January 2001 News

note: thanks to the following websites for providing some of the news items found on this site - Worldpop | MTVasia | Music365 | The Sun | BBC

1/31/01

Bryan will be touring the US this later this year with the other members of Westlife, even though it may mean that he will miss his baby's birth. The group has denied reports that Bryan will pull out of some concert dates to be by Kerry's side. Kian said, "Of course he's coming with us. It's just that we'll have to plan things to allow for anything to happen. "You might have read that he's not coming with us to America, but that's not true." Now here's a few requests from me: Please make a stop in Philadelphia and um it'd be nice if I could have a backstage pass...heh =)

Apparently, "disses" work both way. A no name star (well actually a famous pop star in Australia) has dissed Westlife. 19 year old Vanessa Amorosi performed with Westlife and others at the Childline concert in Dublin this past week and has labelled the group "mummy's boys". She adds, "I hate all that 'I love you' stuff Westlife do. Everything is so soppy and there's so much of that love thing going on. My stuff is much more bitchy than that. I'm not a bitch but I like to keep my music real. And I don't like clean-cut guys. I love scruffy Irish men with that lovely accent. I could sit all day and listen to an Irish man talk about the most boring thing in the world. I think it's dead sexy." um, yeah...sure, I guess Vanessa is entitled to her own opinion, even if it is a bit misguided.

Finally, Westlife made it into the top 10 list of the highest earning UK music act...at #10. For 2000, Westlife earned £5 million (or about $8 million). Topping the list were the Beatles at £55 million followed by U2 at £50 million. The Spice Girls barely beat Westlife coming in at the #9 spot.

1/29/01

Westlife has been banned by the NME Carling Awards, after having been labelled "a joke". The reason? Organizers say that the group is a threat to its credibility. Security staff have been ordered to get rid of Westlife if they are caught trying to get in. A spokesperson for NME told the Daily Star: "The organizers want the bash to have credibility - and they don't believe that will happen if Westlife are allowed in. They like pop music but believe bands like Westlife actually destroy it." Groups that aren't considered a threat and who have been invited include Kylie Minogue, Robbie Williams, Victoria Beckham and Liam Gallagher. Kerry Katona - the fiancee of Westlife's Bryan - has also been invited, along with Atomic Kitten. The ceremony will be held at the Arches venue in east London on February 6.

You know what I think? I think NME is a joke, and for better matters fans shouldn't pay any attention to this particular UK awards show. Would the Grammys of the United States ever ban BSB or N Sync? I think not. Credibility hosh posh. Plus, I don't think Kerry would show without Bryan.

Don't forget to cast your votes for Westlife at the Brits Awards (which apparently is the better awards show). Westlife has been confirmed to perform "Uptown Girl" at this awards show on the 26th of February, and I quote, "The fivesome will no doubt prove once again that they are more than capable of crossing over from the teen market to a more mature audience."

Also, chalk up another "diss" by Westlife...except this one is very justified. Bryan had a dig at Jennifer Lopez after they appeared on the same TV show. He claimed that "she had a dressing room for catering, one for eating in, two for her dancers, one for make-up and two for her bum because it's so big. We got chairs in the corridor." Now that is funny =) Bryan also told News Of The World he was in tears when he saw a scan of his unborn baby with Kerry.

1/27/01

Some sad and happy news...all depending on where you live. First off, it turns out that "I Lay My Love on You" will not be released as a single in the UK/Ireland. And that's very disappointing, seeing that "I Lay My Love on You" is my second favorite track on the album. The song has already been released throughout Asia, and the video is online (see link under 1/20/01 news). There is currently an online campaign to get the release of I Lay My Love on You in the UK/Ireland - click here for the details!

What Westlife will be releasing instead is a double A-side single cd for charity (in aid of Comic Relief). This cd will feature a cover of Billy Joel's 1980's hit, "Uptown Girl", as well as "I Lay My Love on You". "Uptown Girl" is being released on March 5, a week before Comic Relief day on March 16. What is interesting is that last year, Westlife declared they would never be releasing cover songs again. Yet, Uptown Girl is a cover...but with good intentions of course. The boys have already filmed the video for Uptown Girl and here are the details:

Claudia Schiffer stars in the new video for Uptown Girl, filmed this past week. It took place in a diner near London's King's Cross Station. [side note: I was staying within a 7 minutes walk of King's Cross Station this past summer on my first trip to London/Europe, so I'm very interested to see where the filming takes place!!! Anyone got the nitty gritty details? =)] In the video, the boys take on the roles of waiters and cooks from the 1950's and win the heart of Claudia who came in with a bunch of obnoxious guys. Now this isn't anything new for Shane, as Shane's parents used to own Carlton Caf in Sligo, so he's used to working in a diner setting. He said, " I've worked in a caf all my life, I'm used used to putting on aprons and stuff." Shane will definitely look great in his temporary new role! Also appearing in the video are Tim McInnerney from Notting Hill, Cold Feet's Robert Bathurst and 102 Dalmatians star Ioan Gruffudd, who appear as the abusive visitors to the diner.

