Sad News - Stephen Gately

I just saw the passing of Stephen Gately on Saturday, October 10, while on a holiday in Majorca. Gately was only 33. He is survived by his husband, Andrew Cowles, who were joined in a civil union in 2006. Stephen was part of the Irish boyband Boyzone, whom I had featured in an earlier post. While with the band, Stephen came out publicly in 1999. Boyzone had reunited in 2008 for a greatest hits release. In a video for the song Better, Gately was seen with a male partner, something I find both brave and inspiring.


Stephen Gately with partner Andrew Cowles

Gately had a solo career that included a couple of hits in the UK. He was adorable, just cute as a button, very much the boy-next-door type. My favorite was New Beginning, and yes I do have it on my iTunes.



He also had a hit song that was featured in the movie version of Billy Elliott, I Believe.



To the best of my knowledge, Gately had just the one solo album. He had appeared in several musicals, including West End productions of Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.



Boyzone were planning to get together once again, and his bandmates were to join him in Majorca this weekend. Initial reports are they are heartbroken, as they were all very close. I am saddened by the news. I will once again post the video for Better.



Boyzone were Ronan Keating, Stephen Gately, Keith Duffy, Shane Lynch and Mike Graham. My thoughts go to them, as well as with Stephen's family and his partner.

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Music Video - Better by Boyzone

Sure, one of the things we can thank the British for is boybands, and one of the big ones that never made the trip across the ocean was Boyzone. The Irish boys were wildly successful for a few years before breaking up in a bit of turmoil. Prior to the bust up, Stephan Gately came out just prior to being outed in the tabloids. After they broke up, singer Ronan Keating went on to success in a solo career, as well as helping to direct the careers of others in British music, including Westlife, a favorite of mine. Stephen Gately had some minor success, especially with the theme song from the movie, Billy Elliott.



A few years ago, there was some interest from the British music industry and fans for a Boyzone reunion. The boys patched up old differences, and come back together, releasing a couple of new singles for a Greatest Hits collection. One of those was Better, a sweet love song with a really good video that created some waves with the depiction of a romantic gay male couple. I can't imagine that happening in the US, even if it were the Backstreet Boys or N'SYNK [yes, that means you, Lance Bass]. Way to support, boys! Credit should also go to the record label for not shying away from controversy.



You can get more information on the Boyzone reunion at their website.

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