Irish Boy Bands Boyzone and Westlife

 Ireland has given the world much in the form of entertainment. Traditional Irish music and dance are loved the world over. Amongst the many musical talents that have come out of Ireland there are two famous boy bands. These are Boyzone and Westlife.

Boyzone have only recently re-formed and, unfortunately, 2009 saw the sudden death of band member Stephen Gateley. Westlife have undergone some changes over the years also.

Both of these boy bands should really now be referred to as man bands but I guess in musical terms they will always be boys to the fans.

Boyzone

The original Boyzone line up was assembled by X Factor judge, fellow Irishman and record producer Louis Walsh. An advertisement for guys to audition to from a new boy band. From more than 300 wannabees the five members of Boyzone were chosen.

Most British Television viewers first saw Boyzone on The Late Late Show with Gay Burns. This Irish show was aired in England some years ago. Boyzone have lived to regret that first performance. Eager to please and show their talents they danced and cavorted and in many ways made themselves look foolish.

Still we have all been young and made mistakes in life.

Over the years though too many chat shows have shown this early video and watched various Boyzone members squirm.

The five members of Boyzone certainly took the British pop charts by storm and had a huge fan base. Ronan Keating was the lead singer. He had a boyish charm and good looks plus quite a good voice. Ronan began to record on his own and the band disolved without ever really breaking up. They in effect broke up in 2000.

Stephen Gately had some musical success and Keith Duffy appeared in British soap Coronation Street. In fact currently he is appearing in this soap again.

Then in 2009 Boyzone reformed. Take That had proved that a boy band could successfully reform after years in the musical wilderness and Boyzone looked set for success again.

Sadly this was not to be. Stephen Gateley tragically, and suddenly, died in 2009.

The future for Boyzone has been a little vague since this sad death but the remaining four members plan to release an album in 2010 which will be dedicated to Stephen. The album will also include some of Stephen's last recordings.

Westlife

Perhaps it is fitting that it was another Irish band that would fill Boyzone's shoes when they broke up.

Westlife were formed in 1998 and at one time were managed by Ronan Keating of Boyzone fame. This was a joint managerial role with Louis Walsh. Even Simon Cowell had been involved in the early management of Westlife.

Westlife were loved by young girls, grandmothers and mums.

They harmonise well and have had much chart success. The original line up has changed though. Brian McFadden left th band in 2004. He has had some chart success on his own. Although Brian was a popular band member his departure does not seem to have halted the march of Westlife.

This Irish band has had many successful tours in various parts of the world and chart success. They have won awards each year since 1999. Granted the amount of awards each year has dwindled but they are still highly successful and hugely popular.

Westlife were one of the many acts that performed on the charity single Everybody Hurts which was a song for Haiti.