Deciding the spelling
of the name for the band formerly known as Six as one was a tricky issue. We never
really cleared it up. A few different spellings have been used and maybe the most
popular one is IOU. I have also seen dots included, both I.O.U. and I.O.YOU. A
lot of the earlier publicity material used the formulation I O YOU. I never liked
that one. When it came to working with the graphic designer who did the 'Together
Girl Forever' CD it because IOYou. IOYOU is my preferred spelling, and I have
used it throughout this book. [p.16] Shane is impressive. He has a measured
way of singing, almost too restrained, but it's obvious that he understands phrasing
and tone instinctively. Shane has a touch of Gary Barlow about him, the smoothie
out of Take That. This young guy thinks about every note, about his approach.
That is why he's so good at helping others. Shane thinks band. [p.22]
A soft boy, with baby red cheeks, Mark has a slight tendency to
put weight on, especially on his legs. Mark has an innocence to him and a different
way of talking out of the side of his mouth. He looks up at you and laughs shyly.
[p.22]
Mark is a challenge to record. His natural instict is to explore;
he travels the full dynamic range of his voice, from timid falsetto to a fortissimo
bellow. [p.23]
So don't ask Mark to sing the same part over and over in rehearsal.
He gets bored easily. But give him a soul or R&B tune and he id determined
to bring an imaginary crowd to their feer. So once you get a good sound off the
microphone for Mark, the rest is sheer excitement. What will he do next?
[p.24]
Seems you can't say the word 'me' in a boyband. It's 'Meh'- Kind
of black. 'I need someboddayheee to hold Meh'. [p.27]
In the end, the backing vocals on 'Together Girl Forever' are a
mix of all the boys singing, a double of Shane and Mark does the chorus and a
touch of James's and Daragh's vocals. So everyone got to be on the recording.
Probably if you listen to it up loud enough you hear the Lawnmower Man in there
too. [p.27]
Mark is a good singer, but he doesn't seem to have a great memory
for movement or harmonies. His attention appears to wander; he is off somewhere
else. [p.31]
Mary McDonagh has sold the yard at the side iof their house in High
Street and is spending the money on IOYOU. [p.32]
In rural Sligo, the pronounciation of the word bears a tinge of
the Gaelic original. Shly-Hoh. In the town they say Sligo (Sly-Go). Sligo town
is a funny old town. Sligo hides its face. It keeps hidden a passionate heart.
It has a population of maybe twenty thousand and a post-colonial air.
[p.39]
Served with a smile. Peter Filan, the chirpy man who runs the Carlton Cafe, has
an unusual claim to fame: He was the man who sold the very first burger in Connacht.
[p.52] He
was always the captain, the natural leader. Shane had the ability to make decisions.
He had a great vision and a good pair of hands. [p.53] Shane
met Michael Garrett in St.John's National School, when they were both eleven.
Michael was a lot taller. Michael carried a bit of weight at that time, and he
was surprisingly strong. Shane showed off a few kick-boxing poses - he had just
started classes. They might have wrestled a bit, though they didn't fight, maybe
Shane decided it was better to be friends with this big geezer. [p.53] Shane
dreamt of faraway places. He dreamed of fame. He practised his autograph when
he should have been studying. Sometimes you could talk to him and he would be
somewhere else. You would yell his name. No one home. Then he would say 'What?'.
It was one of his maddening traits. [p.54] Getting
presents to keep Shane or Michael happy for hours was a cinch. michael Jackson
videos. Shane watched and tried to copy the moves Jackson made. He pushed the
chairs in his living room back and did the moonwalk. [p.54] Mark
talking to Ciaran Carty: Ciaran
collected CDs. But Mark spent his time robbing Ciaran's Mariah Carey CDs. [p.59]
Kian Egan was a real tough guy. At that stage, bands didn't appeal to Kian at
all. He certainly had no interest in boybands. He was hanging around with a crowd
who would probably beat up a boyband if they meet them. [p.60] Mark
was drumming under the desk. Drumming under the desk could be annoying. Kian showed
him pretty quick who was boss. These roundy faced country fellows were good for
a bit of mockery; you could push them around and get a laugh. Mark accepted mistreatment
as stoically as a juggler accepts a wayward ball. As a cow accepts flies. [p.61] After
a while things changed. Kian started to listen to Mark. He was not sure how that
was going. Mark Feehily was a 'Boeuff' (not from the town) and he was fat (fat
in schoolboy terms mean just a tenny bit more rounded). He was pretty low down
on the ladder of people you need to listen to, but he talked. Kian decided he
liked Mark. Mark gave Kian ideas. Kian and Mark sat together for a spell after
that. It was a boost for mark's credibility in certain quarters. He got no more
hassle from a red haired boy who had been picking on him. Indeed Mark and kian
talked so much, Mr McGann had to split them up. They still sat together in art
classed tough. [p.61/62] Mary came
up with a bright idea to showcase the next generation of talent coming though.
