ronan-keating.com
December 2009 part 2
From Ronan's official site:
Happy New Year from Ronan
After a much needed relaxing Christmas with his family, Ronan is off on holiday for a few days but wanted to pass this message onto you all.
"I hope you have all had a lovely and peaceful Christmas. Thank you for your love and support this year. Wishing you all a very Happy New Year and look forward to seeing you on my tour early in 2010. God Bless."
31 december 2009
Own radio show for Ronan Keating.
The Irish singer Ronan Keating will get his own radio show. From the 10th of January you can listen to him every Sunday afternoon on the soft pop channel Magic 105.4 in London. Keating takes over the place of Danny Pietroni, who from now on can only be heard in the evening on Magic.
Ronan Keating was in the nineties a member of the popular boy band Boyzone and had lots of hits like ‘Love me for a reason’, ‘Words’, ‘No matter what’ and ‘Picture of you’. In 1999 Keating decided to go solo and he reached the top 40 with songs like ‘If tomorrow never comes’, ‘When you say nothing at all’ and ‘Life is a rollercoaster’.
In the nineties Keating debuted as a presenter on television. He presented the Eurovision in 1997. He also presented the MTV Europe music awards twice.
After many times of being a guest on radio shows to promote his singles, the singer got behind the microphone as presenter for the first time in September 2009. He replaced Steve Wright in the program Sunday love songs on BBC radio 2. In November he did a guest show on Magic 105.4 in London. Apparently this was going so good, that he gets his own show on the radio station.
From January the 10th Keating can be heard between 14 and 19 o’clock on Sunday afternoon at Magic 105.4. He is the second artist who can be heard on Sunday. Since September 2008 Kim Wilde can be heard weekly on the station.
Translated by Cindy
From: Radio NL
28 december 2009
LIGHTS OUT: Westlife star and Boyzone's Ronan affected
Nicky and Georgina are left in dark as millionaires' row hit by Stephen's Day power cut
Part about Ronan:
Westlife's Nicky Byrne and his family, along with Boyzone's Ronan Keating, were among those who were without electricity for several hours on the day after Christmas.
From: Herald
(To read the whole article click on the link)
29 december 2009
Australia’s Star-Studded 2010
Australia will be rolling out the red carpet in 2010 as a host of stars plan to tour down under, making Australia a hot destination for the coming year!
Ronan Keating, everyone’s favourite Boyzone star, is planning to headline at the McLaren Vale Festival at Leconfield Winery on the Fleureiu Peninsula. The ‘A Day on the Green’ concert will take place in wineries throughout Australia starting on 30 January 2010 when Ronan Keating kicks it all off in style. Other acts include Paul Kelly, Rufus Wainwright, Diana Krall, Katie Noonan & The Captains and Madeleine Peyroux.
Wales’ finest, Mr Tom Jones, is also performing at A Day on the Green. The Welsh crooner will be working his charm on audiences in Annie’s Lane in South Australia’s Clare Valley on March 6th as well as other winery locations to be announced.
These concerts combine all of my favourite things, good wine, superb food, spectacular locations and the very best in musical entertainment. What could be better? Visit their A Day on the Green to find out more and catch your favourite star!
From: Embrace Australia
(Click on the link to see a Ronan photo)
27 december 2009
Celebrity tribute for Stephen Gately
Stars to hit the small screen for Boyzone singer
BOYZONE are in talks to get a celebrity tribute to Stephen Gately aired on television.
Stephen, a former member of the boy band, died of heart failure while on holiday in Majorca in October.
Boyzone now want to hand-pick celebrity singers as well as the tunes they'll sing on the planned ITV special.
The remaining band members Ronan Keating, Keith Duffy, Shane Lynch and Mikey Graham are said to be having a "major input" into the show.
A source said: "Nothing can ever bring Stephen back but everyone hopes the programme will show what an incredible person he was."
