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The Nolans

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The Nolans

The Nolans (billed as The Nolan Sisters from 1974 until early 1980) are a group of sisters from the Republic of Ireland and England, who performed as a pop vocal act. The group, best-known for their song "I'm In The Mood For Dancing", gained prominence as guest performers on numerous UK television shows. The majority of their charted singles and albums occurred in the early 1980s but they continued to be active until 2005 and were particularly successful in Japan. The sisters have pursued varying solo careers in acting, music and television presenting.

Early career: 1974-1979

Tommy and Maureen Nolan, who had both worked as singers in Ireland[1], moved their family from Dublin to Blackpool in 1962, and launched a family singing group, the Singing Nolans, in 1963.[2] The original line up comprised the parents, sons Tommy and Brian, and daughters Anne (born 12 November 1950[2]), Denise (born 9 April 1952[3], Maureen (born 14 June 1954[2]), Linda (born 23 February 1959[2]) and Bernadette ('Bernie') (born 17 October 1960[2]).

The family performed even as the five girls all went to school at Blackpool's St Catherine's Catholic Secondary School (now part of St. Mary's Catholic College. As well as performing frequently on the northern club circuit[4], The Singing Nolans recorded an album, The Singing Nolans, a single "Blackpool" - which was a song about their local football club, Blackpool F.C. and which is still used on match days at Bloomfield Road and an EP "Silent Night" for the Nevis label in 1972.[5]

In 1974 the five daughters began performing as The Nolan Sisters.[2] After guesting on Cliff Richard's TV show, they began regular appearances on variety and comedy shows including Summertime Special, The Morecambe & Wise Show and The Two Ronnies[4] In 1975 they supported Frank Sinatra on a UK tour and Rolf Harris in South Africa.[6]

They released one uncharted single on EMI in 1974 and several more on Target Records between 1975 and 1977[5], several of which were composed by Roger Greenaway.[7] A 1977 eponymous album on the Hanover Grand label was sold only at the London Club Room in Drury Lane, and is ranked by price guides as the most collectable UK release by the group.[5][8]

Their chart breakthrough came in 1978 with the covers album 20 Giant Hits on Target, which reached #3 in the UK.[9] That year they also supported Engelbert Humperdinck on a US tour[2], and Denise left the group to pursue a solo career.[2]

In 1979, the group participated in the UK Eurovision selection contest A Song For Europe.[2] Their track "Harry My Honolulu Lover" was considered the favourite before the contest, but ultimately placed fourth, with Black Lace going on to represent the UK.[2] A lightning strike by BBC technicians minutes before the broadcast led to the cancellation of the show. Instead, the regional juries had to make their decisions based on audio tapes of the songs.[10] The group had been pre-booked to promote the song on many BBC shows, leading to speculation that it had been taken for granted they would win the competition. One booking was representing the BBC at the 25th Anniversary celebrations for the Eurovision network, which was staged in Montreaux, Switzerland, in April 1979.

Chart success: 1979-1984

After signing with CBS subsidiary Epic Records in 1979, the group enjoyed their greatest period of commercial success. Although their debut release - the failed UK Eurovision entry "Harry, My Honolulu Lover" - did not chart, their second Epic single "Spirit, Body and Soul" reached #34.[11] At the end of 1979, the group released the disco-flavoured single "I'm In The Mood For Dancing", which became their best-known tune[12] and biggest hit. It reached #3 in the UK[11], #2 in their native Ireland[13] and #1 in Japan[2], a rare event for a Western act; the single eventually sold more than 600,000 copies in Japan.[14] The song, like the majority of The Nolans' hit singles, was written by Ben Findon, Mike Myers and Robert Puzey[15]

The self-titled album Nolan Sisters, which featured the first two charting Epic singles, eventually reached #15 in the UK[9] In early 1980 the group changed its name from The Nolan Sisters to The Nolans.[2] Following her marriage, Anne temporarily left the group and was replaced by the youngest member of the family, Coleen (born 12 March 1965)[2] (Coleen had released one solo single on Target in 1978[5], a song about Prince Andrew's status as a teen idol.[7])

The group's 1980 album Making Waves peaked at #11 but had the longest UK album chart run of their career (33 weeks)[9] Singles from the album included "Don't Make Waves" (UK#12[11], IE#5[13]); "Who's Gonna Rock You" (co-written by Billy Ocean, UK#12 in 1980[11], IE#14[13]), and "Gotta Pull Myself Together" (UK#9[11], IE#8[13]). The latter became the group's first Australian hit, reaching #3 in 1981[16]; its parent album reached AU#10[16] The last UK single release from Making Waves was "Attention To Me" in 1981 (UK#9[11], IE#5[13], AU#94[16]).