She wrote a part specially for two young ones, Shane Filan and Olwen Morgan, to
do a duet. Shane had to say 'You dropped your books'. Olwen had to say 'I don't
have any books'. Then they did sing a song and dance routine. The song was 'We
go together'. [p.64, Anmerkung: 1.Schulaufführung zu Grease,
1992] Mark
Feehily's parents took him to the Hawkswell Theatre to see Grease. He loved the
Show and was particulary star-struck by the contribution of Shane Filan. He didn't
know Shane at the time. [p.69] Mark decided
to go for a part in the 'Annie get your gun' musical in school... Mark Feehily
was thrilled when his singing voice won him a place in the chorus. David McEvoy
saw Shane's 'We go together' cameo on 'Grease' and thought he did well. Shane
ended up getting offered the part of a girl, Jesse. Shane wasn't heard to complain;
at least he would be onstage, singing [p.69, Anmerkung: Schulaufführung
zu Anni get your gun, Frühling 1993] Mark Barr and Conow McSharry played
Oliver. Both Mary and Dave agreed early on that Shane Filan was a dead ringer
for the Artful Dodger. He didn't disappoint in rehearsals... Mark Feehily didn't
get a part in 'Oliver'. But he went to see it. There was Shane Filan again, in
a cloth cap, singing, cracking jokes, getting loads if laughs. [p.70,
Anmerkung: Schulaufführung zu Oliver, Winter 1993] In 1994
Summerhill didn't do a musical, but they held a talent competition. David McEvoy
announced the deadlines ans the rules. There was a solo/duo section. it turned
up some gas monologues and duologues. Mark went up and sang an Garth Brooks song,
strongly and well in tune. [p.70/71]
A Band called SCROD almost won. They blasted their way trough a couple of death
metal versions, including The Troggs' 'Wild Thing'. They came second and were
presented with a silvery trophy with an inscription. They split their 150 Pound
or so winnings between them. The teachers didn't know - only the band and a few
friends - that the name SCROD was acronym; each leter represented a word, the
first of which was Smelly; it was an exrated expression about the hygiene problems
of older ladies. The guitarist in the band with shoulder-length brown hair, deckes
out all in leather, was Kian Egan. [p.72] The lead
role of Danny went to a guy by the name of Adam Pierce. Cathy Burnside from the
Ursuline would be Sandy. Shane Filan was delighted to be cast in a supporting
role - that of Kenickie, the car-racong hardman, Danny's best buddy and mentor.
Shane Filan was partnered in the Show by Ursuline student Orla McSharry. The girl
acting as Frenchie, the beauty school dropout, was an old friend of Shane's, a
cute blonde with frizzy hair called Gillian Walsh. Shane knew Gillian from St.John's
primary school, and she was a cousin of Kian Egan's. Gillian probably would not
ahve minded Orla's part, opposite Shane... Mark Feehily played Vince Fontain,
the over-the-top DJ and competition jugde. And Michael Garrat got his first big
part, as T-Bird Roger. [p.74, Anmerkung: 2.Schulaufführung
zu Grease, 1995] Shane
Steven Filan - he is seventeen now - doesn't even have to contemplate sharing
his part with anyone anymore. He is an outstanding success as Danny. he has landed
the leading role in the show at last. Some of the other young guys envy him, even
look up to him. Shane can sing. He can act. He is just a natural. John Travolta,
eat your heart out. Shane is 'Shorty' no more. A sudden spurt of growth had brought
him past five foot seven, and he is still growing. Mark Feehily still looks up
to Shane Filan a little bit. [p.77, Anmerkung: 1.Theateraufführung
zu Grease, 1996] Michael
Garrat is Roger again. Michael has lost a lot of weight; he is looking lean and
mean. The tomboy of the group, Baby Blue Eyes himself, playing Kenicky this time,
is Kian Egan, who manages to generate onstage chemistry with both Rozzos. Kian/Kenicky
speaks in a hoarse-husky kind of voice. he galnces out to the sides and then ahead,
like a pro boxer might after arriving first at a weigh-in. [p.78] Graham
and Kian were in the queue when Mary McDinagh came out asking for the next lot
onstage. Right off she says to Graham, 'OK, Mister, you are on, up you get.' But
Graham explained he was just with this guy here beside him, to give him courage,
go give him moral support. Mary said 'Yeah, but can you dance?' Mary and kian
encourages graham to have a go. [p.79] 'We have
to put on Grease again, in the new year.' 'No problem' says Averyl. [p.82] Averyl
and Mary have done a few projects together before. For the hell of it to make
a few pounds. There was the Lip-Stuck idea. Lip Stuck! THE PROFESSIONAL KISSERS!
FOR HENS 'N' STAGS, BIRTHDAY GUYS AND DOLLS, RETIREMENTS, ENGAGEMENTS, BIRTHS,
MARRIAGES AND DIVORCES!! FEE: 70 POUND. Kian Egan has done a few stints as Kiss-o-gram.
[p.84] The
grease boyband's swashbuckling debut appearance brings the southern Hotel crowd
to their feet. The six likely lads strut the catwalk with abandon, giving heart
attacks to Marky and her colleague Steffen as well as to the girls in the audience...
The band has no name and just two songs to sing. Shane and Mark lead the vocals
on 'I'll never break your heart' and 'We've got it going on'. [p.91,
Anmerkung: Grease Boyband=IOYOU] Mark Feehily
should be collecting a Smash Hits Award for happiest vocalist. He has fullfilles
a life-long dream. He sang with a band in front of a crowd. And he has a whole
binch more gigs lined up. [p. 92] Six of the lads from the cast step
out of the eternal summer of '59 (Grease) and become teen idols of '96 (IOYOU).
