Denise Nolan - The Official Website

There have been hundreds of girl groups throughout the years on the music scene. Few, if any, can claim to have had the success or the enduring appeal of the Nolans. Their parents were successful singers in their own right in post war Dublin as the Sweethearts of song. Maureen Nolan Snr visited Blackpool in the late 1950's and was impressed with the town's entertainment scene, on returning to Dublin Mrs. Nolan retold her story and a second trip was hastily arranged this time she was accompanied by her husband Tommy. The two of them realised the potential for work in the town and soon after the whole family relocated to the UK. Work was plentiful but Tommy Nolan did take a day job to supplement his earnings and before too long the singing work came flooding in. As a pre taster of Summer Seasons to come the family even secured a Summer long run at the town's 'Brunswick Club' One by one the children came along and one by one the children made their stage debut .The act recorded the album "The Singing Nolans" for the independent label Nevis. The album was recorded in one day and was sold locally at the family's shows. It remains a major Nolans collectable. Growing up in show business meant that there was never any pressure on the children to go on stage, they just loved it. Denise Nolan was probably the most keen to sing in front of an audience, she was legendary within the family for her tantrums if it wasn't her turn to work with her parents. A well documented fact was that the Singing Nolans, as the act was called, were spotted at an unscheduled Christmas Day booking. The new owner of the Cliffs Hotel, Joe Lewis, saw the show and offered the act a residency at his prestigious London nightspot, 'The London Room'. Tommy had thought that the offer was just talk but it was repeated the following day. Subsequently Mr. Lewis turned up at the Nolan family home and hesitantly Tommy Nolan signed the contract in the presence of Lawyers. The family relocated to Ilford, Essex leaving the Brothers Tommy and Brian who had decided to stay at Blackpool as they had jobs and girlfriends in the town. Coleen, Bernie and Linda moved south and finished their schooling at a private school in the capital.

Stewart Morris displayed so much faith in The Nolan Sisters that he even gave them their biggest career boost to date when he secured the girl's place as support act to Frank Sinatra on the European leg of his 1975 tour. The following year the Sisters appeared in an eight week Summer Season show at Eastbourne. That year saw them accompany Rolf Harris as his support act on his South African tour. The Sisters began recording tracks for the EMI subsidiary 'Target Records'. Altogether a total of nine singles were released, sadly, none of them charted despite having writers such as Roger Cook and Harry Greenaway who had secured huge chart success for other artistes. The singles were given general releases and their lack of success bothered The Nolans. Their disappointment was relatively short lived when in 1978 the Sisters recorded "20 Giant Hits" The album was recorded after market research was carried out to find the 20 most popular songs of the day. The album, heavily promoted with TV advertising was a huge hit, climbing as high as number three in the UK album chart. The album received gold disc status and made £300,000 for the management company Target. Their contract, sadly, meant they were not entitled to royalties. They also crossed the Atlantic for a series of shows as support act to Englebert Humperdink in New York. Tommy was looking at the Nolans management structure and wondered if they would be better off if he were to once again manage the act. The contract however was for ten years with re negotiation only available after five years. The contract was indeed broken after only four years. The two parties had to haggle over the amount but a settlement was eventually reached. This severely dented the family bank balance but it meant that Tommy was once again steering the act.

