Dolly Dots

Dutch all-girl group the Dolly Dots formed in 1979. The group consisted of Angela Groothuizen, Ria Brieffies, Esther Oosterbeek, Patty Zomer, Anita Heilker and Angéla Kramers. Their first single "(Tell It All About) Boys" was an immediate hit in Holland, Belgium and Germany. 26 other hits followed between February 1979 and October 1988. The girls were also quite popular in Germany, Turkey, Lebanon, Belgium, Spain, Portugal and most of all, Japan. In 1983 the girls starred in their own TV series, which included many old and new songs. 1984 proved their most succesful year, with a sell-out Twice Nightly tour, and their first Dutch chart-topping hit, Love Me Just A Little Bit More. A lot of merchandise was made, incl. the infamous Dolly Dots-dolls. In 1985, Anita left the band due to her pregnancy. In 1986 the Dots shot their Hollywood movie Dutch Treat, but it was not the smash hit they'd hoped for. In 1987 the girls teamed up with producers Stock, Aitken and Waterman, in hope to crack the British charts. The song "What A Night" proved to be their last original single. The band split up in 1988. In 1993 a Disco remix of "Love Me Just A Little Bit More" was released to promote the Gold album, but the girls did not participate at all themselves. In 1998 all six girls gave a full concert again to promote their double CD The Collection and a R&B remix of What A Night. In 2004 a musical featuring their best loved songs toured the Netherlands, but did not feature any of the members of the group. In 2007, the band reunited once more to perform during a concert series also featuring other Dutch bands. They also decided to give three (already) sold-out reunion concerts in May 2007. Angela, Ria and Anita were the only members of the band to release solo records, but none were as succesful as their joint efforts as the Dolly Dots. On July 20, 2009, Ria died of cancer. She was only 52 years old. The Dolly Dots are still listed in the Dutch Guiness Book of Records as the longest running Dutch Girl Band. Biggest hits: Love Me Just A Little Bit More, Radio, Do Wah Diddy Diddy, Hela-Di-ladi-Lo, PS, S.T.O.P., Don't Give Up, She's A Liar, Do You Wanna Wanna, Boys, Leila and All the Roses.