"Ladeeees and gentlemen! Would you plase welcome - Live on stage - Sligo's
newest boyband - Six as One!!" The girls scream oblingingly. They go wild.
[p.94, Anmerkung: IOYOU haben in der Pause bei der 2.Theateraufführung
von Grease, 1997, gespielt. Shane hatte bei dieser Auffrührung auch wieder
die Hauptrolle des Danny] That name,
the band don't love it, it's just you have to have a name, and no one could think
of a good one. Shane has said one of the days, 'Listen, lads. look - for now -
we will just call it... anything... Six of us, Six... Six as one. OK? It's shite,
but we're bound to tink of a better one after the show. [p.95] Averyl
has run clean out of patience. She stand on the floor of Mary's living room, hands
on hips. She says Averyl
has organised a gig. Three gigs, actually, over two days. Sha has spoken to her
boss, Denis, at the Hawk's Well and struck the deal. Two eveing shows and a matinee
at five pm for the younger audience. IOYOU's debut performance will be on 29 and
30 August 1997. [p. 117] So in early august 1997, IOYOU and
their (growing) antourage crush into the small stidio of the local radio station.
North West Radio. NWR get a huge listenership for the local death notices... Tommy
Marren's live interview with the boys goes out first. All over the town, sisters
and friends, aunties and grannies are tuned in. Some are taping the proceedings.
Averyl has prepared the questions. She and Mary watch from the room outside through
the studio window. The boys are nervous but answer well. Then, accompanied by
Padraig on acusting guitar, they as one sing their their song out proudly. 'We'll
be together girl forever...' [p.125] The rehearsals
are over; the time of reckoning is near. The first gig. backstage everyone is
nervous. Mark has his Teddy and is introducing it to all and sundry. Kian,
can you run over your lines one more time? 'Pinball
Wizard' was Padraigs idea. When Padraig first brought the tape in of The Who,
the band wre not at all sure about the song. Mark
has still not learned the verse he was supposed to sing. But the gig is going
brilliant. The girls in the stalls call out the names of the band. They strech
out their handy and try to rach them. [p.137] Already
something has changed in te boys. These are no longer the boys we all know from
hanging around the studio. They have entered another world, dressed in their cool
suits from EJ's Menswear shop. To the fans, IOYOU are stars. [p.137] Miggles
is unhappy. He feels he has to bear the baton of the dummy mic for too long in
the set. Why does it have to be him? The managers are form. 'Look, it's a team
thing This is the way the cookie crumbles. Just go out and do your best.' Michael
is not pleased. But in the gig he responds magnificetly. Instead of sulking, he
puts all his energy into his singing and dancing, dud mic or not. [p.138,
Anmerkung: Miggles=Michael] When
Mary suggests doing a Grease set, everyone says, ahhh, yeah. - 'We have to do
it'. Shane
Filan will wake up tomorrow after IOYOU's Hawk's Well gig a little further downstream
from the pintsized prodigy who sang 'We go together' with Olwen Morgan. He will
enter his day not quite a man, but definately less of a boy. [p.141] There
is always some gossip with the boys. Such and such is shagging. Well, you know
what Mary saya about getting anyone pregnant. Get some young wan pregnant and
you are gone. Out that door. [p.149] Aidan
tells Padraig all about the young guy from strandhill who shot the video of 'Indian'.
He is very talented, he says. Ciaran Carty. Padraig brings up Ciaran at the next
management and band meeting. He is strongly pushing the idea of bringing in a
video guy. Michael Garrett is staying back
in Summerhill to repeat his leaving. Shane will be going to Limerick to college
next week, to study business management and accountancy. He has already been down
there, looking for a place to stay. [p.151] Padraig
is new to him, but of course, Ciaran already knows all about IOYOU and Mary McDonagh.
he has already shot for footage of the last Grease, on the Hi-8 camera he had
at that time. Michelle Feeney asked him to do it. Mary McDonagh did not know about
that video, even though she had produced the show. [p.152] Mark
has gotten lost in one of the dance routines. Mary wants to try that part one
more time. Kian Egan has a theory he wants to share with everyone. Everywhere
young girls are spelling out of cars, all denim and wool and synthetic fabrics.
Mobile phones, sidebags, purses, handbags, mini-backpags. Everyone carrying something.
They come in threes or fours. They talk and laugh on their waay into the foyer.
- IOYOU are playing tonight. [p.155] You
get into it. Part of being a boyband fan is learning to scream until the point
of crimson-faced apoplexy on sight of your favourite singer. And follow his every
move. Some just take it as fun, for others it feels like life and death... At
the end, you can help get an encore if you scream andstamp feet enough to persuade
them to come back and play another song. [p.156] Truth
be told, Kian is short on confidence about his singing voice. He get by on his
looks and bravado attitude, but if he thinks about what he is doing, while he
is singing, he goes out of tune. He feels there are critics down there, waiting
for him to go wrong. [p.158] IOYOU
have been to check out a rehearsal of Fusion. They are good friends with the girlss.
