In Da PrEsS - nEwS fRoM
aLl ThAtS bLuE
Worldpop Tour Piece
Blue have told worldpop they are planning a UK tour for the Spring of 2002. Blue's Antony told worldpop: 'We're hoping to go out on the road around April of next year. We were waiting to see how well the new album would be received but now it's done so well, we're positive a tour will happen next year.'
The band's debut album, All Rise entered the UK chart at No 2 last week behind Robbie Williams' Swing When You're Winning. The band who have had two No 1 hits with Too Close and the recent If You Come Back promise a spectacular show when they do go on the road.
'I like to see a good singer put on a good show,' says Antony. 'Otherwise, what's the point of going? You want to get your money's worth. I'd always go and see someone like Robbie Williams because he's a great entertainer.'
'We want to incorporate some acting themes into the show,' adds Duncan. 'We'd love to do a '60s gangster medley for instance. We love performing. Once we're up on stage we just have fun. Our dance routines go out of the window!'
'We're going to plan the stage show carefully,' says Simon. 'We want special effects, explosions. That's what people want to see. Razzmatazz!'
The band also tell worldpop they are all too busy for girlfriends at the moment. 'We spend 7 days a week together. There's just no time,' says Duncan. 'If we had girlfriends we'd just spend hours on the phone telling them how much we miss them because we're working. It wouldn't make us happy.'
Blue's All Rise is one of the 10 finalists in the Record of the Year contest on Saturday. The band will also perform at the Smash Hits Poll Winners Party at the London Arena on Sunday.
Bits From Popgoss
BLUE, BEAUTIFUL AND BEST!!!
Our boys have only gone and won Best Newcomer awards at both the Poll Winners party and the News Of The World's RAFTA awards!!!
"This time last year we hadn't even released a single, so to be picking up our first ever Smash Hits 'gong' was absolutely wicked!"
AND it was Too Close on Saturday when Blue's debut single "All Rise" missed being Record Of The Year by just four votes!! The boys lost out at the last minute to S Club 7, but should be well chuffed at being placed higher than Kylie, Shaggy and even our own Atomic Kitten by a national panel of voters! Mega congrats to our fave boys!!!
"... thanks to everyone that phoned up on Saturday night and voted for us at Record Of The Year 2001..... it really reminded us (as if we didn't know already!) that we've got the best fans in the entire world and we're lucky to have you supporting us all the way!"
While we're on the subject of pants, ever wondered which of the lads in Blue, erm, needs the largest pair? Well, we're not shy. We asked them. 'The others take the mick out of me a bit,' says Duncan. 'We go down the gym and we work out and have showers and they go, "You're, erm, gifted, aren't you?"' Well, we think they're all gifted, especially now they've got a Best Newcomer Smash Hits Award. Oh, and well done to S Club for just managing to pip Blue to the Record of the Year gong. Don't take it too hard lads, it is S Club's third attempt.
Ask Duncan out of Blue who he'd like to catch under the mistletoe and he can't quite make up his mind. Kylie? "I properly loved her when I was younger," he says and tells us that he used to have a poster of her that he would kiss every night before he went to sleep. Aaah! "I thought she was properly beautiful and I wanted to marry her. I've also always had a thing for Geri, but I preferred her when she had a bit of meat on her."
Been glued to Pop Idol? Seems like the boys in Blue have. They even reckon that if it hadn't been for Blue (number two album, eh, boys! Higher than S Club, can't be bad), they might have put their names down for the show themselves. "Maybe more Popstars than Pop Idol," Simon was telling us, "'cause you've got to have that extra special talent."
"Not just that," Duncan chips in, "but also I know that being on stage with the boys and touring with them is fun. You spend a lot of the time on the road and if you do it on your own, it's gonna be boring. I'd be bored out of my mind half the time." So, what are you? A Pop Idol or a Pop Star?
CD:UK snippet ......
Close To Blue
“Alright everyone!
First off, I think I’ve got to say a massive thank-you for making us number
one! It’s all been really mad as you can imagine!
We were busy out with our fans doing a signing at HMV in Oxford Street when we
heard Too Close looked set to reach the top spot. It was mental! And HMV said
that only Hear’Say had created a bigger crowd than us, so we were dead
excited!
It’s brilliant turning up at TV shows and events ‘cause each time there are
even more of you there – me and the lads have been on a massive high.
