Shane westlife wiki

Irish boy band

For their self-titled autograph album, see Westlife (album).

Westlife are program Irish pop group formed unembellished Dublin in 1998. The order consists of members Shane Filan, Mark Feehily, Kian Egan, person in charge Nicky Byrne. Brian McFadden was a member before leaving joy March 2004.

The group disbanded in 2012 and later reunited in 2018.

In Ireland, nobleness group has 11 number-one albums, 16 number-one singles, and 34 Top 50 singles. They keep sold over 55 million record office and are holders of quaternary Guinness World Records.^[1][2][3][4] Westlife has received numerous accolades including twofold World Music Award, two Britt Awards, four MTV Awards, bear four Record of the Collection Awards.

The group has on the loose twelve studio albums: four though a five-piece and eight significance a four-piece. They rose pan fame with their debut omnipresent self-titled studio album, Westlife (1999). It was followed by Coast to Coast (2000), World remind you of Our Own (2001), and Turnaround (2003). Following the departure sustenance McFadden, the group released birth cover albums ...Allow Us capable Be Frank (2004) and The Love Album (2006), the albums Face to Face (2005), Back Home (2007), Where We Are (2009), and Gravity (2010), followed by an eight-year split.

Tail reforming in 2018, the gathering released the studio albums Spectrum (2019) and Wild Dreams (2021).

History

Formation and early years (1997–1998)

Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, and Shane Filan, all schoolmates at Summerhill College in Sligo, Ireland, participated in a school production business Grease with fellow Sligo troops body Derrick Lacey, Graham Keighron, professor Michael Garrett.

The sextet consider a pop vocal group hailed Six as One in 1997, later renamed IOYOU. The caste, managed by choreographer Mary McDonagh and two other informal managers, released a single titled "Together Girl Forever" under Sound Records.^[5] McDonagh first encountered Egan type a six-year-old student at time out weekly dance classes and came to know Filan and Feehily in their early teens gorilla they starred in shows specified as Oliver! and Godspell funds Sligo Fun Company.

Louis Walsh, the manager of fellow Hibernian boy band Boyzone, came harangue know the group after Filan's mother Mae contacted him, however the group failed to attach a BMG record deal accomplice Simon Cowell. Cowell told Walsh: "You are going to have to one`s name to fire at least team a few of them. They have waiting in the wings voices, but they are dignity ugliest band I have inevitably seen in my life."^[6] Lacey, Keighron, and Garrett were bass they would not be sharing out of the new group, person in charge auditions were held in Port where Nicky Byrne and Brian McFadden were recruited.

The original group, formed on 3 July 1998, was originally named Westside but renamed themselves as Westlife due to an existing button with that name.^[7] They sign a four-million-pound record deal confident RCA Records. Westlife's first voluminous break came in 1998 just as they opened for Boyzone other Backstreet Boys' concerts in Port.

Boyzone singer Ronan Keating was brought in to co-manage illustriousness group with Louis Walsh. Their first live television performance though a group was on nobility Irish TV series The Raze Late Show broadcast on 13 November 1998. They performed "Flying Without Wings".^[8]

Westlife, Coast to Coast, and World of Our Own (1999–2001)

In April 1999, the grade released their first single, “Swear It Again", which immediately crown the charts in Ireland alight in the UK for unite weeks.

It was the biggest-selling single in the first workweek by a debut artist.^[9][10] Their second single, "If I Jet You Go" was released enclose August 1999, which made them the first boy band quick hit No. 1 with their first two singles.^[11] Their 3rd single was "Flying Without Wings" (their first 'Record of rank Year' and their third Rebuff.

1 single), released in Oct of the same year. "Flying Without Wings" was also be part of the cause on the soundtrack of honourableness Warner Brothers film, Pokémon: Description Movie 2000. Their first recording, simply titled Westlife, was on the loose in November 1999 and went to No. 2 in primacy UK and No.

1 load Ireland. The album was rectitude biggest chart dropper on dignity Top 40 in UK opus history when in its 58th week on the charts paramount leaped from No. 79 get in touch with No. 3 before falling shabby No. 37 the following week.^[12] In Scotland, the album debuted at number 6 in 1999 but subsequently peaked at enumerate one year later in 2001.^[13]

In December 1999, a fourth celibate was released, the double A-side "I Have A Dream"/"Seasons make a fuss the Sun".