From: New Magazine
27 december 2009
Celebrity TV tribute to Gately planned
A celebrity tribute to Stephen Gately is being planned by ITV with a reported budget of £400,000.
Boyzone will select the stars who will appear on the televised special for their late bandmate and determine what songs they sing, according to The Sun.
A source said: "Everyone is keen for it to be exactly as Stephen would have wanted, so Ronan [Keating] and the rest of the band are having a major input.
"They'll be deciding which celebs are invited to make up the crowd and who'll be singing what. Nothing can ever bring Stephen back but everyone hopes the programme will show what an incredible person he was."
Gately died from heart failure in October at the age of 33 while on holiday in Majorca
From: Digital spy
27 december 2009
Ronan Keating joins Magic 105.4
Singer and songwriter Ronan Keating is joining Magic 105.4 in London to host a weekly show each Sunday afternoon.
He'll take over part of the slot currently occupied by Danny Pietroni from 2pm, just after Kim Wildle's 10am till 2pm show.
The former Boyzone star has previous experience of presenting a radio show, albeit only limited. He hosted Sunday Love Songs on BBC Radio 2 in September whilst Steve Wright was on holiday.
He has also had various television jobs over the years, including hosting the Eurovision Song Contest along with Carrie Crowley in 1997.
He starts he new show on January 10th 2010.
From: Radio Today
26 december 2009
Boyzone's Ronan Keating: Christmas will be tough without Stephen Gately
Boyzone star Ronan Keating has said he and fellow band members will find Christmas "tough" without Stephen Gately.
Keating, who goes on tour next year in Australia and the UK, said he, Mikey Graham, Keith Duffy and Shane Lynch would be "together" on Boxing Day - St Stephen's Day - to remember their bandmate, who died on October 10 at his holiday home on the island of Majorca.
"It is going to be tough for all of us. We are going to be together on St Stephen's Day - we call it St Stephen's Day, you call it Boxing Day - just to kind of keep each other company and get through it as best we can," he told GMTV.
"We would always be together at Christmas so it is going to be hard this year."
Gately, who was 33, was discovered on the sofa after a night out partying with his civil partner Andrew Cowles.
A court official in Majorca said shortly after his death that the Irish star had died of natural causes and had suffered a pulmonary oedema, an accumulation of fluid on the lungs.
The Sun newspaper has reported that a forensics report had found that Gately had suffered from an undiagnosed heart condition and had died of heart failure.
A string of celebrities including Keating and his fellow bandmates attended a concert in his memory last month.
From: Belfast Telegraph
25 december 2009
BOYZONE - KEATING WILL FIND CHRISTMAS DIFFICULT WITHOUT GATELY
KEATING WILL FIND CHRISTMAS DIFFICULT WITHOUT GATELYBOYZONE star RONAN KEATING is dreading this Christmas (09) - because the death of close pal STEPHEN GATELY still haunts him every day.
Gately passed away at his home in Majorca, Spain in October (09) after suffering a build-up of fluid in his lungs, leaving his Irish bandmates distraught.
And to help Keating, Shane Lynch, Keith Duffy and Mikey Graham get through Christmas without Gately's presence, they're planning a get-together on Boxing Day (26Dec09) in tribute to the star.
Keating tells Britain's Closer magazine, "It's going to be hard, because we always saw each other at some point over the Christmas holidays. It's going to be tough not having him around. We normally all meet up on Boxing Day, which coincidentally is called Saint Stephen's day in Ireland. So we're planning a little get-together that day. We keep each other strong by being around one another.
From: contactmusic
24 december 2009
Humphrey’s eyewear celebrates their tenth anniversary.
10 years of trendy styles and top designs that deserves a special key-visual. Ronan Keating, one of the most successful artists in the music business and without a doubt a special appearance in pop-world.
