ronan-keating.com
November 2009 part 3
Memorial Concert for Stephen
Ronan and the rest of Boyzone joined Stephen’s family, friends and fans in London on Sunday night for a memorial concert in his honour.
The concert which was organised by Stephen's partner Andrew, took place at the Palace Theatre and was attended by some 1,000 friends, family and fans.
The evening was hosted by actor and entertainer Christopher Biggins and featured singers including Beverly Knight, Liz McClarnon, Lee Ryan and Chesney Hawkes, along with the cast of West End musical Joseph, in which Stephen starred.
30 november 2009
Ronan Keating leads musical tribute to Stephen Gately
Musical stars from stage and screen turned out for a West End tribute to late Boyzone singer Stephen Gately at the weekend.
The private evening of performances at London's Palace Theatre was attended by Stephen's best pals and bandmates, Ronan Keating and Keith Duffy (pictured), Shayne Lynch and Mikey Graham.
Stephen's partner Andrew Cowles and parents - who organised the event - were also in attendance.
Among the acts on stage was Chesney Hawkes singing his hit One and Only, Bobby Davro with a medley of Frank Sinatra and Beatles songs, and dancers performing the Riverdance.
Andrew - who was with Stephen in Majorca when he tragically passed away - made an emotional speech to end the concert.
"He said he hadn't realised he lost his soulmate until he was gone. He said Stephen... lit up the room whenever he was there," an audience member says.
"He made people laugh and cry and he cried a little towards the end."
From: Hello magazine
(Click on the link to see a Ronan & Keith photo)
30 november 2009
Stars out for Stephen Gately tribute concert
A star-studded tribute was paid to the late Boyzone singer Stephen Gately last night.
Showbiz friends joined his bandmates for a private evening of performances to celebrate his life.
Boyzone members Ronan Keating, Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham and Shane Lynch didn’t stop to speak to fans outside London’s Palace Theatre.
Gately, 33, died of natural causes after collapsing on the sofa of his holiday home in Majorca last month. Guests included Gately’s parents and his life partner Andrew Cowles.
From: Metro
(Click on the link to see a Ronan & Yvonne photo)
30 november 2009
Win a copy of Kate Ceberano’s Christmas album
MESSENGER Community News is giving away 25 copies of Kate Ceberano’s festive season CD, Merry Christmas.
Readers can enter by filling out the form below and answering the entry question. Please leave a daytime phone number and address.
The new collection features a duet with Ronan Keating on It’s Only Christmas, along with versions of White Christmas, I Saw Mummy Kissing Santa Claus, Jingle Bell Rock, Feliz Navidad and many other Yuletide favourites. This is Kate’s first ever collection of Christmas classics.
Each CD is worth $30.
From: Leader messenger
(Click on the link to join the competition, it is open for people in South Australia)
30 november 2009
Stars pay tribute to Stephen Gately
STARS turned out in their droves to pay tribute to STEPHEN GATELY at a concert in memory of the late BOYZONE singer last night.
His bandmates RONAN KEATING, MIKEY GRAHAM, KEITH DUFFY and SHANE LYNCH looked solemn as they arrived for the private evening of performances in London's Palace Theatre.
Among the celebrities on the red carpet were pop stars DUNCAN JAMES and LEE RYAN from BLUE, CHESNEY HAWKES, the actor LESLIE PHILLIPS, Strictly Come Dancing judge BRUNO TONIOLI and CHERIE BLAIR.
Gately's parents and partner ANDREW COWLES also attended.
The event was set to be compered by I'm A Celebrity star CHRISTOPHER BIGGINS with actor SIR IAN McKELLEN due to read poetry in tribute to the tragic singer.
Other performers paying tribute to Gately were singers LIZ McCLARNON and BEVERLEY KNIGHT while a string of stars including GRAHAM NORTON were scheduled to say few words in his memory.
The 33-year-old died of natural causes on October 10 at his holiday home on the island of Majorca.
From: The Sun
(Click on the link to see Ronan photos)
30 november 2009
London gig pays tribute to Boyzone's Gately
(AFP)
LONDON — Musicians, actors and other celebrities have paid tribute in London to Boyzone star Stephen Gately whose death last month at the age of 33 shocked the pop world.
As crowds of fans gathered in pouring rain outside a theatre in London's West End, stars filed inside for the private concert, including fellow Boyzone members Ronan Keating, Mikey Graham, Keith Duffy and Shane Lynch.
Gately's parents as well as former prime minister Tony Blair's wife Cherie attended the event, which was organised by the singer's partner Andrew Cowles.
Duncan James and Lee Ryan from boyband Blue also attended along with former Olympic champion ice skaters Christopher Dean and Jayne Torvill.
Pop singer Chesney Hawkes said he was in a daze after his friend's death.
"I am just still walking around in a daze really -- such a shock, so young, so vibrant, such a lovely guy. It's just so sad," Hawkes said.
The Boyzone members, who did not speak to waiting media, performed a musical tribute to Gately, while actor Ian McKellen read some poetry. Television presenter Graham Norton also attended the concert.
Gately was found dead in his holiday apartment in Majorca on October 10. A coroner ruled he died from natural causes due to excess fluid in his lungs.
Boyzone enjoyed huge success with six number one singles, but split up in 2000.
The Irish band reunited seven years later, but their recent 19-date Better tour failed to fill stadiums, despite offers of free tickets.
From: Google
29 november 2009
Stars pay tribute at Gately concert
Stars of stage and screen turned out tonight to pay tribute to Stephen Gately at a concert in memory of the late Boyzone singer.
As crowds of fans gathered in the pouring rain in London’s West End, a string of celebrities showed their support for the event.
The Irishman’s Boyzone band mates Ronan Keating, Mikey Graham, Keith Duffy and Shane Lynch looked solemn and did not stop to speak to waiting press as they went into the Palace Theatre in Shaftesbury Avenue for the private evening of performances.
Among the celebrities on the red carpet were pop stars Duncan James and Lee Ryan from Blue, Chesney Hawkes, the actor Leslie Phillips, Strictly Come Dancing judge Bruno Tonioli and even Cherie Blair.
Gately’s parents and partner Andrew Cowles also attended.
