|
| |
|
Short summaries:
(7th September 2001) New UK Single in November!
Westlife are to release a brand spanking new single called 'Queen of my Heart' on 5th November. What's more the bside will be 'When You're Looking Like That' due to popular demand from UK Fans after it was released in Central Europe.
The as yet untitled third album will be also be released in November.
Unfortunately, despite reports in some press there will not be a tour this year but the boys are hoping to take to the road again at some point next year.
Keep an eye on us for more news
(1st September 2001) Bryan becomes a dad
Bryan became the proud father of a baby girl as his fiancee Kerry Katona gave birth to their daughter, Molly McFadden, on September 1st.
Kerry was in labour for 18 hours and the baby weighed a healthy 8lb 2oz. Bryan was present at the birth, along both his and Kerry's mums...
Shane, Mark, Nicky and Kian are all delighted at the news - they said "We are absolutely delighted for Bryan and Kerry - we all feel like uncles, we can't wait to get back home to see little Molly, the latest edition to the Westlife family.
(28th August 2001) Single news
Westlife are planning a European release of When You're Looking Like That, from their Coast To Coast album. However, the song won't be coming out in the UK because the band want to keep something new back for their home fans.
Watch this space for news of the next UK release...
(July 13 2001) Westlife Give Up Plans To Conquer States
Westlife have given up their plans to attempt to crack the massive US music market.
The band have spent the last few months touring and trying to woo American fans. They released their debut album 'Westlfie' there but it has failed to sell well enough to keep the band across the Atlantic.
Their manager Louis Walsh, told the Sun: "We are not sure whether it will happen for us there. Our stronghold is in Britain and Europe."
"We are doing really well here and don't want to be associated with failure. We are one of the biggest bands in Europe and we want to consolidate that position. As far as we are concerned the US is off."
(Jun 18 2001) WESTLIFE 'DREAM' AGAIN!
WESTLIFE are reportedly planning to record another cover of ABBA's 'I HAVE A DREAM' with Asian actress SHERINA MUNAF.
According to MTVAsia.com, Munaf will record guest vocals in Jakarta, with the band recording theirs in Europe.
Child star Sherina, who was awarded Most Talented Child Actress at the Asia Pacific Film Festival last year, has been making front pages in Asia.
The band are also reported to be planning to work with Asian pop star Coco Lee, who has just released her first UK single 'Do You Want My Love'. WESTLIFE's previously recorded cover of "I Have A Dream' reched the Xmas top slot in the UK in 1999 as a double A-side alongside the band's cover of Terry Jacks' 'Seasons In The Sun'.
(Jun 5 2001) WHERE'S BRYAN? HE'S NOT EAR!
WESTLIFE's BRYAN McFADDEN has had to miss out on the boyband's Japanese promotional duties due to an ear infection.
According to the Daily Star today (June 5), he will miss shows in Tokyo and Osaka, rejoining the five-piece in Barcelona on Friday (June 8) to wind up the European leg of their current dates. Bryan absence means the band won't be able to do their Sonic Youth covers
(2 Jun 2001) SI! SI! WESTLIFE IN SPANISH
Westlife have recorded two songs in Spanish in an attempt to break into the lucrative Hispanic market.
The Irish band have reworked 'I Lay My Love On You' and 'When You're Looking Like That' with producer Rubi Perez, who has worked with Julio Iglesias and Placido Domingo.
The tracks will be released in Spain, the US and South America next week.
Bryan McFadden told The Sun newspaper, "We've tried to record a song in Spanish for the last two years. But we don't speak Spanish, so there's not the same emotion. In English we're know what we're singing and can feel it more."
However, sound engineer Alan Connell said that the band were "fantastic. They were professional and easily mastered the accents."
(11 Apr 2001 09:33) WESTLIFE STAR TO MARRY INTO POLITICS?
Westlife star Nicky Byrne is set to marry the daughter of Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, according to reports.
The couple, who have apparently been together for six years, met when they were both aged just 12.
Although no date for the marriage has been set, Nicky and Georgina Ahern have just moved in together for the first time, and the boy band superstar has revealed what their future holds.
"I want to put 100 per cent of my energies into Westlife and then, if we take a break or slow down, I can get married and start a family.
"No matter what the future holds for me, I just pray I'm with Georgina. If it wasn't for her I wouldn't be the person I am. She is my morning, noon and night," said Byrne. Read the whole love story for Nicky and Georgina.
(30 Mar 2001) Have Westlife in your room
Westlife fans are being given the chance to have their pop heroes in their living room, but at a price.
The band perform live in Dublin on Saturday evening, and the show is being broadcast live on satellite TV.
SKY will broadcast the gig from 7pm - 9.30pm, including an 'Access All Areas' hour-long special beforehand.
However, the show will cost £9.99 and for those unable to see it on the night, it is to be recorded and released as a video and DVD in November.