Most of the Fusion members are veterans of Mary McDonagh's classes, and all played
some part in the '96 Grease. Avril and Gillian were even in the '93 one... Gillian
had been in Anni, too, and Frenchie in both greases. He Ursuline/Summerhill Grease
and the Hawk's Well Grease. [p.160] Dancing
gave Fusion a great run in the All-Ireland Disco Dancing Championship in 1996.
They won the heats in St.Anne's in Sligo, then won the regional finals. They travelled
up to Maynooth for the national final, and won there too. They had PVC catsuits
made up specially by a dressmaker... PVC looked great and was easy to move in.
[p.160]
The four friends were serious about the dancing. They saw themselves as a dance
group. At the beginning singing was secondary for the Fusion girls... The girls
in Fusion have worked hard on their moves and all are strong, ambitious characters.
Yet Fusion have never once talked about looking for a manager or recording a demo.
They don't know any managers. They are only sixteen or seventeen. [p.160/161] The fellas
out of the boyband have always supported the girls in Fusion. Going to the compeitions,
to the heats and all, to cheer them on. [p.162] Fusion
is a four-piece. They are trying to get the attitude right - girl power attutude,
like the Spice Girls. Besides Avril O'Hanlon, there is Sabrina Kiernan, Helena
Heraghty and Gillian Walshj. Gillian is just great for instilling confidence in
the others. They might be a bit nervour, but she would say 'Let's get out there
and kick ass girls!' [p.162] Shane
seems to be doing allright in college in Limerick. Management/Accountancy is not
too bad, so far... Michael has kept his promise to keep Shane in touch with what
is going on in Sligo. He has been on the phone to him regulary, telling him about
rehersals, meetings, etc. Anyway, Shane is only there four days of the week; he
doesn't have classes of a Friday. Both boys are determined of one thing: Nothing
will get in the way of IOYOU. [p.162/163]
Averyl meets photographer Mike Bunn in the Tower Hotel in Sligo... Mike has a
lot of experience in the business of music and fashion. He has a sharp eye and
a soothing voice. Mike agrees to do a shot of the boys for the CD sleeve; he is
enthusiastic about the band idea; he will do a photo session for a special prize.
[p.166] After
the open-air gig in Quinnsworth car park, packs of fans linger outside Mary's
house for a glimpse of the boys. The gig has been a resounding success. [p.167] It
has been the biggest rush so far. How many were out there? 2000? It looked like
a helluva lot of people. [p.169] Kian
walking near, in the light, smiling, some bag or something in his hand. His head
bbs in and out frame. he has turned to face the light.
A week exactly after the Chamber of Commerce gig is the day of the photo shoot.
The Model Arts centre is an imposing and venerable stone building overlooking
the Mall from atop a sloping green. Averyl has succeeded in getting permission
to use it as a location. Streetwise will combine a shoot for a 'Together Girl
Forever' Video with the stills shoot by Mike Bunn. [p.171] During
a break, Shane, who is growing to love the camera, continues his video diary style
delivery. When
the boys pose together, Ciaran notices stuff. Derek is never to the front. Shane
always is. They seem to instictively take up formation, like a flight of geese
or fighter aircraft, everyone knowing his spot. The three in front are usually
Shane, Mark and Kian. Behind that sometimes nudging into front, is Graham or Miggles.
No one seems to notice it but Ciaran and he doesn't think long about it. [p.173] The name
on everyone's lips this festive season is IOYOU. The Sligo boys band are pleased
to announce the launch of their debut single next Saturday afternoon 13 December
(1997) at 3pm in The Record Room, Sligo where you will also be able to pick up
a copy of the boys' single. But be warned. Bring your own pen if you want the
boys to autograph them for you. [p.176] On
29 November (1997) the IOYOU boys join in singing carols around town for charity
organisation Concern. A photo of them singing with other volunteers is printed
on the front page of the Sligo Champion. [p.178] Mary McDinagh
doesn't have to travel far for the official launch of IOYOU's new single. The
Innisfree Hotel stands just across the road from her house. Gerry, the owner,
was delighted to oblige. The date is Firday, 5 December. The Record Room people
are in position early, with their boxes of CD's. So are a healthy crowd of fans,
queued up outside the nighclub doors. There is a small core of Loyal old fans,
who saw the first Hawk's Well gigs and maybe even Grease. The rest are newbies,
lower down the order, most of them only just heard of IOYOU last week.
[p.178] -
'Where do you see yourselves in a year's time?' Tonight
is the night Mark Feehily comes into his own. Onstage he is transformed. He sweats
and swaggers through all the songs with a new authority. He sings his mariah Carey
song 'Open arms'... Feehily is giving of himself; he sings for everyone. Mark
was born for this. [p.179]
Shane's mum brings home the IOYOU CD. She things Shane looks great on the front.