The Irish singer has since 1999 an impressive solo career, with songs like ‘If tomorrow never comes’ and ‘When you say nothing at all’. In this anniversary year Ronan is on top of the hit lists with his new album “winter songs”. With him Humphrey’s present their brand new collection full with fashion highlights. Creativity and design are still an unsurpassed power of the characteristic Humphrey’s.
Daring silk prints with attention tracking plaquettes in cameo-look. Trendy and extravagant, gentlemen with attention tracking feathers. Effective and very masculine. High-end fashion with daring colour combinations like lilac with pearl. Stylish and trendy.
The sense for fashion is still there. That agrees Ronan Keating. Of course belongs to top desing glasses in an anniversary year an anniversary action. Temporarily with every designer glasses a designer bag.
Translated by Cindy
From: Eyeline magazine
(Click on the link to see a Ronan photo)
24 december 2009
Seasonal radio preview
Sunday Love Songs BBC R2, 9pm
Ronan Keating takes over from Steve Wright to present a specially themed selection of love songs from the past decade.
From: Irish Times
(To read the whole preview click on the link)
24 december 2009
Ronan Keating's Stephen sadness
Ronan Keating says Christmas will not be the same without Stephen Gately.
The Boyzone singer admits the group's traditional festive get-together on Boxing Day (26.12.09) will be strange without the late star, who died of natural causes aged 33 in October.
Ronan said: "It's going to be hard, because we always saw each other at some point over the Christmas holidays. It's going to be tough not having him around.
"The only way to get through this is to look after each other. We're always on the phone to each other, we go for dinner and make sure we keep our minds occupied."
Despite the tragedy, the singer is trying to learn from it and appreciating everything he has.
He added: "Stephen's death has put everything into perspective and taught me that life is short and fragile. You have to smile every day, laugh every day and tell your loved ones that you love them every day because you never know what's round the corner."
Stephen died of natural causes after a night out with his husband Andrew Cowles in Majorca.
From: Monsters and Critics
24 december 2009
Fans crown Boyzone singer Stephen Gately Metro Celeb of the Year 2009
Boyzone star Ronan Keating pays emotional tribute to Gately and reveals his never heard before music to Metro readers.
The world of showbiz said goodbye to several stars in 2009 and so it’s perhaps no surprise this year’s Metro Celeb of the Year prize will sadly be our first posthumous Metro gong.
First Jade, then Jacko passed away – but it was another bright-eyed pop star that stole your hearts after 44 per cent of our readers backed Stephen Gately for the award.
And what more fitting way to celebrate the 33-year-old Irish star than hearing how he will be remembered this Christmas by Boyzone lead singer Ronan Keating.
‘Steo would have been thrilled with this award, he really would,’ Keating told Guilty Pleasures.
‘It’s a wonderful tribute from the public – very touching. He is so missed by everyone.’ Remembering Gately after his untimely death two months ago in Spain, Keating said: ‘We were all obviously absolutely devastated by Stephen’s death.
‘Christmas is always a time when you remember those you’ve lost so it will definitely be tough.
‘As a band we always make time to meet up over Christmas so it will be very strange without him.
‘We will still get together this year – I think we’ll all be meeting up on St Stephen’s Day [December 26], which seems a fitting tribute.’
Reflecting on their brotherly bond, Keating, 32, said: ‘Boyzone has always been a huge extended family and Steo was always at the centre of it all.’
Revealing his Boyzone treat, Keating said fans would hear fresh Gately lyrics in the New Year.
‘Well there is going to be a Boyzone single featuring Steo’s vocals out early next year with an album to follow.’ He added: ‘We really wanted to show Stephen the greatest respect and make the record he wanted us to make and let his memory live on.’
From: Metro
23 december 2009
From Ronan's official twitter:
With Keith in studio recording BZ album all going well. Think its gonna be a big one. Fingers crossed. Hope you are all ready for crimbo
21 december 2009
From Ronan's official site:
GMTV Appearance
Be sure to tune into GMTV tomorrow (23rd December) where Ronan will be making his last TV appearance of the year.