The 33-year-old died of natural causes due to a pulmonary oedema on October 10 at his holiday home on the island of Majorca.
From: IOL
29 november 2009
Stars expected at Gately tribute concert
A tribute concert to Stephen Gately will reportedly take place in London later today.
More than 1,000 friends and family members are expected to attend the Palace Theatre event, planned by the late Boyzone star's partner Andrew Cowles.
Christopher Biggins will host the private memorial, which will include readings, songs and tributes from celebrities such as Sir Ian McKellen, Beverley Knight, Liz McClarnon, Lee Ryan, Chesney Hawkes, Cherie Blair, Paul O'Grady, Matt Lucas, Graham Norton and Alan Carr.
A musical tribute from the remaining members of Boyzone - Ronan Keating, Mikey Graham, Keith Duffy and Shane Lynch - is also planned.
The Irish star, 33, died of natural causes on October 10 at his holiday home on the island of Majorca.
From: Digital Spy
29 november 2009
Ronan Keating tells me [..]
Ronan Keating tells me Stephen Gately will feature on three new tracks on the forthcoming Boyzone album. Ronan, whose solo album Winter Songs is out now, says: "Steo's on three tracks. And his vocals are his best ever work. We've started cracking on with the next album as a band but it still feels raw. I can't imagine being able to perform or tour with Boyzone again - but time will hopefully be a healer." Chin up, Ro.
From: The Mirror
29 november 2009
Concert in memory of singer Gately
(UKPA)
A string of celebrities are set to celebrate the life of Stephen Gately at a memorial concert.
Friends and family of the Boyzone singer will join fans and stars of the showbusiness world at the Palace Theatre in Shaftesbury Avenue, central London.
Gately died of natural causes due to a pulmonary oedema on October 10 at his holiday home on the island of Majorca.
From: google
29 november 2009
Memorial Gig In Honour Of Boyzone's Gately
Family, friends and fans of the late Boyzone star Stephen Gately will gather in London tonight for a memorial concert in his honour.
Gately, 33, was found dead at his holiday villa in Majorca in October. A post-mortem found he died from natural causes.
Tonight's memorial concert has been organised by the singer's civil partner Andrew Cowles.
The four remaining members of Boyzone will attend the event at a theatre on London's Shaftesbury Avenue.
Some 1,400 tickets have been made available to friends and fans.
Ronan Keating, who sang In This Life at his friend's funeral service in Dublin, is also expected to sing at the memorial concert.
"Stephen lived for music and performance and the show this evening will reflect that," a source told Sky News Online.
Gately was just pages away from completing his debut novel, The Tree Of Seasons, when he died.
His bandmates have vowed to finish the children's fantasy tale in his memory.
Gately had already started work on Boyzone's next studio album and his vocals will feature on the finished disc, which is due for release next year.
From: sky news
29 november 2009
Ronan cover is new on number 32.
Jeroen van der Boon has choose the Ronan Keating cover "weer geloven" (believe again) as new single.
There is no Videoclip yet, but he is already new in the single top 100 on place 32.
Translated by Cindy
(To read the whole article in Dutch click on the link)
From: NLpop blog
28 november 2009
Boyzone's Ronan Keating teaming up with Christine Bleakley for BBC show My Story
Boyzone's Ronan Keating is teaming up with Christine Bleakley for a new BBC show which turns viewers' stories into published books.
My Story is a five-part prime-time BBC1 series for early next year, featuring 15 true stories from members of the public. The five best will be published by Harper Collins.
Ronan and Christine will present one episode each with three more celebrity hosts to be confirmed.
If you think you've got an interesting story visit www.bbc.co.uk/mystory before December 16. Get scribbling!
From: The Mirror
27 november 2009
Keating, Bleakley for BBC One's 'My Story'
Ronan Keating, Christine Bleakley and George Alagiah have signed up to host a new BBC series called My Story.
The show, which launches off the back of the BBC's poetry season, will arrive in the form of five episodes which will broadcast in 2010.
Each episode will feature three people's true life stories, which will then be judged by a literacy panel. Five successful contributors will then go on to have their books published by HarperCollins.
Keating said of the series: "Writing my autobiography made me realise how much had happened in my life and that we all have story to tell.
"That's why I'm excited to be involved with My Story. I'm sure we're going to find some amazing true life stories. I'm looking forward to meeting the people behind the stories."
Keating, Bleakley and Alagiah will each present a show, with two other presenters to be announced shortly.
From: digital spy
(Click on the link to see a Ronan photo)
25 november 2009
Westenra, Keating pool talent
Forget Bennifer and Brangelina, HayRon is here.
Hayley Westenra and Ronan Keating are getting together for Christmas.
The pair have teamed up for a duet, It's Only Christmas, on Westenra's recently released album, Christmas Magic.
Or, as Westenra wrote on Twitter: "The album includes a duet with the fantastic Ronan Keating ... It's a cracker of a song :) Check it ouuuut xx."
It's Only Christmas is also on Keating's new album, Stay, which is billed as a mix of traditional and modern festive classics.
Westenra's Christmas Magic album includes three tracks she wrote – Peace Shall Come, All With You and Christmas Morning, alongside familiar carols such as Silent Night.
Keating was last in New Zealand to perform as part of the final of Dancing With The Stars and will return in February to perform at wineries in Waipara, Napier and Auckland.
From: Stuff
25 november 2009
Ronan to front BBC's "My Story"
Boyzone singer Ronan Keating, "The One Show" presenter Christine Bleakley and BBC News reader George Alagiah have been revealed as three of the five presenters for the BBC's "My Story" true life competition.
Each presenter will front one episode of the five-week show, with two more to be confirmed. Fifteen entrants' true life stories will feature in the series, to be judged by a literary panel. Five will have their stories, written with the aid of a ghost-writer, published by HarperCollins imprint HarperTrue.
The BBC1 show begins in early 2010, with entrants submitted via the My Story website or by post. The deadline for applicants is 16th December.
The move follows a rush of celebrities fronting literary contests including singer Will Young judging the BBC's National Short Story Award and comedian Bill Bailey judging the Roald Dahl Funny Prize. Actress and author of That's Another Story Julie Walters also launched Orion/ITV1's The People's Author competition, which announced its winner on Monday.