She orders a few extra copies. She always collects things about the band. She
has paid Ciaran Carty a few bob before and got copies of some video he shot of
him. [p.180] December
is the most hectic month yet. There are a whole series of appearances arranged
by Averyl. There is one in the Mercy Convent. A fair majority of the girls go
stone mad. IOYOU do a special appearance at Sligo Hospital to sing for the sick
children. John McMorrow, the local stringer, comes along with his camera and RTE
One make it an item on 'Newsround' after the evening news. It shows the boys singing
a capella just inside the hospital doors. And them doing Santa, giving presents
to the sick kiddies. [p.181] IOYOU
do a PR appearance at the record room on 6 December. They cause traffic chaos,
with all the screaming youngsters who show up. They do an interview later that
day with Robert Cullen of the Sligo Weekender. [p.183] St.Anne's
All Ireland winning disco dancing team is announced. Avril, Sabrina, Helena and
Gillian perform a couple of numbers under the name Confusion. The girls' first
Idea for their group name was Confusion and for a while this rather unfortunate
name and Fusion were used interchangeably. [p.183] Two
days later IOYOU do another PR appearance in Castlerea, County Roscommon, to promote
their gig in that town later in the month. They do the Strandhill Golf Club Christmas
Party and the Eircom Party in the Sligo Park Hotel. [p.183] The sound
Records lads report that 'Together Girl Forever' is selling pretty good in Sligo.
Most of the 1000 CD's habe been shifted. [P.185, Anmerkung:
In etwa 2 Wochen, haben sie die 1000 CD's verkauft!] In
the evening gig, as Kian does his tease - his reaching out and touching the hands
of fans routine while singing his big song - he is collared. A particularly determined
and powerfully built girl grabs Kian's shirt. He continues to sing on, manfully,
while trying to wrestle her off. But her friends have a grip on the shirt, too.
They drag him towards the edge of the stage. The shirt streches. Kian pulls in
the other direction. the shirt comes clean off, leaving a topless annd vexed Kian
Egan struggling to keep his balance and his place in the song. A huge cheer gows
up. Averyl rushes on with a short to cover Kian's shapely torso while the screams
go up a few decibels. [p.185/186] The Showgrounds
is the home of Sligo Rovers Football Club. Sligo are playing the other reds, current
league leaders Shelbourne FC. Saturday 17 January 1998. Commercial Manager and
goalkeeper Nicky Brujos welcomes Averyl Dooher and her boyband to his field of
dreams. IOYOU's half performance goes out live on RTE TV, a first from Rover's
ground. [p.187] The Band
and Ciaran sit in a car and look down the camera after the shoot is warpped up.
As they view the footage on the tiny camera viewfinder, the boys say to Ciaran. Averyl
had gone ahead and set up an appearance for the band on RTE Television, a programme
called 'TX Live'. [p.190] Oliver
Feehily is Mark's dad. He is a nice, round-faced man with a sincere voice... Mr
Feehily says he wants to start by thanking Averyl and Padraig and Mary for all
they have done for the band. [p.192] Mary
says, 'I have made that point all along. The schooling has to come first.' No one
will lip-read us too easy in Sligo. We are wide (awake). Top lip rigit - lips
close - the tongue explodes off the roof of the mouth.
Graham Keighron never gets in fights. The boyband people have a way of sweeping
in and sweeping out of places. They are very busy on their mobile phones. An entourage
swims behind them. And people check them out. '- Hey look, veronica! Dass yermaan
out of I_O_Yeaw! Sing us a song, willya love? [p.199] Louis
Walsh sits at his desk and turns the CD cover over in his hands. Three faces press
forward. Three crane from the background. What was the rule in the showband days?
Never stand at the edge of the band photo. You will be easily chopped out if they
ever have to downsize. Noce production. he gets so many of these damn things,
but this looks pretty cool. he sees the record company logo. Sound Records. [p.207]
Louis
Walsh has lives in Dublin most of his life. he is a wiry little guy in his forties.
He grins and giggles a lot, like a kid at the counter of a village shop, asking
for his third Choc Ice in succession. he blinks rapid fire. Lives in denim and
casual jackets. No tie. He is forever on his mobile phone. Louis is a businessman.
[p.208] Bands
were money-making machines, but like any machine they could give trouble. Louis
had learned a lot, including to make sure you didn't get a little bollox who was
unmanageable in the band. Check them out fairly thoroughly first the next time.
His favourite Boyzone is Ronan Keating. He likes Ronan, the guy's earnest innocence;
Maybe he reminds him of himself a long time ago. [p.216] Mae
had had lots to mull over since the contract arrives from Mary and the others.
Kian wanted to sign it and let Streetwise and Sound Records get on with releasing
the single nationwide. his family seemed willing to go along with that. The Feehilys
did too. Shane wasn't so sure. He had been listening; listening to his own and
Miggles' parents discussing the pros and cons. [p.216] Shane
is a bundle of nerves getting Louis' mobile number organised. He retreats to the
toilet in his sister's house for sanctuary; he wants to be alone to make the momentous
call. It rings a few times and then Louis answers. [p.217] When
Shane and kian arrive at the venue in Harcourt Street, Dublin, the bouncers don't
buy their story that they have an invite from the man himself. It's 10 Pound a
head into the POD. Shane tries ringing Louis' mobile again, but he's not answering.
