Blue Diamonds
Encyclopedia
The Blue Diamonds were a Dutch
1960s doo-wop
duo
, best known for their million-selling chart-topping
single
, "Ramona
". Indo (Dutch-Indonesian
) brothers Ruud de Wolff (born May 12, 1941, died December 2000) and Riem de Wolff (born April 15, 1943) founded the group shortly after immigrating to the Netherlands
in 1949. They were born in Batavia (now Jakarta
), Indonesia.
Called the 'Dutch Everly Brothers', The Blue Diamonds covered
many Everly Brothers songs, but became famous in 1960 with their version of "Ramona", a song originally written for the 1928 film
, Ramona
. The song was written for promotional appearances with Dolores del Río
(star
of the film) but not featured in the film itself. The Blue Diamonds up-tempo version of it reached the American
Billboard Hot 100
at #72. It sold over 250,000 copies in the Netherlands (the first record
to ever do so) and over one million copies in Germany
by 1961.
Although their last hit was in 1971, they continued to perform together up until Ruud de Wolff died at the end of year 2000. Riem de Wolff continues to perform and release albums.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
1960s doo-wop
Doo-wop
The name Doo-wop is given to a style of vocal-based rhythm and blues music that developed in African American communities in the 1940s and achieved mainstream popularity in the 1950s and early 1960s. It emerged from New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Baltimore, Newark, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and...
duo
Duet (music)
A duet is a musical composition for two performers. In classical music, the term is most often used for a composition for two singers or pianists; with other instruments, the word duo is also often used. A piece performed by two pianists performing together on the same piano is referred to as...
, best known for their million-selling chart-topping
Record chart
A record chart is a ranking of recorded music according to popularity during a given period of time. Examples of music charts are the Hit parade, Hot 100 or Top 40....
single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
, "Ramona
Ramona (song)
"Ramona" is a 1928 song, with lyrics written by L. Wolfe Gilbert and music by Mabel Wayne.-History:It was created as the title song for the 1928 adventure film-romance Ramona . The song was used again in the 1936 remake of the movie...
". Indo (Dutch-Indonesian
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
) brothers Ruud de Wolff (born May 12, 1941, died December 2000) and Riem de Wolff (born April 15, 1943) founded the group shortly after immigrating to the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
in 1949. They were born in Batavia (now Jakarta
Jakarta
Jakarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia. Officially known as the Special Capital Territory of Jakarta, it is located on the northwest coast of Java, has an area of , and a population of 9,580,000. Jakarta is the country's economic, cultural and political centre...
), Indonesia.
Called the 'Dutch Everly Brothers', The Blue Diamonds covered
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
many Everly Brothers songs, but became famous in 1960 with their version of "Ramona", a song originally written for the 1928 film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
, Ramona
Ramona (1928 film)
Ramona is a 1928 silent drama film directed by Edwin Carewe, based on Helen Hunt Jackson's 1884 novel Ramona. It starred Dolores del Rio and Warner Baxter....
. The song was written for promotional appearances with Dolores del Río
Dolores del Río
Dolores del Río was a Mexican film actress. She was a star of Hollywood films during the silent era and in the Golden Age of Hollywood...
(star
Celebrity
A celebrity, also referred to as a celeb in popular culture, is a person who has a prominent profile and commands a great degree of public fascination and influence in day-to-day media...
of the film) but not featured in the film itself. The Blue Diamonds up-tempo version of it reached the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
at #72. It sold over 250,000 copies in the Netherlands (the first record
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
to ever do so) and over one million copies in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
by 1961.
Although their last hit was in 1971, they continued to perform together up until Ruud de Wolff died at the end of year 2000. Riem de Wolff continues to perform and release albums.