"Sexy Music", also featured on Making Waves, won the grand prize at the 1981 Tokyo Music Festival[17], and was subsequently released as a single in Japan. During 1981, Coleen and Linda contributed vocals to the Young and Moody Band[2], which scored a UK #63 hit with "Don't Do That".[18]

Another 1981 single "Chemistry" (UK#15[11], IE#11[13], AU#51[16]) was drawn from the album Portrait. This would become the group's second Top 10 UK album, reaching #7 in 1982[9] (AU#54[16]), and was also the source of their final UK Top 20 single "Don't Love Me Too Hard" (UK#14[11], IE#17[13]). Anne rejoined the group in late 1982, making it a five-piece line up[2]

The 1982 compilation album Altogether reached UK#52[9], but the accompanying single, "Dragonfly", failed to chart. In 1983, the group was rocked by a minor scandal when their new single, "Dressed to Kill" was removed from the chart due to allegations of chart rigging. The group had released the single with a limited edition poster, exclusive to shops which registered chart sales. The story was reported on in newspapers at the time, which also added that their fan-club had instructed members on which shops these were. The single had entered highly in the Chart but was subsequently banned from inclusion.[19] Later in the year, Linda left the group to pursue a solo career. At the time, she was nicknamed the "Naughty Nolan"[20] due to risque publicity photos.[2] The resulting four-woman line up of Bernie, Anne, Maureen and Coleen was stable until 1994[2]

The covers album Girls Just Wanna Have Fun was released on Towerbell Records in 1984 and became The Nolans' final UK chart album, reaching #39[9]

The Nolans achieved success in Europe, Australia and New Zealand but their biggest market was in Japan. Publicity material for the group regularly claimed record sales of more than 9 million, a figure said to be higher than the Beatles' Japanese sales.[21][22]

New labels and lineups: 1984-2005

In 1986, the group performed on a stadium tour of Russia.[6] They appeared in the second episode of the 1987 comedy series Filthy Rich & Catflap, playing themselves in a blackmail plot and performing "I'm In The Mood For Dancing".[23] A 1989 re-recording of the same song reached an unofficial UK chart position of #99.[24]

The Nolans remained popular in Japan, signing a six-album deal there in 1987.[6] They recorded several new albums purely for the Japanese market, usually featuring English language covers of Japanese pop hits.[6] Releases on Teichiku Records during this period included Playback Part 2, entirely comprising covers of songs originally performed by Japanese singer Momoe Yamaguchi[25]; Tidal Wave[26]; Rock And Rolling Idol; Hottest Place On Earth; and Lost Lonely Beaches.

In 1992 they became the first British group to be awarded the Tokubstsu Kikaku Sho (Japanese Grammy) for best foreign recording artist.[citation needed] Compilations of their Japanese material, often featuring remixes and some featuring other artists as well, were regularly released throughout the 1990s and 2000s in Japan, while several budget-priced compilations of their Epic-era material (sometimes re-recorded) appeared in the UK.

Coleen, who had married performer Shane Richie in 1990[27], quit the group in 1994 to have a baby[2] In 1995, longstanding lead singer Bernie left to pursue an acting career; Anne and Maureen continued as a two-piece version of The Nolans.[2] A re-recorded version of "I'm In The Mood For Dancing", released on the Living Beat label, reached #51 in the UK in 1995.[11]

From 2000, the line-up consisted of Maureen and Anne, together with Anne's daughter Amy and unrelated singer Julia Duckworth, and concentrated on live appearances[28], often at venues such as Butlins holiday camps and bingo halls.[1] The group disbanded in 2005.[28]

Post-Nolans: Solo careers

Most of the sisters have continued to work in show business, pursuing careers in acting, musical theatre, pantomime and touring.[12] As an actress, Bernie had prominent TV roles in Brookside and The Bill[12], and has toured in several stage shows, including the adaptation of the movie Flashdance in 2008[29] Coleen has mostly worked as a television presenter, hosting This Morning briefly in 2001[30] and appearing regularly as a panellist on Loose Women since 2004.

