Well rather ironic that I started the 'flop solo careers' thread yesterday - or is it? Westlife played their last ever gig in Dublin last night and now Louis Walsh has announced he's managing Shane for a solo career - according to the Sunday papers today his material is being talked up as 'Michael Buble-meets-Adele' and the plan is to get his first single in place to perform on the first live show of 'The X Factor' in October with an album to follow.

 

I think it's been well documented of late that Shane's run into financial difficulties so everything is gonna be resting on this - particularly if it doesn't work out - and in a way I feel sorry for him. The trouble is is that Westlife were on a downer in singles/publicity terms when they announced their split but were still selling albums and tours out to their hardcore fanbase fairly well, and they were nice lads but none of them really had a distinct personality to mark them out - there wasn't a Robbie/Geri/Justin/Cheryl that stood out (and Briyan McFadden doesn't count here)...so I don't know. He actually probably had the best voice in Westlife but whether or not he'd make a convincing solo artist is another thing...

He's also the hottest in Westlife, which is important. I don't think he'll be the new Robbie Williams but he can probably have a hit album, not sure about the singles market anymore though.

He's hot, but I'll be avoiding his material :lol:

 

He might have a #5 album that goes gold or something but I doubt he'll be anything massive.

Think he's left it too long. It isn't easy to transfer from a successful group to a solo artist. Although he can hold a tune he hasn't a distinctive voice. He may sell a few albums from X Factor and Xmas but I really can't see him having any long term success.

He doesn't have the same sort of Gary Barlow/Robbie Williams thing about him - none of Westlife really stuck out as having big personalities other than Bryan back in the day.

 

I can only echo what other people have said really, sure he could do well albums-wise, but singles? Not so convinced he'll be able to do much at all.

^Gary Barlow doesn't have a big personality either.

 

Shane and Mark both have the voices for solo careers but I agree that they've left it too late. It wouldn't have hurt to kick off their solo careers while the band was still going and this just smacks of financial desperation on Shane's part with his well documented troubles. It just depends on what material he brings out.

He does have a chance but it will hugely depend on what kind of material he has lined up.

Edited June 25, 201213 yr by pippa

^Gary Barlow doesn't have a big personality either.

 

Shane and Mark both have the voices for solo careers but I agree that they've left it too late. It wouldn't have hurt to kick off their solo careers while the band was still going and this just smacks of financial desperation on Shane's part with his well documented troubles. It just depends on what material he brings out.

 

Maybe one of the reasons why he couldn't forge a successful solo career.

He has a good voice but I actually think he will struggle. Westlife lost their popularity a few years ago and I can see him being marketed in a similar way with same type of material. Unfortnately, there are far more exciting male solo singles around.