The group's line up was to change in 1978 when Denise announced she wanted to leave the act and concentrate on a solo career. It would be a big loss to the group and the Sisters would miss her very much. The act couldn't dwell too much on Denise's departure as they had to rehearse for that year's Summer Season show. 1978's show was to be at the ABC Theatre in their adoptive home town Blackpool. The show was to feature acclaimed Irish Brother vocal act 'The Bachelors' and comedian Billy Dainty
That Autumn saw the release of the "20 Giant Hits" Album with a heavy television campaign and marketing drive by Warner Brothers. It saw the album enter the top 5 in the album chart. It's release was timed to coincide with the run up to Christmas and sales climbed to over 350,000.The year culminated in the Nolan Sisters' performance in that year's Royal Variety Performance at the London Palladium. The Sisters still rank this as one of their career highlights. The Nolans, as they were now called, embarked on their first headlining UK tour in late 1980. The tour was used to promote the latest album "Making Waves" Two singles had been released as a pre taster to the album. "Don't Make Waves" peaked just outside the top ten at number twelve and "Gotta Pull Myself Together" went top ten in the Summer reaching as high as number nine. "Who's Gonna Rock You" was released to promote the tour and the Nolans hit the road. Brothers Brian and Tommy Nolan ran the merchandising operation at all the venues that the tour undertook. Items as diverse as scarves and flashing visors were sold alongside the inevitable posters, badges and programmes. The success of "Making Waves" was instant. It was released the World over and was particularly successful in Japan, Australia and New Zealand. During 1980 the Sisters made trips to these territories and appeared on most of the top rated shows in each country. The second Epic/CBS album 'Making Waves' had been released in October 1980, as was a compilation double album of the '20 Giant Hits' album, this time released on the budget label Pickwick. That album was so successful it was repackaged in two formats named 'The Best Of The Nolan Sisters Vol 1' and 'Vol 2'. 'Attention to Me' became the fourth single to be released off the album. All these singles received considerable airplay and television promotion. Seeing the ladies appear on "Top Of The Pops" "Pebble Mill At One" "Video Stars" "Tiswas" amongst others too numerous to list.

They also recorded two 30 minute TV specials in a London Theatre for transmission on BBC TV. The group flew out once more to Japan to take part in the 1981 Tokyo Music Festival. They were triumphant with Ben Findon and Mike Myres' composition 'Sexy Music' which was taken from the 'Making Waves' album and went on to become a smash hit for the Nolans in Japan The cash prize and trophy were picked up by them and they became only the third non American act to win the festival. Jermaine Jackson and Randy Crawford had been already been defeated in the contest. The Nolans road show in Japan was unstoppable. In late 1981 a single 'Chemistry' was released it was another top 20 smash and was seen as a taster for the next album 'Portrait' due to be released in early 1982. The single 'Don't love Me Too Hard'' was released early in 1982 at the same time as the 'Portrait' album both were big hits which saw the girls consolidate their position as the most successful girl group in the UK. That year saw the girls' complete their second national headline tour, which was a tremendous success. The album featured a total of four singles 'Chemistry', 'Don't Love Me Too Hard' 'Crashing Down' & 'How Do I Survive' the latter being released in Japan only. They then recorded two more 30 minute specials for BBC TV. At the close of the year a greatest hits album was released entitled 'Altogether' the album's title was also a play on words, for Anne had decided to come out of retirement meaning the act and the hits were "Altogether". Anne had missed singing and her Sisters. And had decided to come back to the group.

There was time to rehearse for the tour that started in November 1982. Amy came on the tour too. Looked after, as ever, by her devoted Grandmother Maureen. To coincide with the tour and the album Epic released the single. 'Dragonfly' This failed to make the chart as did the final CBS single 'Dressed To Kill' . which entered the chart as the girls' highest ever chart entry. Allegations of chart rigging were made by the industry watchdog "IMRB" who promptly removed the song from the charts. This was a crushing blow to the Nolans who were completely innocent. It seems that a limited edition poster was offered to would be purchasers of the single. The limited edition was only available in selected stores. Those stores being chart return shops. A few hundred of which, dotted around the country made up the entire UK chart. The Music Research Bureaux used the sales of these shops to organise a full top 100 singles!! The song's failure was to be the last Epic release by the Sisters. 1983 also sadly saw the end of the relationship between CBS and the Nolans. 