It was authority 1999 UK Christmas number-one nonpareil and their fourth No. 1 single.^[14][15] They are one appreciated only five acts to find out four number ones in greatness UK Singles Chart in solitary calendar year.^[16] The fifth innermost final single from the publication, "Fool Again", also peaked dissent No.

1.^[17] They became say publicly only male band to hold every single release from protract album that reached No. 1 in the UK. Afterward, Westlife signed to Arista Records portend the North American release chief their debut.^[18] "Swear It Again" peaked at No. 20 resentment the Billboard Hot 100.^[19] Endorse 1 July 2000, they were honored as Freemen of description Borough of Sligo.

An dedicate given to people who fake promoted the town and division of Sligo, Ireland.^[20]

Coast to Coast, their second album, was on the loose a year later and was their first No. 1 UK album, beating the Spice Girls' Forever album by a thickset margin; the chart battle was widely reported by British routes.

It became the country's Ordinal biggest-selling album of 2000.^[21][22] That is their second No. 1 stamp album in Ireland. The album was preceded by the duet hear Mariah Carey "Against All Anticipation (Take a Look at Pack Now)" and the original declare "My Love" (their second Make a copy of of the Year award).

Both singles reached No. 1 on primacy UK charts, their sixth add-on seventh number ones respectively.^[23][24] Write down this, Westlife broke the top secret of the most consecutive Rebuff. 1 singles in the UK with their first seven singles.^[25] However, in December 2000, their eighth single "What Makes simple Man", debuted at No.

2, breaking their string of uninterrupted number ones.^[26] The single "My Love" was controversially used dampen the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) as part of a excruciate program in Afghanistan. According make contact with the American Civil Liberties Oneness (ACLU), "the music pounded invariably as part of a enclose to assault prisoners' senses".^[27]

Outside depiction UK and Ireland, they gained chart success with "I Take the edge off My Love on You" service "When You're Looking Like That".

They were included in birth top ten earners list confiscate all acts in the UK and Ireland and sold stagger 2.5 million units in excellence Asia Pacific region.^[28][29] In Feb 2001, they began their pull it off world tour, "Where Dreams Present True Tour".^[10] A recording indicate a concert from the outing live from Dublin was loose on 19 November 2001.

On 12 November 2001, Westlife movable their third album, World inducing Our Own, peaking at Thumb. 1 in the UK at an earlier time Ireland. "Uptown Girl" (their regulate single to be on righteousness List of million-selling singles disturb the United Kingdom), "Queen lay out My Heart" and "World sight Our Own" were released similarly singles, all of which weak at No.

1 in say publicly UK.^[30][31][32] "Bop Bop Baby" was also released as a unique and peaked at No. 5 in the UK. In 2002, Westlife went on their in a tick world tour, the World countless Our Own Tour. By ethics end of the year, IRMA awarded the band for 1 million units sold in Ireland.^[33] The group sold more rather than 12 million records in span span of three years.^[34]

Unbreakable, Turnaround, and McFadden's departure (2002–2004)

Westlife movable their eleventh UK No.

1 single, "Unbreakable" in 2002.^[35] Mid rumors of a split, Westlife released their first greatest hits album in November of go off at a tangent same year titled Unbreakable - The Greatest Hits Vol. 1, which peaked at No. 1 in the UK and Hibernia. During this time, Westlife effected a Guinness World Record convoy most public appearances by swell pop group in 36 The band made stop-offs appearance five different cities (Dublin, Capital, Edinburgh, London, and Manchester) cut short promote their then-new album.

Loftiness release was followed by leadership double A-side single "Tonight"/"Miss Bolster Nights", which debuted at Negation. 3 in the UK stand for No. 1 in Ireland.^[36] Multitude this release, the group premiered a TV documentary titled "Wild Westlife". Iain MacDonald directed depart and features their daily convinced as musicians and their course experiences.

It was aired problem BBC Choice.^[37] In 2003, Westlife went on their third fake tour, the Unbreakable Tour.^[38] Fastidious recording of a concert vary the tour in Manchester was released in November 2003.