From: The bookseller
(click on the link to see a Ronan photo)
25 november 2009
Ronan Keating opens up on Gately's death
A few months ago things were looking brighter than usual for Ronan Keating.
The Irish singer had a new solo album out and his old band Boyzone had reunited.
They had been back in the recording studio just a few weeks when band mate Stephen Gately died so suddenly, and the joy of reuniting turned to grief and reflection.
Then, straight after the funeral Ronan Keating was off on a world tour.
Inevitably, everywhere he's been people want to know how is he coping? Steve Marshall caught up with Ronan Keating in Sydney.
From: TVNZ
(click on the link to watch the Ronan video)
25 november 2009
Kate Ceberano gets ready for a very Merry Christmas
Part about Ronan:
To add even more to this already incredibly strong Christmas album, Kate will be recording a stunning Duet with none other than, Multi Platinum, #1 selling UK Superstar, Ronan Keating!
Kate & Ronan will both be in market later this year to promote this Recording.
From: Kate Ceberano
(To read the whole article click on the link)
24 november 2009
Ronan Keating And Hayley Westenra Get Together For Christmas!
The duet 'Its Only Christmas' hits NZ radio this week! It's been a big year for Ronan Keating. He ran the London Marathon, climbed Mt Kilimanjaro, performed on the final of New Zealand's Dancing With The Stars, and he recently announced his 2010 New Zealand tour. Now Ronan is really making his mark on Aotearoa as he teams up with our very own Hayley Westenra for an unforgettable Christmas duet!
The duet, 'It's Only Christmas', is one of two brand new songs featuring on Ronan's latest release STAY, which is a mix of traditional and modern festive classics from artists such as Simon & Garfunkel, Joni Mitchell and Grammy Award winning Sugarland. Along with these Ronan has also included the poignant Christmas hymn 'Silent Night' and the beautiful 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas'
'It's Only Christmas' will also feature on a new album from Hayley. Released just in time for the festive season comes CHRISTMAS MAGIC, a very special album that combines some of the best loved and most familiar seasonal carols such as 'Silent Night' and 'Coventry Carol' with popular Christmas songs 'Little Drummer Boy' and 'Sleigh Ride', as well as tracks Hayley has written herself - 'Peace Shall Come', 'All With You' and 'Christmas Morning'.
RONAN KEATING - STAY HAYLEY WESTENRA - CHRISTMAS MAGIC BOTH AVAILABLE NOW!
See Ronan Keating live in 2010 FRI FEBRUARY 5TH | MUDHOUSE WINERY + CAF | WAIPARA SAT FEBRUARY 6TH | CHURCH ROAD WINERY | NAPIER SUN FEBRUARY 7TH | VILLA MARIA ESTATE WINERY | AUCKLAND www.ticketmaster.co.nz
From: Voxy
24 november 2009
Latest news from Ronan's official site:
Emerald and Ivy Ball 2009
Ronan hosted his 4th Emerald's and Ivy fundraising Ball in London for the Marie Keating Foundation in Association with Cancer Research UK on Saturday night.
The star studded event was attended by Shane from Westlife, Gary Barlow, Alan Shearer, Natasha Kaplinsky, Scott Mills, Jennifer Ellison, Jodie Kidd, Shay Given, Hayley Westenra, Matt Dawson and of course Keith, Shane and Mikey.
The evenings entertainment included live performances from Diversity, Escala and Ronan himself who took to the stage with Hayley Westenra and Gary Barlow. Guests then danced the night away to Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills.
The ball raised over a staggering £640,000 for Cancer Research UK beating last years total."I just can't believe it, said Ronan at the end of night "once again we have beaten last years total and raised so much money for such an important cause. Its simply amazing."
23 november 2009
RONAN KEATING - BOYZONE JOINED ON-STAGE BY GATELY'S WIDOWER
BOYZONE JOINED ON-STAGE BY GATELY'S WIDOWERRONAN KEATING completed the BOYZONE line-up at a charity ball on Saturday (21Nov09) by inviting late bandmate STEPHEN GATELY's husband on-stage.
The Irish boyband - including Keating, Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham and Shane Lynch - attended the Emerald and Ivy Ball in London and they were joined by grieving widower Andrew Cowles to pay tribute to Gately.
Keating - who founded the event to raise funds for a cancer charity - told the crowd the band felt whole again when they had Cowles on-stage with them.
He said, "With you being here tonight, the four of us, Boyzone, feel like five."
Gately died at their Spanish home in October (09). A post-mortem examination ruled the No Matter What star suffered from a build-up of fluid on his lungs
From: Contactmusic
(Click on the link to see Ronan photos)
23 november 2009
Gately's 'best vocals' on album
(UKPA)
Stephen Gately's vocals on the new Boyzone album are the best the late singer ever performed, Ronan Keating has said.
Ronan confirmed the album, out on March 8, would include three tracks with Stephen's voice.
"Stephen is on three of the songs which we'd already recorded - it's a wonderful record, it's the best I've ever heard him sing," said Ronan at his Emerald And Ivy charity ball.
From: Google
23 november 2009
Stephen Gately’s husband Andrew Cowles joined Boyzone on stage at the weekend.
The group – consisting of Ronan Keating, Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham and Shane Lynch - performed at Ronan’s Emerald and Ivy Ball in Battersea, south London, on Saturday night where Stephen’s grieving husband took to the stage to pay tribute to the late pop star.
Ronan told him: “With you being here tonight, the four of us, Boyzone, feel like five.”
Also during the evening Ronan performed alongside Take That star Gary Barlow.
The pair sang a rendition of ‘Back For Good’ - which Take That topped the UK charts with in 1995 – to the cheering audience.
The bash is an annual event in aid of the Marie Keating Foundation which Ronan and his family set up when his mother Marie died of breast cancer in 1998.
It raised £650,000 for charity Cancer Research UK.
Stephen died aged 33 from an acute pulmonary oedema, a build-up of fluid in the lungs, while on holiday with Andy at their villa in Majorca on October 10.
