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Boyzone

From Alfawiki
Boyzone
Company typeBoy band
IndustryMusic
Founded1993
FounderLouis Walsh
Headquarters
Ireland
ProductsMusic albums and singles
Number of employees
5 (members)

Boyzone is a boy band from Ireland, established in 1993 by talent manager Louis Walsh. The group's most acclaimed formation featured members Keith Duffy, Stephen Gately, Mikey Graham, Ronan Keating, and Shane Lynch. By the year 2018, their discography included seven studio albums alongside nine compilation records.

In 2012, the Official Charts Company positioned Boyzone as the 29th highest-selling singles artist in the history of the British charts and recognized them as the second most successful British boy band following Take That. Data from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) indicates that Boyzone sold 6.4 million albums and 8.6 million singles within the UK, with worldwide sales reaching 25 million units by 2013. Their UK accomplishments encompass six singles that reached number one, five albums topping the charts, and 21 out of 24 singles entering the top 40. In their native Ireland, they achieved nine number-one singles and amassed 22 top-five hits.

After disbanding in 1999, Boyzone reunited in 2007 primarily for touring purposes. Despite the passing of Stephen Gately in 2009 from a congenital heart condition, the band continued to perform. They commemorated their 25th anniversary with a tour and an album released in November 2018. On 28 April 2018, they declared intentions to disband following the conclusion of their anniversary events in 2019.

Following a successful television documentary in 2025, Boyzone reassembled for a singular farewell stadium performance planned for 2026.

Initial Success and Said and Done (1993–1995)

In 1993, theatrical manager Louis Walsh initiated auditions in Dublin to create an Irish "boy band" inspired by the success of Take That. Over three hundred hopefuls auditioned by performing George Michael's "Careless Whisper". After several selection rounds, the final ensemble consisted of Ronan Keating, Stephen Gately, Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham, Shane Lynch, and originally Richard Rock; Graham replaced Rock following his departure.

Throughout 1994, Boyzone toured extensively across Northern Ireland before securing a contract with PolyGram. Their rendition of The Four Seasons' "Working My Way Back to You" reached number three on Irish charts. Their breakthrough single in the UK was a cover of "Love Me for a Reason", which peaked at number two and appeared on their debut album Said and Done. This album achieved number-one status both in Ireland and the UK. Subsequent releases such as "Key to My Life", "So Good", and "Father and Son" helped broaden their audience across Europe.

A Different Beat and Where We Belong (1996–1998)

The band's sophomore album, A Different Beat, launched in 1996, elevated Boyzone to international prominence with sales exceeding two million copies worldwide. It included their first UK chart-topping single—a cover of the Bee Gees' "Words"—as well as popular tracks like "A Different Beat" and "Isn't It a Wonder". Singles released in 1997 featured "Isn't It a Wonder", "Picture of You", and "Baby Can I Hold You/Shooting Star". The group also performed "Let The Message Run Free" at the Eurovision Song Contest 1997, which was co-hosted by Keating. During this period, they attempted to penetrate the US market with "Mystical Experience", also recorded in Spanish. Ronan Keating emerged as lead vocalist and earned an Ivor Novello Award for songwriting in 1997 for "Picture of You".

Their third studio effort, Where We Belong (1998), highlighted their songwriting capabilities and surpassed three million copies sold globally. Notable hits included "All That I Need", which maintained a six-week presence on MTV Asia charts; a cover of Tracy Chapman's "Baby Can I Hold You"; and "No Matter What". Originally composed for Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Whistle Down the Wind, "No Matter What" became Boyzone's best-selling single with over four million copies sold worldwide. It set records as the highest-selling boy band single and was named Song of the Year in 1998. The band performed this track live alongside Meat Loaf in Dublin and Luciano Pavarotti in Italy. Their Irish tour during 1998 set new records by selling out 35,000 tickets within four hours.

By Request era and hiatus (1999–2007)

In 1999, the singles "When the Going Gets Tough," "You Needed Me," and "Every Day I Love You" reached international acclaim. Their greatest hits album, By Request, became their best-selling release, moving over 4 million units globally. To promote the album, a tour was held from May through July across Ireland, the UK, and various European countries. In June of the same year, Stephen Gately openly acknowledged his homosexuality. Additionally, Ronan Keating initiated his solo career with his rendition of "When You Say Nothing at All", featured in the film Notting Hill.