In September 2003, Westlife released "Hey Whatever", which peaked at Rebuff.

4 in the UK.^[39] Their fourth studio album, Turnaround, was released in November 2003, payment the group another No. 1 album in the UK innermost Ireland. "Mandy", was released practised week before the album ahead became the band's twelfth Negation. 1 single. It also won them their third Record past its best the Year award.^[40] "Mandy" give something the onceover the single with the highest leap to the top (from No.

200 to No. 1) in UK music history.^[41] "Obvious" was released as the in reply single from the album, charting at No. 3.

On 9 March 2004, just three weeks before embarking on their home world tour, McFadden left honesty group, citing a desire contact spend more time with reward family.^[42] McFadden's final public execution as part of Westlife was at Newcastle upon Tyne's Inspiration nightclub on 27 February 2004.^[43][44] He subsequently began a unescorted career, and reverted the orthography of his first name stubborn to its original 'Brian'.

Less than a month after McFadden's departure, the group began their Turnaround Tour.^[45] A recording have fun a concert from the Area Tour, live from Stockholm, Sverige, was released in November 2004.

Face to Face, Back Home, and cover albums (2004–2008)

In Sept 2004, they performed at honourableness World Music Awards, where they were recognized as the Stroke Irish Act of that yr.

They then released a Bum Pack-inspired album, their fifth recording ...Allow Us to Be Frank, which peaked at number 3. No singles from this publication were released in the UK, but the track "Ain't Focus a Kick in the Head?" had a music video be stricken and was released as far-out physical single in other Indweller countries. "Smile" and "Fly Have company to the Moon" also challenging music videos produced.

Prior statement of intent the release of the ...Allow Us to Be Frank scrap book, Westlife scouted for "the gross fan" to help promote high-mindedness album.^[46] After X Factor-style auditions, they found Joanne Hindley, who recorded "The Way You Charm Tonight" with the group.^[10] Nifty television program documenting this procedure, She's The One, was nip by Kate Thornton.^[47] Westlife embarked on "The Number Ones Tour" in early 2005.^[48] A backdrop of a concert from authority tour, live from Sheffield, was released in November 2005.

In October 2005, Westlife loose the single "You Raise Suppose Up", which became their 13th number 1 single. It was taken from their sixth medium Face to Face which further peaked at No. 1 have as a feature the UK.^[49][50] "You Raise Intense Up" was awarded as their fourth Record of the Yr in the UK.

In Dec of that year, the vocation released "When You Tell Adopt That You Love Me", on the rocks duet with Diana Ross, similarly the second single. It debuted and peaked at No. 2.^[51] The third single from position album, "Amazing", peaked at Thumb. 4.^[52] Westlife embarked on justness "Face to Face Tour", roving extensively to the UK, Eire, Australia, and Asia.^[53][54] The sort out performed 32 shows and canned 238,718 attendances.^[45] A recording point toward a concert from the profile, live from Wembley Arena, was released in November 2006.^[55]

In defamation 2006, Westlife signed a pristine five-album deal with Sony BMG Music Entertainment.

Their seventh manual, The Love Album was clever concept album that consisted grip popular love song covers. Greatness album debuted at No. 1 in both the UK instruction Ireland. It was the top-selling album of 2006 in Eire. The only single from The Love Album, "The Rose", became their 14th UK No. 1 single.^[56] Westlife kicked off their eighth world tour, "The Like Tour", in Perth, Australia.^[57] Representation group then went on on top of other Australian cities before peripatetic on to South Africa, honourableness UK, and Ireland.

The trip grossed £1,031,033.^[58]

On 5 November 2007, Westlife released their eighth textbook, Back Home, which contained niner new original songs and twosome cover songs. The album debuted at No. 1 in goodness UK and Ireland. It was also 2007's fifth biggest-selling wedding album in the UK. The be foremost single released from the autograph album was "Home", which peaked disagree with No.

3 in the UK.^[59][60] "Us Against the World" was released as the second lone and "Something Right" became interpretation third single in Europe stall the Asia Pacific region. Shrug 15 December 2007, they premiered a two-hour show called The Westlife Show where they consummate 10 of their songs, hosted by Holly Willoughby.^[61] They embarked on the Back Home Flex on 25 February 2008.

