DECEMBER
Singer Mark Feehily has admitted that he is bored of almost all of Westlife's songs.
The Irish crooner, who revealed that he is gay earlier this year, said there
were only two songs in Westlife's auditory canon that he wasn't sick of.
In a revealing interview with Metro, Feehily said of the band's song, Flying
Without Wings: "That one and World of Our Own are the only two songs we don't
get sick of singing.
"All of the others we're sick of by the end of a tour because we do 50 or 60
date tours."
Mark, who sings in the band with Shane Filan, Kian Egan and Nicky Byrne, also
admitted that he loved claims that Westlife's songs help people grieve ¡V
Westlife are reportedly one of the most requested bands at funerals.
"I think it's beautiful," Feehily gushed.
"Music brings out emotion and if a song gets someone's tears rolling, then
it's helped start the grieving process. I think it's great."
Westlife will be hoping to return to the top of the charts with another
ballad, When You Tell Me That You Love Me, which is released today. The floods
of tears are already cascading down our collective faces.
source -InTheNews.co.uk
posted 21st December 2005
Jacko and Westlife to team up?
New single could be in pipeline
Westlife could be set to record a song with Michael Jackson in the New Year. The
band's manager Louis Walsh has been in touch with Jackson's camp about the
possibility of recording a track with the King of Pop. Jackson's musical career
was dealt a serious blow following allegations of child abuse and a high-profile
trial earlier this year. However, the singer was subsequently acquitted and has
since released a Greatest Hits album. But he has not, as yet, released a single.
A recording with the award-winning Westlife (pictured left) could see the
superstar back at the top of the charts again. Speaking on the Des and Mel show
yesterday, Walsh, who also looks after Girls Aloud, confirmed that he had spoken
to Jackson's manager.
Westlife are one of the contenders for this year's Christmas No 1 with their new
single When You Tell Me That You Love Me - a collaboration with another singing
legend, Diana Ross. The single is the second to be taken from their new album
Face To Face and was originally a hit for Ms Ross in 1991. The band - Nicky,
Mark, Shane and Kian - have already collaborated Maria Carey. Michael Jackson
has been an influence on Westlife, with each of them saying he is their
favourite artist.
Two of the band members, Kian and Mark, say Jackson's track, Man In The
Mirror, is their all-time favourite song.
source - Belfast Telegraph
posted - 17th Dec 2005
Songs jostle for Christmas crown
The JCB song is performed by Luke Concannon and John Parker, a duo from
Warwickshire. It is a tale about a boy enjoying a ride in a JCB with his father
and wishing he could use the machine to tackle bullies at his school. Westlife's
ballad enlists the help of Motown legend Diana Ross, who had a hit with this
song back in 1991.
In a statement HMV said: "These Day One sales show that this week's chart will
be a close run thing. "Part of the problem for Westlife is that their Face to
Face album continues to sell really well, with some fans preferring to access
the track that way rather than buying it as a single." HMV singles buyer Stewart
Allan added that there had "definitely been a buzz building around Nizlopi.
"While it wouldn't be a complete shock if they pipped Westlife to the number one
spot this week, I'd have to admit that it would still come as a bit of a
surprise, especially after [Westlife's] stunning Record of the Year success at
the weekend," he said.
source - BBC News
posted - 15th December 2005
You're playing our song
TWO brothers from Sweden have kicked up a songwriting stink, claiming THEY
penned the tune to huge hit You Raise Me Up. TOMMI and KARRI RINNE could make
millions if they can prove they wrote the song, made most famous by WESTLIFE.
I've put their original version on a phone line so you can listen in and give me
your view. To my ears, there's no question about it. Tommi and Karri say they
created the tune just named 2005s Record Of The Year TEN YEARS ago. They
called their track Rakastakaa (Don't Forget To Love in Finnish)they were born in
Finland) and recorded it in Peer Music Studio in Stockholm. The studio manager
was supposed to enter the song into a Eurovision competition.