Also, Claudia confessed that she is a Westlife fan! She said, "The combination of the song, which I love, working with Westlife, who are lots of fun, and being able to help Comic Relief made it an irresistible proposition." Westlife also greatly enjoyed working with Claudia. Mark said, "I had a poster of her on my wall for years when I was younger. It's nice for a poster to turn into real life."

Bryan and Kerry have been getting ready to move into their new £1 million home in Wicklow. The couple recently bought the huge house in Greystones, and Kerry hopes to move in later this month while Bryan is on tour. A friend of the couple told the Daily Record: "Bryan still lives in a shared rented house in Dublin where he's been for the last two years. Kerry's been coming over and staying. It's been a great atmosphere with all their friends dropping in. But now the kid's on the way, they decided to get a place of their own and get some privacy. They looked at three properties all around the pounds 1million mark. But this one stood out. It's close enough to the city for easy access, but Greystones is a perfect place to bring up a child."

1/20/01

[thanks to Adil and Once in our lifetime...Westlife for this heads up]
You can watch the entire new full-length video from Westlife, "I Lay My Love on You" through this link . The video idea itself is no surprise, as we told you two months ago. It is a video with footage from their recent promotional activities in Singapore. That means scenes from the soccer (football) match they player over there, as well as boatloads of adoring fans! I do like this video plenty =) And I love how the record company puts the whole version online so that those of us fans in N. America get a chance to watch them.

The video is in Quicktime format, and is 7.1 MB large.

1/19/01

It turns out that Michael Jackson is a Westlife fan...and may even ditch his collaboration with a1 to work with Westlife. Michael Jackson has asked about meeting the group on his next visit to England later this year and has said that he loves "Coast to Coast". Westlife's reaction? Shane said it would we a dream come true for the group to sing with Michael. "If we get the chance it will be amazing for us - you don't get any bigger than that. We haven't heard too much about what he thinks of us because he is so secretive. But if he's listened to our album and wants to work with us then we would jump at the chance. Working with Mariah Carey was amazing, but to sing with Michael is the ultimate."

All that "supposed acrimony" between BBMak and Westlife (i.e. their debate over "More Than Words") is pretty much hogwash. This is what they said in a recent interview: "We're good friends with Westlife. They had a single out here but just as it was beginning to gather momentum, they had to go back to England because they've got a fan base there, whereas we've had the luxury of being able to spend the whole year in America." Maybe BBMak could also hook up with Westlife on one of their tours =)

Nicky has confirmed that he and his girlfriend Georgina Ahern have bought a house together outside Dublin. Nicky told the Irish tabloid, the Star, "It's just outside Dublin near Ashbourne and I'm just finishing off all the legal stuff this week. I hope to move in within the next month please God if everything goes as planned. It cost me just under £750,000 (about $1.1 million) but I'm really happy with it because it's surrounded by a couple of acres and has very good security. We've been together for six years so I think she will be with me in the new house. At least I hope she will, I've still got to ask her mother, Miriam!"

Westlife is performing in the upcoming Childline Concert in Dublin next week. The show, at the Point Depot, is an annual pop concert for the charity which deals with problem children. And here's what Nicky had to say about the sad reminder about the event: "When my cousin was killed in a car crash, he was the same age as myself. He was in a coma when we were at home doing a gig for Childline, then a week later when we were away with the band, he died."

Bryan's girlfriend/fiance, Kerry Katona, has decided to leave her pop group Atomic Kittens. In a statement, she said, "Since she decided to leave the band Kerry has worked closely with us, Liz and Natasha to find the right person to replace her - a tall order we know - but we do feel we have found a true star in Jenny Frost. The Kittens team is a very close-knit family and we were all thrilled with the news of Kerry's pregnancy and completely understand her decision to put the well-being of her unborn child first."

1/16/01

Westlife has been nominated for three Brit Awards! The awards are on February 26 at London's Earl's Court.

Best International Group: Westlife, Santana, Savage Garden, U2, The Corrs
Best International Newcomer: Westlife, Pink, Jill Scott, Kelis, Lene Martin
Best Pop Act: Westlife, Ronan Keating, S Club 7, Steps, Britney Spears

The Best Pop Act will be voted for by viewers of ITV program CD:UK and readers of The Sun's 'Bizarre' column. Fans can also vote at the Brits Website. Now, my question is how Westlife is still considered a newcomer. Oh well.