We were really busy jetting around doing appearances, but we finally got to
celebrate the number one with a huge night out with our family and friends in
the West End. Hmmm, I think we’re still trying to recover actually!
There’s been some unusual stuff to do this month too. Ant and I both
couldn’t get a ball past Ant McP on Eat My Goal – luckily Si saved the day.
But then we had to dash straight over to Belgium once we’d finished CD:UK to
open their Big Brother house. It’s been non-stop, and we love it! Lee
CD:UK swingin’ it
spesh!
R’n’B to
me… “I’ve always listened to R’n’B, but I'm more into the older stuff
rather than the bands that’re big now. I'm listening to Babyface and Boyz II
Men, who’re my favourites. Listening to their albums helps me with my vocals
and stuff – not that I'm anywhere near as good a singer as them! In five years
time I’d love to be at their level. Simon and the others laugh at me when
we’re out ‘cause I recognise R’n’B tracks in clubs but I don’t know
who the artist is.”
The Future is … “We saw Aaron Soul at a gig
recently. He could be the new Craig David.”
New York Tradegy
Blue have
been caught up in Tuesdays terrifying events. The boys were over in New York to
film the video for their third single
Duncan has issued a statement on behalf of the group.
‘We saw the building coming down and it was really horrific.’ ‘It’s one
thing to see the images in the TV but when you’re there and watch it first
hand it’s truly terrifying. It’s something you don’t ever want to
experience again.’ The boys have since been moved from New York to a safe
location in New Jersey.
Smash Hits magazine editor Emma Jones is also stuck in
New York having flown there to interview the boys. Clearly shaken by Tuesday’s
events she telephoned the office to assure us that she is well. She is staying
in the same hotel as Atomic Kitten who are also still stuck in the city.
Blue Claim There Place
In Pop History
Why wait until
Sunday to find out who’s No.1 when you can find who’s topped the official
Smash Hits Chart at midday on Saturdays. We haven’t made it up so that our
fave artists are always No.1, though we’re more than a little thrilled that
Blue are our first ever official chart toppers.
We couldn’t make up the chart if we wanted to because
we’ve given you lot more of a say in who’s up and who’s down. As well as
the singles that you actually buy, the Smash Hits chart also includes the songs
that you’re enjoying on the radio and the tracks that you’re also requesting
on The Box and The Smash Hits Channel.
Blue’s Too Close is our first official chart topper
because you’ve been good enough to buy a few copies and also because it’s
riding high on the Smash Hits TV Channel Chart at No.4 and on The Box at No.8.
Too Close is also blaring out from radios up and down the land and this all adds
up to it to being the most popular song in the country. And if you ask us,
that’s what a singles chart should be about.
Blue reveal details on
R&B album
Boy band
Blue, who scored a No 1 with their last single, the Next cover Too Close, have
revealed that their debut album, All Rise, will be a combination of R&B,
Motown and soul.
'There are twelve tracks on the album,' Duncan told
worldpop in an exclusive video interview. 'We're really proud of it. My
favourite is a track called You Bring Out The Best In Me. It's a bit of a slow
song. It's the last track on the album and it's a really good one.'
The band explained that despite their boy band
reputation, their album is definitely more R&B than it is pop. 'What is
pop?' mused Antony. 'It's just popular music. We want to give the audience
R&B, Motown and soul and that's what's on the album. With the three singles
All Rise was R&B, Too Close is our soul track and the new single If You Come
Back is Motown. It's that kind of vibe on the album.'
'There are loads of good quality tracks on there,'
added Lee. 'It's not like you can say there are as many notes in a tramp's
wallet as there are on our album!' Lee also revealed that the band have already
written half of their second album and plan to begin recording after Christmas.
If You Come Back is released on 12 November. The album All Rise follows on 26
November.
New York
| Lees Apology
Statement
from Lee...
By now you might have heard about the stupid comments I made the other
day to The Sun newspaper.
I just wanted to say to you all how sorry I am,
I can't believe I said it. I didn't even mean it like that and the
second I said it I was like "Oh My God' that isn't what I meant.
All I can say is that since we got back from
New York we have all been asked again and again about our experiences
there and, to be honest, what we saw in New York was so bad that I've
always tried to avoid talking about it.
