Filmed in front of a live studio audience and featuring performances from Westlife themselves, Gay Byrne presents an intimate look at one of Ireland's most successful pop acts.
Gay Byrne interviews musical stars about their lives, before they perform some of their greatest hits. The Dubliners celebrate their fiftieth anniversary with guest performances.
Imelda May tells her life story through her songs, from Johnny Got a Boom Boom to Meet you at the Moon - she talks about being a Liberty Bell and shares some hilarious stories from her youth and her life in London, including singing at Bar Mitzvahs to supermarket openings where she had to perform on palettes. Coming from a tight knit family in the Liberties - she speaks with affection about them - even wrangling her father into singing a love song to her mother!
Bob Geldof tells his life story through his songs, - he brings us back to the beginning with Rat Trap - he speaks about his traumatic childhood and how after his mother's untimely death when he was 7, he was 'basically left to fend for himself'. He also speaks of the bleak 80's and his life time spent working in an abattoir - which inspired the song Rat Trap. Following on from this he talks about the Boomtown Rats controversial career - which included the ill-fated gig at Leixlip castle. He also reminds Gay that although he deliberately set out to shake things up on the Late Late, he regretted upsetting his late father. He moves on to recount his solo career, singing The Great Song of Indifference which was a total departure from his early songs and music with the Rats. He also speaks about his new lease of life and the love and peace he has found with Jeanne and sings the song inspired by her - Dazzled by You. He also speaks, for the first time on television about how he seriously contemplated suicide after his traumatic break up from Paula Yates and how the only thing that pulled him through were his kids.
Tonight Christy Moore tells his life story through his songs. He talks about his early influences from the Clancy Brothers to civil rights fundraiser Dominic Behan. He speaks about how much his late mother meant to him an and how she inspired him to write Yellow Furze Woman which he also performs. Being a great social commentator, Chisty talks about the time he was moved to honour Veronica Guerin in song. On a more humorous note he also talks about Garda Brenda Hyland who won the Rose of Tralee and how the thoughts of her took 'his imagination took him to places that he shouldn't go' and inspired the hilarious song Me and the Rose. He goes on to sing his favourite song of all time, Lord Baker, which he performs acapella. The old favourites Ordinary Man, Nancy Spain and Lisdoonvarna are also included in his set as well as the stories behind them. The programme finishes with Gay and Christy reminiscing about the amount of times he appeared on the Late Late (an estimated 22 times in total) and the audience join in with the Cliffs of Dooneen.
Daniel O'Donnell recounts his life and some of the music which corresponds with key moments of his life and career. He goes right back to the beginning of his career, selling albums to Knock pilgrims! He talks about his love of Donegal, a career which has taken him across the globe and about the love and contentment he has found in his marriage to Majella.
Mary Black tells her life story through her songs, From Past the Point of Rescue to Bright Blue Rose, she speaks about her childhood and her faith. For the first time ever she duets with her son Danny (from The Coronas) on a song they wrote together, Your Love, after her mother Patty died in 2003. She also speaks, for the first time, about her spells of depression and how singing has been a cathartic experience for her. Colombus and Song for Ireland also feature. Mary shares her secrets on how she coped with life on the road, as well as being a busy mum, in what has been a stellar career spanning almost 30 years. The programme ends with the latest single from her new album Marguerite and the Gambler.
In front of an invited audience of 200 fans, Gay Byrne this week interviews singer/songwriter Paul Brady about the stories and context behind some of his greatest hits. He talks about how he was an unhappy emigrant in America and how it lead to him writing the first song he was happy with - Crazy Dreams. The Lakes of Pontchatrain is the next song that he performs and he recounts the time he was summoned to London to teach Bob Dylan how to play it - even moving Dylan's hands on the frets when he was playing it right. Steel Claw was his song which appeared on Tina Turner's Private Dancer album. He describes what influenced the writing of the song and how the song came to be recorded by Tina. On a more personal note he sings Helpless Heart which he wrote for his wife Mary and talks about his relationship with her. He plays the programme out with Nobody knows - explaining he has always been fascinated by the role that chance has played in his own and others lives.