Since his shock passing, his bandmates have regularly spoken out about their devastation at losing their long-time friend.
Ronan recently admitted: “I just feel worn out. I haven't been sleeping. My brain doesn't work. My heart's broken. You just feel crushed. I've had good days and bad days.
"The bad days are horrible, it's like the walls are coming in on top of you. Anxiety I think is what they call it.
"We've all been feeling the same way since Stephen passed. Mentally I'm absolutely exhausted.”
From: Iol
23 november 2009
Gary's Boyz night out
Take That's Gary Barlow has crossed the great boyband divide - by teaming up to duet with Boyzone's Ronan Keating.
The pair belted out Take That's Back For Good at Ronan's Emerald and Ivy Ball in Battersea, South London, on Saturday. The starry bash raised £650,000 for Cancer Research UK.
But it was a night of tears as well as joy - especially when Ronan paid tribute to the late Stephen Gately.
And when "Steo's" partner Andrew Cowles got up on stage to join Boyzone, Ronan told him: "With you being here tonight, the four of us, Boyzone, feel like five."
From: Mirror
23 november 2009
Ronan and Robbie are Magic
Magic 105.4 has secured a host of popular singers and celebs during the run up to Christmas to host guest programmes.
Ronan Keating started off with a special two hour programme yesterday afternoon, whilst Robbie Williams takes over on December 13th.
From: Radiotoday
23 november 2009
Photos of Emerald & Ivy ball
Click on the links to go to the pages with photos:
Getty images
Rexfeatures
WENN
wire Image 1
Wire image 2
APA picture desk
Zimbio
Belga picture
Life
22 november 2009
Mums-to-be Jennifer Ellison and Natasha Kaplinsky glow in white at charity auction
Part about Ronan in the article:
The two mums-to-be were joined by a host of celebrities to support Ronan Keating who held the annual fundraiser in association with the Marie Keating Foundation.
The charity, which he set up in memory of his mother who died from breast cancer 11 years ago, hopes to raise money for mobile cancer awareness units that tour the UK.
The Boyzone star was in attendance and posed for the cameras with his three remaining bad mates in their first public outing since Stephen Gately's funeral.
The boy band stars were last photographed together in Ireland after flying with Stephen's body from Majorca after he died from pulmonary oedema, an accumulation of fluid in the lungs.
The band have all spoken of their devastation at losing their 'brother' at such a young age.
Keating was supported by model and Strictly star Jodie Kidd who added some glamour to the event with a one-shouldered aquamarine floor-length dress.
From: Daily Mail
(To see a Ronan photo and to read the whole article click on the link)
20 november 2009
From Ronan's official twitter page:
Just did Children in Need in belfast. Great crowd. R
20 november 2009
From Ronan's official twitter page:
In belfast. Doing children in need this evening. All going fine. What about that irish france football match. Didn't know henry played GAA
20 november 2009
From Ronan's official site:
TV Galore!
Don't forget to watch Ronan on Children in Need on Friday and he'll also be appearing on The Alan Titchmarsh this afternoon (19th November).
19 november 2009
From Ronan's official site:
Emerald & Ivy Ball 2009 Announcement!
BRITAIN’S Got Talent winners Diversity are the first act to be announced to perform at Ronan Keating’s fourth annual Emerald’s & Ivy Ball, in aid of Cancer Research UK.
The eleven-strong dance troupe from Essex will perform in front of a star-studded audience at the event, which takes place at Battersea Evolution on Saturday 21st November, to help Cancer Research UK beat cancer.
Last year’s event was attended by a host of stars from the world of entertainment, sport and fashion, including Westlife, Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster Stewart, Sir Steven Redgrave and Henry Holland, along with Strictly Come Dancing favourites Matthew Cutler, Lilia Kopylova and Darren Bennett.
This year's guests will be welcomed onto a green carpet which offers a path into a stunning Secret Garden themed venue for an evening of visual and musical delights. In addition to Diversity, Ronan will also take to the stage performing a selection of songs from his new album, Songs for my Mother, which will be especially poignant as his mother Marie died from breast cancer and is his inspiration for the event. The evening will finish on a high as guests are treated to a set by Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills. Additional performances will be announced soon.
Magic FM’s Neil Fox returns to host the exclusive live auction, offering a range of unique lots to the highest bidder. Items up for auction include a striking creation by one of the fashion pack’s favourite milliners, Stephen Jones,, an exclusive ‘Catch & Cook’ fishing day with celeb chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, plus the chance to bid for a VIP London Fashion Week experience at the prestigious May Fair Hotel. Guests will also be treated to a goody bag that includes gorgeous products from Elemis and more!
Ronan Keating said: “Emerald’s & Ivy is a fantastic event raising money for a really important cause†which†affects†so†many†people†today.†That’s why we’re back again with a bigger and better event and aiming to beat last year’s fundraising record.† It’s great to have Diversity on board – it’s going to be really special to see them performing live, and I hope the evening will inspire people to dig deep to help Cancer Research UK continue its amazing work.”
To date the event, in association with the Marie Keating Foundation, has raised over £1.6 million in funding towards Cancer Research UK’s two mobile cancer awareness units. The units tour the UK bringing information and highly trained nurses into communities, helping to promote prevention and early diagnosis as important ways to beat cancer. Since they were launched in 2006, over 80,000 people have stepped on board the units to find out more about how to reduce their risk of developing cancer and how to spot early signs of the disease.
18 november 2009
Ronan Keating: my grief for Stephen
In his first newspaper interview since the death last month of his bandmate Stephen Gately, Boyzone's lead singer talks about the shock of hearing the news, the day of the funeral – and that notorious Daily Mail column
It is the little things that upset Ronan Keating the most. It has been just over a month since his bandmate and best friend, Stephen Gately, was found dead at the age of 33 in his Mallorca holiday villa, and still it feels as though the magnitude of his loss exists on a scale too incomprehensible for Keating to cope with in its entirety.