But Tommi and Karri never heard anything more and forgot all about it. Then two
years ago Tommi heard American crooner JOSH GROBAN's version of You Raise Me Up
on the radio and immediately recognised the tune. He told me: I was in complete
shock. I called my brother and we went to buy a copy. We could sing our original
Finnish lyrics over the same tune. It was obviously the same song
Norwegian composer ROLF LOVLAND and Irish songsmith BRENDAN GRAHAM share the
songwriting credit but they were not available for comment
last night. According to some music sources, Rolf wrote and recorded it in 2001
with his band SECRET GARDEN and Irish singer BRIAN KENNEDY.
source - The SunNewspaper
Posted - 15th December 2005
December Midweek Chart singles & Albums
NEW 1 JCB SONG NIZLOPI (9k)
NEW 2 N/A WHEN YOU TELL ME THAT YOU LOVE ME WESTLIFE FT DIANA ROSS
(7.1k)
1 3 STICKWITU PUSSYCAT DOLLS (6k)
2 4 HUNG UP MADONNA (5k)
3 5 UGLY SUGABABES (4k)
4 6 YOU RAISE ME UP WESTLIFE
6 7 MY HUMPS BLACK EYED PEAS
NEW 8 ULTRAVIOLET/THE BALLAD OF PAUL K MCFLY
NEW 9 ADVERTISING SPACE ROBBIE WILLIAMS
NEW 10 JINGLE BELLS CANT TOUCH THIS CRAZY FROG
Westlife crooner finds it boring
Westlife singer Mark Feehily has risked ostracising himself from the band's
legion of fans by admitting he is bored sideways with almost all of their songs.
The Irish crooner, who came out as gay earlier this year, said there were only
two songs in the band's collection that he wasn't sick of.
Speaking to the Metro newspaper, Feehily said of the song, Flying Without Wings:
'That one and World of Our Own are the only two songs we don't get sick of
singing. All of the others we're sick of by the end of a tour because we
do 50 or 60 date tours.'
Mark and bandmates Shane Filan, Kian Egan and Nicky Byrne, recently won the 2005
record of the year for You Raise Me Up. But this it appears is one of the sickly
majority as is presumably today's new release, When You Tell Me That You Love Me
featuring diva Diana Ross. In the same interview, Mark also dropped a hint as to
why Westlife remain one of the globe's biggest-selling bands. 'With some bands,
the fans don't even listen to the music,' he admitted. That would do it then.
source - Monsters and Critics.com
posted - 15th Dec 2005
Great New Photos in Gallery
Head over to the Gallery to see some exclusive new photos. We've got some
behind-the-scenes shots from Westlife's video shoot for the next single 'When
You tell Me That You Love Me', and some pictures of the boys switching on the
Oxford Street Christmas lights in association with Heart FM.
taken from www.westlife.com
posted - 14th Dec 2005
Westlife Head For Osbourne
Westlife, set for Osborne House next summer. WESTLIFE, one of the most
successful boybands yet, are to perform an open-air concert at Osborne
House next summer.
Tickets were due to go on sale at 9am today (Friday) for the one-off
performance on Saturday, July 29, which is presented by IW Radio.
Currently enjoying chart success with their album, Face to Face, and their
recent number one single, You Raise Me Up, the four Irishmen are ready to
delight their IW fans with a live performance of their hits, which include 14
number ones.Fans' favourites are Flying Without Wings and If I Let You Go, and
they have sung to more than four million people over five years.
source - Isle of Wight County Press
Posted - 12th December 2005
Kian to get his girl to wed
ACTRESS JODI ALBERT is going to be a happy young lady this Christmas . . .
WESTLIFE warbler KIAN EGAN is planning to go down on bended knee and propose.
Kian returned from the band’s tour of South Africa with a £10,000 diamond
sparkler in his luggage. He plans to pop the question as the lads finally take a
well-earned break.
source - sun online
posted - 12th December 2005
Record Of The Year Winners
Congratulations to Westlife, who won the prestigious title of Record Of The Year
on Saturday for You Raise Me Up. This is the fourth time the boys have scooped
the prize - a massive thank you to everyone who voted!
source - www.westlife.com
posted - 12th December 2005
'You Raise Me Up' named record of the year
Westlife's cover of Josh Grobin's 'You Raise Me Up' has been named 'Record of
the Year' for 2005.The track, which went to number one in October, topped a
nationwide
vote of ITV1 viewers on Saturday evening.The group narrowly beat McFly's charity
single 'All About You' and Black Eyed Peas' 'My Humps' to the prize.
