The legendary Irish quintet could have been sung with a much different name in the wild.
For millions of adoring fans, Westlife’s name stokes memories of the late 90s and early 00s, with some banging ballads and heartfelt harmonies. But, following a recent revelation, many fans have been shocked to discover the story behind the band’s original moniker, which could have left fans screaming an entirely different name.
The Irish five-piece’s name, “Westside,” a nod to the area of Dublin west of the city center, was a nod to the band’s earlier hits My Love and If I Let You Go, which sounded appropriate at the time. However, the group encountered trouble, hitting a snag when it became clear that a band had already been formed under the name “”
The band were forced into a last-minute scramble to think of a new identity – enter manager and X-Factor icon Louis Walsh, who is reported to have thought quick on his feet and changed the name to the now legendary moniker. The simple alteration managed to keep the nod to Dublin while avoiding any costly legal fees while the band was still rising up on the Irish music scene.
Thankfully for Louis, the name and their songs became a fast-growing global band that has sold hundreds of millions of records and continues to earn hundreds of millions of Spotify listens. However, Westside the Irish five’s musical journey extends even further.
Source: Mirror
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