Also, Westlife will record this year's Comic Relief single with help from some famous people including Geri halliwell, Liz Hurley and Jerry hall. The group has agreed to do a cover of Billy Joel's 1983 hit, Uptown Girl, to help raise cash for the annual appeal. The debut will be at the Brit Awards we mentioned above. An insider stated, "The dance routine they've got planned for the Brits will blow you away." [thanks to Adil for some info]

Finally, in a funny twist that you would never see on the U.S. charts, Westlife's debut album actually soared about 70 spots to become the 3rd best selling album in the UK for the week! Woolworths sold the album for an ultra cheap £3.99.

1/13/01

Westlife is releasing "I Lay My Love on You" on January 29. I would have loved it if the single was actually the second song released from the album. Oh well =) Amazon.co.uk is already offering the cd single for advanced sale. [thanks to Adil for the heads up]

There's also interesting news that Westlife's first album may become the #1 album in the UK this week, even outselling the Beatles #1 album. How is it possible? Apparently, UK retailer Woolworths is selling the album cheaply, driving sales of the album up.

1/10/01

A few weeks ago, the world found out about Bryan and Kerry's plan to get married this summer. Today, the world awoke to news that Bryan and Kerry are having a baby, that is expected on September 5 (just a day before Kerry's 21st b'day). Our congrats to Bryan and Kerry. The rest of this article is from worldpop, with a few edits.

Kerry Katona made her first public appearance since the news on this morning's Big Breakfast (UK tv). She begged host Johnny Vaughan not to ask her about the pregnancy because she gets too emotional, but then burst into tears as he continued to ask questions about the baby. Her fellow Kittens, Natasha Hamilton and Liz McLarnon, who is also engaged, revealed that Kerry is so overjoyed she cries every time anyone asks her about the baby. Katona admitted that the pregnancy was not planned but added that her family are ecstatic and that Natasha Hamilton can't wait to get down to Baby Gap! Bryan also said today that the other members of Westlife are over the moon and that the boys will be 'celebrating tonight with a few jars.' According to a spokesman for Atomic Kitten, Kerry's pregnancy will not affect the future of the group, adding, 'We're delighted. Kerry and Bryan are very much in love and obviously overjoyed.'

(and from mtvasia) Bryan says, "This is the best thing that's ever happened to me. I just can't wait to be a dad. The rest of the lads in the band are really pleased for me. "I told my folks a week ago and they were delighted for both of us. They're mad about Kerry - and her family are just as pleased. We're looking forward to becoming parents. She's the most wonderful girl in the world and we're both happy. That's all that matters." Kerry adds, "At first I thought 'Wow,' because I wasn't expecting it. But now I couldn't be happier. My family are ecstatic. I just can't wait to get dead fat and lie around. There'll be drinking and no showbiz parties for a while." There is one downside to the news - the couple's planned July wedding in Ireland will have to be reconsidered, so sexy Kerry isn't too pregnant at the altar.

Remember the barfight that Five had over the fact that someone had taunted them about Westlife? Well, their court date was ealier today, and Ritchie and Jason have been remanded on bail and are set to appear again in court on March 26 charged with public disorder and breaching the peace.

1/08/01

Exciting news from the other side of the world! Worldpop.com reports that Bryan has told the site that 98º are pencilled in to support them. "At the moment it looks like they're going to support us over here and then we'll support them when we go to the States", he explained. Only time will tell if this arrangement is finalized. We have our fingers crossed. Westlife currently has a major UK/Ireland tour set from February - April. 98º currently has a major US tour set from February - March.

For those of you who don't know much about 98°, we suggest a visit to our "sister site", 98degrees.org to find out a lot more about the group. But in short, 98º has had a great deal of success in the U.S. Their second album, 98º and Rising, sold over 5 million albums. Their newest album, Revelation, has sold over 2 million albums since its release this past September. 98° is very popular in the U.S. and Asia, but has had little success in Europe. Westlife is relatively unknown in the U.S....thus the cross promotion does make a great deal of sense. We'll let you know more if this arrangement proceeds!

1/06/01

Before going into the news, we just wanted to let you know that we have just put up 2 brand new sections to the website, pics section and lyrics. These sections were put up, due to popular request. Enjoy.

Westlife wants to do a duet in the New Year with yet another superstar. After scoring a #1 hit with Mariah Carey last year, the group hopes to do a duet with yet another established star...and Eminem has been mentioned! Kian said, "Where do you go after Mariah Carey? She's the biggest selling female artist of all time, but we want to move forward. It would be cool to record with someone like Eminem, or Jon Bon Jovi. We'll see what happens." The group also has US plans for this year. Kian added, "We only got our foot in the door this past year, so it's a case of getting back over there and really trying to make it big."