Kian and Shane are there at the door ages, trying to convince this heavy guy,
when suddenly Louis pops his head out. -
'Mrs Filan, do thesguys have a deal with anyone?' - 'Listen Mae, i know you from way
back, and I won't lie to you: I am very busy, I'm up to hee, I can't take these
lads of yours on. But... look, send up a couple of them to Ronan, Ronan Keating's
twenty-first. Let them get to know some of the lads. Get to know the scene up
here.' Shane
starts to say how he and Kian had met Louis Walsh and how Louis will help find
them a manager. [p.220] Ronan
Keating and his new girlfriend Yvonne screech to a halt outside the Red Box on
a gleaming metal blast of a Harley Davidson. Ronan and Yvonne are in black leather;
Grease is the theme for the night; Ronan sports a quiff... It is the first time
the couple have gone public as an item. Model Yvonne and heartthrob Ronan. Ronan
Keating's twenty-first birthday bash is in full swing. [p.221]
They have to met louis Walsh: the manager and maker of Boyzone. God has spoken.
He has listened to their CD. He will help them get a top manager. Oh my
God, The backstreet boys! I hear nothing but Backstreet Boys from my fella. They
are his favourites. He would love to meet them, and to play on the same stage...
he won't believe this, that's it's even possible. They are all up to that gig,
you know. But don't you have to pay big money to do a support gig with a big name
band? [p.224]
We are leaving now for RDS, we do a bit of rehearsing, a bit of a soundcheck.
Then the gig. We're there, man. We're supporting the Backstreet Boys. We're there,
we made it. And we're all together, living in each other's pockets - we're a family,
maaan, and we love it!! [p.229] The Backstreetboys
are mad into being fit. They have a portable basketball court they take everywhere
n tour with them. IOYOU throw a few baskets with Nick and Brian. [p.229] Eight
thousand fans show up at the RDS for BSB. They are impatient to see their band.
IOYOU look down from perch high above the scene. [p.230] Michael
and Shane look out over the crowd. they look out over the bobbing sea of heads
and hands. Kian looks, too, at all the pretty girls, the eager faces. he is loving
it. After 'Pinball', the talky bit... Miggles does the most chatting, he is excited.
Only now it's not Averyls script... this is Michael Garrett talking! Louis
rings Ronan Keating raving about these guys from Sligo. Rinan can't make The Backstreet
Boys gigs. Louis
calls in Shane and Kian from IOYOU for a talk. -
'What's the story, Shane?' -
Derek you are not in the band.
In the end, the three of them start telling Derek - Graham, Shane and Michael.
They kind of blurt it out in Graham's living room. It makes no sense. So it is
Shane who has to do the actual talking. Shane tells derek the bad news. Feehily
is quiet. Derek looks stunned as he takes in the words. His jaw drops. You won't
be staying on in the band. He sort if smiles. Tears well in his eyes. Why had
they let him come all the way to Dublin? Why? Derek's
girlfriend breaks it off with him, just about the same day as the band is telling
him they don't need him anymore. Derek stays indoors for days. He can't bear to
see anyone. [p.239] -
'They are terrible. They are going to get nowhere.' The end
of March is showery. Mary and Averyl and padraig phone Ciaran Carty and meet him
in the Innisfree Hotel. they ask him to hand over the masters of the digital footage
of IOYOU. As far as they are concerned, they commissioned it. They own it. Ciaran
prevaricates. he has shot footage of these fellas before and since Marky and padraig
and Averyl were involves in their lives. There is prressure on him from all sides.
It's a tense meeting. Trust has broken down. [p.244] Ronan
Keatig tells them that high profile relationships, girlfriends, won't help the
image at the beginning. It won't say that in the contract... The 'no girlfriends'
thing will just be a gentlemens agreement. [p.245] Louis
chats to Shane and Kian on their own. Kian is becoming more... powerful. Louis
likes Kian. When Louis wants to tell the band stuff, he calls either Kian or Shane,
and they pass on the news to the others. There won't be an actual contract yet,
the managers have told them. Till we see how we all get on. [p.245] Shane
has just got a new short haircut. that particular session with the hiardresser
didn't please him too much, but - for the moment - he stuck with it. [p.246] Simon
Cowell folds those well-toned arms and waits for IOYOU to start. The boys are
nervous. Shane clikc his fingers and brings everyone in.The harmonies sound pretty
good, the deep-pile carpet means no echo, a pretty good sound. The band sang five
songs they prepared. Two are originals, 'Angels' - a song Graham has a
pig part in writing, the one Shane had been working on with Daragh and Padraig
- and 'Together Girl Forever'. The covers they have chosen are 'Quit playing games',
'As long as you loe me', and 'Just to be close', by the Backstreet Boys. [p.247]
The long-awaited call comes to Shane from louis. Another chat is convened. IOYOU
are off to London in the socond half of April to record their new demo with Steve
Mac and Wayne Hector. [p.251] ... Steve and Wayne's
two songs are calles 'verybody knows' and 'Good thing'. Shane, as usual, helps
the others, even going into the booth with Miggles, with a second set of crans,
to sing the line with him in support. [p.253] Louis
has been wanting to talk to them about Graham. he has concerns. Graham is very
skinny. his accent is too strong, Louis tells them. his look is wrong. Louis is
concerned that they really blow away this record company gy next time... They
tell louis that Graham is the rapper of the band. Louis shrugs. [p.254] Graham
Keighron is getting ready for the evening gig over at home, at his mum's. He looks
at himself in the mirror. Today is Saturday, 30 may. it's nearly two weeks since
his birthday. he was twenty-two on the nineteenth. Everyone made a fuss. Mark
Feehily's party was two days ago. Mark just turned eighteen. The end is near for
you in the band, mister, Graham says to the image of himself. The mirror Graham
doesn't think so. 'What would they do without me? i'm the...' IOYOU
walk on stage wearing white T-Shirts. All five sit on stools for the slow songs,
boyzone style. Most of the songs are slow. All hand movements. There is a full-on
lights show, lasers, the lot. The lads all look great. Michael Garrett is rockstar;
he is Michael jackson - really, the spit of him - the hair, the countenance; ghostly
pale, sinister-handsome. He doesn't overdo the energy tonight; he is more controlles,
more commanding on stage. He is learning to sing within himself, to keep it simple,
not to do someone else's parts. Shane is brilliant, as usual. [p.257/258] Louis
calls Graham's mobile. Shane,
you're getting a new haircut. You will be off to the stylist again. - 'What will life be like without
IOYOU?' But the band is missing its original
members, too. IOYU sans Derek Lacey and Graham Keighron doesn't sound like the
same group at all. A third of the personnel is gone, but a far bigger slice of
vocal strength. Althoigh they are game, they are triers, either Kian nor Michael
would claim to be as accurate or as strong vocally as either derek or Graham.
