News Archive April - June 2001

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Westlife manager Louis Walsh has hit back at comments made by a 'stress expert' who claimed that the group are overworked and were heading for a breakdown. Speaking to PopWorld, Louis said, "I have never heard of this professor - he's probably some old fogey who knows nothing about pop music and is jealous of me because I'm the best manager around!" The band have just completed their world tour, which "they loved every minute of", and are currently on a two-week holiday. "Westlife only work as hard as they want to work - they know that the pop world is a fickle one and therefore they are making the most of it," the lads' manager said. "Westlife are living their dream - what's wrong with that?" [source: popworld.com]

A stress expert says Westlife are heading for a breakdown. According to Professor Carey Cooper, occupational stress expert at the University of Manchester, Westlife's constant touring, long-haul flights and their punishing schedule of TV appearances could lead to burn-out and even heart disease if they don't slow down their lifestyle. He says, "Young entertainers aren't like young sports people who are physically trained to have some resilience. They really should be better managed by Walsh. It's like he's abusing a new Ferrari. He obviously thinks these young boys don't have a long shelf-life, so he works them as hard as possible. It will all end in tears." Indeed, Bryan had to miss some of the dates on the band's world tour because of an ear infection. Professor Cooper commented, "Already Bryan's body is telling him it can't cope." A Westlife spokesman said: "The boys are always over-worked."

Westlife's third album is penned for release in late November. In a recent interview Shane stated: "We're listening to possible songs now, although we haven't gone into the studio because we've been on tour most of this year. It'll be a nice way to round up a great year for us." Meanwhile, Westlife have confirmed that they have five more albums to make under the current contract with their record company. "That's just our deal with BMG. Westlife will have a lot more albums," said Shane. While on tour in Malaysia recently, the guys mentioned how they'd love to record an Asian track with pop newcomer CoCo Lee. Having recently recorded two songs in Spanish - reworked versions of 'I Lay My Love On You' and 'When You're Looking Like That' with producer Rubi Perez (who has worked with Julio Iglesias and Placido Domingo) the band confessed they are fans of the Hong Kong-born singer and they'd like to sing a song 'in an Asian language.' Mark commented "Coco's a good artist. And a very good looking girl too." Watch out for a new upbeat Westlife track entitled 'The Answer's No' - written by ex-Another Level singer Dane Bowers. A possible single release for Westlife in the US, Dane commented on the song: "I was asked to write a song for Westlife for the States which I did. It's something with a bit more attitude. They've heard it and they like so they might be doing it. It's pop with attitude. It's called 'The Answer's No' and it's got the line, 'What part of no don't you understand?' in it. It's more up-tempo. They asked for an up-tempo song so it's more like my last single Shut Up And Forget About It than their ballads." Admist all this, Westlife's manager Louis Walsh has spoken out saying Bryan had written a song for Ireland's entry to the Eurovision Song Contest that could have won the competition. Ireland has been barred from next year's competition due to their poor performance this year, but Walsh said: "Bryan McFadden of Westlife had written a song which would have been perfect. It could have won it." [sources: ananova.com | worldpop.com]

It has been reported that Bryan has a helicopter and Range Rover on standby to ensure that he makes it to the birth of his first child, in case his fiance Kerry Katona goes into labour early. The baby isn't due until the beginning of September, but Bryan isn't taking any chances. He says, "I want to make sure nothing can possibly go wrong. I want everything to run like clockwork. If I'm away with the boys and the baby decides to make a premature entrance, I'm going to be ready. I'm really nervous about the birth but Kerry has been amazing." Meanwhile, Nicky has rubbished reports that the arrival of Bryan's baby will disrupt Westlife's plans for worldwide pop domination. Nicky insists that they're all really excited about the upcoming birth this summer. He says, "The fact is we are all thrilled for Bryan. We're going to be bigger and better than ever by the end of the year. We'll be moving a step up with our new album. All the lads are totally committed and we'll also be touring again very soon. In terms of what we want to achieve, all of us are only getting started. There are still so many things we have to do." [source: mtvasia.com]

Last Wednesday evening saw Westlife performing a bizarre gig at Tel Aviv's Yakron Park accompanied by the sound of helicopters above and gunfire in the distance, as Israeli helicopters launched missile strikes on Palestinian security targets. Security at the concert was tight. Fans who turned up were searched going in to the venue and parents were advised in the days leading up to the gig by a local radio station, 'not to worry'. The concert also featuring Five and Atomic Kitten, and followed weeks of rioting and bombings in Tel Aviv. Currently in South Africa in the middle of a 100-date tour, Westlife are trying to squash rumours of a split following Bryan McFadden's comments to a British newspaper about solo work. Bryan repeated the comments about a solo career during the band's Israeli press conference on Tuesday. During a press conference at Tel Aviv's Dan Hotel on Tuesday (15th May) Bryan told reporters: 'In five years' time we're going to be 25, 26, 27. I can't see the band lasting more than that. This is my career and this is my life at the moment but we also have our private lives. I've got a baby coming now and I'm getting married and that's very important to me right now,' he said, referring to his girlfriend, Kerry Katona. Westlife's statement read: 'Westlife are currently abroad in the middle of a 100-date world tour and will return to the UK this summer to begin recording their third album which will be released this autumn. They are at the pinnacle of their career and they're not going to give up. They still have a long way to go.' [link: worldpop.com]

Not content with playing a record-breaking 11 sold-out nights at the Point Depot in Dublin on their first ever UK and Ireland tour back in April, it's been reported that Westlife are set to play an astounding 15 nights at the Point! The concerts are pencilled in for Christmas-time, with two shows on New Years Day, including one afternoon show. Sources close to the band have said there will definitely be a run in the Point but dates are still to be nailed down and confirmation is needed for the New Year's day gigs. [link: showbizireland.com]