22 december 2009
Boyzone find it hard without Gately
(UKPA)
Boyzone star Ronan Keating has said he and his fellow band members would find Christmas "tough" without singer Stephen Gately.
Keating, who goes on tour next year in the UK and Australia, said they would be "together" on Boxing Day, St Stephen's Day, to remember their bandmate who died earlier this year.
"It is going to be tough for all of us. We are going to be together on St Stephen's Day - we call it St Stephen's Day - you call it Boxing Day - just to kind of keep each other company and get through it as best we can," he told GMTV.
"We would always be together at Christmas so it is going to be hard this year."
Gately, who was 33, died on October 10 at his holiday home on the island of Majorca.
He was discovered on the sofa after a night out partying with his civil partner Andrew Cowles.
A court official in Majorca said shortly after his death that the Irish star had died of natural causes and had suffered a pulmonary oedema, an accumulation of fluid on the lungs.
The Sun newspaper said on Wednesday that a forensics report had found Gately suffered from an undiagnosed heart condition and had died of heart failure.
A string of celebrities including Keating and fellow bandmates Mikey Graham, Keith Duffy and Shane Lynch attended a concert in his memory last month.
From: Google
23 december 2009
Shows unplugged
THERE will be no “days on the green” for Margaret River concert goers this summer.
Promoters, Roundhouse Entertainment/Mellen Events and Sandalford Wines, announced the cancellation of both Margaret River concerts, one headed by Ronan Keating, and the other by Motown performers, on Monday.
Ronan Keating, Tina Arena and Damien Leith were set to play on January 17 and the Motown Show on February 27, as the debut events for Sandalford Wines’ new Margaret River property.
Promoters would not be drawn on the reason for the cancellation of the concerts, saying only they had been “regrettably cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances” in a press release.
Yesterday Perth-based publicist Rosita Stangl said she had no further information regarding the cancellations.
Both concerts will go ahead at Sandalford Wines Swan Valley venue on Saturday, January 16 (Ronan Keating) and Sunday, February 28 (The Motown Show).
All general admission tickets for the Margaret River shows are automatically valid for the Perth dates and patrons do not need to change their tickets.
Patrons holding reserved seating to the Margaret Rivers shows will be contacted directly by Ticketmaster.
Any Margaret River ticket holders not wishing to attend the Perth events can obtain a refund from their point of purchase.
From: Magaret River Mail
23 december 2009
Liz McClarnon joins Boyzone star Ronan Keating on UK music tour
SINGER Liz McClarnon is set to reignite her singing career by joining Boyzone frontman Ronan Keating on his solo UK tour.
Liz, who first rose to fame as a member of Liverpool group Atomic Kitten in the late 1990s, will link up with the Irish star early next year.
The Whole Again hitmaker will accompany Ronan on 26 dates, including a concert at Liverpool’s Empire theatre on February 28.
The 28-year-old had chart success with Atomic Kitten hits including The Tide Is High, The Last Goodbye, Eternal Flame and It’s OK.
She reached number five with her debut solo single Woman In Love in February 2006.
Liz has recorded with producers including Grammy Awards winners Philip Larsen and Rob Davies and Tinderbox, who have written for the likes of X Factor winner Leona Lewis and R&B star Rihanna.
She signed her new record deal in August with 3Beat Records, a subsidiary of Universal, which is responsible for chart-topping artists Agnes and Cascada.
The tour starts on February 18 and will also stop in Glasgow, Newcastle, London, Manchester, Sheffield, Blackpool and Belfast.
From: Liverpool Daily Post
(Click on the link to see a Ronan photo)
22 december 2009
The Andrew Marr Show
Ronan will be appearing on The Andrew Marr on Sunday morning (20th December). Make sure you check it out!
18 december 2009
The sound of Christmas at the Domain
The sound of Christmas rang through Sydney at the 27th annual Carols in the Domain.
