The Nolans/The Nolan Sisters
This highly popular Irish family group originally consisted of
brothers and sisters Tommy, Anne, Denise, Maureen, Brian, Linda,
Bernie (Bernadette) and Coleen Nolan. The Nolan's lived in Dublin
until 1962 when they emigrated to Blackpool. Parents Tommy and
Maureen Nolan were singers and gradually brought their offspring
into the act. In 1963 the entire family debuted as The Singing
Nolans.
After moving to London, the group's personnel was Anne,
Denise, Linda, Bernie and Maureen. Their act proved very popular
on UK television and variety shows. After touring America with
Engelbert Humperdinck in 1977, Denise left to pursue a solo
career. The remaining sisters signed to CBS and were widely tipped
to represent the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest but
lost out to Black Lace.
After a minor hit single with Spirit Body And Soul,
Anne married and left the group for two years. She was replaced by
the youngest sister, Coleen, and the quartet changed their name
from The Nolan Sisters to The Nolans. A massive hit with the
catchy I'm In The Mood For Dancing brought them
worldwide renown and even topped the charts in Japan.
The Nolans had further UK Top 10 hits with Gotta Pull
Myself Together and Attention To Me, and, with
Anne's return, became a quintet for a while until Linda married
former Harmony Grass drummer Brian Hudson and retired from the
group. Linda is sometimes known as the "Naughty Nolan"
because she launched her solo career by posing near-naked for
publicity shots.
Phenomenal success for The Nolans in Japan and Eire coincided
with further minor chart appearances in the UK, as well as
best-selling albums. Coleen, Bernadette and Denise each recorded
solo singles, while Linda and Coleen enjoyed a minor hit as The
Young And Moody Band with Don't Do That.
In 1994 Coleen left to have a baby, and a year later, Anne and
Maureen became a Nolans duo when Bernadette, who had been the lead
singer with the group since she was 13, decided to go solo.
Coleen
is married to Shane Ritchie, who starred in the acclaimed 1993
London revival of the musical Grease.
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