New York was awful and I hate myself that
people might think I don't care. I cried my eyes out when I watched the
towers collapse but I just don't want to go on about it as if I've got
something important to say about this tragedy....and so in my stupid
aggressive way I tried to steer the conversation on to other topics.
I'm not good with words and I get mixed up, but
I know what I'm saying when I say I'm sorry.
Lee
xx
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| Sun Article Day
One
Blue
chat outrage
IN one of the sickest outbursts since the attacks on New York, Blue
singer Lee Ryan claimed the September 11th atrocities were being
"blown out of proportion."
Lee and Blue band mates, Duncan James, Simon
Webbe and Antony Costa had come into The Sun Online to answer your
questions when he made the foul-mouthed outburst: "Who gives a f...
about New York when elephants are being killed."
Blue had come in to promote their new single,
If You Come Back but left knowing that Lee would NEVER be invited back
again
RELATED STORIES
• Blue chat outrage
LEE RYAN from Blue has made an astonishing outburst saying the attacks
on New York have been “blown out of proportion.”
The stupid boy — there is no other expression
for him — told The Sun that instead of feeling sorry for New Yorkers
we should be worrying about WHALES and ELEPHANTS.
As his horrified mates from Britain’s top boy
band tried to shut him up, Lee insisted on speaking out.
The 18-year-old, who actually WITNESSED the
September 11 tragedy, said during a visit to The Sun’s HQ: “Who
gives a f about New York when elephants are being killed?
“Animals need saving and that’s more
important. This New York thing is being blown out of proportion ...
I’m not afraid to say this, it has to be said and that’s why I’m
the outspoken one from the band.”
The group’s bosses at Virgin were furious
about Lee’s gaffe.
Lee and the rest of Blue — Duncan James,
Antony Costa and Simon Webbe — were filming a video in New York at the
time of the World Trade Center atrocities.
His outburst came as fellow band members
recalled their horror at the tragedy.
Blue got to No1 with Too Close last month.
Their new single, If You Come Back, is out on November 12.
Why was the trip to Singapore cancelled earlier
this year ?
Penelope Chin
Simon - We cancelled because of New York. All
our schedule was put back because of what happened there.
Duncan - We were over there re-shooting our
video when it all happened.
Antony - We saw the second plane crash into the
tower and then the building crumble.
Simon- It was scary, it would be, it's the
biggest day of terrorism in history.
Antony – It was awful, my mum couldn’t
contact me for 12 hours.
Lee - What about whales?
They are ignoring animals that are more
important. Animals need saving and that's more important.
This New York thing is being blown out of
proportion.
Simon- Shut up Lee.
Lee - Who gives a f... about New York when
elephants are being killed.
Duncan- Shut up.
Lee - I'm not afraid to say this, it has to be
said. I’m not afraid to say it and that's why I'm the outspoken one
from the band.
But after a severe carpeting by Virgin, Lee
last night apologised and pledged to donate his share of profits from If
You Come Back to our Twin Towers Fund.
He said: “I am deeply sorry for what I have
said and apologise unreservedly to everyone affected by the tragedy of
September 11.
“I was trying to express my concerns for
other issues close to my heart but I realise now I did so in a very
foolish and offensive way.
“I will donate my royalties from our next
single to the Twin Towers Fund.
I hope this small gesture will go some way to
showing that I really am very sorry.”
Lee may have apologised but he is 18, old
enough to vote and to know better. What do you think? Should he be
sacked? Ring my hotline on the left to cast your vote.
SHOULD HE
BE SACKED?
YES:CALL 09009 100 725 (IRELAND) 1550 927 325
NO: CALL 09009 100 726 (IRELAND) 1550 927 326
Calls cost no more than 10p
(the vote bit is just part of the article PLEASE do not ring it _ unless
ur supporting lee of course LOL)
|
| My Email to THE
SUN
To Whom It
May Concern,
I am sure you have had many emails regarding the comments in todays sun
already, but I wanted to share my thoughts on the matter.
Maybe Lee was in the wrong with what he said, but does this give you the
right to Slag him and try to get him sacked? Anyone can say something on
spur of the moment, Mistakes do happen, I'm sure the guy was just
horrified at what he saw September 11th. (September 11th was my birthday
and a day I will never forget, I couldnt even enjoy my birthday due to
the tradegy). He was most likely fed up of being asked all the time
about it, things so horrific as the New york disaster will play on
peoples mind, especially those who witnessed the ordeal and more so
those related to the victims. It may have been the poor guy's way of
trying to get it out his head, he may have been having nightmares about
what he saw.
