Since signing with
RCA Westlife have gone on to become one of the biggest UK bands in pop.
They are worth an awful lot- both financially and in the hearts of their
dedicated and wonderful fans.
In December 1998
Westlife won the Smash Hits 'Best New Tour Act' following the footsteps
of previous winners Boyzone, Backstreet Boys and Five. The new Princes
of Pop have since gone on to earn themselves a place in the Guinness
Book of World Records by achieving five consecutive Number 1 hits
(including the highly coveted Christmas and Millennium Number 1) with
their first five singles.
Westlife's highly anticipated self-titled debut album charted at Number
2, reached Platinum status within the first two weeks and to date is
certified Triple Platinum. At the MTV Europe Music Awards they received
two nominations for Best Breakthrough Act and Best UK & Ireland Act.
Westlife later went on to win the prestigious Record Of The Year in
December 1999 with the single 'Flying Without Wings'.
Reflecting on that year Kian Egan says "It's been a tremendous time
for us. Winning the Smash Hits award was a great start to our career and
then to achieve a Number 1 with our first single was amazing - I will
never forget that. Getting our second Number 1's were like reliving that
moment and then what better way to end 1999 than getting the prize for
Record Of The Year. I think another proud moment was holding our album
in my hands for the first time".
The Westlife story first began two years ago in Sligo. However, now
Sligo is also hailed as the birthplace of Westlife by millions of fans
worldwide. The three Sligo lads, Shane Filan, Kian Egan and Mark Feehily
were even honoured by the Lord Mayor and presented the key to the town.
Three fifths of Westlife conceived the idea of getting together as a
band after the chemistry felt right. Their performance was an
unprecedented success - which caught the interest of Ronan Keating who
was in the audience - but there was just one problem. "We knew the
band wasn't fully right" states Mark. "The three of us wanted
to take it on to the next level but we knew we needed more vocals in the
group, so with Louis on board we set up auditions for an additional two
members."
Nicky Byrne had just returned to his family home in Dublin around the
time of the auditions after a two year spell as an apprentice with Leeds
United and was working with his father staging karaoke nights.
"I've always loved singing and any excuse to get on stage and sing
- I was there" laughs Nicky. "When I heard about the auditions
I went along with everything crossed and sang my heart out."
As did his friend Bryan McFadden a fellow Dubliner, who was already
making his name for himself in the city as a singer. "We were
already mates and I remember saying to Nicky at the audition 'may the
best man win' and 'make sure you call me if you get it'" recalls
Bryan. "We were both so keen to be a part of the band."
"there was no
contest" says Shane. "Nicky and Bryan were the first two to
audition and as soon as we saw them we knew we had found our missing
men. We've been together since July but it feels like we've been friends
all our lives."
With all five
members of Westlife in place this confirmed for Ronan Keating that he
wanted to co-manage the band with his own manager Louis Walsh.
"I'd heard the buzz on Westlife before I'd even met them but
nothing prepared me for just how good they are. As soon as I heard their
raw vocal talent I knew I had to be involved," says Ronan. "Westlife
are set to follow Boyzone, U2 and The Corrs as the next big Irish act on
the international scene."
Westlife recorded their debut album with esteemed international
producers Max Martin, Pete Waterman and Steve Mac and Wayne Hector.
Together they have created an album packed with 17 solid tracks which
has so far yielded three Number 1 singles with 'Swear It Again', 'If I
Let You Go' and 'Flying Without Wings'. Each track on the album stands
alone with no 'fillers'. Beautiful heart felt ballads like 'We Are One',
'I Don't Want To Fight' and 'Flying Without Wings' showcase Westlife's
angelic vocals reaching fans both young and old, male and female.
As each day goes by Westlife only seem to grow bigger and bigger.
International domination is next on the agenda for a band that have what
it takes to be the world's biggest pop band.
