vendredi 21 avril 2017

Luv' biography - Chapter XI (2013 - 2017)

Luv's resurrection



Between 2005 and 2012, the original Luv' singers were active in the Netherlands and Belgium in addition to their solo activities. They could not complain about their hectic agenda (see previous Chapter). The girl group disbanded after their final show at the Dutch valley festival in Spaarnwoude, NL on August 11th, 2012. It was supposed to be their definitive break-up. The fans were very disappointed but something unexpected would rejoice them later...

Luv's demise didn't mean that the members vanished without trace. 

José: from darkness to light




After Luv's disbandment, José Hoebee went through tough times mainly due to the passing of her husband, record producer Will Hoebee.

It took her months to recover. In January 2013, she took part in the SBS 6's celebrity figure skating show "Sterren Dansen Op Het Ijs". She was rapidly eliminated from the competition but the artist considered it as a great learning experience.




In the summer of 2013, she relaunched her duo with Bonnie St. Claire. In the mid-1980s, the ladies had been popular in Holland with their cover versions of ABBA's songs (see Chapter VI of the biography). They appeared on SBS 6's music program "Nederland Muziekland" (broadcast on October 12th, 2013) to perform their signature song "Zoals Vrienden Doen" (The Way Old Friends Do). Several sporadic live shows of the duo followed. Bonnie & José also had recording projects. They planned to release their "Herinnering" album on CD. All the tracks of the LP (which initially came out in 1985) were expected to be digitally remastered from the original tapes. The two singers wanted to add a bonus track to it. Unfortunately, this project never saw the light of day. In the Spring of 2014, they ended their partnership. 




José preferred to focus on her solo career. In June 2014, she released a digital single entitled "Noheyo", a cover version of a 2011 song by Polish band Blue Café. This single quickly became a #1 hit on SBS 6 download chart in the "Dutch-speaking" category. José had a hectic schedule again. She promoted her new track on TV and on the radio. She gave several interviews in the press and was booked for gigs. 




Video music for "Noheyo"

September 2014 saw the re-issue of "Who's sorry now?" (a song recorded 10 years earlier and made famous by Connie Francis in the late 1950s). 


José performing on "Who's sorry now?" on "Life is beautiful" on RTL 4 

In March 2015, "STARS OF 80s DANCE POP - THE EUROPEAN EDITION" (a book written by American author James Arena) came out and featured interviews with 50 European Dance-pop artists from the 1980s (including José Hoebee). The singer discussed her glory years with Holland's greatest girl group in the late 1970s and her solo career in the 1980s. 



Marga: peace, harmony and discretion in Ibiza




Marga retired from show business and enjoyed life in her second home on the sunny Ibiza island. Articles were published sporadically in celebrity gossip magazines. She planned an art exchange program with artists from Ibiza. She wanted to set up an exhibition on the Balearic Island. Her intention was to present works of Spanish painters and sculptors in the Netherlands.  

In 2012, she became an ambassador for Podencoworld (a foundation which protects and promotes Podencos, agile dogs of the hound family).

PattySBS 6 diva

After Luv's break-up, Patty Brard rapidly bounced back. An event put her in the limelight again: her failed dive on SBS 6's celebrity diving competition "Sterren Springen" caused a sensation in late August 2012. It was even used as a publicity stunt to promote "Celebrity Splash" (the international name of "Sterren Springen") and to sell the format to 25 TV networks around the world. 




In 2013, the diva worked as a freelance TV host for RTL 5 (on reality shows "Wie is de Reisleider?", "Echte Meisjes op de Prairie" and "Lust, Liefde Of Laten Lopen") and SBS 6 (on "Shownieuws" and as a judge on the ski jumping competition "Vliegende Hollanders: Sterren van de Schans"). 