Four of the sisters -- Bernie, Denise, Linda, and Maureen -- have played the role of Mrs Johnstone in the musical Blood Brothers.[31] Both Maureen and Bernie have performed in productions of the comedy Mum's The Word, and they toured together in the show in 2008.[32]

Linda performed in the role of Maggie May at Blackpool's Central Pier for 10 years, clocking up more than 1,000 performances[33] and toured with Prisoner Cell Block H - The Musical.[34] Denise released one solo single on Pye in 1979 and two on Mercury in 1982.[5] She has frequently performed a Judy Garland tribute show.[35] Anne stopped performing and took up an office job.[6]

The Nolans reunited as a five-piece (Anne, Bernie, Coleen, Linda and Maureen) on August 9 2007 to perform "I'm In The Mood For Dancing" on Loose Women[36], but dismissed any immediate prospect of a full-scale reunion[37], a stance Anne echoed in 2008.[6]

The girls' father Tommy died in 1998.[38] Anne was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000, as was Linda in 2006.[20] As part of her treatment, Linda had a breast removed.[39]

The Nolans' mother Maureen Nolan died on December 30 2007[40] after suffering from Alzheimer's disease.[41] Anne Nolan released her autobiography Anne's Song on March 27 2008.[42] In the book, co-written with Richard Barber[4], Anne said she had been repeatedly sexually abused by her father.[1][4][38]

Discography

Singles

Title Year Label Peak
UK
chart
[11] 		Peak
JP
chart
[43] 		Peak
IE
chart
[13] 		Peak
AU
chart
[16] 		Japan
sales
[43]
"But I Do"[5] 1974 EMI - -
(1981)[44]		 NR NR
"Make A Little Sunshine Shine"[5] 1975 Target - -
(1981)[45]		 NR NR
"Rain"[5] 1976 Target - NR NR NR
"Thanks For Calling"[5] 1976 Target - NR NR NR
"When You Are A King"[5] 1976 Target - NR NR NR
"Love Transformation"[5] 1977 Target - NR NR NR
"Love Bandit"[5] 1977 Target - NR NR NR
"Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue"[5] 1978 Target - NR NR NR
"Harry, My Honolulu Lover" 1979 Epic - NR - -
"Spirit, Body and Soul" 1979 Epic #34 NR - -
"I'm In The Mood For Dancing" 1979 Epic #3 #1
(1980)		 #2 #43
(1981)		 673,850
"Don't Make Waves" 1980 Epic #12 NR #5 -
"Gotta Pull Myself Together" 1980 Epic #9 #9 #8 #3
(1981)		 302,460
"Who's Gonna Rock You" 1980 Epic #12 #21
(1981)		 #14 - 87,650
"Attention To Me" 1981 Epic #9 NR #5 #94
"Sexy Music" 1981 Epic NR #7 NR NR 270,160
"Chemistry" 1981 Epic #15 #23 #11 #51 77,160
"Don't Love Me Too Hard" 1982 Epic #14 #61
(1981)		 #17 - 18,480
"Crashing Down" 1982 Epic - #86 - - 2,660
"Dragonfly" 1982 Epic - - - -
"Dressed To Kill" 1983 Epic - NR - -
"Goodbye Nothin' To Say"[46] 1985 Towerbell - - - -
"I'm In The Mood For Dancin' 89 (re-recording)" 1989 BCM Records #99[24] - - -
"Rock And Rolling Idol"[47] 1991 Teichiku NR - NR NR
"Take Me All"[48] 1991 Teichiku NR - NR NR
"Tidal Wave"[49] 1991 Teichiku NR - NR NR
"Mother Earth"[50] 1992 Teichiku NR - NR NR
"I'm In The Mood For Dancing (re-recording)" 1995 Living Beat #51 - - -

NR = not released in that country. Dash indicates did not chart in that country.

Albums

Note: all post-1990 albums listed here are Japan-only releases.

