the next album, the next tour, the family growing.
"You don't think about being dead. You would never think that about someone in your own band.
"If one of us died... it's a terrible thought but that would be it. Over. We couldn't carry on as a band.
"For us, it makes you realise how important the other members of the group - your dearest friends - are to you, and it makes you appreciate life an awful lot more."
Kian, 29, adds: "I had been out in the local with mates, gone home and fallen asleep on the couch.
"A mate rang me and told me about Stephen and I thought it was nonsense. I rang Louis Walsh (Boyzone's and Westlife's manager) and sure enough got the same response. It was truly awful.
"It has been a really tough year. On top of that both my dad and Nicky's dad died either side of that. My dad was 64 and had been sick for a year.
"My mum said to me we are at that age now where we start losing people.
"My grandmother, my wife Jodie's grandfather, Nicky's dad, my dad, Stephen...
"My mum said in her life, death sadly comes in waves and we are experiencing one of those big waves now. At the funeral of Stephen the four of us sat together with our partners.
"Brian (ex-Westlife member McFadden) happened to be sat in front of us. I remember looking at Brian and just feeling so sad, realising life is too short.
"We all felt the same - like we all needed to give him a big hug. I felt so sad towards him.
"Once the Boyzone speeches came out we were in pieces."
Shane adds: "It was after 1am when I found out about Stephen. I rang Louis and it was like 'boom'.
"He told me it was right and said he couldn't speak. I will never forget it as long as I live.
"In Ireland Stephen was a massive icon, a true pop star. He was one of us and he was dead.
"It just doesn't happen, so it was truly upsetting and tragic.
"We appreciate each other so much more since.
"We're thankful for what we've got and for having each other because life is so precious, and sometimes you can forget that."
By GORDON SMART
Bizarre Editor
Published: 28 Dec 2009
IT may have been a grim 12 months for Westlife but Simon Cowell's favourite band are looking forward to a great 2010.
And the key to that will be keeping their most famous fan happy.
The lads, still our top-selling boy band after 11 years, are pop guru Simon's breakthrough success story.
And they constantly remind the record company chief he was not always the stellar name he is today.
In the final day of our Westlife series, Shane Filan reveals: "The big reason we still do so well is down to our relationship with Simon.
"We have worked together for 11 years and things go from strength to strength. Simon speaks highly of us, which means the world."
Missed ... Stephen Gately
But Kian Egan points out: "We used to slag him off about his shoes and his high trousers before anybody knew who he was.
"We used to slag off the shoes so badly, the big heels. Cobbler's shoes, we called them.
"We used to pull his trousers down lower and pull the T-shirt down and rip the p**s out of him, mocking his posh accent.
"As soon as he got on TV, people saw exactly what we saw and started to do the same thing."
Shane adds: "We were one of the first bands on Simon's S Records label, which he sold to BMG for £22million.
"He got a lot of money then before TV took over."
Despite almost 50million record sales, 14 number one songs and a host of sold-out tours, Westlife are still hungry for more.
"We're pocket change to what Simon makes annually but we've got history with him," says Shane.
"The hardest thing to do in our situation is sustain success.
"Every year is like a mountain to climb for us, even though people expect us to succeed now. We s**t ourselves before the midweek chart - we are still so ambitious."
The past year has seen the band rocked by tragedy. They have been hit by what they call "a big wave of death" that has struck their friends and family.
The recent loss of close pal and Boyzone singer Stephen Gately hit them hard, but Kian also lost his father, as did bandmate Nicky Byrne.
But with their usual upbeat, positive attitude they are now even more determined to appreciate everything they have and continue to enjoy life to the full.
Westlife have spent the best part of a year out of the spotlight, but in my interview with Shane, Kian, Nicky and Mark Feehily it was obvious they have used this testing 12 months to grow stronger.
Kian told me about the terrifying moment they discovered their good pal Stephen had passed away and Shane, 30, says: "Until then, we hadn't really thought about people from our generation not being here.
"As singers we are always thinking about the next album, the next tour, the family growing.
"You don't think about being dead. You would never think that about someone in your own band.