50 thousand people crammed gathered at Sydney's Domain, to enjoy a night of Carols and a dose of Christmas cheer.
There were performances by Ronan Keating, Kate Ceberano, The Wiggles as well as Welsh soprano Katherine Jenkins.
This year's event was so popular police had to turn revellers away, after the venue reached capacity just after 8pm.
From: big pond news
20 december 2009
CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE
Only on FM104 this Christmas you will hear Up Close and Personal with JLS,Ronan Keating and Xpose girls and amazing live gigs performed by Coldplay, The Killers, Snow Patrol and Oasis!
FRIDAY DEC 25: Christmas Day
10AM – 11AM FM104’s Up close and personal - Ronan Keating (Killian to spin)
From: FM104
18 december 2009
Christmas Message from Ronan!
Click here to watch a special Christmas message from Ronan and also take part in a competition to win one of three prizes which you can choose from!
16 december 2009
Ronan's latest twitter message:
Hello all busy rehearsing for Oz tour hope you are all set for Crimbo.
17 december 2009
Boyzone Planning 'Stephen Gately Foundation'
Boyzone are planning a tribute to Stephen Gately - the boyband plan to start a foundation in memory of the late singer.
Frontman Ronan Keating explained the idea behind the forthcoming project, saying: "Me and the boys are trying to put something together at the moment. It will more than likely be called the Stephen Gately Foundation.
"We're just working on that at the moment - maybe a scholarship to put children through music college." Keating told ContactMusic. "We definitely want to do something to continue his legacy and carry on his memory as best we can."
Gately passed away in October, during a holiday in Majorca. He died of natural causes.
Boyzone have since said they don't know whether they will tour again, after losing their friend.
From: angryape
17 december 2009
Merry Christmas, Kate Ceberano
Part about Ronan:
You duet with Ronan Keating on the album?
‘It’s Only Christmas’ is the track. It’s a very melancholic and beautiful song. You know how he’s the voice of Notting Hill? I feel a bit like Bridget Jones around him, I’ve got a bit of a crush. His voice is stunning and when he was here we did a couple of morning shows and it’s just so good to sing with him. He’s stunning.
From: SX news
(To read the whole article click on the link)
17 december 2009
Stars to visit South Australia in 2010
Part about Ronan:
There will be plenty to interest music fans, with Ronan Keating set to be one of the headline acts at the McLaren Vale Festival.
Leconfield Winery on the Fleurieu peninsula will provide the venue for this event, which will take place on 30 January.
From: Opodo
(To read the whole article click on the link)
15 december 2009
Patricia Sparkes books turned into children's film
Parts about Ronan:
The 4.5-minute pilot was spotted by Boyzone star Ronan Keating, who agreed to lend his voice to the lead character and write and perform the theme tune. He also joined the company as a shareholder.
Mr Keating said: “As a family man with kids, when I saw Shelltown I thought it was fantastic.”
Profits will fund the show’s £2.5 million production costs, and benefit three charities: UNICEF, the National Autistic Society and the Marie Keating Foundation, set up in memory of Ronan Keating’s mum who died of breast cancer.
From: Telegraph & Argus
(To read the whole article click on the link)
14 december 2009
Ronan Keating's vintage gig
Ronan Keating will bounce back following the death of Boyzone bandmate Stephen Gately with a solo Down Under tour next month, says NATHAN DAVIES
RONAN Keating can't listen to Little Drummer Boy, the song he recorded with his late friend and bandmate Stephen Gately.
The track, which appears on Keating's new Christmas album Stay, and features Gately on angelic backing vocals, still reduces the Irish singer to tears.
Gately, 33, died from a pulmonary oedema on October 10, devastating Keating and the other three members of Boyzone, who reformed in 2007.
Keating, in Amsterdam for a promotional tour, says hearing just parts of Little Drummer Boy is a painful experience.
"I listened to it just after 'Steo' passed and I got very emotional," he says.