Each time he watches a trailer for the new Disney film, for instance, it reminds him how much Stephen was looking forward to it, how they had talked only a few weeks ago about going to a screening together. And each time he sends a text message to the other three remaining members of Boyzone, he sees Stephen's name because he cannot bring himself to erase the number from his phone. When he finds something funny, he feels acutely the lack of Stephen's laughter in the room. "I'd belly-laugh all day with Steo," he says, in his first newspaper interview since Gately's death. "Just these random, silly jokes that he and I would get and no one else would find funny."
In the weeks before Gately died both of them had been reading Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol, and it bothers Keating that his friend never got to the last page. "He didn't get to finish the book. He had 100 pages left. I got quite emotional when I finished the book because I thought…" He lets the sentence hang and looks out of the window at the murky drizzle of a dank November evening. He takes a tight breath and crosses his arms over his chest, sitting tense and compact, unable to let himself relax. "Little things," he says, turning back to look at me, his mouth set in a crinkled line. "It's funny how these things affect you."
Keating is 32 but his face has the dulled, weatherbeaten look of a much older man. Faint lines radiate from the corner of each eye like bicycle spokes. His lids look weighed down by tiredness. Every time he tries to smile, it seems an act of willpower; an effort to be polite. He has grown a beard in recent months, as if to disguise the boyishness of his face, deliberately roughening up the blond hair and blue eyes that always made him seem so young in publicity photographs and album covers. "I just feel worn out," he says. "I haven't slept. My brain doesn't work. My heart's broken. You just feel crushed. I've had good days and bad days."
What are the bad days like? "Horrible, you can't breathe, you feel like your chest is collapsing, the walls are coming in on top of you. Anxiety I think is what they call it." He gives a short, bitter laugh. "I haven't been sleeping at all lately. It's been horrible. We've all been feeling the same way since Stephen passed. Mentally I'm absolutely exhausted."
It is not, despite his relative youth, Keating's first experience of death: he lost his mother Marie to breast cancer 11 years ago but not even that seismic grief could prepare him for what happened last month. "I've never before thought about going to get help with counsellors. For the first time ever I think I should. When I lost my mum it was the hardest thing at the time I'd ever known in my life but because she was sick for two years and we were told three months before she died that she had three months [left], subconsciously you build a wall, your defence mechanism goes up and you prepare yourself for that. Whereas with Steo, there was nothing, just this wall of devastation, shock. I don't think it has hit any of us properly. There's times when you feel like you can't breathe, you know, when you're panicking and I'm not like that. I've always been on a level."
Nonetheless, he has forced himself back to work and has just flown into London from Australia where he was promoting his new album, Winter Songs, and where his solo tour kicks off in January. This morning Keating performed one of the tracks on breakfast television. We meet in a plush Mayfair hotel suite in the early evening, by which time he is sipping a cup of Starbuck's coffee, struggling to keep his eyes open but still unfailingly polite and professional.
Was he ever tempted not to return to work so quickly, to retreat for a while and be with his family – his wife, Yvonne, a former model, and their three children, Jack, 10, Missy, eight and Ali, four? "Yeah," he says with disarming frankness. "But I guess I'm not one for running away. I did a bit of running away when my mam passed away. I didn't go back to work, I started drinking quite a lot and I know how damaging that can be."
Was he worried about something like that happening again? "Yeah. I wasn't going to let that overpower me. I wasn't going to let anything control me. I was going to control it – I'm talking about drink. I'm all right so far. As I say, I'm worn out, exhausted, but that's just from emotions, from travelling, just dealing with it all."
Through the course of our hour-long conversation, Keating talks and talks, the words slipping over each other like a lapping tide. Every time the subject veers away from Gately he brings it back, without quite realising he is doing so. It must be strange, I say, having to answer such intimate questions from a journalist he has only just met. "No," he says, "it's kind of like therapy almost, talking about it."
Maybe it is simply that he is used to living out his life in the public gaze. Keating was just 16 when he joined Boyzone after turning up to open auditions in his home city of Dublin. He and his fellow band members – Gately, Shane Lynch, Mikey Graham and Keith Duffy – spent 10 months travelling around Ireland in a van, playing gigs in pubs where "the guys wanted to beat the crap out of us, the girls wanted to get up and hug us… sometimes you'd get paid, sometimes you wouldn't."
Polygram signed them in 1994 and in the same year their cover version of the Osmonds's Love Me For A Reason reached No2 in the charts. Gately, who had always been open about his homosexuality in private, came out publicly in 1999. "It was the bravest thing I've ever seen anyone do," says Keating. "He thought the fans would turn their back on him and the band, so you can imagine the pressure." As it happened, the group's popularity was undented: they went on to sell over 20m records.
The band split in 2000 and for seven years the five of them drifted apart to pursue their own interests: Gately appeared in several West End musicals while Keating launched a successful solo career – he merits a mention in the Guinness Book of Records for being the only artist ever to have 30 consecutive top 10 singles in the UK chart.
Boyzone reformed two years ago and were working on a new album when Gately went on holiday to Mallorca with his civil partner, Andrew Cowles, at the beginning of October. "I've still got the last text he sent me on that Friday night," says Keating, reciting it from memory: "'Got the new songs. Love them pal. Really excited about the new album. Love you straw balls' – that's what he called me. And I sent him back a stupid text and then he went out that night and then he was gone."
Gately and Cowles arrived back at their villa in the small hours of Saturday morning. A Bulgarian man, Georgi Dochev, whom the couple had met at a nightclub earlier that evening, returned with them. At around 1pm the next day Dochev discovered Gately's body on the living room sofa, curled up in a foetal position. At first he presumed Gately was asleep but failed to rouse him. Then he noticed that Gately's face was blue and liquid was coming out of his mouth. A post-mortem would later find that Gately had suffered a pulmonary oedema – an accumulation of fluid on the lungs.
Keating was in Chicago when he got the call. He was due to run the Chicago marathon for charity the following day and was in a restaurant, having dinner with his sister, when his mobile rang. "I bawled my eyes out. Screamed down the phone: 'What are you saying?' I couldn't take it in. When the guy on the phone said 'Stephen passed away' I said 'Stephen who?' because I thought he was talking about someone else. I just didn't think it would be Steo. I'll never fucking forget it. I ran out of the restaurant, my sister ran after me with my coat [saying] 'What's wrong, what's wrong?' I told her. And then I had to call the three guys. Bloody hell, what a call. Horrendous. The most horrendous hour of my life. Horrific."
