News January 2002 To June 2002 >On to news July 2002 onwards
Ronan was extremely busy in 2002 what with the release of his second album "destination" and his destination tour in and outside Europe and countless appearances at various music events across the globe. See what Ronan 's been up to from January to June in 2002. *** 29 June 2002 - 5:39 PM EST Prince Charles hosts stars for charity concert *** 24 June 2002 - Irish heartthrob Ronan Keating and pop diva Sophie Ellis Bextor have already been added to the already impressive line-up for Radio City's Fell The Noise Live with Natwest Access 2 Music at Liverpool Cricket Club, Aigburth, on Sat 6 July 2002. The 5 hr feast features the very best UK Chart music. Other artists announced include Blue, Liberty X, The Lighthouse Family,3SL,and pop idol winner Will Young. Ronan has just turned 25 and already sold more than 16 million albums, confirming his status as a bonafide pop star. ***22 June 2002 - RONAN EARNS HIS PINSTRIPES - Daily Mail 'The home-made banners and placards in the crowd were typical of those at any arena sized pop show. The teenage screams were every bit as loud too. But up on stage, the night's star attraction cut a slightly incongruous figure. Dressed in a black pinstripe suit and soberly patterned tie, Ronan Keating looked more like a City
stockbroker than a pop star. While the 25 year old can be a laid back performer, this date showed he has successfully made the transition from teeny bop idol to fully fledged adult solo artist. Backed by a six piece band and two female singers, the Irishman was the consummate professional. The former Boyzone front man occasionally ventured out of his depth with some well meant but glib comments about terrorism and Third world poverty. But while no Bono
Vox on stage, Keating was talkative and engaging. Proficient rather than passionate, he succeeds thanks to an easy going rapport with his fans and the excellent songs written for him by top-drawer American hit makers Gregg Alexander and Rick Knowels.Banishing the notion that he is comfortable with only slow, slushy tracks, Ronan opened with three of the faster Alexander-Knowels tracks from his latest album, Destination. ***21 June 2002 - Glasgow gigs a hit with Ronan- Ronan Keating sent his fans into a frenzy last night when he got up close and personal. The Irish heartthrob mingled with the adoring audience as he belted out The Way You Make Me Feel. He got a rapturous reception as his sell out Destination tour set up camp at Glasgow's SECC for two dates. Wearing a designer suit, Ronan delighted his fans with tracks from his chart-topping solo album destination - including Lovin each day and recent smash hit If Tomorrow Never Comes. Ronan performed tracks including the upbeat Life Is A Rollercoaster, trade mark ballad The Long Goodbye and cover versions of Brown eyed Girl and You Needed Me. He made a poignant tribute to the September 11th victims and urged his fans to "slow down and find some love" before dedicating the song Time For Love to the victims of that fateful day. The audience voiced their appreciation with a word perfect rendition of Notting hill smash hit Nothing At All and he looked moved by their efforts. Backed by his six-piece band, Ronan was at
ease on stage and proved once again his heath scare was forgotten. Ronan feared he would need a career-threatening operation and had to visit a specialist to put his mind at ease. Controversy has surrounded the sensible singer, who publicly declared recently that he has no intention of reforming Boyzone and hasn't spoken to his former band mates for months. With his solo career
going from strength to strength it seems unlikely he will ever journey back to his boyband days. ***18 June 2002 - Ronan Keating is to be given his own personal tree in London's Hyde Park to celebrate his performance at the Safeway Picnic 2002 Concert in support of the Prince's Trust on Saturday June 29th. Ronan says he hopes his tree has many uses:" Thanks very much for my tree. I hope that over the years people will enjoy its shade, birds its shelter and dogs its convenience!" Gabrielle, Dame Shirley Bassey, Diana Ross and Rod Stewart who will be performing at the concert are also to receive their own trees. ***15 June 2002 - Ronan mentions in a interview about his dream to drive through America on his Harley Davidson ***8th June 2002 - Ronan Keating performs an exclusive concert from the intimate surroundings of the BBC Radio Theatre, exclusively for Radio 2.This unique concert features songs from Ronan's new album 'Destination' and can be heard on Radio 2 on 8th June at 8pm Former BOYZONE star RONAN KEATING regrets spending most of his youth on tour with the Irish boyband, because he missed out on the final years