Westlife ("Westlife") is a vocal pop group (boy band) from Ireland who reached number one in the British charts fourteen times between 1999 and 2006. This is the third achievement in history, after Elvis Presley and The Beatles. Despite such resounding success, the band is relatively little known outside the British Commonwealth, especially in Russia.
The band was formed in Dublin by the managers of the popular boy band Boyzone with the participation of its lead singer, Ronan Keating. After the breakup of Boyzone in 2000, Westlife, as successors to that band, effectively took Boyzone's place as the main idols of the teenage female audience in Ireland and the UK. They set an incredible record with all seven of their first seven singles debuting at number one in the UK.
On October 19, 2011, Westlife announced the end of their music career after completing a farewell tour in 2012.
On October 3, 2018, the band members announced their reunion. The band's story has its origins in the Irish town of Sligo. Shane Fylan, Mark Feehily, Kian Egan - future members of Westlife, along with school buddies; Derrick Lacey, Graham Keiron and Michael Garrett founded the vocal group I.O.U.. Local gigs and the single "Together Girl Forever" did not bring meaningful success, but helped the musicians come to the attention of Louis Walsh, Boyzone's manager. He and Simon Cowell, known for his work with boy band Five, began to support the young band. However, it was not without change. Derrick, Graham and Michael left the band. In their place came Brian McFadden (previously a member of Cartel, who played mainly in Dublin pubs) and Nikki Byrne - (former goalkeeper of Leeds United youth soccer team). A boy band called Westside, later renamed Westlife (the original name was not unique), began their rise to the top of musical Olympus.