"If one of us died... it's a terrible thought but that would be it. Over. We couldn't carry on as a band.
"For us, it makes you realise how important the other members of the group - your dearest friends - are to you, and it makes you appreciate life an awful lot more."
Kian, 29, adds: "I had been out in the local with mates, gone home and fallen asleep on the couch.
"A mate rang me and told me about Stephen and I thought it was nonsense. I rang Louis Walsh (Boyzone's and Westlife's manager) and sure enough got the same response. It was truly awful.
"It has been a really tough year. On top of that both my dad and Nicky's dad died either side of that. My dad was 64 and had been sick for a year.
"My mum said to me we are at that age now where we start losing people.
"My grandmother, my wife Jodie's grandfather, Nicky's dad, my dad, Stephen...
"My mum said in her life, death sadly comes in waves and we are experiencing one of those big waves now. At the funeral of Stephen the four of us sat together with our partners.
"Brian (ex-Westlife member McFadden) happened to be sat in front of us. I remember looking at Brian and just feeling so sad, realising life is too short.
"We all felt the same - like we all needed to give him a big hug. I felt so sad towards him.
"Once the Boyzone speeches came out we were in pieces."
Shane adds: "It was after 1am when I found out about Stephen. I rang Louis and it was like 'boom'.
"He told me it was right and said he couldn't speak. I will never forget it as long as I live.
"In Ireland Stephen was a massive icon, a true pop star. He was one of us and he was dead.
"It just doesn't happen, so it was truly upsetting and tragic.
"We appreciate each other so much more since.
"We're thankful for what we've got and for having each other because life is so precious, and sometimes you can forget that."
29 December 2009
Westlife credit Cowell with album release
Westlife star Nicky Byrne has said that the group wouldn't have released an album this year if it wasn't for Simon Cowell's help and encouragement.
Speaking to RTÉ.ie, the singer said of 'X Factor' judge Cowell: "What he is with us is... he's honest.
"What he sees is what he says. But we've a good relationship with him, especially this year, even stronger. This is our eleventh year with him."
Speaking about how the new album came about, he said: "We had a big meeting with him in August in his house in Beverly Hills... It's a tiny little house... By the time you walk around it you're tired!
"It was a great meeting and it was real positive.
"He kind of heard where we were coming from and agreed with it and was on the same page and that's how we got working on this album.
"Otherwise there wouldn't have been an album for Westlife this ye
Westlife credit Cowell with album release
Westlife star Nicky Byrne has said that the group wouldn't have released an album this year if it wasn't for Simon Cowell's help and encouragement.
Speaking to RTÉ.ie, the singer said of 'X Factor' judge Cowell: "What he is with us is... he's honest.
"What he sees is what he says. But we've a good relationship with him, especially this year, even stronger. This is our eleventh year with him."
Speaking about how the new album came about, he said: "We had a big meeting with him in August in his house in Beverly Hills... It's a tiny little house... By the time you walk around it you're tired!
"It was a great meeting and it was real positive.
"He kind of heard where we were coming from and agreed with it and was on the same page and that's how we got working on this album.
"Otherwise there wouldn't have been an album for Westlife this ye
29 December 2009
WESTLIFE - WESTLIFE STILL SOUR OVER GELDOF SNUB
WESTLIFE STILL SOUR OVER GELDOF SNUB
Irish band WESTLIFE are still fuming after BOB GELDOF snubbed them over 2004's Band Aid II single - because he could have raised more cash for charity if he'd included them.
The former Boomtown Rats star left the Flying Without Wings hitmakers off the charity song, dismissing them at the time as "not relevant".
But the four-piece is still reeling from the snub because they believe Geldof was just on a "power trip".
Singer Kian Egan says, "I think that was pretty rich given he only started his international campaigning when he realised the Boomtown Rats weren't relevant any more."
Bandmate Nicky Byrne adds, "Bob Geldof didn't include us on the Band Aid II single, even though we were the biggest band at the time. He could have made even more money for charity by having us sing, but he chose (British groups) Busted and Sugababes because he was on some sort of elitist power trip."
