Best-selling Irish pop band Westlife have revealed they didn't take Brian McFadden seriously when he said he was leaving the group.

Speaking about the departure of the fifth member, band member Nicky Byrne said: "My initial thought when he told us was that he was punking us. That was Brian's personality. He was sitting beside me so I looked at him, smiled, laughed, and started checking him for wires because that would be a typical Brian thing to do."

But the band also hinted that Brian leaving made them stronger.

"It was a very big turning point. I wonder whether we would still be together if Brian hadn't left, I don't know. At the time it made us realise how lucky we were and how fickle the thing could be," said Shane Filan.

The band have told all in a joint autobiography called Westlife: Our Story.

In the book, they also describe how pleased they were when not one complaint was made by fans or the public when band member Mark Feehily came out as gay.

"Things really have changed so much for the better in society," said Mark.

Westlife: Our Story, published by HarperCollins, is being released on June 16

Credit/Source: musicnews.virginmedia.com

We've got an online exclusive especially for Westlife fans - a sneaky peek at part of Westlife: Our Story!

Here's an extract from Chapter 7, in which the boys discuss signing their first ever record deal. We'll be bringing you more from the chapter tomorrow, in which Mark discusses how he felt at the meeting and Nicky reveals a bit about the business side of the band, so make sure you check back in!

The book comes out on 16th June: pre-order your copy here.

Signing the actual record contract was amazing, recounts Nicky. It was in the first week of November 1998, while we were still on tour with Boyzone. A lot of the lads hadn't even been to London before; I was a little more experienced in that I'd been to America, Canada and much of Europe with family holidays and football tournaments.

Louis was travelling to the record label separately, so it was literally the five of us travelling over on a plane to meet him there. We made our way from the airport to this big office block where the record company was based. I remember that standing there, ready to go in, we were just giddy kids. Looking back, as soon as we entered that doorway, all of our lives changed beyond recognition.

We went into a big meeting room that is now Simon Cowell's private office but back then was just a huge conference room. Sonny Takhar was also there, Simon's right-hand man who has also been instrumental in our career.We knew it was a big record deal - we signed for five albums on a contract worth several million pounds, so, understandably at that age, we all thought that once we'd signed this piece of paper, we'd be millionaires. Of course that money is split over the albums and it has to go towards paying for some incredibly expensive stuff like accommodation, clothes, cars, video shoots, recording costs and so on. It's funny, looking back, because we'd all been looking at what cars we could afford. Rather than get proper carried away, I was thinking of buying maybe a Toyota MR2, you know, for 15 grand, say - nothing too ridiculous. That's how you think at that age.

Signing that record deal was all my dreams come true, says Kian. It really was a lifelong dream and here we were, signing the contract, about to record an album, put singles out, travel the world in a band and make music. It was just amazing.

It was the stuff of dreams, absolutely, recalls Shane. All my life I'd been looking forward to this moment. It was one of my major goals in life, but I never thought it would happen. I knew I wanted to get married and I hoped I'd be a father, but I never thought I'd get a massive record deal. It's such a prized achievement for a band. I can't really ever forget that excitement, that moment sitting in that office, all the thoughts buzzing around my head: We are going to be pop stars! We might have a hit single! Then the teenage thoughts kick in, like Maybe I'm going to be a millionaire! Then, most importantly of all, I can go and buy a new car!


Credit/Source: westlife.com

Pop hunks plan to beat Elvis record of 21 No 1s

Irish pop lords may have scored 14 number one hits in Britain but they wont be happy until they match Elvis's record of 21.

The band are tied with Cliff Richard int he list of artists with the most number one singles in the Uk.

They still have another 3 hits to notch up before matching with The Beatles. Who are in second place with 17 number ones.

However Westlife plan to keep releasing hits until they catch up with The King

"Theyre totally serious about doing it and why shouldnt they be able to"asked band manager Louis Walsh. "The Beatles, Elvis and Cliff Richard have been going since the '60s. Westlife have managed their 14 number ones in only 10 years,. Its absoultely attainable. They just need the right songs.

Westlife already hold the record for achieving 1-0 number ones in the shortest time.

They achieved the feat in the first 2 years and 10 months or the first 149 weeks of their career. British pop legends, The Beatles took 165 weeks to achieve the same sucess.....

The band celebrated their last number one hit in the UK in November 2006, The Rose soared up the chart,.

They were devastated when their hopes of celbrating thier 15th number one single in the Uk earlier this year was dashed.

The bands last single, Us agianst the world, entered the top 5 but failed to triumph over DUffy's smash hits, Mercy.

However the foursome, Shane , Mark, Kian and Nicky, have no plans to shelve their ambitions to hold the record for the most number ones.

"We are always on the lookout for a good song," says Louis Walsh, "Its all about the hits for the guys, and they never get tired of them.. They want more number ones, Another six would be a great start."

Credit/Source: westlife.gr / The Irish Star / Thanks Mary for the scan and Joanne for typing it up

Westlife will be on Richard & Judy next Tuesday so make sure you will not miss them

When: 17 June 2008
Time: 5pm
Channel: Channel 4

Credit/Source: westlife.gr / Thanks Hels for the info

How do you fancy winning a signed copy of Westlife: Our Story plus a big poster to go with it?
With the band's autobiography coming out on 16th June, we want you to tell us about one of your favourite or most significant Westlife memories. It might be the first time you saw them on TV, the best concert you went to, dancing to a Westlife song on a night out...whatever you like!

We'll be picking five of our favourites to be published on the homepage, with each winner getting a signed book and a promotional poster.

