Dolly Dots
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The Dolly Dots were a very popular Dutch girl band in the 1980s. The act's brand of upbeat Dance Pop hits and catchy lyrics made them a favorite among their loyal fans.
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[edit] Lineup
The band members were:
- Angela Groothuizen
- Angéla Kramers
- Anita Heilker
- Esther Oosterbeek
- Patty Zomer
- Ria Brieffies
[edit] Background
They had many hits between 1979 and 1988. Their success was beyond Dutch borders: they scored platinum in Japan with 'Radio' and had hits all across Europe, as well as a top 50 Billboard Hot Dance Club Play hit in 1981 with "P.S."
At the peak of their success in 1984 they had their own TV series, dolls and a number one hit 'Love Me Just A Little Bit More.' But at the end of that same year Anita left the group to have a daughter, resulting in the sextet becoming a quintet. In 1986 they went to the USA to make a movie called 'Dutch Treat' (which was released in 1987). The movie and the soundtrack had no success and the group broke up in 1988. In 1998, all six members returned to the stage for a reunion concert.
But the story didn't end, and for a long time it seemed that way. In the past few years Angela continued with her work for Dutch television. Patty started a television career as well with a fashion/styling program. The other "Dots" were on a low profile so to speak. However, in 2003 Aad Ouberg is asked if he is interested in staging a musical written around the Dolly Dots Hits. Aad Ouberg is the president of the company "Princess". The Dolly Dots promoted several products from Princess in the eighties. He was also the one who got the Dolly Dots to perform in 1998. Needless to say he was interested in the idea of a musical to make the circle come round as he states himself. In 2003 Princess starts a new entertainment group; "The Princess Entertainment Group". After several previews in 2003 and 2004 the first "Princess Musical" sees it premier on 27 September 2004 in The Chassé Theatre in Breda.
The musical can be compared to Mamma Mia!, the ABBA musical. It doesn't tell the story of the group. It is a fictional story surrounded by the music of the group. Difference between the two musicals is that the Mamma Mia! music supports the story which it doesn't in "Love Me Just A Little Bit More". The press was quite critical about the musical. The audience however didn't seem to mind. They loved the musical. It's a trip down memory lane. The entire thing that was HOT in the eighties had a place in the musical. The musical toured until February 2005 throughout Holland.
Because of the success of the musical former record company Warner released (another) Greatest Hits album. But even better, they released a DVD as well. This is the first official DVD release for The Dolly Dots. It contains most of the 1984 "Carré Concert", a 1982 TV-Special and several television performances. The DVD has been quite a success and rumours are that Warner is interested in releasing another DVD in 2005.
In 2006 all six members reunited for a one-off reunion tour.
In 2007 the Dolly Dots performed at the TV Show "Vrienden van Amstel Live". The singing and dancing wasn't as perfect as it used to be. But after a lot of training, they made a big impression to audience and press when they performed at their Reunion Concert in Rotterdam. That took place on May 25, 26 and 27 and contained, besides their known work, songs by the Surpremes, the Spice Girls and Destiny's Child.