The group's Mark Feehily is also sick of their 'uncool' image: "We are a pop group, striving to make the best pop music we can. We don't claim to be anything other than good singers, and to dismiss us just because we might not be to some rock critic's taste, is to insult the millions of people who buy our records and enjoy what we do."
WESTLIFE - WESTLIFE STILL SOUR OVER GELDOF SNUB
WESTLIFE STILL SOUR OVER GELDOF SNUB
Irish band WESTLIFE are still fuming after BOB GELDOF snubbed them over 2004's Band Aid II single - because he could have raised more cash for charity if he'd included them.
The former Boomtown Rats star left the Flying Without Wings hitmakers off the charity song, dismissing them at the time as "not relevant".
But the four-piece is still reeling from the snub because they believe Geldof was just on a "power trip".
Singer Kian Egan says, "I think that was pretty rich given he only started his international campaigning when he realised the Boomtown Rats weren't relevant any more."
Bandmate Nicky Byrne adds, "Bob Geldof didn't include us on the Band Aid II single, even though we were the biggest band at the time. He could have made even more money for charity by having us sing, but he chose (British groups) Busted and Sugababes because he was on some sort of elitist power trip."
The group's Mark Feehily is also sick of their 'uncool' image: "We are a pop group, striving to make the best pop music we can. We don't claim to be anything other than good singers, and to dismiss us just because we might not be to some rock critic's taste, is to insult the millions of people who buy our records and enjoy what we do."
Westlife talk of being cool
December 29, 2009
London: Irish pop band Westlife has in a recent interview discussed about how they were cool despite there being reports that they weren't.
The interview between the boys, Kian Egan, Nicky Byrne, Shane Filan, and Mark Feehily and Judith Woods started off with the four talking about what they had done to be deemed cool.
In the middle of the discussion, Egan, 29, rolled up his trouser leg and flashed a heavily tattooed calf in Woods' direction.
"Look, this is Buddha! Is that cool enough for you? Is it?" the Telegraph quoted him as saying.
"I've got a palm tree and waves and a Hawaiian flower on the other one. What have you got to say about that?" he stated.
Baby-faced Byrne, 31, was next to proclaim how cool he was.
"I've got a Hummer golf buggy - and I don't even play golf! How much more rock-and-roll can you get?" he asked.
Filan, 30, who is the relaxed one, joined in the fray, announcing with perfect deadpan timing that he has "a big, fat house, way, way bigger than anything Bob Geldof's got. Two fat houses, in fact. And loads of cars and watches".
Then Feehily, 29, the soulful one, reminded him that he's also got a helicopter.
"There you go, I'm so crazy and cool that I'd forgotten I have my own helicopter. Who says we're boring now?" Filan added.
The whole outburst from the boys had started after a remark about their rather bland reputation and how one critic said Westlife "were so anodyne as to make Boyzone look like Led Zeppelin at their most orgiastic".
"Honestly, we're not dull," Byrne, who is married, with two-year-old twins, had protested.
"We're the life and soul of any party - Barack Obama said he'd love to go for a pint of Guinness with us some time.
"Just because we're fit and healthy and don't look like drug addicts or as if we haven't washed, doesn't make us uncool. It makes us normal," he stated.
Feehily, who along with Filan sings the majority of the group's vocals, also came to the band's defence.
"Excuse us if we get a bit defensive, but this whole 'cool' thing is a sideshow that distracts from our music," he said.
"We are a pop group, striving to make the best pop music we can. We don't claim to be anything other than good singers, and to dismiss us just because we might not be to some rock critic's taste, is to insult the millions of people who buy our records and enjoy what we do," he stated.
Filan also joined in by stating that it did not matter if they were seen as cool or not.
"We've had an amazing time, travelling the world, singing songs we love, meeting the fans and becoming financially secure," he said.
"If our only problem is that somehow we're not deemed cool enough, well I think we can live with that," he added.
December 29, 2009
London: Irish pop band Westlife has in a recent interview discussed about how they were cool despite there being reports that they weren't.
The interview between the boys, Kian Egan, Nicky Byrne, Shane Filan, and Mark Feehily and Judith Woods started off with the four talking about what they had done to be deemed cool.