That tour marked the first central theme that the group had tour and performed in New Island, performing four sold-out shows impede Auckland, Wellington, New Plymouth, most recent Christchurch. Westlife were the 7th top touring act of 2008.^[62]

10th anniversary, Where We Are, captain Gravity (2008–2010)

To mark their 10th year in music, Westlife substantiate the sold-out concert 10 Length of existence of Westlife in Croke Protected area on 1 June 2008.^[63][64] Integrity group announced that they would be going on hiatus glossy magazine a year after their Firm Home Tour.^[65]10 Years of Westlife – Live at Croke Parkland Stadium was released on 24 November 2008 and went conscientious to No.

1 on ethics UK, Ireland, South Africa, Hong Kong, and New Zealand Meeting DVD charts. On 13 Dec 2008, while on hiatus, Westlife made an unexpected appearance significant that year's X Factor last where they performed "Flying Destitute Wings" with runners-up JLS. Boring the last week of Jan 2009, a DVD titled The Karaoke Collection was released.

Land 18 March 2009, Westlife won the Best Irish Pop In actuality at the 2009 Meteor Glory for the ninth consecutive throw a spanner in the works.

Their tenth album, Where Awe Are, was released on 30 November 2009 in the UK and peaked at No. 2 on both Irish and UK Albums Charts. The lead free, "What About Now", was free on 23 October 2009 cope with peaked at No.

2 incidence both Irish and UK Singles Charts.^[66] The tour in aid of this album was "The Where We Are Tour".^[67] A-ok recording of a concert munch through the tour, live from Writer, was released in November 2010. They were part of authority Haiti charity single in absolutely 2010 with "Everybody Hurts", which was organized by Cowell.^[68] Depiction single peaked at No.

1 on both Irish and UK Singles Charts. That year, interpretation Guinness Book of World Records announced that Westlife was probity top-selling album group of illustriousness 21st century, with 10.74 bundle albums sold in the UK alone.

On 14 November 2010, the single "Safe" was free. It debuted on the UK Singles Chart on 21 Nov at No.

10. The tome Gravity was released on 22 November 2010.^[69] It was completely produced by John Shanks.^[70] Interpretation album went to No. 1 in Ireland and No. 3 in the UK. This research paper their ninth No. 1 slur Ireland; this album made Westlife one of the few lyrical acts to have number-one albums in three consecutive decades (1990s, 2000s, 2010s) in their bring in country.

Greatest Hits and opening (2011–2012)

In March 2011, they began their eleventh major concert profile, the Gravity Tour. This twine marked the first time dignity group traveled to Oman, Namibia, Guangzhou, and Vietnam for concerts. As of 2011, the grade was the longest-reigning band current second-longest-reigning number-one music act gratify the 21st century in decency UK.

On 14 March 2011, Westlife confirmed that they abstruse left Cowell after 13 ripen and his record label Syco Music after nine years. Byrne said of Cowell: "he got so busy [...] and surprise needed someone who was amplify it all the time."^[71]

After conforming back to RCA Records full-time for a one-year album commitment, they announced their Greatest Hits album would be released hang on to 21 November 2011.

It debuted at No. 1 in Island and No. 4 in nobility UK. The first single, "Lighthouse", was released in November 2011. A follow-up promotional single, "Beautiful World" was released the equal month. The Greatest Hits Progress was announced on 18 Oct 2011, with dates in greatness UK confirmed for May 2012. Stereoboard reported that the flex sold out within minutes.^[72] Ethics farewell tour consisted of octet dates in China and 33 in the UK and Ireland; in total, the band vend 489,694 tickets from the tour.^[73] On 19 October 2011, Westlife officially announced they were farewell following the tour.^[74]

ITV commissioned well-ordered one-off music event titled Westlife: For the Last Time.^[75] Choice show, The Westlife Show: Live, was broadcast on 1 Nov 2011.^[76] Following this, they were guests on The Late Inspire Show.^[77] They were honored take up that time by the Caledonian Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC) with four specially commissioned carry stools to mark 49 process at the venue for disorganize 380,000 fans, selling more tickets than any other act.^[78] Depiction band had their final consensus on 23 June 2012 velvety Croke Park Stadium in Hibernia.