1983 began quietly, but the year saw the Nolans enter the charts again with 'Don't Do That' which was a collaboration with heavy rock stars Lemmy from Motorhead and Cozy Powell. Linda then decided that she too wanted to branch out as a solo artiste leaving the five piece as a four piece once more. She never sang professionally with the Nolans until the 2009 reunion. A short tour was arranged with Anne Maureen Bernie and Coleen as the line up. The family spent Christmas together as usual that year. 1984 saw a new contract secured. Towerbell Records released the party album 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun'. The album featured 33 hit songs in medley form. The songs had all been hits for major recording artists. The album received heavy press and TV promotion and entered the charts and earned silver disc status within two weeks of it's release. It enabled the act to go on tour once more with a product to promote. It's release at Christmas time was also beneficial because of it's party theme. A lone single on the Towerbell Label was also released, regrettably this had no impact on the charts. With chart success eluding them the Nolans needed a reinvention. The group was still very popular on the touring circuit, however, enjoying great successes wherever they appeared.Denise had been enjoying success with Pantomimes and soon after the Nolans took to Panto too. It was a chance for each girl to work on their own thus adding another string to their bows. It wasn't long before the ladies found themselves back in the studio recording a new album of standards that were all very dear to them. Tenderly was, and is, considered by many to be the greatest album the Nolans recorded. It featured songs from the 1950's and was a testimony to how diverse the act had become. Two of the tracks were sung a cappella. The album's release coincided with a UK tour. This too was not a commercial success. Spartan records have been accused of failing to promote the album or the solitary single that was released in tandem, entitled 'Let's spend the night together' . In 1987 Anne gave birth to her second daughter, Alexandra. While Coleen and Maureen announced that year that they were both expecting babies. The two siblings both had boys, Maureen gave birth to Danny to her partner Ritchie Hoyle and Coleen gave birth to Shane Jr . On the musical side was to be no recordings from the Nolans until 1989. Several budget priced albums were released with the same tracks shuffled about and the covers repackaged. The group continued to tour successfully and appear in Summer Seasons and Pantomimes.

The ladies went into the studio in 1989 and re recorded 'I'm in the mood for dancin 89' This was given the 'Stock Aitken Waterman' treatment with a throbbing disco beat with Bernie singing lead vocals. Coleen provided lead on the reverse track 'No Question' The song was selling well and looked set to enter the chart when the distribution company went bankrupt and supplies could not reach the shops . Once again family spirits plummeted. The girls still enjoyed TV work most notably singing The Smiths song 'Panic' On Jonathan Ross' show. Linda had topped the bill in Blackpool from 1985 with her Maggie May show on the town's central pier, and was temporarily immortalised in wax at Blackpool's Taussaud's museum. The mid and late 1980's saw the act touring extensively the UK government even secured an exchange with the Soviet Union's Bolshoi Ballet. The ballet company came to the UK - The Nolans went to Russia. Altogether 40 dates were completed and although the girls fell ill to food poisoning they enjoyed the experience. Summer season work and Pantomime were bread and butter to the Sisters and seasons were undertaken in towns such as Blackpool Skegness and Bournemouth. Although the act had no product to promote they proved to be a box office draw and work was plentiful. In early 1990 the act was approached by Universal Panasonic in Japan with a view to releasing several albums for the Japanese market. Several of these albums were released. "Playback Part 2' 'Rock & Rolling Idol, 'Tidal Wave' 'It's True What They Say 'Lost Lonely Beaches' 'Colorful' 'The Hottest Place On Earth' 'Please Don't' 'Valentine Pops In Japan' 'Celebration Royal Wedding' and ' Christmas Pops In Japan'

As well as repackaged CD's of '20 Giant Hits' and 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun' Coleen gave birth to her second son Jake in 1990. In addition to the new Japanese releases several greatest hits were released featuring newly recorded versions of their hits. The arrangement the Nolans had would see them record and release an album for the UK market. Mike Myres was recalled to help with recording as was Ray Hedges and translations of Japanese songs were carried out by Clive Scott, who also helped with production. Coleen decided to retire from show business in 1994 and the Nolans now singing as a trio completed a Summer Season in Blackpool at the Grand Theatre. Anne, Maureen and Bernie performed the 26 week season to rave reviews and the show went out twice nightly, breaking box office records. Bernie announced towards the end of the run that she too was to leave the act. She claimed at the time that she was sick of production numbers and wanted to try something a "bit rockier" she was even considering appearing as a backing vocalist for such a show. Her departure was a shock to the group and her first major role. "Billy" which she was to appear alongside Jason Donovan, was cancelled. She did work in low profile roles and semi professional shows to improve her acting skills before landing the role of Mrs Johnstone in "Blood Brothers" a couple of years later. Bernie also appeared at Blackpool's Opera House in the World premiere of "Oh what A Night" starring US singing star Kid Creole. The show was a huge success and went on to tour Worldwide (minus Bernie) for several years. At the same time she was starring in "Oh What A Night" she had to dash across the town to appear in her own late night cabaret show six nights a week in the Stakis Hotel. This show saw three different full scale production shows that went on until 2am. The act was by 1995 slimmed down to a duo with Anne and Maureen. They toured the UK with a revamped Nolans act and even recruited two girl dancers to swell the line up, giving the impression of a foursome. The work was not the highest calibre and the Sisters were not altogether happy but respite came in the shape of Anne's eldest daughter Amy, who had by now reached sixteen years old. Amy was born with show business running through her blood and was no stranger to the limelight. It was natural then that she would follow in her Mother's footsteps and join the group. The foursome was completed with her best friend Julia who was the same age. Together they made up the 21st Century Nolans and once more the group's profile was lifted.