He wells up but then stops himself. The absence of crying is somehow more upsetting to witness, as if his emotions have been deliberately calcified so that he can get on with existing rather than being overcome by the constant thought of what he has lost.
Keating's way of coping in the immediate aftermath was to throw himself into the organisation of the funeral back in Dublin. Going to the undertakers to pick a casket was: "the hardest thing I've ever had to do. I'll never forget it. My legs were weak, collapsing, I had to grab the wall as I went into the room. It was like a showroom with coffins in it, you know? I mean, you pick a coffin, for fuck's sake! I couldn't make head nor tail of it. My legs went from under me and I was just weak."
As a lifelong Catholic, has his faith been shaken by Gately's premature death? "I've had some funny nights recently," Keating admits. "But when I saw Steo's remains I felt that the spirit had definitely left him because my friend was no longer there.
"I've had moments where I've questioned. I didn't understand. I don't understand. I'm angry. I'm upset. My friend's gone." Later he adds: "Stephen's with me, he's protecting us, I speak to him before I sing, before I go on stage. He's with me. I'm a believer. It's just hard, that's all. It's hard to come to terms with."
Thousands of mourners lined the streets for the funeral, held in the North Strand area of Dublin where Gately's parents still live. Several high-profile names attended, including the Boyzone manager Louis Walsh and the former taoiseach Bertie Ahern, and occasionally it seemed as though the crowds could not decide whether it was primarily a memorial service or a celebrity event. When Keating got out of the car outside the funeral home, several bystanders started to clap. "None of us knew how to react to that. We didn't know what to do. I just looked at a spot on the ground and kept walking because I couldn't fathom it. I mean, I couldn't look up and wave and say 'thanks', like I was going to a premiere or something. It just doesn't sound right and I hope it didn't seem rude to anybody but we all felt the same. We all just didn't know what to do. We looked at the ground and walked in. It was overwhelming.
"When times are at their worst, it's amazing what people will do for you. I've seen, this last couple of weeks, the genuine support from the public – it has been incredible – and from the media, bar one. It's been amazing."
That "bar one" refers to the Daily Mail columnist Jan Moir, who, the day before Gately's funeral on 17 October, wrote a now notorious piece headlined "Why there was nothing 'natural' about Stephen Gately's death". In the column, Moir appeared to insinuate that Gately's lifestyle had contributed to the "sleazy" circumstances around his death. Her comments provoked outrage and accusations on the web of homophobia, and more than 22,000 people complained to the Press Complaints Commission. A week later Moir published another column saying that she regretted "any affront caused".
Keating has never before spoken publicly about what happened. Today it is clearly on his mind. "None of us read the article because we were told 'You wouldn't want to read it' so we purposely didn't, we ignored it," he says. "But obviously it was unavoidable to hear what comments were being made, and I think it's disgusting. It was just wrong; one, for her to write it, and two, for the paper to print it. It shouldn't have been allowed. It was wrong. It looked to me like someone trying to make a name for themselves out of a terrible situation, a devastating situation. And what was worse was the apology – the alleged apology, that was written a week later, was her defending herself! It's just disgraceful. Again, for her to do it and for the paper to allow it. I'm dumbfounded. It's bizarre.
"But anyway, again, I wouldn't dwell on it. I wouldn't want to give her any publicity for that. He was a human being. A human being with feelings; a husband, a family that have feelings. At what point do people cross that line? Incredible," he shakes his head. "Incredibly insensitive."
For Keating, who always treated Gately like his younger brother, despite the fact that Gately was a year older, Moir's comments must have been especially hurtful. "We always felt we had to look after him," he says. "He never grew up. He was always that young lad… That is one of the hardest things – he had so much living left to do, so much to give. Always happy. Always glowing. Healthy. He was healthy in every sense. There's just no sense to it. No sense to it at all."
The senselessness must provide both consolation and torment. There is nothing Keating could have done to prevent Gately's death or to understand it. But, at the same time, there was no reason for it, none of the comfort that comes with knowing that someone has lived a long, rounded life with enough time to do the things they once dreamed of.
"It's important now that we carry on," says Keating, quietly. He takes a final sip of his coffee. Outside, the skies have darkened and the street lamps are lit. One more day is over. And perhaps, for the moment, that is all he can do: to take a breath and just carry on.
From: Guardian
(To see two Ronan photos click on the link)
20 november 2009
JLS fight off Leona in Irish albums chart
Part about Ronan in the article:
Other new entries this week include Mario Rosenstock's Gift Grub 10 at five, Queen's Absolute Greatest at nine and Ronan Keating's Winter Songs at twelve
From: Digital Spy
(To read the whole article click on the link)
20 november 2009
New Ronan photos on the following sites:
(Click on the links to see those photos)
Gettyimages:
Unesco Charity Gala 2009
Ronan Keating Portrait Session
Rexfeatures:
Ronan Keating at the May Fair hotel
Yusuf Islam aka Cat Stevens with Ronan Keating
Unesco Charity Gala 2009
WENN:
Yusaf Islam aka Cat Stevens performs on stage for his encore with Boyzone Ronan Keating singing 'Father & Son', part of the 'Guess I'll Take My Time Tour' at the O2 Areana
Wire Image:
Ronan Keating Portrait Session
Brunopress:
Guests arrive for The Late show
UNESCO Charity Gala in Duesseldorf
gmtv celebs
Ronan appears on GMTV
APA picturedesk
Ronan Keating at the May Fair hotel Celebrities out and about in London
Yusuf Islam aka Cat Stevens with Ronan Keating Yusuf Islam aka Cat Stevens 'Guess I'll Take My Time Tour' O2 Dublin, Ireland
UNESCO / DEUTSCHLAND / EUROPA
Famous:
Ronan Keating at the UNESCO Charity Gala 2009 at the Maritim Hotel in DŸsseldorf
Cat Stevens and Ronan Keating live performance at the 'Guess I'll Take My Time Tour' at the O2 in Dublin
Zimbio:
Singer Ronan Keating performs the Unesco Charity Gala 2009 at the Maritim Hotel on November 14, 2009 in Dusseldorf, Germany.