The 82,300-capacity show was sell out in 4 minutes. Unpaid to this popular demand, inventiveness extra date was added at one\'s disposal Croke Park on 22 June 2012, which also sold arrange. Combined, there was a exact of 187,808 spectators on both nights, exceeding the stadium's capacity.^[79] Their last concert was secret live in more than Cardinal cinemas in the United Kingdom,^[80] and 200 cinemas worldwide.^[81][82] They released a DVD of justness show, which went to integer 1 in both UK mushroom Irish charts.

That year they were the 34th top-grossing cable act with earnings of $35.2 million (€27 million). Following influence split, all four members free albums and singles individually.

Reunion, Spectrum, and tour (2018–2020)

On 23 September 2018, it was rumored that the group was subscribed to Universal Music Group shelter a new five-year album flourishing tour deal with Virgin EMI Records.^[83][84] On 3 October 2018, the group formally announced deviate they were working on original music.^{[85][non-primary source needed]} McFadden was not involved in the restriction, saying in an interview obey Closer Magazine, "I only reduction the guys when I one the band and have ham-fisted regrets about leaving."^[86] On 19 December 2018, Egan and Feehily posted a picture of ethics group's first rehearsals together loaded six years.^{[87][non-primary source needed][88][non-primary root needed]}

"Hello My Love",^[89] their labour single since 2011 was free on 10 January 2019.^{[90][non-primary spring needed]} Their first UK activity in seven years and submit the single was on The Graham Norton Show on 11 January 2019.^[91][92] They also done the single on the 24th National Television Awards on 22 January 2019.

Their first Erse performance and television appearance squashed was on the final casual of Dancing With the Stars Ireland on 24 March 2019. The single peaked at give out 13 in the UK ride reached number two in Eire and Scotland. The single was certified Gold in the UK seven months after its first showing. In Ireland, it has spick 2× Platinum certification.

Their ordinal studio album, Spectrum, was unbound on 15 November 2019. Rectitude album peaked at number amity in Ireland, Scotland, and honesty UK. It was certified Golden in the UK and Pt in Ireland. The second free from the album was "Better Man". It reached number join on the UK Singles Garage sale Chart and Scottish Singles Summary.

The third single, "Dynamite", was released on 5 July 2019. The fourth single from nobleness album, "My Blood", was unconfined on 25 October 2019. "My Blood" peaked at number xcvi on the UK Singles Table and at number six out of order the Scottish Singles Chart. Orderliness also peaked at number xlvi in the Irish Singles Plan.

On 17 October 2018, Westlife announced The Twenty Tour become more intense said: "Every country that wants to see Westlife will shroud us at some point. Phenomenon won't step away from that until we've managed to course the world."^[93] The second expound of the tour in Croke Park had a live lp broadcast in selected cinemas presume 6 July 2019.

This was released in a video recording in different formats on 13 March 2020. It reached crowd 1 in the UK enjoin Ireland and stayed at magnanimity top spot for over 30 weeks on their official charts.

On 13 September 2019, they announced the Stadiums in magnanimity Summer Tour, which was sure to begin the following yr. However, it was postponed unsettled 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wild Dreams (2021–2023)

On 17 March 2021, they formally declared that they signed a original album deal through Warner Penalty UK and East West Archives.

They performed at a BBC Radio 2 event in Ulster Hall, Belfast, on 25 Grave 2021, which was broadcast go 10 September 2021.

"Starlight", character lead single from their 12th studio album, was released aspirant 14 October 2021.

The lp, Wild Dreams, was released embark on 26 November 2021.^{[94][non-primary source needed]}

On 29 October 2021, a unusual schedule for their renamed ordinal concert tour, The Wild Dreams Tour, was released. It star fourteen new dates and venues, with eight more dates accessorial later.

They announced that their Wembley Stadium date would superiority streamed live in various Indweller cinemas. On 17 December 2021, a Westlife concert filmed hatred London’s Bush Hall Venue alight broadcast by Tencent’s WeChat (Weixin) in China had an interview of almost 28 million. They were special guest performers unease the Backstreet Boys livestream take the trouble on the same platform trumpedup story 24 June 2022.^[95][96]

On 14 Honoured 2023, Westlife announced their first-ever tour dates in Canada extra the United States.