[p.262] The nineteenth of June. Summer has
landed at last, dusky and tar-spotted. It's like being at the saside, so much
bare flesh ans silly headgear on Grafton street. Down Harcourt Street, the audition
for the new band guy is gas. The ad in the paper was pretty vague: Young singers
wanted for major pop act. But the word is out that Louis Walsh will be there.
[p.267] A good few are OK. Two guys - they
are among the first to sing - are really good. One of them has a great voice on
him. he is dressed in boyband, in baggy trousers. his name is Bryan. Louis knows
Bryan already. Bryan was told by Louis about the audition after he phones trying
to interest the Boyzone manager in a band he played with. [p.268]
A guy calles Nicky is number eighteen.
he is wearing a sharp black suit. Although he comes in wrong on his song, Louis
likes his style. They stop the backing track and let him finish 'Father and son'
on his own. [p.268] The IOYOU's are conscious of giving
equal attention to both Dublin lads, to make both feel welcome. At the auditions
everyone in IOYOU had been in 'impress us' mode; Kian had asked questions, hard-faced.
'Do you have a girlfriend?' 'Are you prepared to make sacrifices?'... But it's
more personal now. [p.269] Michael has stories, too. School
stories, football stories. Love stories. Stories of all the famous places around
Sligo where everything began. Sligo is steeped in the history of IOYOU. [p.270]
The Dublin guys slag off Sligo gently,
the Sligo ones have a go at things about Dublin. They mitate each other's accents.
[p.270] The meeting was all a bit confusing.
Michael knew a meeting was called, but not what it was supposed to be about. Everyone
seems to be talking. Shane talks for a while, talks without looking at anybody
in particular, like a farmer talking to a pool of water. he goes on about Louis
wanting to keep BOTH the Dublin boys. Everyone had been chatting behind the scenes,
weighing up the pros and cons of Bryan and Nicky. No doubt about it, both the
Dublin guys are sound. The talk has been that Louis likes Nicky, for his look,
but Kian's favourite is Bryan, for his vocals. Michael looks Shane in the yes.
Wide-eyed. he doesn't want to show feelings. Please keep control, he tells himself.
The room has gone quiet. miggles thinks like a pilot; the cockpit has a few red
lights lit. He tries to problem solve, to correct the malfunction. He is in the
process of laughing off his absurd joke, but then Miggles feels his eyes filling.
he sorta checks Shane. Shane looks pale as death and close to tears himself, but
he is steady. Sorry Michael, Shaneis miming, sad but serious. His wide mouth doing
the fish. Michael studies those hazel-brown eyes closer than he has ever studies
them before. Shane and Michael's eyes settle together. The one delivering the
bad news always hopes that the person at the receiving end will SOMEHOW understand.
Michael knows that. But just now, Michael does not understand... He thinks of
lots of times. He thinks of his sisters. He looks just once at Graham. Then Miggles
gets angry. Angry words are exchanged. They have to go to the gym. They
have to do a lot of photo shoots. there are meetings. Mark is homesick; spending
time away from home seems to be tough on him. he is moody and says little. All
mark wants to do is sing. All this other stuff, all the bullshit, just irritates
him. [p.274]
On one island would be a jolly boyband entourage, with Graham Keighron still
in tow, keeping shielded whatever feelings were buried deep in his heart. Derek
Lacey might be in another corner with his buddies. And if Michael Garrett came
in, he would talk to mutual friends and blank out utterly anyone he didn't want
to see. And at this particular stage, neither Michael nor Derek are speaking
to their ex-colleagues in IOYOU. [p.275]
Michael never showed his hurt and talked to a very few about his feelings. To
have been replaced by the people whom you had auditioned was a partiularly cruel
blow. Louis and the others thought they were so smart. they didn't see the energy
and charisma and heart he brought to IOYOU. Oh, how dearly would he love to
prove them all wrong. [p.276]
Louis has given each member a nickname, each one is something Spice. Homesick
Spice is Mark. He's always homesick. Shane's nickname is Country Spice. Kian
is Blondie Spice. Bryan is Forgetful Spice. the names are to be secret from
the press, just a gag between themselves. [p.276]
A&R people - Artiste & Repertoire, the talent scouts - rom the major
labels have been flying into Dublin, to see IOYOU. Record company people have
been meeting the band and selling the charms of their particular company. Why
IOYOU would be better off signing with them. The lads all asked tough questions.