By November 1999, after six years together and amid internal strains, Boyzone declared an indefinite break to focus on individual ventures. Their final shows before this pause were a series of nine concerts at Dublin’s Point Depot in January 2000. At that point, they had sold in excess of 20 million records, with all sixteen singles entering the UK top five—establishing them as the first Irish group to achieve four UK number-one singles.

Throughout the seven-year break, each member explored different solo paths: Keating sustained his influence as a songwriter and manager; Gately took roles in West End theatre productions; Duffy appeared in British television dramas such as Coronation Street. Early in 2007, rumors surfaced about reunion discussions involving all five members alongside manager Louis Walsh. On 5 November 2007, Keating confirmed Boyzone's return for BBC's Children in Need, where they performed a medley of their popular songs. By mid-November, a UK tour scheduled for May was announced, marking their first tour in seven years with Keating rejoining. The reunion was showcased on Children in Need on 16 November, with subsequent tour dates planned across Ireland and the UK for June 2008.

Back Again... No Matter What tour and Gately's passing (2008–2009)

The band sold an impressive 200,000 tickets within three hours for their 29-date Back Again... No Matter What tour, including 20,000 tickets sold on the opening day for their concert at Dublin’s RDS. Keating highlighted their dedication to the tour by emphasizing their physical readiness and thorough preparation. The itinerary included key cities across the UK and Ireland such as Cardiff, Newcastle, Liverpool, London (O2 Arena and Wembley), Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Sheffield, Nottingham, Edinburgh Castle, and Dublin’s RDS.

Commencing on 25 May 2008 at Belfast's Odyssey Arena, the tour wrapped up on 23 August 2008 at Carlisle Bitts Park. On 29 August, Boyzone performed alongside artists like Sandi Thom and Scouting For Girls during Blackpool Illuminations, receiving coverage from BBC Radio 2. Their single "Love You Anyway" premiered on The Box on 3 September and debuted at number five on the UK charts by 6 October—marking their seventeenth consecutive top-five hit. Their follow-up single in 2008, "Better," peaked at number twenty-two in the UK and also charted in Ireland and other European territories. On 28 August 2009, Boyzone appeared with Yvette Fielding on ITV2's Ghosthunting with....

In 2009, Boyzone embarked on the Better Tour—Stephen Gately’s final tour with the band. Tragically, on 10 October 2009, Gately passed away unexpectedly at his home in Majorca. The remaining members—Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham, Ronan Keating, and Shane Lynch—immediately traveled to Majorca; Louis Walsh was anticipated to join shortly thereafter. The post-mortem examination revealed that Gately died from pulmonary edema caused by an undiagnosed cardiac condition.

On 16 October, Gately’s body was returned to Dublin accompanied by Boyzone members for a funeral service held at St Laurence O'Toole Church. Fans shared condolences extensively through social media platforms. Manager Louis Walsh described the loss as profoundly heartbreaking and stressed the band’s commitment to supporting one another throughout this difficult time.

Brother and BZ20 (2010–2013)

Initially, the four remaining members of Boyzone intended to launch a new album in mid-2010 alongside a summer tour. However, the album was released earlier, in March 2010, serving as a tribute to the late Stephen Gately. It featured two new tracks recorded by Gately prior to his passing. One of these songs, penned by singer-songwriter Mika, showcased shared vocals between Mika and Ronan Keating. The lead single, "Gave It All Away", debuted on 1 March 2010, achieving sales exceeding 130,000 copies in the UK and charting in Australia and New Zealand. It reached number nine on the UK Singles Chart and topped the Irish Singles Chart at number one.

Released on 8 March 2010, Boyzone's fourth studio album, Brother, secured the number-one position in both Ireland and the UK for the fourth time. The album sold approximately 400,000 copies across the UK, 30,000 units in Ireland, and 7,000 in Germany, while also entering charts in various European countries as well as Australia and New Zealand’s top ten. By 2012, global sales had surpassed 600,000 copies. The follow-up single "Love Is a Hurricane", released on 17 May, peaked at number 44 in the UK and number 39 in Ireland with sales around 12,000 copies.