In the middle of the discussion, Egan, 29, rolled up his trouser leg and flashed a heavily tattooed calf in Woods' direction.
"Look, this is Buddha! Is that cool enough for you? Is it?" the Telegraph quoted him as saying.
"I've got a palm tree and waves and a Hawaiian flower on the other one. What have you got to say about that?" he stated.
Baby-faced Byrne, 31, was next to proclaim how cool he was.
"I've got a Hummer golf buggy - and I don't even play golf! How much more rock-and-roll can you get?" he asked.
Filan, 30, who is the relaxed one, joined in the fray, announcing with perfect deadpan timing that he has "a big, fat house, way, way bigger than anything Bob Geldof's got. Two fat houses, in fact. And loads of cars and watches".
Then Feehily, 29, the soulful one, reminded him that he's also got a helicopter.
"There you go, I'm so crazy and cool that I'd forgotten I have my own helicopter. Who says we're boring now?" Filan added.
The whole outburst from the boys had started after a remark about their rather bland reputation and how one critic said Westlife "were so anodyne as to make Boyzone look like Led Zeppelin at their most orgiastic".
"Honestly, we're not dull," Byrne, who is married, with two-year-old twins, had protested.
"We're the life and soul of any party - Barack Obama said he'd love to go for a pint of Guinness with us some time.
"Just because we're fit and healthy and don't look like drug addicts or as if we haven't washed, doesn't make us uncool. It makes us normal," he stated.
Feehily, who along with Filan sings the majority of the group's vocals, also came to the band's defence.
"Excuse us if we get a bit defensive, but this whole 'cool' thing is a sideshow that distracts from our music," he said.
"We are a pop group, striving to make the best pop music we can. We don't claim to be anything other than good singers, and to dismiss us just because we might not be to some rock critic's taste, is to insult the millions of people who buy our records and enjoy what we do," he stated.
Filan also joined in by stating that it did not matter if they were seen as cool or not.
"We've had an amazing time, travelling the world, singing songs we love, meeting the fans and becoming financially secure," he said.
"If our only problem is that somehow we're not deemed cool enough, well I think we can live with that," he added.
westlife takeover GMTV 2009 december
THE WESTLIFE STORY - 2009 -
Geschreven door westlife om 00:00
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Zaterdag 23 november 2013
1 WESTLIFE 2009
Westlife
Nicky, Kian, Mark and Shane - No pop band can compare to the remarkable success of Westlife! In their ten years on top, they have sold over 40 million records globally. In the UK alone they have scored nine multi-platinum albums and a record breaking 14 No.1 hits (behind only Elvis and The Beatles). Westlife have also picked up innumerable awards and have appeared on hundreds of magazine covers around the world. Over the years, Westlife's music has evolved from teen pop to an adult contemporary sound, with an emphasis on ballads.They are the only recording artists to win the prestigious Record Of The Year an incredible four times (other top awards include two BRITS and an MTV Europe Award).
Westlife are also the biggest selling UK Arena act ever, holding the record for the most concerts held at Wembley Arena, an incredible 27. In celebration of this, March of this year saw the band immortalised in Wembley Square of Fame with a plaque of their handprints, joining such legends as Madonna, George Michael, Kylie and Dolly Parton.
On the 1st June 2008 Westlife returned to their home country of Ireland to play the biggest concert of their career to date. Fresh from the success of their massive Back Home world tour, the band played to a sell-out, 82,500 strong crowd at Croke Park Stadium, Dublin in honour of Westlife 10th anniversary. A truly unforgettable occasion for Kian, Mark, Nicky and Shane.
Currently on a well deserved one year break, Westlife are due back in July 2009 for what promises to be another successful year.
..
Tuesday March 17 2009
Boyzone and Westlife go head to head tonight at Dublin's Meteor Awards -- and singer Nicky Byrne is hopeful his band will come out on top.
Both bands are bidding to clinch the coveted Best Irish Pop Act Award.
Westlife have already scooped a staggering eight Meteor Awards in just ten years -- but Nicky is hoping Westlife will get number nine tonight at the glittering awards ceremony.