it was like the band was auditioning THEM! [p.276]
Epilog
The Garrett parents stopped thinking about IOYOU and boybands. It was painful
for Mrs Garrett even to think about it. It was nice when Derek started saying
hello to Michael and his mum again. It signified healing. [p.277]
Fusion won the All-Ireland dance championship again in 1998. After that there
wasn't much else to win. The band driftes apart. Sabrina still danced; she did
some teaching as well. So did Avril O'Hanlon. Helena and Gillian started on
different life paths, paths that took them far away from the footlights. Gillian
would wed Shane Filan in a glittery ceremony in December 2003. But the four
girls would never forget the funb they had in the summers of '97 and '98. The
years of dreams. [p.278]
Ciaran Carty and Streetwise ended up in court, on opposite sides, in a dispute
over ownership of the footage he had of IOYOU. The case was settled out if court
after three years, with all parties declaring themselves satisfied. (The terms
if the settlement were the subject of a confidentiality irder, but the now famous
tapes would eventually be put on the market.) Shane Filan gave evidence supporting
Ciaran's case. In his testimory, Shane insisted that Mary and Averyl and Padraig
ever managed IOYOU. No contract had ever been signed. But he acknowledged the
help they had given they boys starting out. [p.278]
Prior of this there had been scnt mention of Mary and the others in the official
history of Westlife, or in interviews given by them. Mary had effectively been
written out history. Searches for her name in any of the Westlife Websites will
yield only the legend 'No pages found that include all search words'.
[p.278]
IOYOU Signed to BMG after the Boyzone tour. Simon Cowell never notices that
Shane, the new blonde guy, was one and the same as Shane, The Reject from the
Westbury Showcase. The first deal was a four million sterling over five years.
IOYOU had to change their name. The record company wanted something less boybandish.
Louis came up with it. he was the name painted on the side of a skip: WESTSIDE.
After a lot of publicity was done, it came to light that several bands already
called themselves Westside. they had to go trawling for another band moniker.
Westface. Westward. Westfive. Weststyle? They were a Sligo band (with two Dublin
guys in it). Louis was determined. 'West' had to appear somewhere in the band's
new name. Thus in 1999 it became Westlife. Louis and Ronan presented them to
the world press that March. Their success is well documented. [p.279]
Young female fans travelled from all over the world on pilgrimages to Sligo,
to photograph the facade of the Cafe Carlton (and Morgan de Toi, after the change).
and the Hawk's Well and Kian Egan's old house. They bought copies of 'Together
Girl Forever' in the Record Room, then went over and asked Mrs Filan if maybe
Shane could autograph it for them. Shane always obliged. The Sligo Westlifers
spent time in Sligo any time they could. They talked to the local press regularly
ad were thrilled when the band was granted the freedom of the City in June 2000.
They returned a little heavier, a little browner, to play in Markieviecz Park,
the Gaelic Football pitch, in the summer of 2003. [p.279/280]
All the lads in Six as One, as they were, were talented young men before I met
them. Those band members that went on to fame in Westlife deserve their extraordinary
success. They are decent guys and I am proud to have worked with them. They
have brought a huge amount of positive attention to Sligo and made music to
entertain a vast international audience. [p.283]
I was deeply disappointed when the band jumped ship with Streetwise and went
off to be managed by Louis Walsh, after the amount of work that Mary and Averyl
and I did with them. But when i thought about it, it was obvious that Mae Filan's
decision to get in tough with Louis Walsh was a wise and pragmatic business
move... What would have happened if the boys had stayed with us? Who knows?
We probably would have had a good run. I knew they were going places the day
I laid my eyes on them. [p.283/284]
I grant though, that I did not invest as much, neither emotonally nor financially,
intoto the band as Mary McDonagh did. She had known them and nurtured their
ability since they were kids; the whole bands was centred in her house. there
is no doubt, that she deserves acknowledgement for her own vision and detemination
on 1996/1997. As does Averyl. Averyl Dooher did a lot of the invisible work.
[p.284]
I have done my best to achieve accurancy in telling the story of IOYOU. i am
sure there are omissions. Any corrections or additions to my account are welcome.
Please sent suggestions or additions to me
c/0 Brandon/Mount Eagle Publications
Coolen, Dingle
County Kerry, Ireland
If this volume makes it to a second edition I will andeavour to include them.
[p.284]
I often think of Graham and Derek and Michael. i really haven't a clue what
the experience actually felt like for them. No one does. I suspect different
for all three, for a start. But hard nonetheless. Perhaps they themselves can't
even tell what it was like. it may take more than words to convey how it felt
to have been offered so much at that age, and have it swept from under your
nose. or it would have to happen to yourself. i am proud to have worked with
them, too. I wish all three the best of luck, as I do the boys whose dreams
came true. [p.284]