Biography

With those dazzling poster boy looks, Ronan Keating became one of Europe's most endearing stars as the leader of the Irish boy band Boyzone. The five Irish lads in Boyzone, who made their debut in 1993, built their charismatic style into one of the biggest European pop/rock acts of the '90s. But before he was winning over the world, Keating was a middle-class kid living in Dublin. Born Ronan Patrick John Keating on March 3, 1977, he was the last of four children in the Keating household.

His father Gerry was a pub owner and his mother Marie was a hairdresser, so financially the Keating family was trying to make ends meet. The working trudge instilled the desire to work in the youngest Keating. While working in a local shoe store, he noticed an ad that was searching for an Irish Take That. The 14-year-old beat out 300 hopefuls with his own rendition of the Cat Stevens song "Father & Son" and was onto becoming a celebrity. Boyzone released four albums, every one debuting at number one in the U.K. They released 16 singles, each one also charting in the top three on the U.K. charts. Most notably, Americans will recognize this five-piece as the dashing young men singing behind U2's Bono in "The Sweetest Thing" video.

Six years into being part of one of the U.K.'s brightest and biggest-selling pop bands, Keating searched for an alternate creative outlet. He began managing another male pop group called Westlife. He married Irish model Yvonne Connelly in April 1998 and the following year they had a son, Jack. Musically, however, Keating's intentions stayed in tune with his internal spirit. He couldn't possibly steer clear of the media spotlight for long and something positive was bound to come of it.

He recorded his debut solo effort in early 2000 under the craftsmanship of artists such as Bryan Adams and Barry Gibb. His sensual and childlike persona was full-fledged. He is a working songsmith with the utmost class, and counterparts like Robbie Williams and Gary Barlow are a bit shy of such inborn grace. Ronan was issued overseas in mid-2000. A U.S. version followed in October.

Albums

1. 2000 When You Say Nothing at All Polydor
2. 2000 Ronan [US] Polydor
3. 2002 Destination [UK] Universal
4. 2004 Turn It On Universal

Biography

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Album Songs

1. When You Say Nothing at All (Overstreet/Schilitz) - 4:18
2. At the End of a Perfect Day (Keating/Kershaw) - 4:29
3. I Will Miss You (Keating/Kershaw) - 4:03
4. This Is Your Song (Keating/Mac) - 3:46
5. When You Say Nothing at All [Acoustic Version] (Overstreet/Schilitz) - 3:30

Biography

Unanimously, the most popular singer from the Irish group Boyzone is lead singer Ronan Keating whose debut solo album is aptly titled Ronan. The album retains some of Boyzone's style, though it is appropriately, if not determinedly, subdued. That is a bit of a shock for a debut.

Keeping in mind that Gary Barlow tried the same thing and missed the target, while Robbie Williams went all out with an egocentric rock album and became a British landmark, one would have expected a little more oomph. Ronan must not be caught up in trends. Besides, the album seems to fit his personality, which is quieter and modest compared to most boy group members.

The album sports the number one European singles "When You Say Nothing at All" and "Life Is a Rollercoaster," which helped propel the album to the top of the charts for a short while. Indeed, it did not stand out as one of the great musical triumphs of the year, but it is not without charm, thanks to its sincerity. Bryan Adams provides the soft ballad "The Way You Make Me Feel," while Rick Nowels conjures up another spirituality-driven effort on "Heal Me," as well as a slightly more exciting "Rollercoaster." "If I Don't Tell You Now" is a Dianne Warren-penned ballad, drippy and undistinguished, which is sadly how most of her songs are beginning to come across. Patrick Leonard co-wrote "Believe" and "Keep on Walking," both of which are unremarkable but enjoyable.

"In This Life" makes another appearance (previously recorded by Bette Midler and Kathie Lee Gifford). For an album as seeping with heartfelt ballads as Ronan is, it is amazing that so many known artists came together with tunes that are so alike they sound monotonous. It really takes a few listens to bond to "Ronan," because it is so slow. It is slow but it is also soft and tender. At certain moments it is exceptionally emotional. The splendid song "Brighter Days" is one of those moments. — Peter Fawthrop

Album Songs

1. Life Is a Roller Coaster (Alexander/Noweis/Nowels) - 3:56
2. The Way You Make Me Feel (Adams/Thornalley) - 3:54
3. In This Life (Reid/Shamblin) - 3:10
4. Heal Me (Alexander/Nowels) - 4:05
5. Keep on Walking (Keating/Leonard/Thicke) - 3:56
6. When You Say Nothing at All (Overstreet/Schilitz/Schlitz) - 4:18
7. Brighter Days (Chambers/Hill) - 4:55
8. If You Love Me (Baker/Diamond/Keating/Lipson) - 3:27
9. If I Don't Tell You Now (Warren) - 3:20
10. Only for You (Bagge/Birgisson/Tucker) - 4:29
11. Addicted (Hector/Lipson/Power) - 5:25
12. When the World Was Mine (Holyfield/Liversey) - 5:18
13. Believe (Keating/Leonard) - 5:04

Biography

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Album Songs

1. I Love It When We Do (Alexander/Nowels) - 3:53
2. Love Won't Work (If We Don't Try) (Alexander/Nowels) - 3:44
3. If Tomorrow Never Comes (Blazy/Brooks) - 3:35
4. Come Be My Baby (Alexander/Nowels) - 3:53
5. Lovin' Each Day (Alexander/Nowels) - 3:33
6. My One Thing That's Real (Alexander/Nowels) - 3:35
7. Time for Love (Alexander/Nowels) - 3:51
8. Blown Away (Alexander/Nowels) - 3:39
9. As Much as I Can Give You Girl (Alexander/Nowels) - 4:15
10. Pickin' Me Up (Alexander/Keating/Nowels) - 4:42
11. Joy and Pain (Godfrey/Keating/Padley) - 3:49
12. We've Got Tonight (Seger) - 3:39
13. The Long Goodbye (Brady/Keating) - 4:44
14. I Got My Heart on You [*] (Alexander) - 3:47

Biography

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Album Songs

1. 2004 CD Universal International 986588