Despite collecting a clutch of awards at the ceremony over the years, winning a Meteor is still something Westlife star holds dear.
"I will have the fingers crossed but just being nominated again was a big thrill for all of us," he said.
Both Nicky and Shane will be flying in for the music bash in the RDS tonight -- Kian Egan and Mark Feehily couldn't make it due to other commitments.
Nicky's wife Georgina and Shane's wife Gillian will be accompanying their husbands as they celebrate their achievements.
Father-of-two Nicky, who is married to former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern's daughter, Georgina, said of the awards: "I am really looking forward to the Meteors -- it's always a great night.
"It's great to be nominated by the fans, that's what means so much,"
The band have been off the scene since last summer -- but their blistering performance in Croke Park last June might just be enough to tip the category in their favour.
Some 82,000 fans flocked to Croke Park in June to catch their band play its biggest gig. Brian McFadden recently revealed his biggest regret on leaving Westlife was missing the opportunity at the Croker gig.
..
18.03.2009
Westlife Win A Meteor!
A huge congratulations to the boys, who scooped the Best Irish Pop Act prize at last night's Meteor Awards.
Nicky, Shane, Kian and Mark were thrilled to have won and would like to pass on their thanks to everyone who voted for them and helped them pick up the award for the eighth consecutive year!
In other news, Nicky was recently named most stylish man in Ireland by VIP, so would like to say a big thank you to all of you who cast your votes.
...
Friday May 08 2009
Westlife star Kian Egan was exchanging vows with stunning Jodi Albert this afternoon.
Jodi became the third member of the exclusive 'Westwives' club, following in the footsteps of Georgina Ahern and Gillian Filan.
westlife Best Irish pop Act 2009
Irish musicians celebrated St Patrick's Day at the Meteor Ireland Music Awards in Dublin last night. favourite Irish bands Boyzone partied at the ceremony alongside Westlife's Shane Filan and Nicky Byrne, who collected the group's gong for Best Irish Pop Act.
..
Friday June 26 2009
Westlife star Nicky Byrne could have bitten off more than he can chew this week -- after revealing how he is in agony after getting his wisdom teeth removed.
He was sent reeling by the painful procedure, with the married dad needing stitches in his mouth and having to eat soft baby food as he recovers from the operation.
The Dubliner said he had 10 stitches in his gum and "feels like s**t".
"Jaw swollen but feel a lot better considering... last night was in agony - very sore mouth," he said on his Twitter page.
Jelly
And he had to resort to chowing down on lemon and lime jelly in the aftermath of the procedure, which can leave patients unable to eat properly for several days due to the swelling of their mouth.
At least the proud dad had a nice weekend -- he celebrated Father's Day with his wife Georgina Ahern and their twin boys Rocco and Jay (2) with a relaxing meal in the Castleknock Hotel.
Nicky has just a few weeks left enjoying some quality time with his family at their Malahide house before he hits the road again with Westlife.
The popular foursome will be heading to the States next month to start work on their long-awaited album, following a year-long break
...
Monday July 06 2009
Westlife frontman Shane Filan has revealed that he is preparing for a third edition to his family.
Shane's wife Gillian told her husband the news just before his 30th birthday party at their Sligo mansion. And the singer announced that his childhood sweetheart was pregnant after he blew out the candles on his birthday cake in front of 150 guests.
In a speech, the singer said that he was bowled over by the news.
"My wife Gillian has been asking me a lot about what I'd like for my birthday. I thought she was going to get me a watch or something," Shane said.
"But she has definitely surprised me -- by telling me she is pregnant with our third child."
The crowd burst into cheers and then hit the dance floor in celebration. Shane's Westlife bandmates then hit the stage for an impromptu gig, performing their hits World of Our Own and Flying Without Wings.
The Filans already have one daughter, Nicole (3), and a 10-month-old son Patrick. "I'm absolutely delighted," said Shane.
.
17 Jul 2009
Westlife singer Nicky Byrne has got the eye of the tiger as he prepares to launch a pop comeback.
The Dublin star has taken up boxing to get in shape for Westlife's big return to the charts later this year.
