Post by Helen on Jun 9, 2006 19:43:06 GMT
www.livingit.com/client/pgclientfeature.aspx?id=23
Living It - Ronan
Ronan Bares All
Ronan Keating has packed a lot in to his 29 years. He was in one of the most successful boybands of the 90s, Boyzone, and since their split he’s carved out a solo career for himself that’s seen him notch up five No. 1 singles and two No.1 albums and album sales of over 19 million worldwide. But music aside, the Irish star has been doing a lot for various charities too, including the Marie Keating Foundation, in memory of his mother who died prematurely of breast cancer in 1998. We caught up with the singer to talk about his recent charity projects, new album and getting naked for a certain women’s magazine…
You feature in Cosmopolitan magazine's naked charity centrefold issue. Was it embarrassing and did you take much persuasion?
It was very embarrassing! I was a bit nervous and weary about doing it but as it’s for such a great cause, I thought now’s the time to do it, it’s for charity, it’s a great thing to do. When I first got the call I said “No way! Not interested” but they kept persuading me and I finally came round to the idea. I figured I’m in good shape I’ve been working out a little bit and getting fit. They showed me last year’s Cosmopolitan shoot and I saw it featured a pretty good class of people like Lenny Kravitz, so that was encouraging as well. Of course my wife saw the shot and only after she was happy with it, we went ahead!
You mention it was for charity- do you have a particular cause that you feel strongest about?
Obviously the cancer charity has been the most important to me really after my mum died of the disease. As I’ve grown up I’ve become a lot more socially aware and I’ve become heavily involved in Christian Aid, the Make Poverty History Campaign and the Trade Justice Movement. I’ve now become a UN Ambassador for Agriculture which is a big deal for me. The trade justice movement and Christian Aid are very important to me. I went to Ghana and that was mind-blowing. It was heart-breaking and I came back more frustrated than anything else and wanting to help. Small movements- it takes a long time to make anything happen.
The Fair Trade cause is so important- I would urge people to not only buy Fair Trade products in the supermarket but to also write to Tony Blair or their local MP and urge them to help the IMF (International Monetary Fund) and World Bank to change the situation for farmers in developing countries, so they’re able to sell their own produce and not be under-cut by cheaper produce from abroad. If these two organisations could change their policies overnight it would make such a huge difference- sorry to ramble on!
You’ve also got a new album out, despite the fact that you released a greatest hits album. What can your fans expect?
The Greatest Hits was the end of a chapter, like it was when we released one for Boyzone. It was time for something new, to find something new and realise who I was making songs for. I’ve had a great time making this album and I could not have made a better record. It’s for the fans, it’s very ballad drive which is what I do best. “When You Say Nothing at All”, “If Tomorrow Never Comes”, those type of songs, they’re my strength that’s why I am where I am today, I can do that and I do it well so I decided to do an album of them.
You’ve worked with a lot of famous artists in your time from Elton John to Lulu. Who’s been your favourite?
I really enjoyed working with LeAnn (Rimes- they duetted on the single Last Thing On My Mind) she’s a great singer and a cool person. I really enjoyed working with Kate Rusby (they duet on his new single, All Over Again). She isn’t that familiar with the pop scene, so it was a big step for her to decide to work with me and she’s just taken it her stride and I admire her for that - it’s not an easy thing to do. I’d still really like to work with Bono or someone really different, like Kanye West. Boyzone were in the video for the U2 track The Sweetest Thing years ago and I know Bono really well still.
Take That have recently formed and are touring at the moment- do you think a Boyzone reunion could be on the cards?
I saw Take That last Friday night and it’s a brilliant show. You will not be disappointed if you’re going to see them. But Boyzone will not be reuniting; there was talk of it but no. Never say never, but I can’t see it happening. I still see the boys, we had a great time in the band but I would be afraid a tour wouldn’t sell, we’d have egg on our faces and the Boyzone memory would be tarnished forever! I have great memories of Boyzone and I want them to last.
You’re also quite the family man these days (Ronan married childhood sweetheart Yvonne, an Irish model in 1998 and they have three children, Jack, 7, Marie, 5, and Alice 8 months). How would you feel if your kids wanted to follow in your footsteps and go in to show business?
If my son said he wanted to be a great singer or a great guitar player or whatever I’d be happy but if he said he wanted to be famous, which I think a lot of the youth of today are driven by celebrity and fame, I’d tell him to have a really serious think about it first. I’d help the kids every step of the way, there’s not one piece of advice I could give them, I’d just support them and be there for them in whatever they wanted to do.
You’ve accomplished a lot professionally, and you’re not even 30 yet! Is there anything still left for you do achieve?
I want to keep doing what I’m doing, I think longevity is a difficult thing, I’d like to still be around in 20 years time. I don’t want to ever close the door on my career!
And finally, if there anything you think your fans would be surprised to find out about you?
I think my fans would be surprised to know I have just been photographed in the nip with a just pint of Guinness covering me!