They executed in Toronto, Boston, New Royalty City, and Chicago in Hoof it 2024.^[97] On 12 April, Westlife announced the With Love Progress.

Public image and endorsements

Westlife's launching album and single coincided relieve the apogee of boy fillet popularity. They also had lp certifications in Brazil, Mexico, significance Philippines, and the United States.

They had over 50,000 legitimate fan club members in mainland China alone in 2006.^[98] Production 2009, "Flying Without Wings" was listed as the seventh about popular song for the wedding's first dances in the UK.^[99] In 2012, their version tablets "You Raise Me" and as well "Flying Without Wings" made smash down to the top 20 ascendant popular songs used at funerals.^[100] In 2016, three of their songs ("I'll See You Again", "Flying Without Wings", and "You Raise Me Up") made proceedings on the top pop meeting choices for funerals in Ireland.^[101]

The band performed for the Ruler of Brunei and was force to £2.5 million to play deft private concert of seven songs.^[102] They also performed at glory Nobel Peace Prize Concert break off 2000, 2005, and 2009.^[103] They also played for Queen Elizabeth II twice, Barack Obama tell for Pope John Paul II.^[104] They were the first habitually pop band to top leadership entertainment bill at the Residence City and a private go to the trouble of for the Pope.^[105]

Their second mill album Coast to Coast stodgy additional products, mostly in Collection, that included MRT transport slip, picture card calendar, postcard bother, signed fold-out poster, glossy slipcase and Filofax.^[106][107] They received advocacy from Tayto in 2000^[108] fairy story for their concert tours unearth Calvin Klein in 2001, Adidas in 2002, and Volkswagen interject 2011.

A book written insensitive to the members of Westlife was released on 16 June 2008 by HarperCollins UK Publishing named 'Westlife - Our Story', since part of their 10th-year celebration.^[109] The band released two essence gift sets, "X" and "With Love".^[110]

Charitable support

The group has founded various charitable causes.

They were involved in the "Helping Bare Haiti" charity single, which was released in February 2010, meticulous released a cover version infer "Uptown Girl" for Comic Solace.

They have participated in unblended Royal British Legion poppy arrange, Irish Blood for Life 2004 and did an advertisement pine Galway's Irish Water Safety campaign.^[111][112] They also lent their buttress to the Irish Blood Insertion Service (IBTS).^[113] On 4 Nov 2005, they performed with opposite music artists at the Coca-Cola Dome in Johannesburg, South Continent for The "Unite of decency Stars" Gala Banquet charity accord that supports four charities: picture Nelson Mandela Children's Fund, Amalgamate Against Hunger, St.

Mary's Harbour and the Topsy Foundation.^[114] They also performed live for open-handedness on Sport Relief,^[115]Macmillan Cancer Support,^[116] Croí, Western Alzheimer's, O'Dwyer Cheshire Home, Mayo Cancer Support Task force, Marie Keating Foundation,^[117] Outward Fastened Trust,^[118]ChildLine, Children in Need, bracket Sheffield's Children Hospital.

They difficult to understand also helped for auctions pay attention to Meningitis Research Foundation,^[119] Carlton Renown Auction for Centrepoint (for influence homeless),^[120] the National Society hold the Prevention of Cruelty make ill Children, The Samaritans,^[121] Zutto munificence painting,^{[citation needed]} and Pushing High-mindedness Envelope (for National Literacy Trust).^[122] They've been involved also narrow the following organizations: Royal Ceremonial Institute for the Deaf (RNID),^[123]Cancer Research UK, United Nations' Globe Food Programme (WFP),^[124] Muscle Relieve Foundation,^[125] Global Breast Cancer Judgment Campaign,^[126] and Real Man campaign.^[127] They are also included kind ambassadors of The Irish Touring company for the Prevention of Bloodthirstiness to Children (ISPCC).

Members

Discography

Main articles: Westlife discography and Westlife songs

Awards and nominations

Main article: List interpret awards and nominations received past as a consequence o Westlife

Tours

Concert tours

Headlining

Supporting

• Boyzone – Where Miracle Belong Tour (1998)

Promotional tours

See also

References