Nicky, 30, told the Irish Daily Mirror: "I'm really into it. It's such a tough sport but I have been doing all the workouts and the sparing sessions and all.
"When we took a year off I really wanted something to keep me in shape.
"Boxing is perfect because it works you out on a physical and mental level. I love it."
Nicky's bandmates Kian, Shane and Mark have also been hitting the gym to get in their best shape for their upcoming 50-date tour next year.
Shane said: "It's a tough schedule to be on the road and working late hours all the time so we want to be 100% ready for it."
Credit/Source: The Irish Daily Mirror
..
Westlife singer Nicky Byrne has got the eye of the tiger as he prepares to launch a pop comeback.
The Dublin star has taken up boxing to get in shape for Westlife's big return to the charts later this year.
Nicky, 30, told the Irish Daily Mirror: "I'm really into it. It's such a tough sport but I have been doing all the workouts and the sparing sessions and all.
"When we took a year off I really wanted something to keep me in shape.
"Boxing is perfect because it works you out on a physical and mental level. I love it."
Nicky's bandmates Kian, Shane and Mark have also been hitting the gym to get in their best shape for their upcoming 50-date tour next year.
Shane said: "It's a tough schedule to be on the road and working late hours all the time so we want to be 100% ready for it."
Credit/Source: The Irish Daily Mirror
..
Wednesday July 22 2009
Kian Egan and his brother, Tom, carry their father Kevin's coffin
WHEN Kian Egan stepped up to the altar yesterday for the most difficult performance of his career, his friends stood solid by his side.
The four members of the world's most successful boyband, Westlife, faced the congregation to sing a solemn version of 'You Raise Me Up' in tribute to Kian's father, Kevin, who died of cancer last Sunday.
"Myself and the guys would like to sing this song for my dad. I feel the words of this song really represent the type of man my father was," said an emotional Kian at his father's Requiem Mass in Sligo Cathedral.
And when Kian struggled to fight back the tears as Shane Filan sounded the opening lyrics, he felt the comforting arm of Mark Feehily around his shoulders.
He was finally composed enough to join in a roof-raising final chorus of the moving song which gave the band a number one hit. Then as the last notes still lingered in the hallowed arches, and the congregation wiped away the tears, pals Mark, Shane and Nicky embraced their grieving friend.
Beloved
Father-of-seven Kevin died in the arms of his beloved wife, Patricia, and surrounded by his children and grandchildren at his home on the Strandhill Road last Sunday morning.
"Dad died at home in mommy's arms as she was saying 'I loved you from the moment I first saw you, and I will love you for always'," his daughter Vivienne said.
In a moving tribute, she said her father encouraged all his children to be the best people they could be.
"He loved everything to do with all the Westlife things that happened over the years." But she said her father was so proud of all of his children, "whether they were a Westlife singer or a parent or school teacher".
Kevin, who was in his mid-60s, was too ill to attend Kian's wedding to former soap actress Jodi Albert in Barbados last May.
Leading the mourners yesterday were his wife Patricia, daughters, Vivienne, Marielle and Fenella, and sons Kian, Tom, Gavin and Colm.
Westlife manager Louis Walsh joined hundreds of mourners in the church to pay his respects.
Later, Kian left with the cortege, with his new wife Jodi by his side. They headed to his father's final resting place on the Strandhill Road, not far from the family home that had been a gift from Kian several years ago.
Westlife have postponed recording of their new album to give tragic star Kian Egan time to grieve
Kian Egan and his brother, Tom, carry their father Kevin's coffin
WHEN Kian Egan stepped up to the altar yesterday for the most difficult performance of his career, his friends stood solid by his side.
The four members of the world's most successful boyband, Westlife, faced the congregation to sing a solemn version of 'You Raise Me Up' in tribute to Kian's father, Kevin, who died of cancer last Sunday.
"Myself and the guys would like to sing this song for my dad. I feel the words of this song really represent the type of man my father was," said an emotional Kian at his father's Requiem Mass in Sligo Cathedral.
And when Kian struggled to fight back the tears as Shane Filan sounded the opening lyrics, he felt the comforting arm of Mark Feehily around his shoulders.