Since late August 2013, Patty has an exclusive deal with SBS 6. In addition to "Shownieuws" (which is still popular), she scored a string of hits and flops on the channel:


  • Show Vandaag (2013-2014) - infotainment program
  • Bonje Met de Buren (2014–2016) - a reality show hosted with Jochem van Gelder to solve problems between neighbours
  • Patty's Big Fat Ibiza Wedding (2014) - a reality show which showed the preparations for her wedding with Dutch architect Antoine van de Vijver
  • Mindmasters Live (2015) - paranormal show featuring Uri Geller and Patty as a panellist
  • Thuis op Zondag (2016) - Sunday talk show
  • Met de Deur in Huis (2016) - comedy panel game show hosted by Kees Tol and Tineke Schouten with Patty as a panellist
  • De Wereld Rond In 6 Stappen (on SBS 6's sister channel Net 5, 2016) - reality program about the theory of "six degrees of separation" with Bridget Maasland 
  • Mud Masters VIP (2016) - challenging obstacle course based on military training with celebrities
  • SBS Sterren Surprise (2016) - a Christmas program featuring TV personalities who fulfilled the dreams of people
  • Stem van Nederland (2017) - a political program related to the general elections in the Netherlands
Apart from television, Patty was also busy with other projects:

* Music

In recent years, she released Carnival songs as digital singles: "Carnavals Party Hitmix" (with Alex) in 2012, "Bonje met de buren" (a song named after a reality show of the same name with Jochem van Gelder and Joey Hartkamp) in 2015 and "Wat zijn ze lekker" (with Roy Donders in 2017). 



Patty Brard & Roy Donders: Wat zijn ze lekker (2017)

* Column

Since 2012, she has been a columnist for Dutch celebrity gossip magazine "Weekend". She expresses her point of view on the entertainment industry and topical issues.




* Voice acting

She provided voices for characters in animated films: "Legends of Valhalla: Thor" (Dutch version of an Icelandic 3D computer-animated movie) in 2012 and "Alvin en de Chipmunks: Road Trip" (Dutch version of "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip") in 2016. 

* Film

She had a small role in the Dutch movie "Sinterklaas en de Pepernoten Chaos" (starring Gerard Joling) which came out a few weeks before the celebrations of St. Nicholas in late 2013.

* Sexy Correctie

During the Huishoudbeurs 2017 (houseware fair) at the RAI Amsterdam, the enfant terrible of Dutch showbiz launched her own corrective underwear line "Patty sexy correctie". 

As for her private life, Patty was happy. She married Dutch architect Antoine van de Vijver in September 2014. Two well-publicized wedding receptions were held: one in Amstelveen (incl José Hoebee) and one in Ibiza. The who's who of Dutch showbiz attended these ceremonies. 




A few days before the wedding, Patty and José (who were not on speaking terms) made it up. But this reconciliation was short-lived.....




Luv': Reunions, The Story of Luv' & Comeback

A series of unexpected events happened in the aftermath of Luv's dissolution. 

May 25th, 2013 saw the unbelievable reunion of Luv's 1980-1981 lineup. José Hoebee, Marga Scheide and Ria Thielsch devoted time to their fans for pictures and autographs. They also received a copy of the double DVD conceived by Peter Boonstra. This event caused a sensation among the fans who had resigned themselves to the end of Luv'



In January 2014, the German subsidiary of Universal Music put out the compilation "The Best of Luv" to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the group's success in German speaking countries. 




In late 2014 and early 2015, Peter supervised a long-awaited project: the publication of a photo book entitled "The Story of Luv'" including exclusive pictures and a CD compilation (with their greatest hits as well as remixes of "Trojan Horse" and "Life Is On My Side" by highly acclaimed remixer-producer Matt Pop). Marga and José supported this initiative. 




On May 1st, 2015 the press launch of "The Story of Luv" took place at the Wisseloord Studios in Hilverseum, NL. The author of the book, JoséMarga, Ria, Hans van Hemert (who conceived Luv') and Dutch illusionist Hans Klok (who hosted the event) were present.




The day after, a meet'n greet afternoon with fans combined with a release party were held in the same location.




Former Luv' singer Patty Brard wanted to ban the book. Shortly afterwards, Peter was obliged to stop the sale of the book due to copyright issues about some photographs. This cruel decision led to a great disappointment and provoked (once again) a feud between Patty and her ex-colleagues.