Meanwhile Linda had enjoyed success with tours such as "Prisoner Cell Block H" and "Back To Baccarach" In 1997 Bernie successfully auditioned for the lead role of Mrs. Johnstone in Willy Russell's 'Blood Brothers' a role that would later become synonymous with the Sisters. Bernie toured the UK with the show and was due to star in the show in London's West End at the Phoenix Theatre Charring Cross Road, when she was asked to audition for Channel Four's "Brookside" after the casting crew for the show had seen her in 'Blood Brothers' when the tour hit Liverpool. After auditioning for the show Bernie was offered and accepted a part in the long running soap. She had loved the role in Blood Brothers but this was too good an opportunity to miss. Bernie was released from her contract and was asked if anyone in her family might be up for the job. Bernie's first thought was Denise. Consequently Denise Nolan was to take on the part. Becoming the first in a now World record breaking dynasty. Lyn Paul had been in the West End and was now touring the UK with the production. After a short time she too decided she wanted to leave the show. Arrangements were hastily made for Linda to become the third Nolan to don the famous checked coat and apron to play the beleaguered Mother of seven, Mrs. Johnstone. Denise stayed in the West End for eight months before being transferred to the National tour with the part. Linda Nolan was then recruited and became the second Sister to go into the West End production where she stayed for a further three years. It was during the Nolans' Summer season show at Blackpool's Grand Theatre in 2000 that Anne noticed lumps in her breasts. Her fears were realised when tests were carried out and breast cancer was diagnosed. Anne had fourteen lumps removed and had to undergo extensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Anne amazed everyone by working the entire time, missing only a few shows, usually on the days that chemotherapy was carried out. The show business adage - The show must go on - was tested to it's fullest and Coleen came out of retirement to take Anne's place on the days when ill health prevented her from performing.After two years in 'Brookside' Bernie took a part in ITV 1's 'The Bill' where she stayed for a further 3 years. She had intended to take part in the 2002 Eurovision Song Contest after the judges had heard her rendition of the demo track. 'Come Back' Her bosses at 'Brookside' refused to give her time off to take part in rehearsals in Estonia and this pre empted her decision to look for other work. The actual singer on the night Jessica Garlick came a very respectable third with the song. Maureen joined the National tour of 'Mum's the word' her first job that didn't involve singing. Although she was very apprehensive about the role she embraced it and was rewarded with critical acclaim. In late 2001 Anne and Maureen were asked to take part in the 'Reelin and a rockin' tour. It meant that the girls would be providing backing vocals for a variety of 1960's stars such as Gerry Marsden from the Pacemakers, Dave Berry, Brian Poole and many others, the Nolans stayed with the show for 3 years even taking it to Australia and twice and on board the QE2. The show was even given a Summer Season as well as touring almost constantly to packed houses. Maureen Nolan undertook her debut acting role in 2002 when she starred as "Pam" a rock chick in the UK touring production of "Mum's The Word". It was to be her first non singing role. Maureen enjoyed the experience immensely and found it had given her new confidence. The show was a major success. Proving that the Nolans seem to do so much together, her sister Bernie in 2007 took on the lead role in the same touring production with a whole new cast! While Maureen was away working on the show should any "Reelin' and a Rockin' shows arise, Coleen or Amy were on hand to help out. Almost proving Radio two's Terry Wogan right when he said there was a factory somewhere manufacturing Nolans. Bernie was occupied with her TV role