All About LUV' (past, present, future and more): Luv' biography

1978 : Breakthrough

from left to right : Marga Scheide, José Hoebee & Patty Brard

In late 1977, Luv's existence seemed to be uncertain as their second single «Dream, Dream» was a commercial failure. Fortunately, one song saved their life. The group's producer, Hans van Hemert, was commissioned by Dutch channel VPRO to write a Carnival theme song for a TV series: «Het is weer zo laat» (a.k.a Waldolala). Assisted by Piet Souer, he composed «U.O.Me (Welcome to Waldolala)» which was recorded by Luv'. This disco track was inspired by «A far l'amore cominicia tu», the 1977 European hit of Raffaella Carrà. «Het is weer zo laat» was a high-rated TV show and a fabulous publicity stunt for the trio as the viewers watched the girls on the weekly program during the opening credit. Philips/Phonogram Records released "U.O.Me". It was an instant hit in Benelux: it peaked at #2 on the Dutch Top 40 and #3 on the Belgian BRT Top 30 in the Spring of 1978. It sold 150.000 copies. José, Patty and Marga rapidly became Holland's sweethearts.

Luv' on VPRO's Het Is Weer Zo Laat (Waldolala)

Luv' on TopPop

Following this first mainstream success, TROS TV channel aired on April 18^th 1978 the music show «In een groen, groen discoland» starring pop acts from Hans van Hemert's artist roster (including Big Mouth & Little Eve, Trinity and of course Luv'). Therefore, Philips issued the soundtrack of the TV program on LP and entitled it «3X3 = Disco». It featured a medley of Dutch children's songs on a disco beat performed by Luv'.

The cast of « In een groen, groen discoland » (3 X 3 = Disco) including Luv', Big Mouth & Little Eve and Trinity

Despite the popularity of the ladies, a strange behind-the-scenes story occurred. Manager Han Meijer filed a lawsuit against the three singers who were not satisfied by the way he guided their career. Meijer considered the name of the formation as his ownership and took the girls to court about the use of it. Finally, in early June 1978, the pop princesses won the legal action and were officially allowed to be named Luv'. Pim ter Linde (who ran Interlinde Management) became their new manager. After this good news, it was time to think about U.O.Me’s follow-up single and to focus on one goal: to reach fame abroad.

Van Hemert and Souer noticed that the arrangements inspired by Spanish and Latin American sounds fit them like a glove. That’s how they came up with «You’re the Greatest Lover». The record became very successful in a large part of Continental Europe. It was a chart-topper in Holland (where it went platinum), Belgium, Germany (where it reached the gold status), Denmark and Spain (with its Spanish version entitled "Tu Eres Mi Mejor Amante"). The hit song also reached the 2nd position of the charts in Austria, peaked at #15 in South Africa, #19 in France and #26 in Finland. «The Greatest Lover» eventually sold 1 million copies and was their international breakthrough. The catchy track was also popular behind the Iron Curtain, especially in East Germany, Poland and Hungary. Records distribution was limited in the communist bloc and sales were hard to evaluate in this part of the world.

Luv's Greatest Lover on TopPop - broadcast date: October 21st 1978

Luv' on Disco (Germany)

Luv' on Musikladen

After conquering the single hit parade, Luv' wanted to enter the album charts with their first LP «With Luv'». The release party of this opus took place at the Hilversum Airport on August 21st. The album sold quite well: #7 in Holland (Platinum, 100.000 sales), #50 in Germany, #15 in Austria and went silver in Denmark (25.000 sales).

With Luv' Album release party

Meanwhile, Luv' was working on the next single and cut « Trojan Horse » which included a bagpipe theme. Once again, they hit the number one spot in Holland and Belgium. They reached the Top 5 in German-speaking countries and Denmark, the Top 10 in New Zealand, the Top 20 in Finland, South Africa and Zimbabwe, the Top 50 in France and Australia as well as the Top 100 in Canada. The ladies collected gold and platinum awards.

Luv' on Showbizzquizz

Trojan Horse on TopPop

Trojan Horse on Disco (February 19th 1979)

Luv' were able to exploit their visual style when TROS broadcast the 20-minute special "All You Need Is Luv" on November 19th:

José, Patty and Marga singing "Who You Wanna Be" on "All You Need Is Luv" TV special

On December 31st Veronica channel broadcast "Countdown '78", a program about the most significant events in the music industry in 1978: the break-up of the Sex Pistols, the success of Paul McCartney & Wings ("Mull of Kyntyre"), Yvonne Keeley ("If I Had Words"), Blondie ("Denis"), The Bee Gees ("Stayin' Alive" from Saturday Night Fever), Donna Summer ("Last Dance" from Thanks God It's Friday), Boney M. ("Rivers of Babylon"), Vader Abraham ("Smurf song"), 10cc ("Dreadlock Holiday"), Meat Loaf ("Paradise by the Dashboard Light"), John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John (Grease)....and of course Luv'. Filming took place in Wisseloord recording studio. Because they scored two number-one hits ("You're the Greatest Lover" and "Trojan Horse") on the Dutch Top 40, the ladies won two "Veronica Awards". Luv' were Holland's "best newcomers" of 1978.