In mid-2010, Boyzone revealed plans for a UK and Ireland tour scheduled from February to March 2011, featuring 21 arena performances plus four outdoor concerts across the UK during August. The Brother Tour attracted an audience of approximately 160,000 fans and generated multi-million-pound revenue. Since 2011, backing vocalist Jo Garland has played a vital role in live shows by covering parts originally sung by Gately. A DVD capturing the tour at The O2 Arena was planned for release in December 2013.

In December 2010, Boyzone performed "No Matter What" alongside Kym Marsh on ITV's special Coronation Street: The Big 50, with Keith Duffy absent due to other commitments.

Shane Lynch later confirmed intentions for a new album and tour in 2013 to commemorate the band's 20th anniversary. Keith Duffy told The Sun that such projects were dependent on fan interest. Tickets for the anniversary tour BZ20 went on sale on 14 February 2013; this tour was also issued as a CD release that included the postponed DVD of their 2011 tour.

As part of their anniversary activities, Boyzone recorded a special programme titled "Boyzone - For One Night Only" which aired on Irish channel RTÉ One in August 2013. On 24 September that year, they performed "Love Will Save the Day" from their forthcoming album on The X Factor Australia. Their new studio album BZ20, released on 25 November 2013, sold around 200,000 copies in the UK and reached number six on UK charts and number seven in Ireland. The single "Love Will Save The Day" peaked at number 39 in the UK with sales close to 20,000 copies.

From Dublin to Detroit and Asian/UK festivals (2014–2017)

At the beginning of 2014, Boyzone’s compilation album Love Me for a Reason: The Collection appeared on charts in Ireland and Belgium. That same year, they extended their BZ20 Tour schedule. On 17 July 2014, they announced their sixth studio project titled From Dublin To Detroit, which consisted of twelve Motown cover songs. Keith Duffy described this release as revitalising the group by providing fresh material to perform live. Several tracks were previewed via Twitter ahead of the official launch. The standard edition contained eleven songs while a deluxe version included two additional tracks; the album sold approximately 90,000 copies within the UK. In 2015, Boyzone toured across Asia as well as England and Scotland with twelve concert dates.

During late summer of 2017, Boyzone embarked on a UK tour featuring four outdoor performances at venues including Chelmsford City Racecourse, Derby County Cricket Ground, Hastings Pier, and Windsor Racecourse to celebrate their twenty-fifth anniversary milestone.

Thank You & Goodnight and Anniversaries (2018–2023)

In December 2017, Boyzone revealed that their concluding album was set for a 2018 launch. By April of that year, the group had confirmed the album’s release would occur in September, accompanied by a UK arena tour. Earlier, in March 2017, Keith Duffy disclosed that Boyzone had partnered with Warner Music for both the album and touring activities. The record, named Thank You & Goodnight, was officially released on 16 November 2018 through Warner Music, reaching number 10 on the Irish charts and peaking at number 6 in the UK. Shane Lynch described its sound as reminiscent of American artist Charlie Puth, featuring songwriting input from Sam Smith and Ed Sheeran.

There was speculation about a reunion to mark their 30th anniversary in 2023, including plans for a fresh album and tour; however, Ronan Keating later dismissed these rumors, attributing the decision to the passing of Stephen Gately.

Discography

Tours

  • 1995: Said and Done Tour
  • 1997: A Different Beat Tour
  • 1998: Where We Belong Tour
  • 1999–2000: Greatest Hits Tour

Awards and nominations

|- | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="5"|1999 |Boyzone |BRIT Award – Best International Group | |- |"When the Going Gets Tough" |BRIT Award – Best International Single | |- |By Request |MTV Europe Music Award – Best Album | |- |Boyzone |MTV Europe Music Award – Best Pop | |- |Boyzone |MTV Europe Music Award – Best UK and Ireland Act | |- | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="3"|1998 |"No Matter What" |BRIT Award – Best International Single | |- |"No Matter What" |The Record of the Year – Best Single | |- |Boyzone |MTV Europe Music Award – Best Pop | |- | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="3"|1997 |Boyzone |BRIT Award – Best International Group | |- |Boyzone |Irish Music Awards – Best Group | |- |"Picture of You" |Ivor Novello Award – Best Contemporary Song | |- | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|1996 |Boyzone |BRIT Award – Best International Newcomer | |- |Boyzone |Metro Broadcast Corporation Hit Awards – Best Team Achievement | |- | style="text-align:center;" |1995 |Boyzone |'Smash Hits' poll – Best New Act winner | |}

External links

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