Life:
Unesco Charity Gala
Carpenters hammer Waterloo Road
Celebrating the Carpenters launched ITV1 into full blown party mode last night, hammering BBC1 school drama Waterloo Road.
Over the hour from 7.30pm, 5.8m viewers (25.9%) tuned in for the ITV1 musical special hosted by Amanda Holden and Ronan Keating, easily winning the slot.
From: Broad Cast Now
(click on the link to see a Ronan photo and to read the whole article)
19 november 2009
22/11/2009
Ronan Keating sits in for Steve Wright and presents a themed show of love songs that almost made Number One, plus listeners' romantic dedications.
BBC Radio 2, broadcast on 22 Nov 2009
From: BBC
Ronan Keating Live at the Grand Canal Theatre
Date: 23/03/2010
Price: from €47.25
Booking Info: www.ticketmaster.ie
Detail: Ronan Keating will be taking to the stage in February and March 2010 on a UK & Ireland Tour to showcase classic tracks from his album 'Songs For My Mother' released in March this year as well as performing some of his greatest hits including a date at the New Grand Canal Theatre on the 23rd of March 2010. Tickets will be on sale from Thursday the 19th of November through ticketmaster and usual outlets nationwide.
'Songs For My Mother', went to No 1. in the UK and Ireland, and is a beautiful and evocative collection of songs that Ronan remembers his mum listening to throughout his childhood. All of the songs on the album were carefully selected by Ronan and so have a special place in his heart. Along with traditional folk songs such as ‘Wild Mountain Thyme' and ‘Carrickfergus', the album includes tracks by revered musicians such as Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Elvis as well as Ronan's version of Joshua Kadison's song ‘Mamas Arms', a song that helped Ronan through his grieving for his mother Marie.
To date Ronan has released five solo albums, three of which went straight to number one. Ronan is listed in the Guinness Book Of Records for being the only artist ever to have 30 consecutive top 10 singles in the UK chart, having beat the likes of Elvis. With two sell-out world tours under his belt, an Ivor Novello and BMI songwriting awards, an autobiography, a role as ambassador for Christian Aid and sales in excess of 22 million albums across the globe, Ronan's lengthy and triumphant career shows no signs of slowing down just yet. In 2007 Ronan got back together with his chart-topping band Boyzone. 2008 and 2009 saw the band conquer the charts again and sell-out two arena tours. After the success of these tours, Ronan is looking forward to getting back out onto the road.
A dedicated fundraiser, Ronan and his family set up The Marie Keating Foundation in memory of his late mother, which funds mobile cancer awareness units in Ireland. Ronan ran his first London Marathon in 2008 to raise money for Cancer Research UK completing his second in April this year. February 2009 saw Ronan join his friend Gary Barlow climb Kilimanjaro for Comic Relief raising over a staggering £4,000,000.
Grand Canal Theatre is Ireland’s brand new 2,100 seat venue. Designed by Daniel Libeskind, the theatre has been designed as a receiving house for musicals, theatre, ballet and opera and will be operated by Live Nation and owned by Harry Crosbie. Access to the venue will be provided through a mix of public and private transport. There will be full Dart, Bus and Luas connections and it is in walking distance of the city centre.
From: Indublin
18 november 2009
Ronan Keating live at the Grand Canal Theatre
The Boyzone member brings his 2010 solo tour to Dublin on March 23.
Tickets will be €47.25 fully seated and go on sale this Thursday 19 November at 9am. They will be available from Ticketmaster outlets nationwide.
Ronan Keating's UK & Ireland Tour in February and March 2010 will showcase classic tracks from his album Songs For My Mother, released in March this year. He will also perform some of his greatest hits.
Songs For My Mother went to number one in the UK and Ireland, and is a collection of songs that Ronan remembers his mum listening to throughout his childhood. Along with traditional folk songs such as ‘Wild Mountain Thyme' and ‘Carrickfergus', the album includes tracks by musicians such as Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, and Elvis as well as Ronan's version of Joshua Kadison's song ‘Mamas Arms'.
Ronan and his family set up The Marie Keating Foundation in memory of his late mother, which funds mobile cancer awareness units in Ireland.
From: Hotpress
18 november 2009
RONAN KEATING LIVE AT THE GRAND CANAL THEATRE 23RD MARCH 2010
Aiken Promotions are proud to present...
RONAN KEATING
Live at the Grand Canal Theatre Dublin
23 March 2010
Tickets on sale Thursday 19 November at 9am
Tickets will be €43, & 47.25 fully seated on sale this Thurs 19th Nov from all ticketmaster outlets nationwide, www.ticketmaster.ie
RONAN KEATING will be taking to the stage in February and March 2010 on a UK & Ireland Tour to showcase classic tracks from his album 'Songs For My Mother' Live at the Belfast Waterfront on 22 March 2010 and now at the New Grand Canal Theatre on 23rd March 2010, on sale next Thurs 19th Nov at 9am.
'Songs For My Mother', went to No 1. in the UK and Ireland, and is a beautiful and evocative collection of songs that Ronan remembers his mum listening to throughout his childhood. All of the songs on the album were carefully selected by Ronan and so have a special place in his heart. Along with traditional folk songs such as ‘Wild Mountain Thyme' and ‘Carrickfergus', the album includes tracks by revered musicians such as Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Elvis as well as Ronan's version of Joshua Kadison's song ‘Mamas Arms', a song that helped Ronan through his grieving for his mother Marie.
To date Ronan has released five solo albums, three of which went straight to number one. Ronan is listed in the Guinness Book Of Records for being the only artist ever to have 30 consecutive top 10 singles in the UK chart, having beat the likes of Elvis. With two sell-out world tours under his belt, an Ivor Novello and BMI songwriting awards, an autobiography, a role as ambassador for Christian Aid and sales in excess of 22 million albums across the globe, Ronan's lengthy and triumphant career shows no signs of slowing down just yet. In 2007 Ronan got back together with his chart-topping band Boyzone. 2008 and 2009 saw the band conquer the charts again and sell-out two arena tours. After the success of these tours, Ronan is looking forward to getting back out onto the road,
A dedicated fundraiser, Ronan and his family set up The Marie Keating Foundation in memory of his late mother, which funds mobile cancer awareness units in Ireland. Ronan ran his first London Marathon in 2008 to raise money for Cancer Research UK completing his second in April this year. February 2009 saw Ronan join his friend Gary Barlow climb Kilimanjaro for Comic Relief raising over a staggering £4,000,000.