"And I was on a TV show in Holland yesterday and they played a snippet from the song on the show and I got overwhelmed and found it very hard.
"I'm sure there will be a time when I can listen to it again."
Keating says the remaining member of Boyzone - Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham and Shane Lynch - have closed ranks and pulled together in an effort to deal with the grief of Gately's death.
"I guess we all have our own way of dealing with it," he says.
"We're rallying around each other and spending as much time as we can as a group, and that's really helping us.
"Everybody deals with things in their own way and you have your good days and your bad days, your ups and downs.
"I mean, it messes with your head - I don't think any of us have come to terms with his passing and we're just trying to take it day to day."
The group was in the middle of recording its second album since its 2007 comeback record Back Again No Matter What when Gately died.
Keating is adamant the as yet untitled album will be released on March 8 next year, with Gately featuring on at least three tracks.
Last week the group shot the film clip for I Gave It All Away, the first single from the album, written by British hit-maker Mika.
Mika refused to allow Boyzone to record the song in 2007, claiming the group was "too cheesy" to do the song justice, but has since changed his mind."I found the video shoot on Tuesday very hard," Keating says.
We were listening to Steo's voice and seeing his image on the screens. It was a very emotional day for the four of us. We stuck together and tried to get through it the best we could."
Keating says that Boyzone would love to tour in support of the new album, but he was unsure whether it would happen."We don't know what it's going to be like as a four-piece," he says.
"We haven't performed since Steo passed and I'm sure it's going to be very difficult when we do.
"Shooting a video or doing interviews, that's fine, you can do that.
"But actually going out doing a performance is a very different thing."
One performance that's not in doubt, however, is the one scheduled for January 30 at Leconfield Winery in McLaren Vale. Keating, a "big fan of red wine" says he was looking forward to returning to Australia for the A Day On The Green concerts, even hiring a string quartet especially for the occasion.
"It's kind of like an evening out with picnics and bottles of wine, isn't it?" he asks. "I'm really looking forward to it, I think it's going to be really pretty.
"I've always just had a great rapport with people in Australia, I don't know what it is.
"They get me, you know? I always feel very welcome when I'm there."
Keating says his set will include a number of songs from Stay, as well as hits like When You Say Nothing At All. He's also keen to reunite with Australian singer Tina Arena, who he first met when he was a young up-and-coming pop star and Arena was launching her career in Europe.
"Oh yeah, I've known Tina for years," he says. "She was out promoting Chains when we were promoting Love Me For A Reason, back in the day, you know?
"She's an amazing lady with a great voice and I'm really looking forward to working with her."
Stay, which was released as Winter Songs in the northern hemisphere, came out last month and caps-off a busy year for Keating, with hit record Songs For My Mother released in March.
"It's been amazing - two albums in one year," he says. "I've never done anything like that in my life."
The album, which features songs by Simon and Garfunkel, Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell, is more than a Christmas album, Keating says.
"It's a festive record I guess. It's not just Christmas songs - there's songs like Homeward Bound and Caledonia that are almost homecoming songs.
"At this time of year a lot of people are travelling around the world to get home to their loved ones, so that's what these songs are all about."
Ronan Keating plays A Day On The Green with Tina Arena at Leconfield Winery, McLaren Vale, on January 30. Bookings: Ticketmaster. Stay is out now.
From: Adelaide Now
12 december 2009
Kate goes festive
Part about Ronan:
Then, to top it all off, Ceberano has brought in one of the most popular performers in the world, Ronan Keating, to sing duet with her on It’s Only Christmas, adding a double dose of star power to the last track on the album.
“To me (the track with Keating) tops it all off – it is the mistletoe over the door,” Ceberano said.
“He is the voice of Notting Hill and Love Actually and all things romantic. His voice is the voice of love and he has become the voice of that mood for me and I feel very, very honoured for him to give me that mood.
“I just think he just makes it even more special for me.”
