The story of Westlife started in Sligo, north west of Ireland in 1996, when Kian Egan, Shane Filan and Mark Feehily all had roles in Grease. It was a success, and soon after that, the guys started planning to get a bit more serious about their singing. With a few friends, Michael Garrett, Derek Lacey and Graham Keighton they formed a band called Six As One. Later they changed name to I.O.You and released a single called "Together Girl Forever".
© 2001 Pami
Things started to go quite fast, and I.O.You got to support Backstreet Boys at their Dublin gig. Boyzone's manager Louis Walsh got interested in the band, and started managing it with a little help from Boyzone's Ronan Keating. There were a few changes in the line-up. Bryan McFadden and Nicky Byrne joined the band through an audition, and the band, now called Westside, was now a five-piece. Later they changed the name to Westlife to avoid confusion and mixups.
And the rest you'll find through the links on your right! : )