For more contact the information line on 08705 800 888.
(25 May 2001) INJURIES IN WESTLIFE STAMPEDE
Sixteen Westlife fans are reported to have been injured in a stampede at a concert in Indonesia on Thursday evening.
There are believed to have been three serious injuries, which occurred after the audience surged towards the stage following the two-hour show in Jakarta.
The concert took place before 15,000 people at the Soemantri Bodjonegoro venue.
Two months ago, four fans were killed in a stampede at an a1 autograph signing, also in Jakarta.
(21 Mar 2001) Westlife's Kian Egan has said that his alleged attackers on St Patrick's night were his former school friends.
The star has also denied reports that he suffered a broken nose and lost a tooth when he was jumped outside a fish and chip restaurant in Sligo during the early hours of Sunday morning (March 18th).
The singer has revealed that stories have been exaggerated and that he simply suffered a small cut to his nose after the incident in his hometown.
Kian was with two friends when he was accosted outside the Abrakebabra takeaway.
The band went ahead their show at Dublin's Point venue on Monday night as planned.
Egan has told an Irish website: They were classmates. It's very disappointing, because it was my first night out in Sligo since Christmas and this happened. I didn't get a chance to hit back.
The staff in Abrakebabra saw what was happening and they called the police. But, by the time the police got there, the two lads had run away. So the police took us to the hospital, but they didn't even have to give me a check up.
(14 May 2001) WESTLIFE 'NOT MY LIFE'!
Westlife's Bryan McFadden has admitted the boyband's future is unlikely to be together, sparking speculation that they'll go the same way as fellow inactive Irish superstars Boyzone.
McFadden has revealed that he doesn't expect the band to last anymore than five years, insisting "the world does not revolve around Westlife".
He explained: ""This band won't last more than five years. That's why I am starting now to plan my future.
"Westlife is the best thing that ever happened to me but it isn't my future. It is none of our futures. I've already started planning. I have my own life set-up.
McFadden concluded: "I don't rely on this band any more. This band is everything to some people. It isn't to me. I've got a baby and a wife on the way so the world does not revolve around Westlife."
Westlife have claimed this week's number one single. Their charity cover of Billy Joel's 'Uptown Girl' becomes their eighth chart-topper.
Last week's number one, Shaggy's 'It Wasn't Me', falls to number two. Atomic Kitten's 'Whole Again' also drops one place to number three.
There's a new entry at number four for mysterious supergroup Gorrillaz with 'Clint Eastwood'. Wheatus' 'Teenage Dirtbag' climbs one place to number five, swapping places with Nelly Furtado's 'I'm Like A Bird' which is now number six.
Westlife & Dido win at Capital Awards!
Westlife and Dido walk away with an award each
Congratulations to Westlife who fought off competition from fellow country men (and women!) U2 and the Corrs and the hot US trio Destiny's Child. And this year's phenomenal success story continues to build with Dido winning Favourite Female Vocalist. Competition here was very tough with Dido competing against other home grown talent including Gabrielle and Mel B.
Well done to them both!
Westlife to record a duet with Rocker Bryan Adams!
Not content with working with Mariah Carey, the boys from Westlife have told us that they are to work with another legend - Mr Bryan Adams!
This time it's a brand new track co written by Bryan, Shane, Kian and erm .. Bryan. We're told it's very much in the style of some of Bryan Adams' old classics like 'Everything I do'.
Prepare for a massive no.1 hit!
Yes, it is confirmed that Westlife will be coming to Kuala Lumpur on the 26th May 2001 for a full-blown concert! The talented quintet, Bryan McFadden, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, Nicky Byrne and Shane Filan have confirmed their dates for their Asian tour which includes Jakarta, Singapore, Manila, Seoul, Hong Kong and of course, Malaysia. With their release of "Coast To Coast", Westlife has scored seven UK No.1s and made pop history in March 2000 when they broke the Guinness Book of Records for achieving five consecutive No.1 singles with their first five singles. This amount has been added to a total of seven No.1s with the outstanding release of "Against All Odds" and "My Love".
Bryan leaving Westlife, set to go solo?!
Westlife heart-throb Bryan McFadden is set to be the next Ronan Keating - as he limbers up to launch a solo career. But he's allayed fans' worries by insisting he won't be leaving the record breaking Irish band. Handsome Bryan will be the first member to branch out on his own, and is enlisting rock star Bryan Admas to take him to the top of the charts. Bryan says he'll release his first solo single in the summer, after the Westlife British tour ends. A source at the band's label RCA Records says, "Bryan's absolutely not leaving the band but is really excited about doing some songs on his own. He's a really talented lad so I've no doubt he'll produce some great songs."
