Ireland In 50 Albums, No 26: Making Waves, The Nolans (1980) 

The group formerly known as the Nolan Sisters faced down the misogyny of the music business on their way to making an album that sold more than 5 million copies 

The Nolans had shortened their name from the Nolan Sisters. 

Though often not afforded their proper credit, sisters Anne, Linda, Coleen, Denise, Maureen and Bernie Nolan have claims on the title of Ireland’s First Family of Music. One of the most impressive pop outfits of the mid-1970s, the group – originally named The Singing Nolans, The Nolan Sisters and later becoming The Nolans –  made a major step towards fame in 1973, thanks to a performance at Blackpool's Cliffs Hotel on Christmas Day, witnessed by entertainment impresario Joe Lewis. The sisters’ dad, Tommy Nolan, persuaded the London-based businessman to give them a shot singing in his club above the New London Theatre in the West End.

In early 1974, the whole family moved to London to work in the London Rooms on Drury Lane, eventually catching the eye of Cliff Richard’s people, who booked them to perform ‘Stuck on You’ on the star’s own TV show on BBC One. They later became regular guests on the show, growing a huge fan base both in Ireland and the UK.