Luv' ended 1978 in an excellent way. The trio was a great pop sensation. The singers graced the covers of magazines. Their songs were in heavy rotation on the radio and they toured the club circuit extensively. They performed on major TV shows in Europe (including "TopPop" and "Showbizzquizz" in Holland as well as "Musikladen" and "Disco" in Germany).

To be continued...

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Singles charts (peak positions)

U.O.Me: #5 on the Europarade, #3 on the Dutch Top 40 and the Nationale Hitparade (Netherlands), #2 on the BRT Top 30 (Belgium)

You're the Greatest Lover: #5 on the Europarade, #1 on the Dutch Top 40 and the Nationale Hitparade (Netherlands), #1 on the BRT Top 30 (Belgium), #1 on Musikmarkt/Media Control Charts (Germany), #1 on the Swiss charts, #1 on the BT Hitlisten (Denmark), #1 on the Clasificación Nacional del Disco (Spain), #2 on the Ö3 Austria Top 40, #19 on the SNEP chart (France), #26 on the Finnish singles chart, #15 on the South African charts

Trojan Horse: #3 on the Europarade, #1 on the Dutch Top 40 and the Nationale Hitparade (Netherlands), #1 on the BRT Top 30 (Belgium), #2 on the IFPI/BT Hitlisten (Denmark), #2 on the Swiss charts and the Ö3 Austria Top 40, #3 on the Musikmarkt/Media Control Charts (Germany), #16 on the Finnish singles chart, #6 on the New Zealand singles chart, #17 on the South African singles chart, #14 on the Zimbabwean Chart, #38 on the SNEP chart (France), #50 on the Kent Music Report (Australia) and #95 on the RPM Top Singles (Canada)

Albums charts (peak positions):

With Luv': #6 on the LP Top 50 and #8 on the Nationale Hitparade LP Top 50 (Netherlands), #15 on the Alben Top 25 (Austria), #9 on the IFPI/BT Hitlisten (Denmark), #50 on the Media Control Charts (Germany)

Records releases

7" Vinyl singles

1. U.O.Me
Original release by Philips/Phonogram Records in February 1978

A side : "U.O.Me" (Janschen & Janschens) – 2:55
B side : "Hang On" (Janschen & Janschens) – 3:07

Original Dutch sleeve

French sleeve

2. 3X3 = Disco
Original release by Philips Records in 1978 - Luv' and various artists recorded children's songs in Dutch

3. You're the Greatest Lover
Original release by Philips/Phonogram Records in July 1978

A side : "You're the Greatest Lover" (Janschen & Janschens) – 2:50
B side : "Everybody's Shaking Hands On Broadway" (Janschen & Janschens) – 3:27

Original Dutch cover

Cover of the French 7" vinyl pressing

Cover of the German 7" vinyl pressing

Spanish version "Eres Mi Mejor Amante"

Cover of the Italian 7" vinyl pressing

Cover of the Turkish 7" vinyl pressing

Cover art of the Japanese 7" vinyl pressing

UK promo copy

4. Trojan Horse

Original release by Philips/Phonogram Records in November 1978

A side : "Trojan Horse" (Janschen & Janschens) – 3:24

B side : "Life Is On My Side" (Janschen & Janschens) – 2:38

Original Dutch cover

Cover of the German 7" vinyl pressing

US promo copy

Canadian pressing

Argentinian pressing

Cover of the Brazilian 7" vinyl pressing

Album release

1. With Luv'

Original release by Philips/Phonogram Records in August 1978

Front cover

Back Cover

A side :

1.You're the Greatest Lover – 2:50

2. Who Do You Wanna Be - 3:44

3. My Man - 3:05

4. Sugar Babe - 2:49

5. Don Juanito De Carnaval - 3:09

6. Life Is On My Side - 2:38

B side :

1. U.O.Me (Welcome to Waldolala) - 2:55

2. Dream, Dream - 3:30

3. Oh, Get Ready - 3:16

4. Louis, Je t'Adore - 3:40

5. Everybody's Shaking Hands On Broadway - 3:27

6. Hang On - 3:07

Album credits:

All tracks written by Hans van Hemert and Piet Souer as "Janschen & Janschens" except "Don Juanito de Carnival" written by Daniële Pace, Franco Bracardi, Gianni Boncompagni and Janschen & Janschens

Vocals: José Hoebee, Marga Scheide & Patty Brard

Strings: Ernö Olah & Metropole Orkest

Producer: Hans van Hemert

Arranger/conductor: Piet Souer

Photography: Claude Vanheye

Design: Jan H. van Uden

Art Studio: Clouds Studio

Mangement: Interlinde Management