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A thread about the band @westlifemusic
I found this photo and it reminded me of the greatest experience I’ve ever had with legitimate superstars.
I found this photo and it reminded me of the greatest experience I’ve ever had with legitimate superstars.
Many years ago, Westlife were scheduled to do a concert in PE, a few days after another concert was set to happen featuring a collection of musicians. About 2 weeks prior, probably due to poor sales, it was decided to merge the two concerts into one. Made sense.
I was at Algoa FM at the time, who were the broadcast sponsor, and received a frantic call from a very concerned lady. Her wheelchair-bound daughter, Heather, was “the world’s biggest Westlife fan” but suffered from a dibilitating disease.
With the constant lights and noise etc - Mom was concerned about Heather having to struggle through a host of other musicians to witness her favourite band at the end of the night. She didn’t know if Heather would physically be able to handle the experience.
I promised the mom we’d look after Heather. I arranged someone to be with her at all times, and got hold of Westlife’s people to try organise a backstage meet and greet. Which they agreed to.
Come concert time I met up with Heather and her carer on the night. She brought with a collection of every letter she’d ever written to Westlife. Drawings. Photos of her family. Her dog. And her own personal camera. The works.
I’d brought with a photographer to capture the meet, but Heather asked if the band could also take pics on her camera. I didn’t know but said we’d ask.
The next moment - the four guys emerged, screaming “There she is! HEATHER!!! We finally get to meet you”
And proceeded to worship her. They looked through her pics. Asked about her family. Treating her as if she was the only person in the world they cared about.
And proceeded to worship her. They looked through her pics. Asked about her family. Treating her as if she was the only person in the world they cared about.
Heather sat there struggling to speak as 4 people she idolised hung on her every word. This went on for a good 10 minutes. The best part - when they saw her camera they “begged” her if they could please take some pictures with it. Of them with her. It was magnificent to witness.
Heather passed away a few years later, but there’s no doubt that Shane, Markus, Nick and Kian treated her to one of the best experiences of her short life.
Side note: I couldn’t recall the context behind the photo. I looked up the concert date and it took place 3 days after my birthday. They obviously joined in on the celebrations, which was a very cool touch too.
