Boyzone
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Boyzone | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Country | Dublin, Ireland  |
| Years active | 1993–2000 |
| Genres | Ballads Pop |
| Labels | Universal |
| Members | Keith Duffy Mikey Graham Ronan Keating Shane Lynch Stephen Gately |
Boyzone were an Irish boy band (pop group) of the 1990s. They had major success in the UK and levels of success in parts of Europe and Asia with six #1 hit singles in the UK. By 2007 they had sold over 15 million records.[1]
Boyzone was put together in 1993 by Louis Walsh who is also known as the manager of Johnny Logan and Westlife. Before even recording any material they made a now infamous appearance on The Late Late Show. Their first album Said and Done was released in 1995 and the following two studio albums in 1996 and 1998. Three compilation albums have been released, the latest Key to My Life: The Collection in early 2006.
Boyzone was formed by manager Louis Walsh who advertised for boys with an audition for a band he was forming. After more than a hundred who tried out, the band was assembled by Ronan Keating (vocalist), Mikey Graham, Stephen Gately, Shane Lynch, and Keith Duffy. The band played through 1993 and in the early parts of 1994 to anyone who would listen, traveling all over Ireland in an old transit van, playing in nightclubs whilst praying for a record deal.
After months of agony, Polygram signed them up and released the cover version of the Detroit Spinners' "Working My Way Back To You", and it reached No. 3 in the Irish Charts. The Boyz became straight stars overnight after being surrounded by mobs of screaming girls everywhere.
The song "Love Me For A Reason" came next and it also gave them a Smash Hits Award for "Best New Group".
They released "Said and Done", their first album in 1995, reaching the top in both UK and Ireland. London's Rock Circus invited them to place their handprints on the "Walls of Hands" besides the likes of Eric Clapton and Michael Jackson. After the release of "Where We Belong" the boyz finally gained the respect they deserved. Ronan received the "Ivor Novello" award for "Picture of You". Wax figures of the boyz were made beside U2 in Dublin. "No Matter What", their best selling single, was voted "Song of the Year".
At 1999, their greatest hits compilation "By Request" was released and another sell-out tour. It was also the right time Stephen told the world that he was gay, and surprisingly the fans supported him and his boyfriend Eloy de Jong. The boyz splintered and took off solo careers, hoping to reap huge success.
Band Members
•Michael Christopher Charles Graham (Mikey Graham) was born in August 15, 1972. His previous job was a mechanic, and now he enjoys playing the guitar and songwriting. He was married in 2004 to a girl named Karen.
•Shane Eammon Mark Stephen Lynch (Shane Lynch) was born in July 3,1976. Also a mechanic like Mikey, he enjoys nothing more but to change his hairstyle. He stands as an enormous 6 footer.
•Keith Peter Thomas John Duffy (Keith Duffy) was born in October 1, 1974.His favorite singer is Toni Braxton. He is a big softie and loves to do anything for everybody, but he is indeed a shy man.
•Ronan Patrick John Keating (Ronan Keating) was born in March 3, 1977. He is married to Yvonne Connelly and has a son named Jack Ronan Keating and a daughter named Marie Yvonne Keating. His previous job is an assistant in a shoe shop. He is the band's vocalist.
•Stephen Patrick David Gately (Stephen Gately) was born in March 17,1976. He is the band's sensitive member. He confessed that he was gay, and also married to Andrew Cowles.He was previously dating Eloy de Jong, an ex-member of the Dutch boyband Caught In The Act
The group performed together for the last time in January 2000 after which their lead singer Ronan Keating has pursued a solo career.
In the five years that they've been together, Boyzone has risen to the top echelon of Ireland's pop music. Dubbed "most promising band of the year" by British magazine, Smash Hits in 1995, the group more than fulfilled predictions. Their first twelve singles reached the top five and they became the first Irish act to have four number one hits in the United Kingdom. Their 1998 tour of Ireland shattered all sales records when 35,000 tickets were sold out in four hours.Kiran Nayak
Contents |
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
| Album cover | Album information |
|---|---|
 |
Said and Done |
 |
A Different Beat |
 |
Where We Belong |
 |
By Request |
 |
The Singles Collection 1994-1999
|
 |
Ballads - The Love Song Collection |
 |
Key To My Life: Collection
|
[edit] Singles
- 28th November 1994 "Love Me for a Reason " #2 UK
- 17th April 1995 "Key to My Life" #3 UK
- 31st July 1995 "So Good" #3 UK
- 13th November 1995 "Father and Son" #2 UK
- 26th February 1996 "Coming Home Now" #4 UK
- 7th October 1996 "Words" #1 UK
- 2nd December 1996 "A Different Beat" #1 UK
- 10th March 1997 "Isn't It a Wonder" #2 UK
- 21st July 1997 "Picture of You" #2 UK
- 24th November 1997 "Baby Can I Hold You/Shooting Star" #2 UK
- 20th April 1998 "All That I Need" #1 UK
- 3rd August 1998 "No Matter What" #1 UK, #2 AUS, #12 US Adult Contemporary Chart
- 23rd November 1998 "I Love the Way You Love Me" #2 UK
- 1st March 1999 "When the Going Gets Tough" #1 UK
- 10th May 1999 "You Needed Me" #1 UK
- 22nd November 1999 "Everyday I Love You" #3 UK
[edit] The Year 2000 and beyond
Boyzone opened the door for fellow Irish boy band, Westlife. Since Boyzone split in 2000, Ronan Keating has made a career from going solo and has released five albums; Stephen Gately has pursued a career in stage acting and particularly West End musicals, starring in the Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat"; Mikey Graham has also pursued solo projects and now works as a music producer; Keith Duffy has appeared in the British Soap "Coronation Street" as well as a number of theatre productions in Ireland; Shane Lynch recently appeared on the Reality TV Show, "Celebrity Love Island".
In 2003, rumours of a Boyzone reunion began to circulate. Following the success of fellow Universal artists Take That's reunion and subsequent sell-out tour in 2006, these rumours came to a head and in early 2007 there were news reports that all five members and their manager, The X-Factor Judge Louis Walsh, had met in Dublin to discuss and organise a comeback tour.
In February 2007, more details of the reunion were announced. [3]
On March 8 2007, former Boyzone manager Louis Walsh was sacked from the ITV show X Factor, saying by way of explanation that "I will be having the busiest year of my career with Westlife, Shayne Ward and the re-launch of Boyzone" [4]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "Ronan: How I lost my way", Daily Mail, 2006-06-05. Retrieved on 2007-01-09.
- ^ a b c d e BPI
- ^ "Boyzone to reunite as Ronan Keating says 'Yes'", Fashion.ie, 2007-01-09. Retrieved on 2007-01-09.
- ^ "X Factor to replace Kate and Louis", MSN Entertainment, 2007-03-08. Retrieved on 2007-03-08.
- Billboard Artist Chart History — retrieved January 1, 2006
[edit] External Links
