Westlife were an Irish boy band formed in 1998. They disbanded in 2012
after almost 14 years together. Originally signed by Simon Cowell and
managed by Louis Walsh, the group's final line-up consisted of Shane Filan, Mark Feehily, Kian Egan and Nicky Byrne. Brian McFadden was
the fifth member from 1998 until his departure in 2004.
Westlife sold over 45 million records
worldwide, a total that includes studio albums, singles, video release, and
compilation albums. The group had
accumulated 14 number-one singles in the United Kingdom (the third-highest in
UK history, tying with Cliff Richard and
only behind The Beatles and Elvis Presley) and 26 top ten singles over their 14 year
career. They are also the most
frequent act to win The Record of the Year—the
only music award in the UK based on public votes—with four awards. Despite
their worldwide success, Westlife had been unable to break into the U.S.
market, having only one hit single, "Swear It Again", which peaked in 2000.
In October 2011, Westlife announced
that they would split in 2012 after finishing their Greatest Hits Tour following the release of Greatest Hits.
Their last ever concert, on 23 June 2012 at Croke Park Stadium in
Dublin, sold out to 85,000 people in just five minutes. Due to high demand, it
was screened live in cinemas worldwide, and another date was added for 22 June
at the same venue.
Prior to becoming successful, Egan, Feehily, and Filan along
with fellow Sligo men
Derrick Lacey, Graham Keighron, and Michael Garrett, were part of a six-member
pop vocal group called Six as One and was later changed to IOYOU in the
year 1997. Managed by choreographer Mary McDonagh along with two other informal
managers, they released a single titled "Together Girl Forever".
Walsh, the manager of the 1990s boy-band Boyzone, was contacted by Filan's mother and came to know
about the group. However, the group did not meet Cowell's approval for a record
deal with BMG, and thus changes were needed. Cowell told Walsh,
"You are going to have to fire at least three of them. They have great
voices, but they are the ugliest band I have ever seen in my life." Three members of the band were told they
would not be part of the new group, and auditions were held in Dublin where
Byrne and McFadden were recruited. The new group, formed on 3 July 1998, was
renamed Westside but as the name was already taken by another band, it was
later changed to Westlife. In Westlife – Our Story, Byrne revealed he
was keen to change the name to West High but the others wanted Westlife.
McFadden also changed the spelling of his name to Bryan to make it easier to
sign autographs. Boyzone singer Ronan Keating was brought in to co-manage the group
with Walsh. The band then released an EP titled Swear It Again.