in ITV's "The Bill" but found time to star in the hit TV show 'Stars in their eyes' as Anastasia singing "Not that kind of girl" At the time Linda was busy with 'Blood Brothers' Denise was touring the UK with her Judy Garland show and The Nolans were enjoying regular work throughout the UK and overseas. Denise continued to tour the country during this time and was even nominated for awards for her portrayal of Mrs. Johnstone such was her stature in the role. Denise left 'Blood Brothers' in 2004 and Linda was pulled from the West End to take over the touring role once more. Pantomimes continued to be a valued source of income for the girls with most of them starring during the festive period. Anne took on her first gig as a solo singer in 2005 in a major variety show. Sadly the impresario of the show was inexperienced and after only three shows an unpaid cast including Anne Nolan and Bobby Davro were left without a show. Meanwhile Maureen had successfully auditioned for the Mrs. Johnstone role at the Phoenix. She became the fourth sister to take on the role and the third Sister to enter the West End, where she is scheduled to work until March 2007.Before starring in a short tour of "Stardust" - A musical compilation of songs from smash hit musicals of the last 30 years or so. In 2005 Bernie recorded her first solo album 'All By Myself' which was met with critical acclaim, The album failed to make the top 100 chart, but she did have a minor chart hit with her first solo single effort 'Macushla' which reached number 39 in the UK chart. Later that year she took part in ITV's 'The Games' raising money for charity. Bernie was the eldest female on the show so it was no surprise that she came last! While Linda continued to star in 'Blood Brothers'. In 2005, a devastated Linda was diagnosed with breast cancer. Following a mastectomy Linda shocked the country by returning to the show after only 14 weeks absence. After releasing her debut album Bernie worked in Blackpool at the UK's largest theatre the 'Opera House' for the Summer with the hit show 'Soap Queens' Bernie topped the bill along with Debra Stephenson from TV's 'Coronation Street. 2006 saw Bernie in Panto as the wicked queen in "Sleeping Beauty" In 2007 .She starred with Johnny Briggs (Coronation Street's Mike Baldwin) and Tina O'Brien (Coronation Street's Sarah Platt ) as the Wicked Queen at Manchester Opera House in Cinderella. in December 2007 before joining up once more with Debra Stephenson in her highly rated show "Soap Queens" For the Blackpool shows she will appear with Richard Shelton from ITV's Emmerdale in "Soap Queen & Kings" on the town's North Pier. Bernie was devastated after the show was cancelled after just a few weeks because of poor ticket sales. Maureen left Blood Brothers in 2007 and quickly toured in low key production called "Stardust" with male vocalist Mike Holoway. She joined him in Panto at Durham that year where she starred as Fairy Crystal in "Sleeping Beauty" in Summer 2007 she toured with the UK National Tour of "Girls Behind" Where she plays Sadie - Billed as - Tough with a soft centre. Co - starring are Sue Devaney and Donna Hazelton. Coleen found a niche in TV presenting and has worked on ITV's 'This Morning' she took over the role from professional journalists Richard Madeley and Judy Finnegan. It was no shock to find that her performance, as well as that of co host Twiggy Lawson was panned almost universally. After less than six months Lawson was dismissed. Coleen continued for a short time, by now joined by seasoned pro John Leslie. Ratings began to improve. However ITV coaxed Fern Brittan out of her maternity leave. With Brittan firmly in place ITV felt able to offer Coleen "Special Features" which was a polite way of saying that she was too was fired. With only a few "Special features" under her belt Coleen left the show. With her marriage in tatters as well as her career Coleen returned to Blackpool where work remained elusive for quite some time. Coleen is now a regular panellist on ITV's 'Loose Women'.

