15th September 2004

source: The Sun Online

Nicky's Horror Storey

I’VE come across some weird stories in my time but I reckon this takes the biscuit.

WESTLIFE’s NICKY BYRNE had to change hotels in Las Vegas — because he has a fear of lifts without windows.

Nicky and the lads were checked in to the Four Seasons hotel while they shot their new swing video.

But their rooms were on the 48th floor and Nicky doesn’t like lifts without windows because he feels too enclosed, poor lad.

He checked out and took a room on the tenth floor of the adjoining Mandalay Bay hotel.

A source said: “Nicky was mortified. He can manage if it’s not too far but 48 floors is full on.”

But hats off to plucky Nicky — he has kept on the Four Seasons room and is determined to spend at least one night on floor 48 before the trip is over.

The boys are in Vegas to perform tonight’s World Music Awards.

13th September 2004

source: The Sun Online

One-Derful Bryan!

WELL done to BRIAN McFADDEN for clinching his first solo No1 yesterday.

His rocky ballad Real To Me — which he co-wrote with producer GUY CHAMBERS — saw off NELLY and McFLY.

Mind you, the newly svelte Brian is no stranger to the top spot — he was there 12 times with WESTLIFE.

I was the only journalist Brian called when he heard the news.

He told me: “I’m over the moon — absolutely ecstatic.

“Getting a solo No1 means so much more than those with Westlife. It’s a much sweeter feeling.

“The band became a machine and people expected us to have hit after hit.

“But I’ve proved wrong the critics who thought I’d leave the group and do nothing — six months later I have a No1.”

The Coventry City fan said: “I feel like the Sky Blues have won the FA Cup.”

8th September 2004

source: world music awards online/Mirror

Celebs Line up the WMA!

The list of celebs expected at the highly-anticipated World Music Awards later this month is hotting up a treat.

 Performers at the bash include Alicia Keys, Usher, Avril Lavigne, hip-hop star Kanye West, Westlife, rockers Hoobastank and J.Lo's husband, latino star Marc Anthony.

 The awards, presented annually, are based on artists' record sales.

 This year's event is on September 15 in Las Vegas - and naturally 3am will be there too.

source: unknown   credit: The Best of Irish Westlife group

Westlife Go Along Moon River

Hollywood classic will be make-or-break single

  Westlife's first single from their new retro album will be Moon River, the Henry Mancini classic made famous by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast At Tiffany's. Nicky Byrne revealed to The Diary that the new CD will also feature Clementine and Ain't That A Kick In The Head.

  It's the latest step in the band's strategy to stay at top of the charts by gradually changing their sound to appeal to a more mature audience. Already they are one of the biggest-selling acts in the history of their label, BMG - amazingly, in just six years, they have shifted one-third as many albums as Elvis Presley sold in half-a-century.

  Up to 2003, Elvis had sold 60 million records. Westlife have sold 20 million. The band has already equalled the Beatles' record of 12 No.1 singles in Britain.

  This week, the boys have been putting the finishing touches to their version of Moon River, a chart hit in 1961 for Danny Williams and, later, for Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams and others. With Westlife's massive chart power, the song looks set to return to the top of the charts 43 years after it was first released.

  The boys will also adopt a stylish new look, eschewing their recent rather grungy image and bringing in impeccably tailored Rat Pack-style outfits.

  "We have done the most amazing photo shoots for the album," Nicky revealed, "and we even got tailors to hand-make our suits so they would look as original as possible."

  The band and their record label are hoping to follow Robbie Williams, who sold five million copies of his retro album, Swing When You're Winning, and newcomer Michael Bublé, know as the new Sinatra, who sold three million copies of his debut album. Bublé, ironically, was briefly linked romantically to Nicky's sister-in-law, Cecelia Ahern.

source: Showbiz Ireland

Brian Stole O2 From Westlife

When was the last time you saw a member of a Westlife crowd-surfing? Never? Well, Brian McFadden celebrated his newly found solo freedom at O2 in the Park with a bit of a mosh!

There was a stark contrast both back and front stage at O2 in the Park on Saturday as all eyes and cameras were firmly pointed in Brian McFadden's direction while his former Westlife bandmates seemed to be left in his shade...

In fact the contrast didn't end there - Brian's new outlook, style, music and performance seemed to highlight Westlife's stagnation as an act and perhaps was a big wake-up call for the foursome to drop the matching outfits and cover songs and roughen up their image.

Not that we are knocking Westlife - they are still a top drawer act, it was just seeing Brian leaping into the 100,000 strong crowd and then being carried out by security still singing his heart out that made us think that time may be up on Westlife's highly polished and choreographed image?

Maybe, maybe not - but it was a breath of fresh air out of the clear blue sky at O2 in the Park to see a former member of a boyband get up in front of tens of thousands of people and sing live while strumming a guitar...

And it didn't stop there - backstage Brian's two adorable kids Molly and Lily Sue had all the attention as their busty mother Kerry Ferried them around dressed in sexy Cowboy hat and boots, and denim skirt.

But Westlife did raise a few eyebrows backstage but mainly they were due to Shane Filan's new side-parting hair style. Perhaps married life has prematurely aged the young heartthrob?

Other things of note which occurred at the O2 concert (apart from the sunshine) was Brain happily hanging out with his former Westlife chums and Sarah Harding from Girls Aloud hobbling around with her foot tightly bandaged.

2nd September 2004

source: the sun online

Westlife's Top Charts!

WESTLIFE topped the UK’s first official download chart last night with Flying Without Wings, the track most bought from the Internet in the last week.

KIAN EGAN said: “We’re all really happy to have the first ever No1 on this historic chart.”

They were followed by BLAZIN’ SQUAD’s Blazin’ Day at No2 and Los Angeles band MAROON 5’s She Will Be Loved at No3.

Maroon 5 had three tracks in the Top 20 which will be out every week.

Catch the new chart every Wednesday during SCOTT MILLS’ Radio 1 show.

11th August 2004

source: westlife.com

Westlife's First Release As Four-Piece

Dear Westlifer

We wanted you to be the first to know that Westlife are set to release a special live version of their massive Number 1 single Flying Without Wings on 23rd August, 2004.

  This special live stripped down version of Flying Without Wings was recorded in May of this year at The Globe, Stockholm on the massive sell-out Turnaround Arena tour. This is a unique opportunity for you to get an end of tour souvenir.

  This release is important for the boys as not only will it be their first release without Bryan but it’s also only available as a download and will be included in the first ever Official Download Chart. This chart will be compiled by the Official Chart Company, the same company that compile the official Top 40 each week.

How to Order

   You will be able to legally download Flying Without Wings from www.westlife.com and all other legal download stores such as itunes.com, mycokemusic.com, msnmusicclub.com, freeserve.com, hmvonlinestore.com and napster.com.

  You'll also be able to order your Westlife download straight from your phone. We'll send you instructions soon, so keep an eye on your inbox.

  Westlife are currently working on their 5th studio album. We'll keep you posted on how it's going soon. In the meantime the boys have launched a nationwide talent search to find someone special to duet with on their forthcoming album and on a Westlife primetime TV special You’re The One, which will air later this year. Please check www.westlife.com for further information.

Thanks for reading, we'll be in touch again soon.

www.westlife.com