Westlife

Westlife are an Irish boy band established on 3 July 1998. They are to disband in 2012 after their farewell tour. The group's line-up was Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, Shane Filan, and Brian McFadden (left the band in 2004). The group is the only act in British and Irish history to have their first seven singles peak at number one. Westlife have sold over 44 million records worldwide which includes studio albums, singles, video release, and compilation albums. Despite the group's worldwide success, they only have one hit single in the United States, "Swear It Again", which peaked in 2000 on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 20. The band were originally signed by Simon Cowell and are managed by Louis Walsh. The group have accumulated 14 number-one singles in the United Kingdom, the third-highest in UK history, tying with Cliff Richard. The group had also broken a few records, including "Music artist with most consecutive number 1's in the UK", which consists of their first seven singles and only behind The Beatles and Elvis Presley. The Official Charts Company credited Westlife as the second biggest-selling artist and biggest-selling band of the decade. It is also noted that Westlife are the most successful boy band to originate from Ireland. With sales in excess of 44 million, 14 UK number ones and 25 top ten singles. They also certified that Westlife have sold 20.2 million records and videos in the UK across their 14-year career - 6.8 million singles, 11.9 million albums and 1.5 million videos.. The band have been in the music industry for 13 years since they signed up. With huge popularity on-hand, numerous reports had spread out that the band have broken up or taking a hiatus especially when they released a greatest hits compilation album in 2002, McFadden left the band in 2004, and in a year-off recording in 2008 where Egan has insisted that they are not splitting up for good, telling The Sun: "The minute people hear we're taking a break, they are going to say we are splitting up for good - which is not true. "Myself and Jodi (Albert) are going to go and do some travelling and I'm sure the other guys have plans as well. It will be the first time in years that there hasn't been a Westlife album vying for the Christmas number one, which will be a bit weird, but I think we have earned the time off. We love Westlife and people still want to hear us, so we are not going anywhere. Why would we give that up?".. In 15 June 2011, they cleared up the another hiatus report and Egan insists he and his bandmates have no plans to put the group on hold and they're working on new material and any quotes about us taking a break are simply not true." In August 2011, Byrne says that after their second greatest hits they might not come back with a new 2012 studio album because it might feel too soon. He added: "We are out of contract at the moment which is a great position to be in because if this album does well we're looking to the future, like a footballer you are free to talk to anybody.", "I would say we'd probably look at what's on the table and then maybe discuss with a few other people, labels and see what's there and move forward." In October 2011, a source told The Mirror, “The boys are pretty knackered, They’ve been constantly working for the past decade and just want time to enjoy what they’ve made for themselves before coming back with a brand-new album. They’re not splitting up – it’s a break. The plan is to come back with full force after that.”...
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