Ronan Keating Biography

Summary

"Ronan Patrick John Keating" (born March 3, 1977 in Dublin, Ireland) is an Irish pop singer

Biography

Personal life

Ronan Keating grew up in Bayside, Dublin. He attended Bayside Primary School and St. Fintan's High School, Sutton, Dublin.

His mother, Marie, died on February 2, 1998 from breast cancer, and his family have set up a charity in her name which helps women fighting breast cancer. As promotion for the charity, he has completed two sponsored walks across Ireland. In April 2004 Ronan teamed up with Cancer Research UK to launch a cancer awareness drive. Ronan launched the first of three mobile units in the UK targeting the general public with cancer prevention information highlighting how to reduce your cancer risk. These mobile units are based on the ones launched in Ireland by the Marie Keating Foundation. Ronan was due to be running in the London marathon on April 22 to raise more needed funds, however, he has had to pull out on medical advice.

Ronan married Irish model Yvonne Connolly on April 30, 1998, on Nevis Island. They have three children - Jack (born March 15, 1999), Marie, known as Missy (born February 18, 2001) and Ali (born September 7, 2005).

Career

He joined the band Boyzone after being spotted by Louis Walsh when he turned 16; and later briefly co-managed fellow Irish boy band Westlife. Although Boyzone never officially disbanded, they have not released a single since 1999 and he has continued with his own solo career, clocking up a total of 14 UK top 10 singles as well as three UK Number one albums in addition to his previous success with the group. His solocareer was not only limited to the UK but also to continental Europe, scoring huge success in Germany, Scandinavia and even in France.

In 2003, Ronan was awarded with a prestigious 'BMI European song-writing award' for his song "The Long Goodbye", which enjoyed success in the United States as a number one single on the US country charts when it was covered by Brooks & Dunn.

In October 2004, Ronan released 10 Years Of Hits to celebrate his first decade in the music industry. The album went straight to number one in the UK and to date has sold nearly two and a half million copies worldwide. Also in October Ronan was entered in the Guinness Book of Records for being the only artist ever to have 30 consecutive top 10 singles in the UK chart.

His fourth studio album "Bring You Home" was released on June 5, 2006 and entered the UK album charts at number three. It reached the top ten in Germany and several other territories across the world.

In June 2004, Ronan made a trip to Ghana as his first job as a Fair Trade ambassador for Christian Aid. Ronan spent a week visiting farmers and families across central Ghana to see first hand how unfair trade laws are destroying livelihoods.

On July 6, 2005, he performed at Murrayfield Edinburgh for 500,000 people at the called 'The Final Push', it was the final concert of Live 8, to raise awareness for the plight of Africa.

In October 2005, Ronan went to Rome where he was appointed as a UN Goodwill Ambassador via the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO). This came out of his work started in 2004 with Christian Aid and the Trade Justice Campaign.

On June 6, 2006, Ronan sung at the World Cup opening party at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin Germany in front of an audience of nearly 250,000 people.

Ronan presented the Eurovision Song Contest in 1997, presented the MTV Europe Music Awards in 1997 and 1999, and co-presented the MTV Asia Awards in 2002 with Mandy Moore. The show has never recovered. He has hosted the Miss World contest, dueted with Elton John at Madison Garden in New York and has sung for the Pope twice. He performed for Prince Charles at The Prince's Trust 30th Birthday which took place at the Tower of London, and has also apeared in several Royal Command Performance shows. He performed on stage for the Swedish Royal family at the Crown Princess Victoria's Birthday Celebrations, and he was at the Opening Cermony of 19th European Athletics Championships in Gottenburg.

Over the years he has won Smash Hits best solo male. He has even won specticle wearer of the year even though he doesn't wear glasses! He was also given a tree in London's Hyde Park this was given to him for performing for The Prince's Trust. He also has a World Music Award for the best selling Irish artist.

In 2005 and 2006 he took part in Ant and Dec's All Star Cup which was a golfing tournament based on the Ryder Cup with Europe taking on the USA.

On November 5, 2007, Ronan Keating confirmed that Boyzone will reunite for a special appearance on the BBC's annual fundraiser, Children In Need, performing a medley of hits. They are also considering a new tour, but there are no plans to record anyhing new together.

Ronan is at present working on his 5th studio album which is due out late summer 2008.

Trivia

He was thrown out of the choir at school for unruly behaviour.

As well as making his mark in Boyzone, he went on to manage Westlife and host Eurovision and Miss World

He's also said he'd like to run for the Irish Presidency one day, just like Dana.

His fear of flying wasn't improved when his private Cessna jet had a technical malfunction and had to make an emergency landing.

Ronan was thrown out of a New York City pub for singing, during his 27th birthday celebrations.

After performing in Hyde Park, Ronan was given his own tree as were Shirley Bassey, Rod Stewart and Diana Ross.

He also appeared in the star-studded 3000th edition of the Beano, with Geri Halliwell, Brooklyn Beckham and Ken Dodd.

Ronan on drink and drugs:'I never took hard drugs at all. Never done cocaine in my life. Drink is an Oirish trait, though. I could stop for three months if I wanted to, but I don't want to.'

He has been called the 'nicest man in pop'.

On his birthday in 2007 Ronan got a new Porsche from his wife, and a stay at a EUR7,000-a-night hotel(Sunday Mirror)

Ronan gave out at football bosses in Australia who fined a top team for wearing cancerawareness arm-bands (Sunday Mirror 2006)

Ronan on Louis Walsh (his former manager) 'He's a shallow little man,' 'I'm not bothered about him.' he told an Australian interviewer.(Sunday Mirror 2006)

In 2004 Ronan thought he would die after a horror health scare. He contracted a bug which made his face swell up so much his own family didn't recognise him. The mystery bug was thought to have been caused by an insect bite.

He has his chest waxed regulary.

Ronan headlined the biggest concert ever held in Armagh Northern Ireland . Thousands of revellers celebrated in the Cathedral City on 22 September 2007 as Ronan played a historic outdoor gig. The concert marked the presentation of the Freedom of Armagh City and District to Lord Robin and Lady Christine Eames, who made history as the first individuals ever to be awarded with the accolade for their role in the Northern Ireland peace process. Reviews of the concert were excellent thus cementing Ronan as Ireland's premier pop talent and going ahead of Daniel O' Donnell in the popularity stakes

Phil Coulter is a great admirer of Ronan. They have played often together and have an excellent version of 'The Town I loved so well'

Ronan has stated on numerous occasions of his desire to 'collaborate' with George Michael.

Ronan on Bono ' If I wasn't me I'd like to be ... Bono. He is a wonderful person. U2 are just such a cool band. Bono had always been an idol of mine and meeting him didn't disappoint. He is just an all-round good guy. He does a lot for other people, which is a very admirable quality.'

Discography

Albums

"Ronan" (2000)

"Destination" (2002)

"Turn It On" (2003)

"10 Years of Hits" (2004)

"Bring You Home" (2006)

Singles

This is a list of singles which were released by Ronan Keating. Their chart peak positions are shown, along with peak positions from United Kingdom, Ireland, Sweden,

Switzerland, Austria, Germany, France and Australia.