He was finally composed enough to join in a roof-raising final chorus of the moving song which gave the band a number one hit. Then as the last notes still lingered in the hallowed arches, and the congregation wiped away the tears, pals Mark, Shane and Nicky embraced their grieving friend.
Beloved
Father-of-seven Kevin died in the arms of his beloved wife, Patricia, and surrounded by his children and grandchildren at his home on the Strandhill Road last Sunday morning.
"Dad died at home in mommy's arms as she was saying 'I loved you from the moment I first saw you, and I will love you for always'," his daughter Vivienne said.
In a moving tribute, she said her father encouraged all his children to be the best people they could be.
"He loved everything to do with all the Westlife things that happened over the years." But she said her father was so proud of all of his children, "whether they were a Westlife singer or a parent or school teacher".
Kevin, who was in his mid-60s, was too ill to attend Kian's wedding to former soap actress Jodi Albert in Barbados last May.
Leading the mourners yesterday were his wife Patricia, daughters, Vivienne, Marielle and Fenella, and sons Kian, Tom, Gavin and Colm.
Westlife manager Louis Walsh joined hundreds of mourners in the church to pay his respects.
Later, Kian left with the cortege, with his new wife Jodi by his side. They headed to his father's final resting place on the Strandhill Road, not far from the family home that had been a gift from Kian several years ago.
Westlife have postponed recording of their new album to give tragic star Kian Egan time to grieve
.
Westlife promise 'strongest album yet'
Tuesday, August 11 2009, 12:57 BST
By David Balls, Music Reporter
Westlife have promised that their upcoming ninth studio album will be the group's strongest to date.
The Irish boyband, who have not released any new material for two years, insisted that they will surprise fans when they return later this year.
"The album will have no covers at all - we want it to be our strongest ever," Shane Filan told the Irish Daily Mirror.
"We're working on it in the studios at the minute and it's really exciting. We took a decision that we didn't want to do any covers at all this time round and give the fans 100% new material.
"We know this has to be something special because we have been away for over a year. I think everyone is going to be really surprised when they hear it."
Guy Chambers, former Savage Garden star Darren Hayes and Ryan Tedder, who penned Leona Lewis's 'Bleeding Love', are all rumoured to have contributed material for the new record.
"We're lucky to be working with some amazing writers and I'm sure this album is going to bring us back with a bang," Filan added.
"We want great up-tempo songs and some really strong ballads. That's what we made our name with and that's what we want to do again.
"The plan is to release the album before Christmas and then hit the road for a tour next year."
Westlife have sold over 40 million copies of their nine previous albums, seven of which were bestsellers in the UK
Tuesday, August 11 2009, 12:57 BST
By David Balls, Music Reporter
Westlife have promised that their upcoming ninth studio album will be the group's strongest to date.
The Irish boyband, who have not released any new material for two years, insisted that they will surprise fans when they return later this year.
"The album will have no covers at all - we want it to be our strongest ever," Shane Filan told the Irish Daily Mirror.
"We're working on it in the studios at the minute and it's really exciting. We took a decision that we didn't want to do any covers at all this time round and give the fans 100% new material.
"We know this has to be something special because we have been away for over a year. I think everyone is going to be really surprised when they hear it."
Guy Chambers, former Savage Garden star Darren Hayes and Ryan Tedder, who penned Leona Lewis's 'Bleeding Love', are all rumoured to have contributed material for the new record.
"We're lucky to be working with some amazing writers and I'm sure this album is going to bring us back with a bang," Filan added.
"We want great up-tempo songs and some really strong ballads. That's what we made our name with and that's what we want to do again.
"The plan is to release the album before Christmas and then hit the road for a tour next year."
Westlife have sold over 40 million copies of their nine previous albums, seven of which were bestsellers in the UK
.
Westlife: 'We've taken a new direction'
Thursday, October 15 2009, 20:37 BST
By Oli Simpson
Westlife have admitted that they took a "new direction" on their upcoming single.
'What About Now', the Irish boyband's first release since 2007's Back Home album, will be the first track taken from forthcoming LP Where We Are.
