Where was the group formed?
It started out as a local pop band called I.O.You in Sligo, Ireland.
How did it start?
The original members were performing in a local production of the musical Grease in December 1996. They were playing The T-birds. Later they were singing a Boyz II Men song, I Make Love To You, at an after show party and someone suggested that they should form a group. They waited until they finished their school exams in the summer of '97 and the band was formed on 3 July of that year.
How
did they get their big break?
Shane Filan's mum contacted Boyzone's manager Louis Walsh and asked him to check them out. Louis had already seen them when they made a brief appearance on Irish TV. Kian Egan and Shane Filan traveled to Dublin to meet Louis in February 1998 and he was impressed with them. He immediately got them a support spot to The Backstreet Boys in Dublin on 16 and 17 March. They went from playing to 100 people in their home town to 10,000 with The Backstreet Boys.
What is the difference between I.O.You and Westlife?
A big difference. Louis held auditions in June 1998 and changed the line-up. Kian Egan, Shane Filan and Mark Feehily are the only original members remaining. They have been joined by Nicky Byrne and Bryan McFadden from Dublin.
How
did Ronan Keating become involved?
Louis asked Ronan to help him develop Westlife. When Ronan first saw them he couldn't believe their raw vocal talents, along with their great personalities and natural charm. He felt they had the potential to go far and he decided to give them the benefit of his experience with Boyzone.
Was it difficult getting a record deal?
Yes and no. At least one major record company turned them down, but there was huge interest from the others. Louis and Ronan opted for a deal with RCA because of their phenomenal success with Take That and 5ive. Westlife was signed up by RCA in October 1998 and the champagne corks popped.
What
was their initial success?
Their big break was joining the Smash Hits Roadshow and winning Best New Tour Act in December 1998, an award that Boyzone had themselves won back in 1994. It was a sign of things to come.
How has Ronan helped them to develop?
He gave them the support slot on Boyzone's UK tour in October 1998, and slipped out in disguise every night to watch them perform. Then he went to their dressing room after each performance to give them advice on how to improve their stage act.
What other back-up do they have?
Westlife are working with the top producers in the music world today. They were also styled by Kenny Ho, the guru who created the winning images for The Spice Girls.
What was their initial chart success?
When their first single, Swear It Again, was launched in Ireland in March 1999, it became the biggest selling debut single in the history of Irish pop, spending five weeks at Number One. It shot straight to the top spot in the UK pop charts when it was released in April 1999 and held that position for two weeks.