of his mum's life. The successful solo star started traveling the world at the age of 16 with the now-defunct chart-toppers, and still wishes he could have been in two places at once. He says, "She died from breast cancer four years ago, and it hurts me more than anything else. I lost it completely when she died; I was drinking too much and really hit rock bottom." The LIFE IS A ROLLERCOASTER singer says he couldn't have coped with his loss without the help of his wife YVONNE. He says, "Thank God, Yvonne was around to pull me back together or I don't know what would have happened to me. "I still talk to my mum every night; I ask her to guide me if I have to make a decision about the kids, and to look after my family when I'm away." (c) 2002 World Entertainment News Network ***2 June 2002 - Ronan is set to release a duet with Scottish singer Lulu. Lulu whose real name is Marie MacDonald McLaughlin Lawrie was born on 3 November 1948, Lennox Castle, Glasgow, Scotland. She was originally a beat group vocalist with her own backing group the Luvvers, who comprised Ross Nelson (guitar), Jim Dewar (rhythm guitar), Alec Bell (keyboards), Jimmy Smith (saxophone), Tony Tierney (bass)
and David Miller (drums). The 15-year-old singer first came to prominence with a rasping version of the Isley Brothers' "Shout" in 1964. Under the tutelage of manager Marian Massey she survived a stormy couple of years during which only two of her eight singles charted. Abandoning the Luvvers along the way, she switched record labels from Decca Records to Columbia Records and found a new hitmaker in the form of Mickie Most. ***27 May 2002 - Irish vocalist RONAN KEATING scored an instant chart-topper with his second Polydor album," Destination." while Eminem's "Without Me" (Interscope) crashed in at No. 1 on the U.K. singles chart yesterday (May 26).Atomic Kitten's "It's OK!" (Innocent/Virgin) debuted at No. 3 to become its sixth top-10 single, but there was disappointing news for Westlife, the
Irish quintet who heretofore had hit No. 1 with all but one of its 11 singles to date." Bop Bop Baby" (S/RCA), had to settle for a No. 5 entry. Over on the album chart, Keating's set hit No. 1 as Moby's "18" (Mute) slid 1-5.Another album on which Keating appears as a guest vocalist, Lulu's" Together" (Mercury), bowed at No. 4. Remarkably, it's the first top-10 album of the Scottish singer's 38-year recording career, and
also features duets with Elton John, Paul McCartney, Cliff Richard, Samantha Mumba, Atomic Kitten, Westlife, and Sting, among others. "Together" also got a boost from a recent ITV network special, "An Audience With Lulu." ***27 May 2002 -"Ronan Keating dominates the albums with 122,500 sales of Destination, triple Enrique's sales of Escape at no2" ***26 May 2002 - Ronan tops the UK Album charts with the release of his single "If tomorrow never comes" from the album "Destination".
***24 May 2002 - Ronan Keating major arena tour Kicks-off at Birmingham's NEC on 11 June, the Destination 2002 tour will take in place at the following venues: 10 Birmingham NEC ***22 May 2002 - Ronan mobbed by fans onstage at Newcastle - According to The Sun newspaper this morning (May 22), Ronan was left with a strained neck after hysterical fans grabbed him before the show at Newcastle Arena, where he performed on May 19 and 20 as part of his ongoing UK arena tour. The newspaper says the 24-year-old vanished from sight as he was engulfed by the teenage fans, who dodged security to get to their idol, and he had to be rescued by his minders. ***20 May 2002 - Garth Brooks' Hit No. 1 in U.K.A former boy band member has debuted at No. 1 on the U.K. singles chart with Garth Brooks' 1989 hit, "If Tomorrow Never Comes." Ronan Keating, once the lead singer for Boyzone, also scored an earlier No.1 hit with "When You Say Nothing at All," taken from an album which also includes covers of Collin Raye's "In This Life"
and Alabama's "Once Upon a Lifetime." ***16 April 2002 - Ronan and The Corrs are in support of the Irish citizens over the protest against the nuclear processing plant in Cumbria, UK. The campaign has been organized by Ali Hewson, wife of U2's Bono. The protest is about the possible future risks the nuclear plant could possess including toxic dangers. Postcards campaigning against nuclear plants in Sellafield and Cap de la Hague in France will be sent to the Prime Minster, Tony Blair as well as Prince Charles and Hugh Collum, chairman of British Nuclear Fuels. ***13 April 2002 - Ronan will be performing in a charity ball on 18th April 2002 at Alexandra Palace, London. As well as the ball there will an auction to raise money for Woolworths Kids First charity. Among the items to be auctioned include Kylie Minogue's gold shorts which was used in