From: Whit sunday times
(To read the whole article click on the link)
12 december 2009
Boyzone may not tour without Gately
Boyzone star Ronan Keating has said that the group may not tour again, following the death of group member Stephen Gately.
According to Angry Ape, Keating said: "We don't really know if we are going to tour. We don't know how it's going to be."
Referring to Gately, the singer said: "He was the colour in the band, so important to our performance that to go on without him - to tour without him - I don't know if we can."
"I don't know what that's going to be like. Right now, making the record is our priority. We'll see how we go."
From: RTE
11 december 2009
BOYZONE MAY QUIT TOURING OVER GATELY DEATH
Irish pop group BOYZONE may never tour again - because the death of tragic bandmate STEPHEN GATELY has changed their onstage dynamic.
The No Matter What hitmakers are set to release a new album next year (10), their first since Gately died at his home in Majorca, Spain, in October (09) from a build-up of fluid on the lungs.
But the four-piece is wracked with indecision over whether to promote the record with a string of gigs - as they saw Gately as the key figure of their live shows.
Ronan Keating tells U.K. morning show GMTV, "We don't really know if we are going to tour. We don't know how it's going to be. He (Gately) was the colour in the band, so important to our performance that to go on without him - to tour without him - I don't know if we can. I don't know what that's going to be like. Right now, making the record is our priority. We'll see how we go."
From: Contact Music
10 december 2009
Boyzone: 'We don't know if we can tour'
Ronan Keating has revealed that Boyzone are still unsure if they will ever tour again.
The group, whose member Stephen Gately passed away in October, are reportedly undecided about how they will continue.
Keating is quoted by Angry Ape as saying: "We don't really know if we are going to tour. We don't know how it's going to be.
"He was the colour in the band, so important to our performance that to go on without him - to tour without him - I don't know if we can."
He added: "I don't know what that's going to be like. Right now, making the record is our priority. We'll see how we go."
From: Digital spy
10 december 2009
Hayley Westenra returning home for Xmas
Part about Ronan:
It includes old favourites like Silent Night and The Little Drummer Boy. Westenra also wrote three of her own songs for the album, and recorded a duet with Ronan Keating, It's Only Christmas.
"All the girls in my family are Ronan Keating fans. So when I was invited to record this track with him, it was an opportunity I couldn't really turn down. He's got a wonderful voice and he's just a really nice person. We share the same record label so that made things easier. "It was really great working with him and we just recently performed the new duet live at his annual charity ball in London, for the Marie Keating Foundation into cancer research. It was really wonderful to perform the song live there."
From: ODT
(To read the whole article click on the link)
10 december 2009
Ronan Keating talks about life without Stephen Gately, but Boyzone must go on
REFORMING Boyzone brought light back into Ronan Keating's life. Now he explains why he's determined to honour his late bandmate Stephen Gately.
You've released two albums this year -- that's pretty old-school.
I know. It's certainly a record for me. I've never known a year like this, it's been so busy. What a dramatic, emotional, mental year.
Your Boyzone bandmate Stephen Gately died in October. Is the plan to continue the band?
There will be a Boyzone album next year. We have a couple of songs with Steo's voice on it. One is uptempo. It's going to be the biggest song of next year, I promise. It's a smash. And we'll hopefully tour. We have to see how that works out.
Who wrote the smash hit?
Mika. We've been chasing it for a while. He wants us to have it now with everything that's gone on. Stephen actually put a vocal on it. He was so excited about doing this Boyzone album. He called me on the Friday before he died - he died on the Saturday morning - and he said, "Ro, I'm so bloody excited, let's go go go".
It's hard for me, but I want to finish this album for him.
You must be happy in retrospect that Boyzone reunited.
I'm glad we had those two years together. I'd never seen him so happy and content and comfortable in his skin. That was incredibly important for us. We all saw Steo as our little brother. We tried to mind him and guide him as best we could. It's hard for us that things have been the way they are, because we were almost his big brothers. We were supposed to be looking after him but these things happen in life.