Westlife Say 'Hello' to Lionel
Soul legend Lionel Richie wants to record a song with Westlife because he says he's a big fan. Richie, who last year recorded a track called Cinderella with the Backstreet Boys for his latest solo album Renaissance, told the Belfast Telegraph: 'It would be a nice mid-tempo song, just the type of song the boys would love. 'I've met them several times and I think they're a great bunch. They're really good singers and have wonderful personalities as well. Sure people knock them but in this business there's always some angle people will find to discredit a group. 'But, I would love to work with Westlife, if the opportunity arose, I'd definitely be up for it.'
A WHITE CHRISTMAS WITH WESTLIFE?
Even though it's only March, WESTLIFE are already planning their Christmas chart attack and intend to cover the classic 'White Christmas'. Westlife who are used to Number One hits were kept off the top spot last Christmas by kids favourite Bob The Builder.
The legendary seasonal song was originally a hit for Bing Crosby in 1942. Westlife will be determined to hit the top spot, and covering other people's songs is usually a sure fire way of getting there. A spokesman for Westlife's record company said, "It's definitely under serious consideration."
He added, "A lot of planning goes into finding the right song and 'White Christmas' is it. It will be snapped up by young and older fans alike."
WESTLIFE’S Kian Egan has slammed Claudia Schiffer as boring, after the supermodel appeared in the boy band’s video for ‘Uptown Girl’. Kian Egan is reported in The Sun as saying ‘She’s boring. We only had her in it because she did it for free.’ This blast at Claudia is the latest in a long line of slanging matches Westlife have entered into previously they’ve had words to say about Christina Aguilera ‘arrogant’ and Five ‘rude thugs’.
The Irish wonders will make the Comic Relief single 'Uptown Girl' their eighth number one if they top the chart this Sunday. Their version of the '80s Billie Joel classic has already sold almost 90,000 copies, more than Shaggy's 'It Wasn't Me,' last week's number one. The top five is expected to include Damon Albarn's Gorillaz project, while Aerosmith's 'Jaded' should break the top ten.
28th February 2001:
WESTLIFE win in Brit Awards
Congratulations Westlife for winning the [ BEST POP ACT ]
Voted for by CD:UK viewers and The Sun Bizarre column readers plus BT Cellnet phone users
and
presented by:
Cat Deeley
Westlife would like to say an enormous thank you to all their dedicated fans.
Thanks to all those whose calls and care helped Westlife claim the title of Best Pop Act at last nights' BRIT Awards 2001 ceremony.
Nominated for 3 awards and two weeks into their UK & Ireland Arena Tour, Westlife armed with 60 backing dancers, dazzled the BRITS audience with their Comic Relief single "Uptown Girl". Later they picked up their award for BEST POP ACT, presented by Cat Deeley, beating off stiff competetion from Britney, Ronan Keating, S Club 7 and Steps.
The positive response from CD:UK viewers, The Sun Bizarre readers and BT Cellnet users confirm the confidence and enthusiasm fans feel towards the band.
click here to view the pics.
25th February 2001:
WESTLIFE VERY KIAN TO WIN AN AWARD!
Despite notching up a massive seven number one consecutive hits over the last two years, Westlife's Kian Egan is not completely confident about the band's chances of winning a BRIT Award at the forthcoming ceremony. "I would love to win" says Kian, grinning. "To go home with one would be an absolute honour. But to be honest with you, I don't think we have a chance".
The band are nominated in three award categories for BRITs 2001 - Best International Group, Best International Newcomer, and Best Pop Act. "We're well chuffed to be up for three gongs" says Kian. I don't think an Irish band, except perhaps U2, has been nominated for as many before".
But although happy with his nominations, Kian reckons the band will be pipped to the post on the night perhaps by U2 themselves for Best International Group, or Jill Scott for Best International newcomer. "The category we have the best chance in is Best Pop Act because it's a phone-in public vote. Our fans have been very supportive in the past, so we're keeping our fingers crossed for that one!"
25th February 2001:
A STITCH IN TIME
Day two of rehearsals started early for Westlife - the band left Manchester at 5am in time to make 9am rehearsals at Earls Court. Ex Take That Choreographer Kim Gavin is in charge of the set design and the overall look of the production number, and although the details of the performance are secret, the lads were giving some hints along the way. "Think 50's, think Grease" said Shane.
"We've completely re-done the routine and the styling from the live show we do on tour so this will be a first-time performance on the BRITs" said Shane. While all the dance moves looked to be well in hand preparations in other places are not quite finished for the lads. Stylist Dave Thomas has had ten days to design and make 56 costumes for the band's dancers, as well as outfits for the lads themselves "Mine isn't finished yet - but it should be ready on for the dress rehearsal!" said a worried Mark.
The band jumped back into the bus while the entire dance troupe were having their nails painted red.
For more news archive...click here.
All news article courtesy of Westlife Online, none of these may be used without written permission of the webmaster.
|
|
|
|
|