Grand Canal Theatre is Ireland's brand new 2,100 seat venue. Designed by Daniel Libeskind, the theatre has been designed as a receiving house for musicals, theatre, ballet and opera, owned by Harry Crosbie. Access to the venue will be provided through a mix of public and private transport. There will be full Dart, Bus and Luas connections and it is in walking distance of the city centre.
Group Bookings 01 677 7770 Ticketmaster dedicated line: 0818 719 377
http://www.grandcanaltheatre.ie/
From: Aiken Promotions
18 november 2009
Ronan Plays New Grand Canal Theatre
Ronan Keating is to play Live at The Grand Canal Theatre, Dublin, on Tuesday March 23rd 2010.
The Boyzone singer will be taking to the stage in February and March 2010 on a UK & Ireland Tour to showcase classic tracks from his album 'Songs For My Mother'.
Tickets priced €47.20 go on sale this Thursday 19th November at 9am. Ronan will also play Belfast's Waterfront on Monday March 22nd (£35.50)
From: Ireland.com
18 november 2009
Celebrating The Carpenters ITV1, 7.30pm
"AN EVENING of Carpenters music is my idea of heaven," says Amanda Holden, dispelling once and for all the myth that she's into death metal.
"I've been a fan of theirs for as long as I can remember and to hear some of my favourite current bands perform their greatest hits was amazing."
Amanda is bigging up Celebrating The Carpenters which, 40 years since the release of sibling duo Richard and Karen Carpenter's debut LP, celebrates their music with some of the best-known pop stars of today – Dionne Warwick, Beverley Knight, Lemmy.
Hosted by Holden and Ronan Keating, pictured below, and made in collaboration with Richard Carpenter, the programme sees such stars take to the stage to perform their own versions of some of the Carpenters' most-loved songs.
Richard, meanwhile, reveals some of the secrets of their success, and the stories behind the tunes.
Remarkably, the Carpenters' album and single sales total more than 100 million. But their celebrated career reached a tragic end when Karen, who had long suffered with an eating disorder, died in 1983 from a cardiac arrest due to complications associated with anorexia nervosa.
By way of a tribute, look out tonight for Chrissie Hynde performing Superstar, The Feeling singing Solitaire, Noisettes performing Goodbye To Love, and Ronan Keating delivering I Won't Last A Day Without You
From: This is staffordshire
18 november 2009
Ronan Keating in Malta in April
Irish superstar Ronan Keating will be performing at the MFCC in Ta' Qali on April 3, next year in a live concert organised by NnG Promotions.
Ronan Keating kicked off his career with pop band Boyzone and then went on to release a steady stream of solo successes. In Malta, he is expected to perform a selection of his recent hits.
"With his music that offers a mix of pop and rock, Ronan Keating is one of the most followed artistes of our time. He has been the recipient of a number of Smash Hit and MTV Awards and, since his first solo When You Say Nothing At All, his career has gone from strength to strength," NnG representative Nigel Camilleri said.
Since that first single topped all charts in the summer of 1999 and sold in excess of half a million copies, the singer has gone on to record a number of love anthems including Life Is A Rollercoaster, Once Upon A Lifetime, If Tomorrow Never Comes and others. His Malta concert is an extension of his Songs For My Mother tour, which will see him performing in a number of European countries.
The concert follows a jam-packed season by NnG including three concerts by four international singers: Joseph Calleja, Michael Bolton, Laura Pausini and Tom Jones.
NnG Promotions said discounted tickets would be available on sale between today and Sunday
From: Times of Malta
18 november 2009
Ronan Update
Ronan had a busy weekend last week.
On Saturday Ronan was in Dusseldorf for the annual UNESCO International Charity Gala For Children In Need. As well as performing an exclusive acoustic set Ronan was also presented with a special humanitarian award for his charity work with the Marie Keating Foundation. The award was presented to him by Ambassador Dr. h.c. Ute-Henriette Ohoven from UNESCO.
Then on Sunday Ronan was at the O2 in Dublin to watch Yusuf Islam in concert. The highlight of the evening for Ronan was when Yusuf asked him to join him on stage to perform 'Father & Son' (the song that Yusuf wrote and originally recorded as Cat Stevens).
17 november 2009
Ronan Keating Told Boyzone About Stephen Gately Death
Ronan Keating wept several times in the wake of his best friend Stephen Gately's death - as he rang every one of his Boyzone bandmates to break the tragic news to them personally.
The singer was in Chicago, Illinois to take part in a charity marathon last month (Oct09) when he received a call from his lawyer, Gerald Kean, to tell him that Gately had died.
Keating struggled to comprehend the situation, calling Gately's husband Andrew Cowles and his wife Yvonne before the dreadful news could sink in.
And once it had, the singer had the heartbreaking task of informing his three surviving bandmates about Gately's untimely passing.
From: The Post Chronicle
17 november 2009
Ronan on TV
Ronan has some TV appearances this week.
First of all you can catch him tonight on The One Show on BBC 1. He'll then be over on ITV for the Celebrating the Carpenters on Wednesday 18th followed by an appearance on Children In Need on Friday!
17 november 2009
From Ronan's official twitter:
Hello All. So Sorry not been in touch.Sure ya know why. Back now. Hope your all well. And ya like the new Album Its out today. R
16 november 2009
FAO Hunger Summit
As UN Goodwill Ambassador Ronan is currently supporting the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations's Hunger Summit, convened by FAO's Director-General's Jacques Diouf from 16 to 18 November in Rome.
There are currently one billion hungry people is morally unacceptable. FAO's Hunger Summit is working with world leaders to try and bring an end to hunger across the world. You can find out more information about FAO HERE.
15 november 2009
Gately's husband joins Boyzone on stageGately's husband joins Boyzone on stage