2005 is the fourth year the group has taken the title: previous wins were for
'Flying Without Wings' in 1999, 'My Love' in 2000 and Barry Manilow cover
'Mandy' in 2003. Other acts in the running had included James Blunt ('You're
Beautiful'), Daniel Powter ('Bad Day'), Lemar ('If There's Any Justice'), Gwen
Stefani ('What You Waiting For?'), Gorillaz ('Feel Good Inc'), Katie Melua
('Nine Million Bicycles') and Kelly Clarkson ('Since U Been Gone').
source - Digital Spy
posted - 12th December 2005
Westlife scoop ITV record prize
Pop group Westlife have won the UK's Record of the Year award
for their single You Raise Me Up. The band were among a shortlist of the 10
biggest-selling singles of the year with the winner chosen by ITV viewers.
McFly's All About You came in at second place, followed by the Black Eyed Peas'
My Humps.
TV presenter Vernon Kay hosted the ITV1 programme which showcased the 10
finalists and opened the phone lines to viewers on Saturday. It is the fourth
time Westlife have won the ITV award. James Blunt came in at fourth place for
You're Beautiful, followed by Daniel Powter's Bad Day. Gorillaz, Gwen Stefani,
Lemar, Kelly Clarkson and Katie Melua were also in the shortlisted top 10.
source - bbc.co.uk
posted - 10th Dec 2005
Westlife back Brenda
Westlife's Shane Filan has gone against his manager Louis Walsh and backed one
of Sharon Osbourne's artists to win the X Factor. Westlife's Shane Filan
revealed he wants Brenda Edwards to win the the show over Louis' act, Shayne
Ward.
According Orange World Shane said: "I think Brenda's brilliant. She's the best
thing since Aretha Franklin and her voice is just stunning, I think she
definitely deserves to win the show." Shane also quashed rumours that the band,
who've had thirteen No 1 singles, are angry with Louis for not spending enough
time on them over his X Factor artists.
"Louis' probably given us more attention this year than ever before. He's never
been a massively hands-on manager but he's always on the phone and there when we
need him."
source - ananova.com
posted - 8th December 2005
Isle Of Wight Open Air Show in Summer 2006
Westlife will be performing a special one off open air gig at Osborne House,
Isle of Wight on Saturday 29th July.Tickets for this show will go on sale at
9:00am on Friday December 9th.
source - westlife.com
posted 8th December 2005
Band backs Belfast Boy
Irish boy band Westlife yesterday launched a campaign to make George Bests
anthem the Christmas No.1. The stars told their fans to buy Don Fardon’s Belfast
Boy song hat hit the charts in 1970 and snag the praises of the soccer legend.
Singer Kian Egan, 25 said: “We don’t want Christmas No 1-we want everyone to buy
the George Best song instead. It would be fantastic if he was at the top of the
charts at Christmas. It would be the ultimate tribute.”
The song reached No32 in 1970 but an updated version will hit the shops next
week and is expected to fly to the top of the charts. Sligo-born Kian added:
“George Best was like a modern day pop star and its easy to see why they called
him ‘The Fifth Beatle’.
“I’ve head the Belfast Boy song a few times over the last week and its actually
a fantastic tune. It’s catchy and the lyrics describe everything that was great
about George- his looks, his skill and his personality.” Fardon’s anthem
includes the lyrics: “Cause you moved like a downtown dancer, with your hair
hung down like a mane. And your feet played tricks
like a juggler. As you weaved to the sound of your name-Georgie. Georgie they
called you The Belfast Boy.”
source - Irish Mirror
posted - 3rd Dec 2005
Star guests - Westlife webchat
Join Westlife's Shane, Nicky, Kian and Mark for an exclusive live video webchat
at 9.30amLog onto our website at 9.30am to take part in our live video webchat
with chart sensations Westlife. If you can't make it then, fill in the form now
and we'll try to put your question to the boys. Westlife are the biggest-selling
vocal boy band in the world today and their successes to date are unrivalled.
Their latest single "When You Tell Me That You Love Me", a collaboration with
Diana Ross, is due out on December 10th.
