Linda Nolan and her singing sisters lived in the spotlight after their career-defining hit I’m In The Mood For Dancing in 1979 – meaning both their highs and lows were played out in public. The close-knit group, the original sisters – Linda, Anne, Denise, Maureen and Bernie (Coleen was initially too young) – had been on the music scene since 1974 and went on to become one of the biggest British groups of the late 70s and early 80s. The Nolans scored seven UK top 20 hits, including their most famous song, which reached number three in 1980. They also built up a big international following – particularly in Japan. And they went on tour with Frank Sinatra.
All this came with a sugary disco image and catchy bubblegum songs, also including Spirit, Body and Soul, Don’t Make Waves and Don’t Love Me Too Hard. “For all its formulaic superficial corniness, I’m In The Mood For Dancing is a definite uplifting shiny-minded pop song,” music journalist Paul Morley told BBC News. “[It was] efficiently custom built for parties, Top of the Pops and weddings, and with a longevity you would not have seen coming at the time.”
After some line-up changes, Linda left the group in 1983 to pursue a solo career, mainly in musical theatre – and with a good degree of success. Her most memorable role was in the West End production of Blood Brothers. Then there were regular TV appearances, including a notorious turn on 2014’s Celebrity Big Brother, where she came face-to-face with her long-time adversary, comedian Jim Davidson.
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