THE BLUE DIAMONDS

The Blue Diamonds

Very successful Indonesian duo that scores a worldwide hit with the single Ramona from 1960. They are the Dutch answer to the Everly Brothers.
Full biography

Members

Ruud De Wolff   gitaar, zang
Riem de Wolff   gitaar, zang

Former members

Chris van der Plaats   basgitaar
Dick Messchaert   drums
Charlie Kunz   basgitaar
Jan Ypema   drums
Ron Bijtelaar   basgitaar
Guus Hartung   gitaar
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Mentioned in the biography of

1947   Jack Bulterman
1959   Riem de Wolff
1961   Fouryo's
1964   Johnny & His Cellar Rockers
1976   The Walkers
1990   Joep Bruijnjé
1993   David Limpens
2004   Riem de Wolff
2005   Andy Tielman
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Biography The Blue Diamonds

Very successful Indonesian duo that scores a worldwide hit with the single Ramona from 1960. They are the Dutch answer to the Everly Brothers.

1949

Riem (6) and Ruud (8) de Wolff move from Indonesia to The Netherlands.

1959

The boys go into the studio for the first time.

1960

Ruud and Riem score a worldwide hit with the song Ramona. It is the best selling single in The Netherlands and stays in the Dutch charts for no less than six months. Ramona also tops the charts in countries such as Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Spain, France, Mexico, Thailand, Japan and Indonesia, selling in excess of 7 million copies.

1961 - 1962

With fellow Dutch artist Anneke Grönloh The Blue Diamonds go on a three-week tour of Indonesia. Their success in The Netherlands continues with songs like Little Ship, Down By The Riverside, Rio Nights and Dream Baby. Little Ship also becomes a huge hit in Germany and Austria. The brothers receive an Edison music award from the hands of cabaret performer Wim Sonneveld for Ramona, which has sold seven million copies so far.

Anneke Grönloh Wim Sonneveld

1963 - 1965

The single Sukiyaki is the boys' new chart topper. In Germany the song gets to number 2.

1966 - 1968

The Blue Diamonds form The Blue Diamonds Band with which they go on tour.

Don Mercedes The Black Rocking Cats

1970 - 1974

The Blue Diamonds are invited by Dutch cabaret performer Seth Gaaikema to work on his new album 10 Miljoen Geboden ('10 Million Commandments').

Seth Gaaikema

1975 - 1979

Following the trend of the time The Blue Diamonds and Pussycat producer Eddy Hilberts record several disco-influenced songs: Disco Dolly, I Put My Arms Around You, Sheldon en Send Me The Pillow. None of the songs enter the charts, however.

Eddy Hilberts Pussycat

1979 - 1985

Ruud and Riem leave for Indonesia where they record several songs in the Malayan language. The album Zingen Tussen Twee Werelden ('Singing Between Two Worlds') tops the album charts.

1986 - 1987

The Blue Diamonds celebrate their 25th anniversary. The album 25 jaar Blue Diamonds ('25 Years Blue Diamonds') is released and becomes gold.

1990

The brothers go on a tour of Germany, Indonesia and Curacao.

1993 - 1999

Although the Blue Diamonds are still performing, hit success is less obvious than before.

2000

Ruud de Wolff dies on December 18 after a long illness.

2001

Riem de Wolff and his son Steffen form The New Diamonds. The album Out Of The Blue is released to celebrate The Blue Diamonds 40th anniversary.

The New Diamonds

2004

Riem de Wolff still performs on stage every now and again, either accompanied by a tape or by his live band Of Course (formerly known as The Curse). On July 4 he celebrates his 45th anniversary in showbiz at Doorn-based venue Het Grote Bos ('The Big Forest'), the place where The Blue Diamonds once started. Local and international artists like the Alessi Brothers, Sandra Reemer, René Shuman & Angel Eye, George Baker, Andy Tielman, Oscar Harris, Trea Dobbs and Saskia & Serge accompany him.

Andy Tielman George Baker Oscar Harris Riem de Wolff Sandra Reemer Saskia & Serge Shuman & Angel-Eye Trea Dobbs

2005

Riem de Wolff and his equally legendary soul mate Andy Tielman prepare their first ever gig together in 45 years. De Wolff is decorated at the Queen's Birthday.

Tielman Brothers

2006

The album Back On Track by Riem de Wolff is cut at the Liverpool-based studio of The Deans in Liverpool. It contains contributions by UK musicians, including singer/steel guitarist Sarah Jory and John Pettifer of The Deans.

2012

Between November 5 and 9 broadcast company Radio 5 Nostalgia airs the Evergreen Top 1000. The Blue Diamonds are on top the list with Ramona.

Photos The Blue Diamonds

Audio/Video The Blue Diamonds

Video The Blue Diamonds