He's singing on your new Christmas album Stay . . .
He did backing vocals on Little Drummer Boy for me. He sounds like an angel, which is ironic. I've dedicated the whole album to his life and work.
Which included breaking ground by having a male love interest in the Boyzone video, Better.
That was brilliant. I'd love for that video to get a second life. It wasn't big enough. Stephen was a pioneer. He was the first gay pop star from a boy band to come out. To do what he did in a video like that - no boy band member would ever do that. He was a brave little fella. Thank God that in the society we live in today that it's accepted. In the old days it was just stupid. Steo was one of the most brilliant people I've ever met in my life. It doesn't matter what your sexuality is. That's prehistoric.
Did you read the Daily Mail article that ran soon after his death that was labelled insensitive and homophobic?
We were all told to ignore it like the plague. We heard it was not very nice. We know what's happened. We were delighted so many people stood up and complained. Take That and Will Young have boycotted the Daily Mail and we hear a lot of other bands are doing it.
You're touring Australia next year with Tina Arena as support . . .
I was a huge fan of hers when I was younger. My favourite song is Wasn't It Good. That's an absolutely beautiful song. I'll be watching her every night.
Any chance of a duet on stage?
Yeah, let's do it. If she's up for it I'd love that. I'd be so up for having her on stage every night.
You've done two covers albums this year. What's the criteria for choosing other people's songs?
I like to choose songs not everyone knows. River by Joni Mitchell. I love her. It's a Christmas song but it's left-of-centre. I like finding underground songs. (Simon and Garfunkel's) Homeward Bound is not a festive song, but it's all about people coming home. It had a place on the album.
You covered the Pogues' Christmas classic Fairytale of New York once upon a time . . .
Way back. That's a tune. I love that song. We did think of doing it again, but we'd already done it.
You sanitised the lyrics in your version . . .
The record company told me the radio wouldn't play it, so we had to change it. I hate all that politics. I don't listen to anyone any more. I don't care.
Are you itching to record some original material after so many covers?
I'm writing all the time. I'm writing for the Boyzone album as we speak. I'm writing for other people. I've found this ground as a solo artist. With Boyzone I can be as adventurous and creative as I want to be. As a solo artist I know what people want from me. These two albums have been easy to make this year because they've been cover-heavy. If I was writing them it wouldn't have happened as quickly. I don't think the next Ronan album will necessarily be a covers album. There'll be a lot more original stuff on it. This is what people want from me now.
You're mates with Gary Barlow. What are the chances of Take That welcoming Robbie Williams back?
Good. I met Robbie recently. He wants to be back with the lads. He saw the light it brought back into my life and he misses that camaraderie as I did. He'd be mad not to. We're men now, not kids. It doesn't matter. We don't sweat the small stuff. It's all about friendship.
Home (Universal) out now.
Ronan Keating, with Tina Arena, A Day on the Green, Jan 31, Rochford Winery (plus Damien Leith), $130-$160, Ticketmaster. Plenery @ Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Feb 2, $99.90 to $399.90, Ticketek.
From: Heraldsun
10 december 2009
From the official site:
New UK Tour Dates Announced
Ronan has added three more dates to his UK tour in February and March 2010! You will be able to catch him now on the following dates -
20th February - Clyde Auditorium, Glasgow
22nd February - Sheffield City Hall
11th March - Royal Albert Hall, London
Tickets for these dates can be purchased HERE.
11 december 2009
From the official site:
New TV Appearances Announced!
Ronan has a number of UK television appearances lined up for the next two weeks. You can catch him on the following shows -
10th December - This Morning
13th December - Something for the Weekend
13th December - Xtra Factor
16th December - Loose Women
19th December - National Lottery
22nd December - This Morning
23rd December - GMTV
09 december 2009
Ronan in Closer magazine.
Thanks Charlotte for scanning!
12 - 18 december 2009