Singer Mark Feehily told The Mirror: "We wanted the first single from our new album to be somewhere between the Westlife sound our fans know and love, and the new direction we're heading in.
"We've been experimenting with a fresh vibe on this record. After 11 years we see this as phase two of the Westlife story."
'What About Now' is released on October 26. Their tenth studio album Where We Are follows on November 30.
Thursday, October 15 2009, 20:37 BST
By Oli Simpson
Westlife have admitted that they took a "new direction" on their upcoming single.
'What About Now', the Irish boyband's first release since 2007's Back Home album, will be the first track taken from forthcoming LP Where We Are.
Singer Mark Feehily told The Mirror: "We wanted the first single from our new album to be somewhere between the Westlife sound our fans know and love, and the new direction we're heading in.
"We've been experimenting with a fresh vibe on this record. After 11 years we see this as phase two of the Westlife story."
'What About Now' is released on October 26. Their tenth studio album Where We Are follows on November 30.
...
Westlife attend Stephen Gatelys Funeral,
Westlife join mourners in paying tribute to Stephen GatelyBy Mirror.co.uk 16/10/2009
Irish boyband Westlife joined mourners in paying tribute to Gately tonight.
"We are here today as friends of Stephen, not as popstars," the band said in a statement.
"Thank you to the media for respecting that. Stephen Gately played a big part in our story. "We watched him on TV in our early teens. We met him as fans when Westlife first got together and supported Boyzone. We got to know him as a friend over the many times our paths crossed and he would always have that same smile for us any time we bumped into him.
"It's a shame that today we have to say goodbye to him like this. Our love and support goes out to Andy and the rest of Stephen's family. Also to Keith, Mickey, Ronan and Shane, who have lost their best friend.
"Our deepest sympathies go out to them all. We trust they will be left to grieve in peace."
Westlife join mourners in paying tribute to Stephen GatelyBy Mirror.co.uk 16/10/2009
Irish boyband Westlife joined mourners in paying tribute to Gately tonight.
"We are here today as friends of Stephen, not as popstars," the band said in a statement.
"Thank you to the media for respecting that. Stephen Gately played a big part in our story. "We watched him on TV in our early teens. We met him as fans when Westlife first got together and supported Boyzone. We got to know him as a friend over the many times our paths crossed and he would always have that same smile for us any time we bumped into him.
"It's a shame that today we have to say goodbye to him like this. Our love and support goes out to Andy and the rest of Stephen's family. Also to Keith, Mickey, Ronan and Shane, who have lost their best friend.
"Our deepest sympathies go out to them all. We trust they will be left to grieve in peace."
.
Feehily nervous over X Factor show
Westlife's Mark Feehily has admitted he is nervous about the group's 'X Factor' performance this weekend which marks their return to the stage after a year off.
The Daily Mail reports that singer Feehily said "There is always something a little bit scary about the 'X Factor' stage. It's so huge and you have the judges in front of you. It's like being a teenager at your first audition.
"It's strange - we've performed some massive gigs and huge TV shows but 'X Factor' always makes me a little bit more nervous than anything else we do."
AdvertisementThe group has appeared on the show more times than any other act as performers, mentors and even judges. They had originally been due to appear in a month's time but according to Kian Egan, Simon Cowell moved up their performance after he heard their new single. Egan said "He went berserk and said it's too big a song - I want to get them on the show as soon as possible."
Westlife's Mark Feehily has admitted he is nervous about the group's 'X Factor' performance this weekend which marks their return to the stage after a year off.
The Daily Mail reports that singer Feehily said "There is always something a little bit scary about the 'X Factor' stage. It's so huge and you have the judges in front of you. It's like being a teenager at your first audition.
"It's strange - we've performed some massive gigs and huge TV shows but 'X Factor' always makes me a little bit more nervous than anything else we do."
AdvertisementThe group has appeared on the show more times than any other act as performers, mentors and even judges. They had originally been due to appear in a month's time but according to Kian Egan, Simon Cowell moved up their performance after he heard their new single. Egan said "He went berserk and said it's too big a song - I want to get them on the show as soon as possible."
...
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