Boyzone’s best-known line-up was Ronan Keating, Stephen Gately, Keith Duffy, Shane Lynch and Mikey Graham. The Irish boy band was created in Dublin in 1993 by talent manager Louis Walsh, and the first group chosen at the auditions also included Richard Rock and Mark Walton. Gately died in 2009. Boyzone announced in 2018 that it would split after its anniversary celebrations, which ended in 2019, and the members reformed for a one-off farewell stadium show in 2026.
Here is every member, with what the band’s history records about each.
Ronan Keating
Ronan Keating was picked at the 1993 auditions, where he sang “Father and Son,” a song Boyzone later recorded. He emerged as the lead singer and frontman and won an Ivor Novello Award for songwriting in 1997 for “Picture of You.”
Stephen Gately
Stephen Gately auditioned with Lionel Richie’s “Hello” and shared lead vocals with Graham on the group’s first single, a cover of “Working My Way Back to You.” He died on 10 October 2009 in Mallorca, and the 2009 Better Tour was the last to feature him. Boyzone’s fourth studio album, Brother, released on 8 March 2010, includes a new song featuring his vocals.
Keith Duffy
Keith Duffy was chosen at the November 1993 auditions in Dublin, where he sang “I’m Too Sexy.” He is part of the group’s most successful line-up.
Shane Lynch
Shane Lynch was one of the six people chosen for the first line-up. After Gately’s death he was one of the four surviving members who issued a joint statement, and he spoke publicly about the group’s later albums.
Mikey Graham
Mikey Graham sang “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad” at the second audition. He was originally rejected but joined after Richard Rock’s departure, and he shared lead vocals with Gately on “Working My Way Back to You.”
Richard Rock and Mark Walton (First Line-Up)
Richard Rock, the son of Dickie Rock, and Mark Walton were part of the first group chosen after the auditions. That line-up appeared on The Late Late Show in 1993. Rock left early on, and Graham took his place.
Boyzone Line-Up Summary
- First line-up (1993): Keating, Gately, Duffy, Lynch, Richard Rock, Mark Walton
- Classic line-up: Keating, Gately, Duffy, Lynch, Graham
- After 2009: Keating, Duffy, Lynch and Graham, who released Brother on 8 March 2010
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who created Boyzone? Talent manager Louis Walsh, through newspaper auditions in 1993.
- Which Boyzone member died? Stephen Gately, on 10 October 2009.
- Who was Boyzone’s lead singer? Ronan Keating emerged as the lead singer and frontman.
- Is Boyzone still together? The band split after its 2019 anniversary celebrations and reformed for a one-off farewell stadium show in 2026.
Related
- Zucchini and Bell Pepper Stir Fry Recipe for Quick Healthy Meals
- Lemon Curd Filling Recipe: Perfect Tangy & Creamy Dessert Base
- Remove Cat Urine Smell from Carpet: 10 Effective Solutions