WESTLIFE are planning to record with some of Motown’s greatest artists for their next album. The Irish band have already enlisted pop diva Diana Ross, who is hoping to top the British music charts in time for her 60th birthday on March 26.

Louis Walsh, the band’s manager, is planning to approach Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight and Mariah Carey to appear on the Motown tribute album. Other names being mentioned are Rod Stewart and Barry Manilow, whose song Mandy recently gave Westlife their ninth chart success in five years.

“This is something that the band really want to do,” said Walsh. “We don’t have a finalised list yet but we are looking at some big names and we will be starting the album in March or April.”

Walsh said Diana Ross was the first to commit to working with Westlife. “Diana is looking for a No 1 record because her 60th is in March. She’s on tour in Britain and it is a great opportunity for her to get together with the band and record a hit single. We don’t know if it will be one of her songs yet.”

Steve Mack, the band’s producer, is currently writing new songs for the album and studio time has been booked from March. “It will be a great album,” said Walsh. “Recording with Diana is a great way to start it off.” Ross is coming to the Point in Dublin in March, 16 days before her birthday.

While Westlife’s critics will cringe at the prospect of the band recording saccharine versions of 1960s hits, former Motown stars are likely to be only too pleased to team up with the band to score chart hits. Stevie Wonder recently appeared in the British pop charts performing his hit Signed, Sealed & Delivered with the boy band Blue. Carey has already recorded with Westlife. Against All Odds was slated by critics and recently appeared in a list of the top 20 all-time worst pop songs.

Ross shot to fame with Motown group the Supremes. Their first No 1, Where Did Our Love Go?, paved the way for the band to become the most successful girl group of all time.

The Supremes had 12 No 1 hits from 1961 until they split up eight years later. Ross went on to achieve solo success with hits such as Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.

Last year, however, she attracted headlines for the wrong reasons after being arrested in America on drink-driving charges.

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