The new single follows hot on the heels of their recent number one, "You Raise
Me Up", which could be set to land the Irish boys an unparalleled fourth Record
of the Year award. They have performed to over 3 million fans on four sell-out
arena tours to become the biggest selling arena tour act ever. They have sold
over 34 million records globally, have had five multi-platinum albums in the UK
alone and have scored a record breaking 13 UK number ones.
They have also picked up two BRIT Awards, an MTV Europe Award and six Irish
Meteor Awards including the Best Pop Act for four years consecutively. Westlife
also secured the first ever Official Download Chart Number 1 with a live version
of 'Flying Without Wings', proving they are no strangers to the internet. Shane,
Nicky, Kian and Mark will all be on-hand to answer any questions you may have
about all things Westlife at 9.30am.
source - GMTV posted - 3rd Dec 2005
Westlife lined up for Norfolk gig
They have had a number one single, a number one album and switched on the world
famous Oxford Street Christmas lights - all in the last few weeks. And now Irish
boy band Westlife have been confirmed as the first big name to appear at
next summer's Blickling gigs.The series of concerts, which will feature five or
six nights of entertainment across two weekends, has become a firm
favourite in Norfolk's leisure calendar.
Previous stars appearing at Blickling have ranged from pop to rock and young to
ageing, including Tom Jones, Meat Loaf, Will Young, Jools Holland, Bryan Adams,
Sir Cliff Richard and Ronan Keating. Westlife will play on July 15, the first
Saturday of the two weekends, and tickets go on sale today. With 13 number
one hits, the band are currently back in the news because of their recent
success with the single You Raise Me Up and accompanying album Face To Face.
And the foursome of Kian Egan, Shane Filan, Mark Feehily and Nicky Byrne could
make it 14 number ones at Christmas with the release of When You Tell Me That
You Love Me, a duet with Diana Ross set for release on December 19. The single
has already been hotly tipped to be this year's Christmas number one.
Blickling is in good company with its continuing ability to attract such big
acts. Westlife's other gigs in 2006 will include Wembley Arena, Newcastle
Arena, Birmingham NEC and Sheffield Arena." We hope this year's season of
concerts will be bigger and better than ever," said concert organiser David
Heartfield. "Not only do we have Westlife but a series of other great names will
be announced in the New Year." Regular visitors to gigs at the National Trust
property will see a new feature this year. Big screens showing the
performers will be introduced, so taking some of the pressure away from the
front of stage area.
Mr Heartfield said he hoped the new screens would enhance the experience of
concert goers.And as long as the appropriate permissions are granted, the
capacity of the concerts will increase slightly from 9000 to 10,000 this
year. Promoters have also issued a warning to people not to be caught out by
ticket touts and only to buy tickets from the official outlets. They said that
the popularity of concerts at Blickling had led to unscrupulous traders,
particularly on-line, taking advantage of fans.
The advice issued was to check with the official outlets first, which may have
tickets left even though sellers were already trying to make a mark-up on the
internet.
a.. Tickets are priced at £37.50 and are available from today by various
methods, including: Call 08700 460 461, operating 24 hours and including a
booking fee
Or call Blickling Hall on 0870 010 4900, which also includes a booking fee,
although personal callers paying by cash or cheque pay no booking
fee.Alternatively log on to www.ticketline.co.uk .
source -EDP24
posted - 3rd Dec 2005
Westlife team up with soul diva
Irish boyband Westlife have been speaking about their delight at
teaming up with soul legend Diana Ross.The chart-topping foursome are releasing a duet of Ross' hit, When You
Tell Me That You Love Me, just in time to contend for the UK Christmas
number one spot.
Mark from the band said of working with the singing star: "It took us a
long time to get her to come to London. But when she did, she was very
nice."
The race is well and truly on for the festive top spot with the
favourite still looking like being the act that win The X Factor TV talent
contest.Newspaper reports suggest the single will be called That's My Goal, but
until the final result of the competition, it is not known who will
release the song.
source - ITN
posted -3rd Dec 2005
New Tour Date Added
Westlife have added a new date to their 2006 tour: on Saturday 15th
July, they will play Blicking Hall in Norfolk. Tickets will be available
from Monday 5th December at www.ticketline.co.uk.
For a full list of their upcoming shows, head over to the Dates
section.
source - www.westlife.com
posted - 3rd Dec 2005