More news about Bryan's planned marriage with Kerry! It turns out, that they have already picked out names for their future children. "Our first little girl will be called Molly, because it's a really cute girlie name, and our first little boy will be called Dylan James - James is Bryan's grandfather's name." Bryan and Kerry are hoping to buy a £1 million home together and eventually want 2 children. Kerry said to Hello! magazine, "Bryan adores kids, and so do I - before I entered pop music I wanted to be a nanny."

And the background for how the two of them got together? The stars teamed up when they were on the bill for a Smash Hits tour and became friendly but Kerry, as part of Atomic Kitten, had to head off on tour to Japan. On her return they met up again and Bryan dumped his then girlfriend to be with her. "The first time we kissed was when I fell in love with her," Bryan said. They became engaged when she went to meet his family in Ireland and he then took her to the spot where his grandfather proposed to his wife. Now isn't that romantic :)

Westlife sure are watching their pocketbooks. They were worried about getting ripped off by those hoping to make an easy buck out of their success. They brought their own accountants and lawyers to combat those who already had their hands in the till. "You see all those stories about all these bands getting ripped off. It's everybody's fear going into the music industry," Kian said. "It's now that we need to start getting worried. It's now that we need to start watching the money and seeing where its going and how much we're owed and how much we're due." Nicky added: "We have the best people in Ireland and the UK looking after what we make and what we earn and what we don't make and what we spend."

Westlife have been voted Best Band in the world by readers of The Sun. They won the award in the Bizarre Readers' Poll 2000. Other winners include Robbie Williams as Best Male Singer, Madonna as Best Female Singer and Oasis as Best Live Act. Shane Filan, of Westlife, told The Sun: "It means a lot to us and rounds off a fantastic year."

1/03/01

Hope you all enjoyed your New Years! I certainly enjoyed my vacation in warm, sunny Florida...anyways, some Westlife tidbits I missed while I was away. Continued thanks to JSolo for putting new updates in our forum.

Sadly, that (unknown) Bob the Builder continues to dominate the UK singles chart, while "What Makes a Man" slips from #2 to #4.

Westlife manager Louis Walsh claims that the group's record company is in total control of them -- with his role sidelined. But Walsh and Westlife plan to change all that when they renegotiate their contract next year. He says, "I'm not really in control. The record company is and I have to work with it. The record company presses the buttons and it tries to control me. We'll stay with them, but when the time comes to re-negotiate the contract we'll want more artistic control. "The lads will want more and more of a say in things. They're writing songs for the third album. They're not going to write it all, they're not that silly. But they will have three or four songs on it."

news from 12/21/00 - Two members of 5ive were in a Dublin court when they got into a bar brawl, apparently sparked when they were taunted by a customer who shouted, "You're not as good as Westlife". They were remanded on bail and ordered to reappear before the court on January 10.

and the following was a Christmas message from Westlife to you all, the fans:

Hello Everyone Well it's that time of year already, the nights are drawing in and the Christmas lights are coming out! 2000 has been an unbelievable year for us, we've been around the world and best of all, got to meet so many of our fans - you guys - which was definitely the highlight of the year!

We've had so much fun recording our songs this year and the Coast To Coast album launch was unreal! How much mischief can you get up to in 36 hours?? Well, let's put it this way, you're gonna have to check out the video to find out exactly what happened... ? Our next single is going to be 'What Makes A Man' which is out TODAY!!!

And as a special tribute to all our fans and to celebrate Christmas in an unforgettable way, we've decided to add a touch of Motown!! Perfect for smooching under the mistletoe (any excuse to fish out that mistletoe sounds good to us!!!). We've chosen hits by some of our heroes, people we really respect and admire.

On CD1 we added our own special feel to that old time classic - 'My Girl' by THE boy band of the '60s - The Temptations. We hope you like it! On CD2 is our version of 'What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted' which was originally a hit for Jimmy Ruffin (the older brother of David from The Temptations). We think his voice is just amazing and it was this song that made him a star in 1966.

These tracks are exclusive to the single, you won't be able to get them anywhere else - it's our Christmas present to you! On both CD's we've added one of our favourite songs "I'll Be There", a massive hit for The Jacksons back in Christmas 1970, PLUS with CD2 a fantastic 2001 Westife poster calendar which has details of all our birthdays - this is our New Year gift to you! So here's a toast to you, have a fantastic Christmas and Happy New Year - we hope that 2001 is all that you wish it to be!

Shane, Mark, Bryan, Nicky, & Kian xxxxx