Biography
Natives in Portugal warmly nicknamed the act their homegrown proto-Spice Girls, yet Doce never matched the worldwide reach achieved by those British newcomers. Still, the nation briefly fell under the spell of what locals dubbed “Docemania.” Formed from the remnants of the popular vocal ensemble Gemini, the quartet owed its creation to Brazilian executive Claudio Condê, then heading Polygram Portugal, and to Tozé Brito, the respected performer and industry veteran who had exited Gemini to concentrate on A&R duties at the same label. Fá, born Fátima Padinha, and Teresa Miguel supplied the Gemini connection, while Lena Coelho arrived from the fleeting girl group Cocktail. To complete the visual lineup, the members added Laura Diogo, already known for her earlier success as a beauty queen.
Their first single, the disco-tinged “Amanhã de Manhã,” stormed Portuguese charts in early 1980; the follow-up “Doce” likewise topped playlists and placed second in the national Eurovision selection. March saw the release of the debut album OK, KO, which sold briskly, with its title track also becoming a radio staple. A nationwide tour and frequent TV slots cemented the group’s status as Portugal’s standout musical phenomenon of the year. In 1981 their Eurovision entry “Ali-Babá -- Um Homem das Arábias” finished fourth, yet the band sustained its momentum; October brought the gold-certified second album É Demais, whose hit title track drove sales well past those of OK, KO.
Scandal briefly threatened their standing when unsubstantiated reports claimed Laura Diogo had been hospitalized after an alleged risqué encounter with Angolan footballer Reinaldo, but the story was later discredited. By March 1982 any lingering damage was erased when the folk-inflected “Bem Bom” secured the group its long-sought Eurovision victory and emerged as their signature and biggest-selling single. Subsequent attempts to break internationally failed, though “For the Love of Conchita” scored another domestic success. Their 1984 Eurovision hopeful “O Barquinho da Esperança” generated only modest attention, signaling waning popularity. The next year pregnant member Lena Coelho stepped aside temporarily for Ágata; months later Fá departed, only for Coelho to return. In 1986 the quartet disbanded, issuing the retrospective Doce 1979-1987.
Early-2000s nostalgia for 1980s pop prompted several reissues, the most notable being the 2003 double-disc set Docemania, whose bonus disc of updated dance remixes introduced the hits to younger listeners. Sporadic reunion concerts without Laura Diogo occurred afterward, yet no fresh material appeared.
Their first single, the disco-tinged “Amanhã de Manhã,” stormed Portuguese charts in early 1980; the follow-up “Doce” likewise topped playlists and placed second in the national Eurovision selection. March saw the release of the debut album OK, KO, which sold briskly, with its title track also becoming a radio staple. A nationwide tour and frequent TV slots cemented the group’s status as Portugal’s standout musical phenomenon of the year. In 1981 their Eurovision entry “Ali-Babá -- Um Homem das Arábias” finished fourth, yet the band sustained its momentum; October brought the gold-certified second album É Demais, whose hit title track drove sales well past those of OK, KO.
Scandal briefly threatened their standing when unsubstantiated reports claimed Laura Diogo had been hospitalized after an alleged risqué encounter with Angolan footballer Reinaldo, but the story was later discredited. By March 1982 any lingering damage was erased when the folk-inflected “Bem Bom” secured the group its long-sought Eurovision victory and emerged as their signature and biggest-selling single. Subsequent attempts to break internationally failed, though “For the Love of Conchita” scored another domestic success. Their 1984 Eurovision hopeful “O Barquinho da Esperança” generated only modest attention, signaling waning popularity. The next year pregnant member Lena Coelho stepped aside temporarily for Ágata; months later Fá departed, only for Coelho to return. In 1986 the quartet disbanded, issuing the retrospective Doce 1979-1987.
Early-2000s nostalgia for 1980s pop prompted several reissues, the most notable being the 2003 double-disc set Docemania, whose bonus disc of updated dance remixes introduced the hits to younger listeners. Sporadic reunion concerts without Laura Diogo occurred afterward, yet no fresh material appeared.
Albums
Singles
