Westlife
Irish all-male band, consisting of [a=Shane Filan], [a=Markus Feehily], [a=Kian Egan] and [a=Nicky Byrne]. The original name of Westlife was 'Westside', but was changed as there was already bands worldwide with the same name, and because 'West High' was rejected (suggested by Byrne). Three of those were replaced by [a=Nicky Byrne] & [a=Brian McFadden] (Original member of the Dublin Backstreet-Boys inspired boyband 'Cartel') when [a=Boyzone]'s manager Louis Walsh took them under his wing. Shortly afterwards Boyzone member [a=Ronan Keating] became their co-manager.
From their very first single released in 1999, Westlife had immense success. Number one hits worldwide included: 'Swear It Again', 'Flying Without Wings' and 'My Love'. Duets with [a=Mariah Carey], [a=Donna Summer], [a=Diana Ross] and [a=Lulu] saw the band gain more worldwide recognition. Although only their first single, 'Swear It Again' hit US charts (Charting #20 on the Billboard Hot 100). Westlife achieved a Guinness World Record for the most consecutive number one singles (7), before Bob The Builder beat 'What Makes A Man' to the number one position. Nonetheless [a=Brian McFadden] left the band in 2004 for supposed family reasons, before splitting with his wife and moving to Australia with his partner [a=Delta Goodrem] and releasing his solo album, 'Irish Son' in 2004.
The remaining four members continued the band without him for another eight years, taking a one year hiatus in 2009. This time saw Westlife achieve success with singles such as, 'You Raise Me Up', 'What About Now' and 'Us Against The World'. They released two further albums before disbanding after their final concert on 23 June 2012 at Croke Park Stadium in Dublin, Ireland as part of "The Farewell Tour". The band had achieved 16 number one singles, 11 number one albums and 34 top 50 singles.
In 2019 Westlife reformed, without [a=Brian McFadden] for their 20th anniversary, releasing 'Spectrum' which saw [a=Ed Sheeran] take on song writing for the album. This saw Westlife become one of the first bands to have No.1s in three consecutive decades (on UK charts). They then released 'Wild Dreams' in 2021, and this saw The Wild Dreams World Tour around Europe, Asia, Africa and for the first time performed through the Americas (North and South America).
Westlife are now celebrating their 25th anniversary with a greatest hits album, 'Westlife: The Ultimate Collection'. Their new single is Chariot! After the release of their new single, Westlife announced the aptly named 'Westlife 25 - The Anniversary World Tour' as part of the celebrations, which will see Westlife tour in the UK, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway and Belgium as part of the European leg of their tour.