Dolly Dots

Dolly Dots were a popular Dutch girl band in the 1980s. With their style of upbeat Dance/Pop, they scored many hits throughout Europe. The sextet consisted of Angela Groothuizen, Angela Kramers, Anita Heilker, Esther Oosterbeek, Patty Zomer and Ria Brieffies.

Biography

They had many hits between 1979 and 1988. Their biggest success was in the Netherlands, but they also scored hits in much of Europe. Their single Radio was a big hit in Japan as well as a top 50 Billboard Hot Dance Club Play hit in 1981 with P.S. But success didn't end there. They Also enjoyed hits in Turkey, Libanon, Iceland and toured through Egypt.

At the peak of their success in 1984 they had their own TV series, Barbie dolls, wallpaper and a number one hit Love Me Just a Little Bit More. At at the end of the year, Anita left the group to have a daughter; the rest became a five-piece. Anita already launched a career of her own by becoming the Dutch voice of Donald Duck; in 1986 she released a total of four solo-singles ("You've Got Me Keyed Up", "Into The Night", "Dancing On The Moon" and "Don't Treat Me Like This) and a solo album "The Girl In Black".

The same year the remaining Dots went to the USA to make a movie called Dutch Treat (which was released in 1987). The movie and the soundtrack met with little success and the group broke up in 1988. Their last single was another attempt to break the UK market when they teamed up with hit producers Stock Aitken Waterman for the song What a Night, but were unsuccessful.

In 1988 the Dots played a farewell-show at Amsterdam Escape. Having evolved from girls to women in nine years they felt the time was right to go their separate ways (bar any Christmas quality-time reunion), and as Ria Brieffies would later say "There's more to life than being a Dolly Dot".

In 1989 Anita Heilker taped a sitcom with satirical duo Henk Spaan & Harry Vermeegen (Die 2) for early 1990-broadcast on Veronica.

Angela Groothuizen teamed up with Ruud Mulder, former guitarist of disco/funk-contemporaries Spargo, to record as Angela & the Rude. Besides performing she began a television presenting career starting with an adaptation of Challenge Anika for AVRO. In 2005 her contract expired and was not renewed; Groothuizen has since moved to the commercial broadcaster to appear as a panel judge on talent contest program.

Patty Zomer started a television career as well with a fashion/styling program.

In 1998 the Dots reunited for a one-off concert to celebrate their 10th split anniversary; on October 1 they were interviewed by Paul de Leeuw.

In 2003, Aad Ouberg, who was closely involved with the group was responsible for getting a Dolly Dots musical off the ground. The musical Love Me Just a Little Bit More played at The Chasse Theatre in Breda and around the Netherlands during 2004, but closed in early 2005 after poor reviews.

Due to the musical, a Greatest Hits compilation of the group was released by Warner Bros. Records as well as a DVD. In 2006, all original six members reunited for a tour.

In November 2008 Ria Brieffies was diagnosed with cancer; "This might be our last Christmas together" she told one magazine. Ria Brieffies passed away on July 20, 2009.

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