Post your entry in the Pre-order Westlife: Our Story

Credit/Source: westlife.com

WHO would have thought it? A bunch of lads from Sligo celebrating 10 years at the top of the UK and Irish pop charts with their biggest ever concert.

But that’s what happened for Shane Filan, Kian Egan and Mark Feehily - plus their Dublin-born pal Nicky Byrne - at a packed Croke Park on Sunday.

And fittingly, hundreds of fans from Sligo and the North-West were there to see them play their first stadium gig in Ireland, and, of course, friends and family members. Ahead of the concert, Westlife manager Louis Walsh said that the Croke Park gig would be a “dream come true” for the band.

The band, originally called IOYOU, formed on July 3, 1998, and was signed up by Simon Cowell with the name Westside - which was soon changed when it was realised another band (from the USA) had that name. The group’s lineup comprised of Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, Shane Filan, and Brian McFadden. In March 2004 McFadden departed from the band to spend more time with his family.

The band have sold more than 50 million records worldwide and so far racked up 14 number one singles in the United Kingdom, the third-highest in UK history, tying with Cliff Richard and trailing only behind Elvis Presley and The Beatles.

Credit/Source: www.sligoweekender.ie

BY CAITLIN O’HANLON

A number of urgent issues, including the licensing of the Westlife concert at Pearse Stadium, could be in jeopardy if clamping issues cause havoc in the chamber at tonight’s Galway City Council meeting. Concerns were voiced this weekend that urgent business will get pushed aside at tonight’s city council meeting if City Councillor Daniel Callanan begins the meeting by raising the issue of clamping.
Cllr Callanan has twice attempted to raise the issue of abuse of the clamping system in the last two months. The Independent councillor claims that a number of local councillors and the city Mayor have used their positions in the city council to avoid fines imposed by the clamping system.
Cllr Callanan had hoped to raise the issue at last month’s meeting but the topic appeared to be deliberately avoided by the Mayor on a number of occasions.
Fine Gael Councillor Brian Walsh said Cllr Callanan was adamant he wouldn’t be ignored again but that, if the issue was raised at onset of the meeting, there was a risk that a number of important items on the agenda would not be dealt with. He was especially concerned if the issue gets out of hand and the meeting has to be adjourned.
“The Westlife concert must be dealt with at this meeting,” said Cllr Walsh. The concert is set to take place on June 21 at Pearse Stadium.
Speaking to Galway First on Saturday Cllr Callanan said that he would allow the pressing issues, such as the vote on the ESB sub-station expansion and the Westlife concert, go ahead before he raises his concerns if that is what the council wishes.

Credit/Source: www.galwayfirst.ie

TOP boy band Westlife will be signing copies of their new book at Lakeside shopping centre.

The group, which has had 14 UK number one singles the UK since forming in 1998, will be in the centre's central atrium, from 5.30pm to 6.30pm on Monday, June 16.

All four members, Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily and Shane Filan, are expected to be at the event, which is to publicise Westlife: Our Story.

Credit/Source: www.echo-news.co.uk

Westlife Are Coming To A Book Store Near You!

You’ve read the press, heard the gossip and pored over the pictures - soon you’ll be able to find out what really goes on in the world of Westlife!

The official autobiography Westlife: Our Story is out on 16th June and will spill the beans on what life’s like in one of the UK’s biggest bands. Shane, Mark, Nicky and Kian have been saving up all their juiciest stories for the book - it’s absolutely not to be missed.

And as if that wasn’t enough to be getting excited about, you also have the opportunity to meet the boys in the flesh and get your copy of the book signed!

Here’s a message from the boys to explain further…



SIGNING DETAILS

Monday 16th June
Waterstones Piccadilly, London: 12.30 – 14.30
WH Smith, Lakeside: 17.30 – 18.30

Tuesday 17th June
WH Smith, Milton Keynes: 12.30 – 13.30

Wednesday 18th June
Waterstones, Liverpool: 12.30 – 13.30
WH Smith, Manchester Trafford Centre: 18.00 – 19.00

Thursday 19th June
Easons, Dublin: 12.30 – 13.30
Easons, Belfast: 17.30 – 18.30

Friday 20th June
Easons Franchise, Sligo: 12.30 – 13.30
Hughes & Hughes, Galway; 17.30 – 18.30

Not able to make it to a signing? Pre-order your book online here!

For all the latest news, keep checking in to Westlife.com.

Westlife HQ

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Credit/Source: www.westlife.com

The Feeling's Richard Jones has joked that Westlife saved his marriage to fellow musician Sophie Ellis-Bextor.

The pair, who have been married for three years, were having an argument in a car in London when the Irish crooners interrupted.

"I was once in Soho Square with my wife before we got married, and we got into a bit of a heated discussion about something, and then suddenly out of nowhere Westlife appeared and walked past the car," Richard explained. "It completely diffused the argument! It was so random. It was like, 'that's Westlife who have just walked past the car'. It saved my marriage!"

The band, who performed at the Vodafone TBA gig in Edinburgh at the weekend, were commenting on a recent revelation by Chris Martin that he has dreamt about Westlife and Radiohead.

Singer Dan Gillespie Sells revealed: "I dream about Julie Andrews. I dream that I know her!"

Meanwhile, drummer Paul Stewart said he used to dream about Kim Wilde.

And on the band's new single, Turn It Up, Richard joked: "It's a cross between Westlife and Radiohead!"

Dan said the song has a "classic Feeling sound to it", before adding: "It's like a really catchy little pop song. And it's quite uplifting."

Turn In Up is out digitally on June 30 and physically on July 7.

Credit/Source: musicnews.virginmedia.com

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