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It provided four singles, one of which, 'Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)' featuring Mariah Carey, gave the band their 6th UK #1. Their second album, Coast to Coast debuted at #1 in the UK album charts. Westlife's self-titled debut album contained five singles which topped the UK charts, although the album itself reached only the number two spot in the UK. Their appeal spanned the generations, with women of a certain age enjoying the good-looking lads whose music was being played by their grandchildren. The Irish lads were off to a flying start with their musical career, with three consecutive number ones. It stayed in the UK chart for 13 weeks and was 1999's 'Record of the Year' – voted for by the public. 'Flying Without Wings', the group's signature tune, was a smash and brought them worldwide fame. The band's second single, 'If I Let You Go', quickly followed and that also made #1. Singer Ronan Keating of fellow Irish band Boyzone was touted as being Westlife's manager, but this was later revealed to be a publicity stunt, their actual manager was Louis Walsh. It hit the #1 spot in the UK and they had their first appearance on Top Of The Pops within nine months of Westlife being created. The five lads, as Westlife, released their debut single 'Swear It Again' in 1999. The final line-up included original Westside members Kian Egan, Mark Feehily and Shane Filan, with the addition of Bryan McFadden and Nicky Byrne who made it through the audition.Ī different name had to be chosen for the new group because there was already an American band called Westside. He must have chosen a better tune to sing as he was immediately selected for the new boy band. Cowell initially rejected bleached-blonde Shane Filan, who returned to audition again after reverting to his natural dark hair. The band were brought to Cowell's attention by his friend Louis Walsh, who had been badgered by Mae Filan to hear her son's group sing. Their musical influences were Michael Jackson and the Backstreet Boys. In 1998 pop mogul Simon Cowell did a little tweaking with the line-up of Westside, a group of young Irish male singers who went to school together.
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Within the parameters of the genre, Westlife achieved excellence. The boy band genre is one of the most difficult and demanding areas in the music industry, with many casualties who have been unable to keep up with the workload, the clean-cut image and the derision from serious music fans. They set a new chart record for having their first seven singles go to number one and had massive merchandising sales. Westlife remain one of Ireland's best-selling musical acts.