westlife

Westlifes original name was I.O.U Band members included: Derrick, Graham, Michael, Mark, Kian, Shane. They started out in Sligo, where they recorded a single called Together Girl Forever.

Single songs included:

Together girl forever. Everlasting love. Together girl forever (Instrumental). Everlasting love (Instrumental.

Next Chapter Shanes mum decided she would go to see louis to manage the band. Shane was very sceptical. Louis and Shanes mum came from the same town called Kiltmagh in County Mayo, But they did not know each other. Shanes mum was very persistant and kept sending louis letters and also sent him the I.O.U single. In Febuary 1998 Louis decided that he would meet with the lads in a night club called The Pod. When the guys turned up at The Pod night club the bouncer turned them away as he did not beleive the guys had an appointment with Louis. Louis did eventually come out and take the guys in.At the begining Louis decided he did not want to manage I.O.U. The guys were very dissapointed, But a couple of weeks later they got a very suprising phone call from Louis himself saying he had got them a supporting role with the Backstreet boys. A few weeks later I.O.U done there supporting role for the Backstreet boys and this was when Louis decided he wanted to take them on as he could see real potential in Mark and Shane. There was bad news to come tho. Louis knew that the band would only work as a 5 piece and sadly they had to get rid of Derek. Louis then payed for I.O.U to go to a London recording studio and record 2 songs. These songs were Good thing and Everybody Knows. Simon Cowell then met I.O.U and decided he only wanted Mark and Kian, This was a big blow for the group. Louis then decided to break I.O.U down even more by dropping Graham. They then decided to hold an open audition for a 5th member and this was where Bryan and Nicky were both found. There was a long battle to decided wether Nicky or Bryan would be in I.O.U. Eventually Louis decided he wanted them both and decided to drop Michael. Simon decided he did not want I.O.U to slip straight through his fingers and got a contract drawn up straight away. Anto Byrne also become tour manager for I.O.U. Simon wanted a new name for I.O.U, Dozens of names were discussed but in the end they decided on Westside. As soon as Westside were formed they supported Boyzone on tour. The songs Westside performed were:

Everbody Knows If i let you go Swear it again Flying without wings

It was clear from the Boyzone concerts that Westside were going to be big. Thousands of cards introducing Westside were placed on chairs at the Boyzone concerts for fans to post back to the address if they would like to know more about Westside. By the end of the Boyzone tour more than 10,000 had been returned. TV shows began to take intrest even rival record companies. Not long after Westside formed there diarie was booked a year in advance with trips to even far away countries. For a few weeks in November Westside performed infront of small and large crowds. As the tour came to a close Westside were due to play at the NEC Birmingham. Westside then found out they were up for a Smash Hits award for The best new tour. Westside got on with there gigs and done what they always do best and performed and when they won the award they were completely over the moon. In 1999 Westside had begun. Ronan Keatings involvment in the band had given them a head start. Westside had problems registering there name in America for future Merchandising. They had no choice but to change there name, This was dicussed for a period of time when they all decided on the name Westlife. With the name confirmed Westlife released there first single 'Swear it again' This single was released on the 29th of march in Ireland and stayed No1 in the charts for 5 weeks. It was released in the U.K 2 weeks later and also went to No1 then. Since Westlife have started there journey to become the No1 Boyband of all time. They have had a record breaking 14 No1s in the U.K with there first 7 singles going to NO1 plus a Download No1 single, They have also released 8 Albums in the U.K with them all going to No1 in the charts. They are the biggest arena selling act in the U.K. They have had a show to find a girl to sing a song with them on 'Allow us to be Frank'. They have recently Broke Australia with ' you raise me up' Going to No1 down under. Sadley Bryan Mcfadden left in 2003.Shane and Nicky have got married. Mark announced he's gay. Kian going out with Jodi Albert. Shane has also became a dad. They have Won so many awards i can't mention them all.They have also dueted with Mariah Carey & Diana Ross. Hopefully there soon break america.

Source: www.myspace.com/westlife_fans_worldwide