Title Year Label UK
chart
peak[9] 		JP
chart
peak
[51] 		JP sales
[51]
20 Giant Hits 1978 Target #3 #38
(1981)		 17,370
Nolan Sisters 1979 Epic #15
(1980)		 #3 156,020
The Nolan Sisters
(10-inch edition w/ 6 tracks)		 1979 Epic NR #12
(1980)		 56,190　
Making Waves 1980 Epic #11 #1 550,800
Sexy Music
(compilation LP)		 1981 Epic NR #2 541,930
All About The Nolans
(2-LP box set)		 1981 Epic NR #30 58,290
Don't Love Me Too Hard
(earlier release of Portrait for Japanese market)		 1981 Epic NR #47 41,230
Portrait 1982 Epic #7 NR -
Altogether 1982 Epic #52 - -
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun 1984 Towerbell #39 - -
Playback Part 2[25] 1991 Teichiku NR 77 1,2000
Tidal Wave[26] 1991 Teichiku NR 99 3,000
Rock And Rolling Idol 1991 Teichiku NR 88 15,000
Starbox (compilation; reissue of Altogether) 1992 CBS NR - -
Graduation (The Nolans & Friends) 1992 Teichiku NR - -
Hottest Place On Earth 1992 Teichiku NR - -
Lost Lonely Beaches 1992 Teichiku NR - -
Colorful Nolans (Megamix CD)[52] 1992 Teichiku NR - -
New Music Pops In Japan (The Nolans & Friends) 1992 Teichiku NR - -
New Best Hits And More (includes 5 new tracks) 1997 Teichiku NR - -
The Nolans Sing Momoe[53] (reissue of Playback Part 2[25];
bonus DVD with some editions)		 2004 NR - GT -
The Singles Collection (includes bonus DVD) 2006 Teichiku NR 88 -
I'm In The Mood For Dancing:
The Nolans Best Hits Collection[54]		 2007 M & I NR - -

NR = not released in that country. Dash indicates did not chart in that country.

