Boyzone

Ireland’s answer to Take That, the boy band Boyzone dominated the charts during two decades, notching five No.1 albums during two separate successful runs. • Boyzone were formed in Dublin in 1993 by manager Louis Walsh. Among the 300-plus hopefuls who auditioned was future Hollywood star Colin Farrel. After a few personnel changes, the lineup came to include Mikey Graham, Stephen Gately, Shane Lynch, Keith Duffy, and Ronan Keating. • The group topped the UK charts with each of their first three albums: Said and Done (1995), A Different Beat (1996), and Where We Belong (1998). The 1999 greatest-hits package By Request also reached No. 1. • Their 1996 album A Different Beat includes two chart-topping singles: its title ballad and a cover of the Bee Gees’ hit “Words.” • In 2000, the Boyzone members separated to focus on solo careers. Ronan Keating's first two albums topped the UK charts. • In late 2007, Boyzone made a reunion appearance on the BBC fundraiser Children in Need. The following year, the quintet embarked on a tour. • Stephen Gately died from an undiagnosed heart condition in October 2009 at his home in Port d'Andratx, Mallorca. • The four surviving members of Boyzone released the 2010 album Brother, named in tribute to Gately, whose voice can be heard on two songs. • In 2018, Boyzone released their farewell album, Thank You & Goodnight. Take That's Gary Barlow and Ed Sheeran contributed to the songwriting.