Ronan’s new single All Over Again featuring Kate Rusby is out on 29th May.His new album Bring You Home is released on 5th June.
Living It - Ronan
Ronan Bares All
Ronan Keating has packed a lot in to his 29 years. He was in one of the most successful boybands of the 90s, Boyzone, and since their split he’s carved out a solo career for himself that’s seen him notch up five No. 1 singles and two No.1 albums and album sales of over 19 million worldwide. But music aside, the Irish star has been doing a lot for various charities too, including the Marie Keating Foundation, in memory of his mother who died prematurely of breast cancer in 1998. We caught up with the singer to talk about his recent charity projects, new album and getting naked for a certain women’s magazine…
You feature in Cosmopolitan magazine's naked charity centrefold issue. Was it embarrassing and did you take much persuasion?
It was very embarrassing! I was a bit nervous and weary about doing it but as it’s for such a great cause, I thought now’s the time to do it, it’s for charity, it’s a great thing to do. When I first got the call I said “No way! Not interested” but they kept persuading me and I finally came round to the idea. I figured I’m in good shape I’ve been working out a little bit and getting fit. They showed me last year’s Cosmopolitan shoot and I saw it featured a pretty good class of people like Lenny Kravitz, so that was encouraging as well. Of course my wife saw the shot and only after she was happy with it, we went ahead!
You mention it was for charity- do you have a particular cause that you feel strongest about?
Obviously the cancer charity has been the most important to me really after my mum died of the disease. As I’ve grown up I’ve become a lot more socially aware and I’ve become heavily involved in Christian Aid, the Make Poverty History Campaign and the Trade Justice Movement. I’ve now become a UN Ambassador for Agriculture which is a big deal for me. The trade justice movement and Christian Aid are very important to me. I went to Ghana and that was mind-blowing. It was heart-breaking and I came back more frustrated than anything else and wanting to help. Small movements- it takes a long time to make anything happen.
The Fair Trade cause is so important- I would urge people to not only buy Fair Trade products in the supermarket but to also write to Tony Blair or their local MP and urge them to help the IMF (International Monetary Fund) and World Bank to change the situation for farmers in developing countries, so they’re able to sell their own produce and not be under-cut by cheaper produce from abroad. If these two organisations could change their policies overnight it would make such a huge difference- sorry to ramble on!
You’ve also got a new album out, despite the fact that you released a greatest hits album. What can your fans expect?
The Greatest Hits was the end of a chapter, like it was when we released one for Boyzone. It was time for something new, to find something new and realise who I was making songs for. I’ve had a great time making this album and I could not have made a better record. It’s for the fans, it’s very ballad drive which is what I do best. “When You Say Nothing at All”, “If Tomorrow Never Comes”, those type of songs, they’re my strength that’s why I am where I am today, I can do that and I do it well so I decided to do an album of them.
You’ve worked with a lot of famous artists in your time from Elton John to Lulu. Who’s been your favourite?
I really enjoyed working with LeAnn (Rimes- they duetted on the single Last Thing On My Mind) she’s a great singer and a cool person. I really enjoyed working with Kate Rusby (they duet on his new single, All Over Again). She isn’t that familiar with the pop scene, so it was a big step for her to decide to work with me and she’s just taken it her stride and I admire her for that - it’s not an easy thing to do. I’d still really like to work with Bono or someone really different, like Kanye West. Boyzone were in the video for the U2 track The Sweetest Thing years ago and I know Bono really well still.
Take That have recently formed and are touring at the moment- do you think a Boyzone reunion could be on the cards?
I saw Take That last Friday night and it’s a brilliant show. You will not be disappointed if you’re going to see them. But Boyzone will not be reuniting; there was talk of it but no. Never say never, but I can’t see it happening. I still see the boys, we had a great time in the band but I would be afraid a tour wouldn’t sell, we’d have egg on our faces and the Boyzone memory would be tarnished forever! I have great memories of Boyzone and I want them to last.
You’re also quite the family man these days (Ronan married childhood sweetheart Yvonne, an Irish model in 1998 and they have three children, Jack, 7, Marie, 5, and Alice 8 months). How would you feel if your kids wanted to follow in your footsteps and go in to show business?
If my son said he wanted to be a great singer or a great guitar player or whatever I’d be happy but if he said he wanted to be famous, which I think a lot of the youth of today are driven by celebrity and fame, I’d tell him to have a really serious think about it first. I’d help the kids every step of the way, there’s not one piece of advice I could give them, I’d just support them and be there for them in whatever they wanted to do.
You’ve accomplished a lot professionally, and you’re not even 30 yet! Is there anything still left for you do achieve?
I want to keep doing what I’m doing, I think longevity is a difficult thing, I’d like to still be around in 20 years time. I don’t want to ever close the door on my career!
And finally, if there anything you think your fans would be surprised to find out about you?
I think my fans would be surprised to know I have just been photographed in the nip with a just pint of Guinness covering me!
Ronan’s new single All Over Again featuring Kate Rusby is out on 29th May.His new album Bring You Home is released on 5th June.