her 'Spinning Around' video, limited-edition golden snitch from the Harry Potter film and a walk-on part in the next S Club video. The event will be hosted by Stuart Hall. ***11 April 2002 - It was only in November last year that the boys of Boyzone made up and sorted their problems. But it appears now that the heat has been turned up - Keith Duffy this time has blasted Ronan for turning his back against the Boyzone members for 2 years. Speaking to an Irish Newspaper, Keith said: "Ronan makes me so mad. All he is interested in is himself. He doesn't care about anyone else. In fact if you're not a superstar then Ronan doesn't really want to know you". Keith even attacked Ronan about the comments he said about Pop Idol and Popstars saying: "Who the hell does he think he is, saying things like that? Doesn't he remember that Boyzone were the original manufactured band? I think he has some cheek going around saying things like that". However, Keith hasn't been in contact with Ronan for a long time, but has kept in contact with the other boys of Boyzone. Keith has been working in TV roles but has been recently busy co-managing a new boy band called Broken Hill. Keith commented about the excitement of this new formed band: "If it was down to sheer talent then these boys will be number one all over the place. I truly believe they have what it takes and I wouldn't waste my time on them if I didn't". ***7 April 2002 - Ronan will be appearing in a charity concert this June! Ronan will perform at the Safeway Picnic 2002 which will take place in Hyde Park, London, UK on 29th June 2002. This event is in aid for the Prince's Trust who help disadvantaged young children. They hope to raise lots of cash. Safeway performed a survey sometime asking shoppers who they would like to see perform at the event. Ronan commented about the event: "The show will be on the last day of my UK tour so I'll be on a roll and can't wait to step out in front of such a huge crowd in Hyde Park. I'll be heading off to play in Manchester straight after the show so I'm afraid I'll miss the other acts. But to share the same stage as the likes of Rod Stewart is great." Ronan will be joined by other artists including Diana Ross, Rod Stewart, Gabrielle and Shirley Bassey. Tickets for the event cost £20 and will initially be available at Safeway supermarkets across the UK and can also be ordered by phone by ringing the hotline on 0870 733 1000. Any remaining tickets will go on general sale from 18th April. ***5 April 2002 - Ronan's new album, 'Destination' features a whole host of brand new tunes and was recorded last year with songwriters and producers, Gregg Alexander and Rick Nowels.They wrote the smash hits 'Life Is A Rollercoaster' and 'Lovin' Each Day' for Ronan's successful last album, 'Ronan'. Ronan is going to release his next single, 'If Tomorrow Never Comes' on 6th May
2002. Speaking to Ronan described his thoughts about this song: "It was one of the last songs we recorded for the album and, as soon as it was finished, everybody said, 'This is great! We have to release this as the first single.' So that's what we're doing." Ronan also spoke about how pleased
he was with the new album: "It's the first record I've made that really feels like a body of work. I want people to see me for who I really am and I don't think they've seen that yet. I love music and that's what this album is about." The album, 'Destination' will be released on 29th May 2002. Come back soon to Ronan Keating World for further details of this exciting
release! *** 17 March 2002 - Ronan's 'Destination 02' tour will see him play shows in over twenty countries between April and November 2002.He will perform in England, Ireland and all across Europe. He will also perform in South Africa, Canada and in some parts of Asia. Check out the latest tour dates on www.ronankeating.com
***16th March 2002 - At the Meteor Ireland Music Awards Ronan received the award for Best Selling Irish Pop/Rock Album - Male Artist. U2 received the most Awards with a total of 5. Other award recipients included Westlife, Samantha Mumba , David Gray , Eminem and Leann Rimes. At the event Ronan sang a duet -"Your Song" with sir Elton John and also performed his new single ,"If Tomorrow Never Comes" for the very first time. ***24 February 2002 - Ronan Keating is making waves in Hollywood with his soundtrack for a new ***14 February 2002 - Ronan at the Irish Music Awards he and Samantha to join
***2 February, 2002 - Ronan co-hosted the first ever MTV Asia Awards held in Singapore on ***27 January 2002 - Ronan won 2 awards at the Pepsi Chart People's Choice Awards! ***10 January, 2002 - Ronan presents Elton with Hero award Ronan Keating presented
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