Stephen Gately facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Stephen Gately
Gately performing with Boyzone in June 2009
Born	Stephen Patrick David Gately (1976-03-17)17 March 1976 Sheriff Street, Dublin, Ireland
Died	10 October 2009(2009-10-10) (aged 33) Port d'Andratx, Mallorca, Spain
Occupation	Singer songwriter
Years active	1993–2009
Spouse(s)	Andrew Cowles ​ (m. 2006)​
Musical career
Genres	Pop rock, blue-eyed soul
Instruments	Vocals

Stephen Patrick David Gately (17 March 1976 – 10 October 2009) was an Irish singer and songwriter. He was a lead singer for the famous pop group Boyzone. All of Boyzone's albums during his life reached number one in the UK.

With Boyzone, Stephen had a record-breaking sixteen songs in a row reach the top five in the UK. He performed for millions of fans around the world. In 2000, he released his own solo album. This album reached the UK top ten and had three hit songs. One of these hits was "New Beginning." Stephen also appeared in stage shows and on TV. He helped write songs for different projects. In 2008, he joined Boyzone again for concerts and new music.

Stephen Gately passed away in 2009 in Spain. His death was caused by a heart condition he had since birth. Many people, including his bandmates, remembered him as a kind and important person.

Early Life

Stephen Gately grew up in Dublin, Ireland. He was the fourth of five children. His father, Martin, used to be a decorator. His mother, Margaret, was a cleaner. Stephen went to St Laurence O'Toole's for primary school. He attended North Strand Technical College for secondary school. As a teenager, he performed in school musicals and plays.

Music Career

Boyzone Success

Stephen joined Boyzone when the group started in 1993. They became well-known in Ireland after a TV appearance that year. Boyzone's first big success outside Ireland was in 1995. Their song "Love Me for a Reason" reached number two in the UK.

The group decided to take a break in 2000. By then, Boyzone had six number one songs in the UK. They were a very popular pop band in the 1990s. They were known for their friendly competition with the UK band Take That. Stephen Gately shared most of the lead singing with Ronan Keating.

Boyzone got back together in 2008. They performed many concerts that year. After Stephen's death, their manager Louis Walsh said Stephen was "the glue in Boyzone." He meant Stephen helped keep the band together.

Solo Music

After Boyzone took a break, Stephen started his solo career in 2000. His first solo song, "New Beginning," came out in May 2000. It reached number three in the UK charts.

His album, also called New Beginning, was released two weeks later. It included twelve songs. One song was "Bright Eyes," which he recorded for the TV show Watership Down. He also voiced a character named Blackavar in the show.

His second song from the album was "I Believe." It came out in October 2000. This song was also in the movie Billy Elliot. His third song, "Stay," was released in May 2001.

Boyzone Returns

Gately in 2009

In 2008, Stephen Gately rejoined Boyzone. He had been very keen for the band to get back together. They sold out many tours in the United Kingdom.

Boyzone released a new song, "Love You Anyway," in 2008. They also released a new album. In December 2008, they released another new song, "Better." The group agreed that Stephen should be shown with a male actor in the music video. This was seen by some as a big step for equal rights.

When Stephen passed away, Boyzone had chosen thirty songs for a new album. This album was planned for 2010. Stephen's singing was featured on Boyzone's last album, in a song called "I Can Dream." A video for the song was released in 2018. The album came out in November 2018.

Other Work

Acting and Television

In December 2002, Stephen Gately played the main role in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. This musical was shown in London's West End. From 2004 to 2005, he played the Child Catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

In 2001, he appeared as himself in the TV show Absolutely Fabulous. He also performed in pantomimes, which are fun theatre shows. In 2005, he was Dandini in Cinderella. In 2006, he was the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz.

Stephen also took part in TV shows like All Star Talent Show in 2006. He was also on Dancing on Ice in 2007, where he danced with Kristina Lenko. In 2007, he was heard in a Doctor Who audio story called "Horror of Glam Rock." He recorded a song for this play.

In 2008, Stephen appeared in the film Credo.

Helping Others

Stephen Gately was a supporter of the charity Missing People. This group helps young people who have run away. He was also an ambassador for the Caudwell Children Charity. He once gave a private Christmas performance to raise money for them. After he passed away, his family asked for donations to this charity instead of flowers. This raised a lot of money. He was known for his kindness, once giving his jacket to a child in a hospital who admired it.

Writing Books

For three years before he passed away, Stephen was writing a children's fantasy book. It was called The Tree of Seasons. In 2009, he said he was almost finished. His bandmate Ronan Keating promised that the book would be completed.

The Tree of Seasons was finished with the help of June Considine and Jules Williams. It was based on Stephen's notes. The book was released in the UK and Ireland in May 2010. It had a special introduction by Elton John. The book became a bestseller for three weeks.

Personal Life

Stephen Gately lived in London. He loved the village of Highgate, saying it had a "great vibe." His favorite singer was Michael Jackson. Stephen met Michael Jackson in 1997.

Death

Stephen Gately passed away at his home in Mallorca, Spain, on 10 October 2009. His death was caused by a natural heart condition.

His bandmates flew to Mallorca after hearing the news. The remaining members of Boyzone – Keith Duffy, Michael Graham, Ronan Keating, and Shane Lynch – released a statement. They said they were "completely devastated" and that Stephen was a "beautiful person."

On 16 October, Stephen's body was brought to Dublin. His funeral took place the next day. The four other members of Boyzone stayed with his body in the church the night before. Thousands of fans, famous people, and politicians attended the funeral. Fans came from far away to be there. He was cremated in a private ceremony. His bandmates carried his coffin. Ronan Keating gave a moving speech at the service.

Legacy

In September 2020, Dublin City Council decided to name "Stephen Gately Park" after the singer.

Discography

Gately performing with Boyzone in 2009

With Boyzone

• Said and Done (1995)
• A Different Beat (1996)
• Where We Belong (1998)

Solo

Albums

Singles

Other appearances

Filmography

Audio

Film

Television

Books

• The Tree of Seasons (2010)

See also

In Spanish: Stephen Gately para niños