Steo's last song
I HAVE an amazing treat for STEPHEN GATELY fans - the chance to be first to hear his last recording.
Stephen, who died last month, did backing vocals for Boyzone mate RONAN KEATING's version of the Christmas classic Little Drummer Boy.
Ronan has described Stephen's voice on the track as 'angelic' - and now I've put it online to let you hear for yourself.
The song features on Ronan's new album Winter Songs, which is released tomorrow. The pair put the finishing touches to the track in August - just two months before Stephen, 33, was found dead at his apartment in Majorca.
Ronan has revealed how he has found it a comfort since Stephen's death. Ronan said: "What keeps me going is that Stephen is on this album.
"His vocal on Little Drummer Boy is one of the most beautiful recordings.
"He is almost angelic - which is truly fitting as I believe my friend is an angel now."
A source told how the Irish lads had "great fun" while recording the track at Sarm studios in central London.
The insider added: "Ronan wanted Stephen to do the backing vocals because he thought his voice would be perfect for it.
"They were so pleased to be recording together again and the end result was great. Stephen was in good spirits and kept saying how excited he was for Ronan's album. You would never have believed it would be the last time he sang in a studio."
Stephen died from an acute pulmonary oedema, a build-up of fluid in the lungs, at his Spanish holiday home on October 10.
The singer, his partner Andy Cowles and Bulgarian pal Georgi Dochev had enjoyed a night out at the Black Cat club before heading back to Stephen's pad in the early hours. Stephen was found dead hours later.
His funeral in Dublin was attended by ex-Irish leader BERTIE AHERN, JASON DONOVAN as well as X Factor judge and Boyzone manager LOUIS WALSH.
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This article has 24 comments
im a top bb fan and love this song it is sad to know that while i listen to it stephen is no longer with his friend and family but all i can say is that he was a true roll model for young and old and they should be proud of him and i will miss seeing his smile on the tv
By eunice .. Posted November 21 2009 at 12:36 AM.
what a great song and amazing singers in both steven and ronan
will miss ya ste
Sarah-Jane
in Bridlington
By Sarah-Jane Raven.. Posted November 18 2009 at 2:05 AM.
Beautiful? Steo just sounds like angel, he had an amazing voice, will be missed by millions. RIP
By Lorraine.. Posted November 15 2009 at 10:57 PM.
How beautifull , tears were flowing just listening to it , the Boyz will be so proud of this , means much more than any of there other songs, due to the tragic loss of Steo, an angel on earth and in heaven, Rip dearest Steo, There will always be 5 in boyzone you will never be forgotten , but very sadly missed by all,
By linda.. Posted November 15 2009 at 7:19 PM.
hard to keep my tears in
steo you really sound amazing
ove you so much miss you hun really miss you so hard
wish i could turn back time
ronan wonderfull song really i love the whole album!!!!
BOYZONE FOREVER NO MATTER WHAT
MY FIRST LOVE
By karen.. Posted November 15 2009 at 6:57 PM.
How can anyone call that song rubbish. it was beautiful, just beautiful, we miss you Steo xx
By Gemma Oxford.. Posted November 15 2009 at 5:28 PM.
Lovely song, beautiful, love and miss you Steo, from a heartbroken boyzone fan. xx
By Gemma Oxford.. Posted November 15 2009 at 5:25 PM.
That brought tears to my eyes, what a beautiful song.
I love the version with Bing and Bowie, it's sad listening to that one as well with Bing no longer with us, so the memory of what a great song it is gets impacted even more with Stephens memory.
I just hope X-Factor doesn't cast its looming media fed shadow over something that means much much more.
How about the media bump up something special for a change rather than Simon Cowells wallet.
Proceeds going to Stephens charities is a great idea!
RUBBISH song?? it's just a traditional Christmas song that brings back lots of childhood memories for a lot of people, loads of songs from back then were a bit rubbish but we alwasy put the same xmas no.1 cd on don't we.
By Hayley.. Posted November 15 2009 at 4:22 PM.
Fantastic song, and 2 fantastic singers, keep your chin up Ronan, Stephen will always be with you. Just glad the pair of you recorded it.
By Emma.. Posted November 15 2009 at 3:33 PM.
I hope it gets to No1 @ Xmas in Memory of Stephen.I still can't believe he is no longer around.
By brian.. Posted November 15 2009 at 3:41 PM.
I too thought Stephens voice was angelic almost like a haunting sound but in a peaceful way. I also think it should be released as a single at Christmas and maybe they could share the proceeds to some of Stephen's charities/ cause that he supported during his life.
By Betsy .. Posted November 15 2009 at 2:57 PM.
GOT TO BE RELEASED FOR XMAS GOT TO BE NO1 STEPHEN WAS A GREAT SINGER WITH A PERFECT VOICE
By S.ROBINSON.. Posted November 15 2009 at 2:38 PM.
Never really Been a fan of boyzone. Don't get me wrong never hated them. Was more of a TT fan. Stephens death has really upset me. Still after a month still feel upset by it so sod knows how the rest of the boys and he's family must be feeling.
This song has to be Xmas number one.
Rip Stevo. Xx
By Amanda lee.. Posted November 15 2009 at 1:35 PM.
ronan is right stephen s voice is angelic on the song and i also think the song should be released for christmas as will make achange to have a number one song at christmas instead of the x factor love to all of boyzone still cant belive stephen no longer here rest in peace love ya angel always in my thoughts
By sharon.. Posted November 15 2009 at 1:22 PM.
I love the song....love ronan's voice and stephen's too.I hope the song and album does well!
By Tracy.. Posted November 15 2009 at 12:22 PM.
very well done xx r.i.p steven gatley x
By Alice Williams.. Posted November 15 2009 at 11:51 AM.
i listened to the song i thought it was good well done ronan and stephen
By mary.. Posted November 15 2009 at 11:27 AM.
I like little drummer boy and think ronan should release it at christmas maybe it will be the christmas number 1 instead of the xfactor winner that would be so cool. But he needs to release it the same week as the xfactor song cos I feel he would out sell it cos it has the late stephen gately on it and everyone will want it cos its his last song
By sarah Gregory.. Posted November 15 2009 at 10:33 AM.
I am sooooo loving this - This song congures up so many christmas festivites as a child that makes this song magical and very spiritual. Stephen sounds great and if its released i'm sure it would be a big seller
RIP Stephen
xx
By Sharls.. Posted November 15 2009 at 9:36 AM.
really nice its Ronan and stephen all the way ! What a great team they where. GREAT SONG I"M GETTING THE CD TODAY !!!!!!!!!!!! STEO WE STILL MISS YOU X
By christine van Tuil.. Posted November 15 2009 at 9:47 AM.
Love it. Mikey posted this up on Facebook yesterday, and its truly amazing! love this song because it features Stephen. Bless him. and cant wait for Ronan's album to be out in NZ! :)
By Eilidh.. Posted November 15 2009 at 9:27 AM.
i cried when i heard stephen's backing vocals on ronans album. it was beautiful still can't believe he has gone
By michelle jones.. Posted November 15 2009 at 6:39 AM.
Sad, yes...
But what a RUBBISH song!
By The Truth.. Posted November 15 2009 at 4:40 AM.
Ronan's right Stephen does sound so angelic in the background, Makes me sad the new album would have been epic Stephen was on top form an amazing voice and will always be missed...Feels like a fitting tribute for Steo to be on Ronan's album, lucky for us they recorded it
By N X.. Posted November 15 2009 at 12:16 AM.