Kicking off the series with a bang is Sinéad O'Connor. Following on from the release of her critically acclaimed album 'How about I be me and You be You' Sinéad brings us on a musical journey that spans the length of her varied career. No stone is left unturned as Gay delves into the stories behind the songs and the many events that occurred around the release of her albums. Now, 20 years on from the infamous 'Pope' incident she reflects on the effect it had on her career. Singing hits from throughout her career, her latest single 'The Wolf is getting married' the story behind her biggest hit 'Nothing compares 2U' her favourite song of all time, Psalm 33 and many more... Throughout the show, Sinéad talks openly about her struggles with Depression, Religion, where her love of Music comes from, her relationship with her Mother, how her outspoken nature has gotten her into trouble and her hopes for the future.
With a musical career that spans over 25 years this week’s FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY pays tribute to one of the most successful bands from the West of Ireland: THE SAW DOCTORS With a musical career that spans over 25 years this week’s FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY pays tribute to one of the most successful bands from the West of Ireland: THE SAW DOCTORS. Gay Byrne chats to founding members, Leo and Davy. How the name came about, the stories behind the N17 and I Useta Love Her...are all revealed as well as performed in front of a huge group of their lively fans! As well as performing all the hits the boys talk about how growing up in Tuam was all the inspiration that they needed to write their great hits. They discuss life on the road, what it was like growing up in Tuam, Davy’s failed attempt at emigrating, his joy at playing in the Royal Albert Hall with his Mam and Dad in the audience. Tragedy also inspired songs, and Leo talks about the death of his brother and why he wrote I Hope We’ll Meet Again.
By the time Finbar Furey was a teenager he was known as 'The Prince of the Pipers'. On For One Night Only he brings us on a musical journey throughout his long and illustrious career. Singing some of his favourite songs, from 'When you were Sweet Sixteen to 'The Green Fields of France' he tells the story behind the great hits. He recalls growing up in a very musical household and how seeing the likes of Willie Clancy and even Johnny Cash in his house in Ballyfermot was commonplace. He talks about the passion and love his parents instilled in him for music and why his Traveller heritage is so important to him. He talks about his decade of pain following his split from The Furey Brothers and Davey Arthur, his recent health difficulties and how he overcame them, his joy at being able to play the pipes again and his excitement of going on the road stateside with his wife Sheila.
This week Gay Byrne is joined by Aslan, the hardest working band in Ireland as they celebrate 30 years in the business. Billy McGuinness and Christy Dignam reveal all about the highs and lows of their 30 year career. From riding high on 'This Is' and 'Crazy World' to losing it all due to Christy's addiction. No stone is left unturned as the boys talk openly about the effects of it all and how they've managed to remain together. They perform their classic hits as well as performing new songs from their latest album 'Nudie Book and Frenchies' and reveal the stories behind them all. They talk family, life on the road, friendship and what keeps it strong. Tune in for a great insight into the workings of one of Ireland's favourite live bands.
The final episode in this series of For One Night Only celebrates the musical talents of the showband legend, Dickie Rock, who has spent seven decades in the music industry. He brings us on a musical journey and talks life, love, music, family, future hopes and dreams. From The Candy Store On the Corner to Every step of the Way Dickie belts out the hits to an audience of his loyal fans. He talks about the triumphs and tragedies that have shaped his life: the death of his brother and later his son, Joseph; his other son's battle with drug addiction and the effect it had on himself and his wife, Judy; his own indiscretion that was played out in the media and how, after it all, he and Judy are still very much in love and happy. He also reveals why he left The Miami Show band, how he ended up playing for Prince Rainier of Monaco in the Hotel de Paris and why, after everything, home is where he wants to be and where he feels happiest.
For One Night Only celebrates the musical genius of Sharon Shannon. Throughout this special Christmas edition, Sharon speaks to Gay Byrne about growing up on the farm in Co. Clare, touring with the Waterboys in her early career and her love of Galway.
Kicking off the series Gay Byrne is re-united with Boyzone for a remarkable interview which looks back over the 20 year career of this phenomenally successful group, celebrating some of their greatest hits along the way.
Christmas ain't just for the kids y'know. Tonight there's a treat for music fans as Gay Byrne is joined by one of Ireland’s most popular songwriters, Phil Coulter. They'll be celebrating some of the musician’s greatest hits from Scorn Not His Simplicity to The Town I Loved So Well and of course Eurovision hit Congratulations. Louis Walsh, Paul Byram, John Sheehan, Tommy Fleming and Finbar Furey will all pay tribute to Phil while The Bay City Rollers make an appearance, performing Shang A Lang. Expect your mammies and aunties to turn into glorified teenagers when those lads appear...