In late October 2015, the media speculated about a comeback of Luv'. A German talent agency announced on its website that Marga and José could be booked as Luv' for live shows. In interviews, the ladies remained vague about plans to reactivate the group.





In early March 2016, Luv' gave a secret performance at Bells Club in Amstelveen, NL during a private party (organized by Robert Halewijn and his fiancé, the editor in chief of Privé magazine Evert Santegoeds). This special show coincided with the show of Luv's lookalike act "Luv' Unlimited". 








Finally, several days later, on March 16th, 2016, a dream came true when Marga, José and Ria  announced officially their comeback in De Telegraaf (Holland's most read newspaper) and its sister magazine Privé. This great news generated publicity in the media (radio interviews, articles in the tabloid press and news websites...). 


Item about Luv's comeback on Privé TV




The absence of Patty and her replacement by Ria did not affect Luv's attractiveness. The trio's agenda was full again. 

The first performance of the newly reformed group took place at the "Hilversum Alive" festival on June 26th, 2016. 




Other shows followed:



July 2nd, 2016: "Toppop Roadshow" at the DelfSail festival in Delfzijl, NL

August 6th, 2016: EuroPride 2016 (hosted in conjunction with the Amsterdam Gay Pride)

  "Zomeravond Spektakel" in Etten-Leur, NL on August 11th, 2016

"Ladies Day" in Hellevoetsluis, NL on August 13th, 2016

Luv' and O'G3NE (who will represent the Netherlands at the next Eurovision Song Contest) backstage at Ladies Day

Ploegfestival in Bergeijk, NL on August 28th, 2016

Café Oncle Jean in Breda, NL on September 10th, 2016

"Keerweer Parade" at Café Keer Weer in Rotterdam, NL on September 23rd, 2016

"Septemberpop" in Workum, NL on September 23rd, 2016

Studio 54" show at the Sportpaleis in Antwerp, Belgium on October 1st, 2016


Paviljoen De Rietzoom in Kropswolde, NL on November 26th, 2016




"Mega Piraten Festijn" at the GelreDome stadium in Arnhem, NL on December 10th, 2016



Luv' @ Mega Piraten Festijn



"Big Revival"  Festival in Steenwijk, NL on April 1st, 2017





Luv' also attended several events:

Studio 54 press conference with Flemish dance singer Kate Ryan on May 24th, 2016 in Antwerp, Belgium

Release party of  Stany Van Wijmeersch's book "We All Love ABBA" (featuring interviews with Marga and José and a photonovel with the ladies) on May 26th, 2016

Luv' backstage at "House of Horror" (the sensational show of Hans Klok at the Royal Theatre Carré in Amsterdam) on September 18th, 2016


Luv' and Ted Neeley (of the legendary musical "Jesus Christ Superstar") backstage at Heineken Music Hall in Amsterdam on December 17th, 2016


At the moment, a break-up is out of question. As soon as the ‘fun factor’ fades away, Luv' will quit.

This year is special as Luv' celebrates its 40th anniversary. On July 9th, 2017, a special party will be held at the Quatre Bras restaurant in Best, NL. 

LUV': a never-ending story!!!

Record release

The Best of Luv'

Compilation released by Polydor/Universal Strategic Marketing (Universal Music Germany) in January 2014



Track listing:

1 Casanova
2 Life Is On My Side
3 If you love me
4 You're the Greatest Lover
5 Ann-Maria
6 Tingalingaling
7 Don Juanito de Carnaval
8 Flash
9 Ooh I like it too
10 Saint Tropez
11 U.O.Me (You Owe Me)
12 Stop Me
13 Everybody's Shakin Hands On Broadway
14 My Number One
15 I.M.U.R.
16 My Man
17 Ooh, Yes I Do
18 One More Little Kissie
19 Eeny Meeny Miny Moe
20 Trojan Horse

Press clippings














































Source: Wikipedia, Luv' Official Facebook Page, Discogs.com, De Telegraaf, Privé, Weekend, YouTube...

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