band.html

Here Starts the story of the westlife boys :

This Irish Boyband, originally known as westside , emerged in the late 90s as highly successful protégés of Ronan Keating of Boyzone . The three founding members , Kian Egan, Shane Filan and Mark Feehily came together in a local Sligo production of Grease . They formed IOU with three other fellows acters after friends encouraged them to continue singing , and began performing cover versions in local clubs. A demo tape of a track written by Filan and Feehily , " Together Girl foever " , found its way to Boyzone manager Loius Wlash .

Suitably impressed , Walsh hired them to support US boyband Backstreet Boys when they visited Dublin. A change of Line-up ensued , with three of the original members making way for ex-soccer player Nicky Byrne and Bryan McFadden. Ronan became involved with the band as co-manager in April 1998 .

After a showcase appearance at London Café de Paris in Faburary 1999, the band changed their name to Westlife after learning of the existence of several American acts performing as Westside.

Groomed as natural successors to Boyzone , the quintet's debut single " Swear it Again " , was highly prdictable Irish and Uk chart-topper in May. The follow-up, " If I let You Go " , repeated the feat when it entered the Uk singles chart at number 1 in August

" Flying Without Wings " made it three number 1s in a row in October .

Their status as the most popular Boyband of the moment was underlined when their double a-side , featuring cover versions of Abba's " I have A Dream " and Terry Jack's " Seasons in The sun " , topped the charts for fun four weeks over Christmas and the new year . They created Uk chart history in April 2000 when " Fool Again " became their fifth number 1 single in a row . Later in the year , the group's duet with Mariah Carey on a cover of Phil Collins " Aghainst All Odds " , And " My Love " , became their sixth and seventh number 1s respectively: Both singles featured on the Coast To Coast , a virtual rewrite of their debut Album.

Their Christmas single " What makes A Man " / My Girl " was pipped to the coveted number 1 slot by the children television's character Bob The Builder.The group bounced back to the top in March 20001 witzh their cover version of Billy Joel's " Uptown Girl " , released for the Comic Relief Charity.

In November , the anodyne " Queen of My Hearts " earned the group their ninth number Chart-topper.THe quintet notched up their 10 number 1 in Faburary 2002 with " World Of Our Own ".

With Souful harmonies , angelic voices , drop-dead good looks, plus Simom Cowell's production team and the strong management of Louis Walsh behind them, their much anticapated Fifth album and Plans for the fourth Uk Tour in 2004 mean that Westlife look set to enjoy chart success well into the new millenium !!!