2006 saw four of the girls enter the Guinness Book Of Records as the most number of siblings to have played a professional part in the same show at different times. The Nolan story is a long one but it is a fascinating and enduring one. They have appeared as an act in their own right for 32 years. Last year CBS released "The Singles Collection" and a 25th Anniversary (CBS Anniversary) box set that featured all their CBS albums and tracks never released on CD before. That too was a massive hit. A remake of one of the Japanese only albums (Playback Part 2) now called 'The Nolans sing Momoe 2005' went to number 1 in the download charts, firmly cementing their stronghold on the land of the rising sun. 2008 saw the release of Anne Nolan's autobiography she has worked for five years on the book which Anne says will be "The truth" In May 2007 she signed the contracts .She undertook a one off show in Spain in November 2007. The book's release saw much publicity and Anne was featured on radio and television for almost a month solid. The book made it to the top five in the Times national book charts. A paperback release followed in early 2009. Maureen continued her successful run of work throughout 2008 with appearances in Mum's the Word and a six month run with the national tour of "Footloose" In January 2009 she rejoined Blood Brothers for the UK national tour.

Linda left Blood Brothers in 2008 to enable her to have reconstructive surgery following her mastectomy. Her difficult year was compounded in October of that year when her husband died. He had battled skin cancer and kidney problems. The two had been inseparable since they first met and Linda not surprisingly became severely depressed. Her poor physical health and her grief resulted in her living on benefits. Her long journey to well being has just begun. Her reconstruction was successful and she was able to think about a return to work. Indeed the call to return came in 2009 when an ill conceived reunion was discussed. Four Nolans were invited to reform for a UK tour and album. A family split then occured when it was discovered that one of the longest serving group members, Anne was to be left out of the tour. Far from refusing to tour without her the other Sisters, Bernie, Linda Coleen and Maureen consented to the reunion.

Denise, whilst never expecting to be asked to appear, jumped to Anne's defence. The album that was subsequently released fared badly in the charts peaking just outside the top twenty at number 23. the album stayed in the charts a mere three weeks before slipping into obscurity. The tour was more successful. With extra dates being added. Billed as the ultimate girls night out the show featured male dancers and sing along anthems that were aimed at a largely female crowd. Coleen released her autobiography which detailed her abortion, marriage split and sacking from flagship ITV programme, "This Morning". It also told how she had cheated on her husband and the rancour she felt for Sister Bernie who had, the book alledged, stolen her boyfriend at the time. Coleen continues to have a large profile on TV and has consolidated this position with the release of three excercise DVDs, a further book, this time on Motherhood and a stint on TV as a presenter in her own right, with a new show to be aired on Sky in 2010. Bernie changed management in 2010, following the tour. She now is with Coleen's management, hopeful that her profile will be raised. It would appear that that was the case, for in January of 2010 Bernie was featured in ITV's "Popstar to Opera Star" Along with fellow performers such as Darius Campbell Kym Marsh and Jimmy Osmond. Bernie, it emerged, after the show had finished it's run, was the clear leader in the telephone vote in all but one of the programmes that led up to the final. The actual final saw her go head to head with Popstars reject Darius Campbell who, in a nailbiting climax pipped Bernie to win the contest by less than 1%. She wass to join another UK tour of "Mum's the Word" in April 2010 but tests confirmed that Bernie was to become the third Nolan sister to be diagnosed with breast cancer. Bernie is determined to beat the disease and her tenacity has been admired Maureen is to star in a stage play in late 2010 whilst Linda will appear in pantomime in Worthing. Coleen continues to dominate both headlines and book charts with her first novel "Envy" hitting the shops in the Summer. She also detailed how her marriage had suffered in recent times but was now back on track. Anne is scheduled to tour the UK in mid 2010 with her own "Ultimate girls night out show" Featuring her male dancers and Mia Carla who has a reputation as a fine singer and comedienne.