References

  1. ^ a b c Dwyer, Ciara (2008-04-07). "I'm in the mood for telling". Irish Independent News. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Larkin, Colin (1998). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music 3rd Edtion Volume V: Louvin, Charlie-Paul, Clarence. London: Macmillan. p. 3969. ISBN 0-333-74134-X.
  3. ^ Treasurer, Kim (1982). In The Mood For Stardom: The Nolans. Speldhurst: Midas Books. p. 20. ISBN 0 85936 122 5.
  4. ^ a b c d Nolan, Anne (2008-03-10). "The monster in our family - I was sexually abused by my father, says Nolan Sisters star Anne". Daily Mail. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Record Collector Rare Record Price Guide 2000. London: Record Collector. 1998. p. 930. ISBN 0 9532601 0 0.
  6. ^ a b c d e f Nolan, Anne (2008-03-17). "We sang with Sinatra, were spat at by the Sex Pistols - but ended up broke, says Anne Nolan". Daily Mail. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
  7. ^ a b Treasurer, Kim (1982). In The Mood For Stardom: The Nolans. Speldhurst: Midas Books. p. 62. ISBN 0 85936 122 5.
  8. ^ Hamlyn, Nick (2000). The Penguin Price Guide For Record & CD Collectors. London: Penguin. p. 722. ISBN 0-14-051466-X.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g The Guinness Book of British Hit Albums 7th Edition. London: Guinness Publishing. 1996. p. 225. ISBN 0-85112-619-7.
  10. ^ Treasurer, Kim (1982). In The Mood For Stardom: The Nolans. Speldhurst: Midas Books. p. 74. ISBN 0 85936 122 5.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Guinness World Records British Hit Singles 14th Edition. London: Guinness World Records. 2001. p. 338. ISBN 0-85156-156-X.
  12. ^ a b c Mytton, Leigh (2003-02-28). "Nolan sister fits the bill". BBC News. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h "The Irish Charts - All there is to know". The Irish Charts. Retrieved 2008-04-21.
  14. ^ Treasurer, Kim (1982). In The Mood For Stardom: The Nolans. Speldhurst: Midas Books. p. 87. ISBN 0 85936 122 5.
  15. ^ Treasurer, Kim (1982). In The Mood For Stardom: The Nolans. Speldhurst: Midas Books. p. 79. ISBN 0 85936 122 5.
  16. ^ a b c d e f Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book (1970-1992). St Ives: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0646119176.
  17. ^ Treasurer, Kim (1982). In The Mood For Stardom: The Nolans. Speldhurst: Midas Books. p. 95. ISBN 0 85936 122 5.
  18. ^ Guinness World Records British Hit Singles 14th Edition. London: Guinness World Records. 2001. p. 482. ISBN 0-85156-156-X.
  19. ^ Denise Nolan official website | "Dressed to Kill" Chart rigging allegation story
  20. ^ a b Cummins, Fiona (2006-02-09). "Exclusive: Linda: I'll Beat Breast Cancer". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
  21. ^ "Loose Women - Presenters - Coleen Nolan - ITV Lifestyle". ITV. Retrieved 2008-03-31. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  22. ^ "The Nolans, Nolan Sisters - corporate events". Retrieved 2008-03-31. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  23. ^ Macdonald, Chrissie (2002). That's Anarchy!: The Story Of A Revolution In The World Of TV Comedy. Melbourne: Sid Hartha. pp. 129–130. ISBN 1-877059-24-2.
  24. ^ a b "Chart Stats - The Nolans". Chart Stats. Retrieved 2008-04-05. Chart positions below #75 are not considered canonical for UK singles.
  25. ^ a b c "Nolans Playback Part 2 Japan CD ALBUM (123744)". eil.com. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
  26. ^ a b "Nolans Tidal Wave Japan CD ALBUM (5196)". eil.com. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
  27. ^ Baker, Lindsay (2003-08-09). "Mr Love Man". The Guardian. Retrieved 2008-04-05.
  28. ^ a b "NolanSisters.com - Amy & Julia". NolanSisters.com. Retrieved 2008-04-05.
  29. ^ "Cast: Flashdance & Williams Joins West End Zorro". WhatsOnStage. 2008-05-21. Retrieved 2008-05-27.
  30. ^ "This Morning hosts admit struggle". BBC News. 2005-04-02. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
  31. ^ "Willy Russell - Blood Brothers - The Actors". Retrieved 2008-03-31. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  32. ^ Allen, Mike (2008-04-18). "A family affair for Bernie". Portsmouth Today. Retrieved 2008-04-22.
  33. ^ "Nolan sister Linda still gets scared on stage". This Is Worcestershire. 2000-09-15. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
  34. ^ Dealey, Justin (2005-05-11). "Linda's in the mood for Blood Brothers!". BBC News. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
  35. ^ Bourke, Kevin (2005-08-26). "Why Denise is over the rainbow". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
  36. ^ ""Loose Women" Episode #11.149 (2007)". IMDb. Retrieved 2008-04-22.
  37. ^ "Loose Women- The Nolans interview". Youtube.com. Retrieved 2008-04-05. Uploaded copy of interview.
  38. ^ a b Wallis, Sarah (2008-03-10). "Nolans singer Anne was sexually abused by father Tommy". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
  39. ^ "LINDA HAS BREAST OP". Daily Mirror. 2006-02-28. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
  40. ^ Ward, Charlotte (2003-01-10). "Mum was my inspiration.. she'll always be with me". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
  41. ^ "Nolan Sisters 'devastated' as their mother dies following battle with Alzheimers". Daily Mail. 2008-01-02. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
  42. ^ "Random House:Book Details for Anne's Song". Random House. Retrieved 2008-03-31. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  43. ^ a b Yamachan Land (Japan's charts archives) - Singles Chart Daijiten - "The Nolans Oricon Singles Chart listings" (in Japanese). Retrieved 2008-03-19. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  44. ^ "Nolans But I Do Japan 12" RECORD/MAXI SINGLE (258195)". eil.com. Retrieved 2008-04-22.
  45. ^ "Nolans (Won't You) Make A Little Sunshine Shine Japan Promo 7" RECORD (167085)". eil.com. Retrieved 2008-04-23.
  46. ^ "Nolans Goodbye Nothin' To Say UK 7" RECORD (189376)". eil.com. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
  47. ^ "Nolans Rock & Rolling Idol Japan 3" CD SINGLE (176043)". eil.com. Retrieved 2008-04-23.
  48. ^ "Nolans Take Me All Japan 3" CD SINGLE (6745)". eil.com. Retrieved 2008-04-23.
  49. ^ "Nolans Tidal Wave Japan 3" CD SINGLE (2756)". eil.com. Retrieved 2008-04-23.
  50. ^ "Nolans Mother Earth Japan Promo 3" CD SINGLE (220926)". eil.com. Retrieved 2008-04-23.
  51. ^ a b "Yamachan Land (Archives of the Japanese record charts) - Albums Chart Daijiten - The Nolans" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 2008-01-24.
  52. ^ "Nolans Colourful Nolans Japan CD ALBUM (149786)". eil.com. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
  53. ^ "Nolans Sing Momoe Japan CD/DVD SET (318636)". eil.com. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
  54. ^ "Nolans I'm In The Mood For Dancing - The Nolans Best Hits Collection Japan CD ALBUM (416552)". eil.com. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
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