For god sake If I witnessed what they saw I would most certainly be in a
state of shock even to this day. I would also want the questions to
dissapear, and would probably divert any conversations away from the
matter.
He should'nt have said what he said, if it was true, as we all know how
newspapers highly exagerate stories. But give the guy a break, I totally
support him, he has even been brave enough to apologise sincerely.
I'm sure he's already had enough hassle, Leave him alone, let him get
back on with his life as normal, if thats possible. Just because he
happens to be in a group does not make him any different to any other
one of us in the world.
Please take the time to read this and consider what I have said
Many thanks
Natasha Garbutt North Devon
|
| 2nd SUN article
Thousands
ring hotline in disgust over Blue star's outburst THOUSANDS of you
yesterday demanded the sacking of Blue star Lee Ryan after his
outrageous comments on the New York terror attacks.
More than 6,000 people called our special
hotline and voted by well over two to one for the singer to be booted
out of the boy band.
Hundreds of e-mails criticising Lee also
flooded in to our office — some from New Yorkers who had read our
story online in the US.
London radio station LBC devoted an hour-long
phone-in to our exclusive and 95 per cent of callers said he should be
sacked.
Loudmouth Lee — who witnessed the attacks —
caused outrage when he said during a visit to The Sun’s HQ that the
attacks on New York had been “blown out of proportion.”
Despite being told to shut up by band mates
Simon, Duncan and Antony, he ranted: “Who gives a f about New York
when elephants are being killed?”
CLAIRE CANDLER and her colleagues in New York
wrote a typical e-mail, saying: “Lee has no respect for the dead or
for the thousands of children now without a mum or a dad. He is a
disgrace to his family, his friends and his band. He needs to learn a
lesson the hard way. Sack him. The band will do much better without
him.”
JON CASTIGLIA, of Ealing, West London, said:
“He’s disgusting and Blue should get rid of him. I can’t believe
someone could say something so evil.
One New Yorker, called GRIFF, blasted: “That
shead ought to be castrated, let alone lose his job. His comments are
below contempt.”
SAM LANE, of Newport, South Wales, wrote:
“Lee is a cold-hearted man and does not deserve the success of being
in a boy band.”
KEITH SLOAN said: “Get shot of the little
schmuck. He’s a loud-mouthed, ignorant, selfish and insensitive
kid.”
Of the few who e-mailed to defend Lee JANE
ROBSON, of Poole, Dorset, asked: Don’t you think Lee deserves a
chance? He’s 18 and has suddenly become famous. Everything he says is
picked up on.
“Yes he was stupid but he has said he is
sorry. Don’t sack him.”
And a girl who signed only as NATALIE wrote:
“If someone in an office had made Lee’s comments they wouldn’t be
fired. It would be a terrible thing to ruin such a good band because of
something someone said.”
Yesterday, in a desperate bid to save his skin,
Lee posted an apology on the band’s official website.
Last night a spokesman for Blue said: “Lee is not going to be sacked.
“His bosses at Virgin have given him a severe
talking to and he has apologised. He never set out to offend anyone. He
is the first to admit he said things in a clumsy way.”
THE Sun will donate all profits from our phone
lines to the Robin Hood Relief Fund which is helping victims of the New
York atrocities.
|
| Westlife stick
up for Blue (worldpop.com)
At
a press conference marking the worldwide launch of their new album Word
Of Our Own, Westlife this morning announced they do not believe Blue
member Lee Ryan should be sacked from the boy band.
Lee hit the headlines last week when he raged,
'Who gives a f*** about New York when elephants and whales are dying?'
UK tabloid The Sun called for him to be sacked from the band but when a
Sun journalist asked Westlife for their opinion on Lee's comments, they
said they support him.
'We actually spoke to him and he said you took
the comments out of context,' Bryan McFadden told The Sun's reporter.
'He has his opinion and whether it's right or wrong he shouldn't be
sacked from a music group for talking about politics.'
Westlife also denied that Blue are their
rivals. 'We don't want to compete against people,' explained Mark
Feehilly. 'One of the reasons we called the album World Of Our Own is
because it's just about Westlife now. We're not interested in competing
with people. We just want to see as much as possible ourselves.'
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