Ria Brieffies
Encyclopedia
Maria Petronella "Ria" Brieffies (February 23, 1957 - July 20, 2009) was a Dutch
singer, best known as a member of 1980s girl group
"Dolly Dots
".
, who went on to become one of the most popular groups of the 1980s in the Netherlands. The band also enjoyed some success in Germany
and Belgium
. The single "Love Me Just a Little Bit More", featuring Brieffies on lead vocals, topped the Dutch singles chart for one week in 1984.
Brieffies was generally regarded as Dolly Dots' most accomplished singer. After the group split up in 1988, she continued her career as a solo singer. In 1989 she recorded "Love Always Finds a Reason", a duet with American
singer Glenn Medeiros
which reached the Dutch top 20. She later performed with her own jazz
group, the Ria Brieffies Kwintet.
In the 1990s Brieffies retired from the music industry and became a qualified manicurist/pedicurist
, before reuniting with the Dolly Dots in 2007 for a comeback tour which included three concerts to sell-out audiences of 10,000 at the Ahoy Arena in Rotterdam
.
Brieffies was diagnosed with lung cancer
in November 2008, and died on 20 July 2009, aged 52.
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...
singer, best known as a member of 1980s girl group
Girl group
A girl group is a popular music act featuring several young female singers who generally harmonise together.Girl groups emerged in the late 1950s as groups of young singers teamed up with behind-the-scenes songwriters and music producers to create hit singles, often featuring glossy production...
"Dolly Dots
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, Angéla Kramers, Anita Heilker, Esther Oosterbeek, Patty Zomer and Ria Brieffies....
".
Life
After leaving school, Brieffies trained as a medical assistant. In her spare time she sang in various bands, including the VIPs. In 1979 she joined the newly-formed girl group Dolly DotsDolly 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, Angéla Kramers, Anita Heilker, Esther Oosterbeek, Patty Zomer and Ria Brieffies....
, who went on to become one of the most popular groups of the 1980s in the Netherlands. The band also enjoyed some success 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...
and Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
. The single "Love Me Just a Little Bit More", featuring Brieffies on lead vocals, topped the Dutch singles chart for one week in 1984.
Brieffies was generally regarded as Dolly Dots' most accomplished singer. After the group split up in 1988, she continued her career as a solo singer. In 1989 she recorded "Love Always Finds a Reason", a duet with American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer Glenn Medeiros
Glenn Medeiros
Glenn Alan Medeiros is a Hispanic Hawaiian singer and rapper who was a teenage star in the 1980s.-Biography:...
which reached the Dutch top 20. She later performed with her own jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
group, the Ria Brieffies Kwintet.
In the 1990s Brieffies retired from the music industry and became a qualified manicurist/pedicurist
Pedicure
A pedicure is a way to improve the appearance of the feet and the nails. It provides a similar service to a manicure. The word pedicure refers to superficial cosmetic treatment of the feet and toenails...
, before reuniting with the Dolly Dots in 2007 for a comeback tour which included three concerts to sell-out audiences of 10,000 at the Ahoy Arena in Rotterdam
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world. Starting as a dam on the Rotte river, Rotterdam has grown into a major international commercial centre...
.
Brieffies was diagnosed with lung cancer
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung. If left untreated, this growth can spread beyond the lung in a process called metastasis into nearby tissue and, eventually, into other parts of the body. Most cancers that start in lung, known as primary...
in November 2008, and died on 20 July 2009, aged 52.