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06-07-00 news EXCLUSIVE
Ronan Keating fans get ripped off...

Ronan Keating's new single "Rollercoster" is already causing controversy in his hometown of Dublin. Fans of the singer are being forced to fork out extra money to buy his CD single instead of his cassette for a meeting with their idol.

HMV on Grafton Street in Dublin are organising a meet and greet with the former Boyzone frontman on Friday July 7th for fans who have bought the singer's new song "Rollercoster." However, ShowBiz Ireland's record industry sources have said it is totally unfair for the shop to say on their promotional posters that customers have to buy a CD single.

The cassette single does not included them in the meet and greet. One source told ShowBiz Ireland, "The promotion was for those who bought the song on CD. Then they would be given an armband and allowed in on Friday at 11am to meet Ronan. However, the posters also said that the offer was only valid on the CD and not cassette's which is forcing young fans to fork out an extra £2 for the same song. We would not do this and I can't understand any record company making fans buy a CD instead of a tape."

Ronan's record company Universal Records still had not returned ShowBiz Ireland's call at time this story went live.

ShowBiz Ireland doubts however that Ronan has anything to do with the rip off to fans and is sure to be annoyed at the record store or whomever has organised the event.

Readers Feedback:

"Hi Showbiz Ireland,

I just thought that as a fan of Ronan's I was very disappointed to discover that after getting my wristband and taking a sickday from work, that the fans were not allowed get more than one CD signed - which is unfair because if a fan is willing to buy a few copies of the CD's (considering there are 2 releases) that he should be willing to sign them.

Also, the fans were not allowed get personal photo's taken with Ro. As far as I know this is the first time that the fans have been so restricted. I think Ronan's new solo career is either getting to his head or to the heads of his management.

I have no problem with my comments being mentioned. I think that Ronan gives the impression that he would be upset if he thought his fans were getting unfairly treated, but he must have realised that one signature and a 'Hi' were not suffice for the fans, who annoyingly!, screamed and cried at his arrival.

It seems the UK fans get more of Ronan and Boyzone then the Irish fans. You could also mention that the fans in the UK were able to buy better tickets for Ro's concert in the Point Depot than Irish fans!!

I rang to get a ticket the minute they went on sale and was offered Row Y, which I refused to buy, my friend in London phoned her Ticketmaster 20 minutes later and got me Row M!!

So maybe you might look into that too. I sent an email of complaint to Louis Walsh and to Ticketmaster and as of yet they have not had the decency to reply, let alone fob me off with an excuse!"

Posted by 'Chocolate Scrumptious' Sat, 08 Jul 2000 14:00:41