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

1980: Transition

Luv' won the Conamus Export Prize

By 1980, Luv' was Holland's greatest pop sensation. Indeed, the girls won the "Conamus Export Prize" for being the "Best Dutch Export Act". This award was based on their 2.5 million records sales outside of Holland in 1979. The trio accepted the trophy from the hands of violinist Theo Olof. The press announced this great news in early January. The Conamus foundation (which promoted Dutch artists abroad) even publicized this achievement at the MIDEM (the world's largest trade fair for the music industry) in Cannes, France. What a triumphant way to start a new year!

Photo courtesy of Martin Vink

from left to right: Theo Olof, Patty Brard, Pim ter Linde, Marga Scheide, Piet Souer, anonymous child, José Hoebee

In February, Carrere/CNR Records released "Ann-Maria" (a track from their third album "True Luv") as a single. This ballad used a Latin American orchestration inspired by ABBA's "Chiquitita" and "Fernando" as well as Boney M.'s "El Lute". A children's choir provided background vocals (like ABBA's classic hit "I Have A Dream"). Ann-Maria was a Top 10 single in Belgium. It peaked at #11 on the Dutch Top 40 and #37 on the German Musikmarkt/Media Control Charts.

Luv' performing "Ann-Maria" on Musikladen in Germany (original broadcast date: April 10th 1980)

"Ann-Maria" on "This Is True Luv" Special on NCRV (original broadcast date: March 28th 1980)

Patty Brard, Andy Gibb, Marga Scheide, Ellen Foley and José Hoebee

Luv' in Paris

Luv' at the Champs Elysées

As a glamorous act, Luv' took advantage of television performances. Because only two TV networks existed in the Netherlands at this time, their exposure was huge. On March 28th, NCRV channel aired a 25-minute special entitled "This is True Luv'". The music show was taped in Benalmadena, Spain. It was directed by Henny Budie and produced by John de Mol (who later founded Endemol). The celebrity gossip magazines revealed behind-the-scenes stories of this program: Patty Brard (who was divorcing TV star Ron Brandsteder) dated Budie and Marga Scheide fell in love with De Mol (after an affair with the world-famous pop star Andy Gibb, the younger brother of The Bee Gees).

In May, the group embarked on a promo tour in Mexico for photo sessions, TV and radio performances as well as interviews with the press. The ladies were treated like Hollywood stars. They flew by Concorde to Zapata's country and were drinking Champagne on board. They even received a gold record for "Si, Que Si" (the Spanish version of "Ooh, Yes I Do"). During this visit to Mexico City, Bart van de Laar (head of CNR/Carrere Netherlands) introduced Carlo Nasi to Patty. It was love at first sight. Carlo was a member of the very influential and wealthy Agnelli-Nasi family (the owners of FIAT in Italy). He was an A&R manager of WEA International in Los Angeles, CA and later ran his own record labels (Zebra Discorde Music, Striped Horse, Panarecords). Patty's latest love affair was front-page news in Holland and overshadowed Luv's activities.

On the surface, the girls were united and tried to go on with their work commitments. They released their next single "One More Little Kissy". The record was a Top 10 hit in the Netherlands. It reached the Top 20 in Belgium but only peaked at #75 in Germany. On the other hand, Patty was fed up with Luv' and suffered from depression. She wanted to live with Carlo. In July, she took her colleagues by surprise when she was on sick leave and went to Los Angeles to join her lover. One month later, Miss Brard's lawyer confirmed her defection. This departure caused InterLUV' (the group's limited company) to lose an estimated $75.000 as many performances were canceled. The three singers had a hectic schedule abroad before this curse occurred. They were supposed to put out a special album in the USSR and entitled "From Russia With Luv'". They also planned to take part in the "World Popular Song Festival" (considered as the "Oriental Eurovision") in Japan. Unfortunately, these projects never saw the light of day.

Luv' on André van Duin's show

One More Little Kissy (1980)

Luv's career came to a standstill. A replacement had to be found as other legal obligations were scheduled. Hans van Hemert and Piet Souer, Luv's songwriters and producers, had already prepared material for a new record. Patty was replaced by Ria Thielsch, a model from Amsterdam born on August 25th, 1951 in Manokwari, New Guinea/Indonesia. Marga knew her from model agencies. She was selected from 200 applicants. But first, she had to pass an exam: a concert in Zevenhuizen, NL on August 22nd. The show was convincing. Manager Pim ter Linde was sure of Ria's impact on the public. The real assessment happened when her charisma was put to the test on television. The viewers discovered the new Luv' member when she performed "One More Little Kissy" with her colleagues on "Boemerang", a Flemish TV program on BRT channel. The next step was the release of the single "My Number One" in October.

My Number One on TopPop

My Number One on Ted Show

Luv' on Musikladen (original broadcast date: November 11th 1980)

Luv' on Veronica Awards

My Number One used elements from the military march and is Luv's best composition according to Hans van Hemert. This pop song was a smash hit. It peaked at #15 on the Europarade and reached the Top 5 in the Netherlands and Belgium. It was a minor hit in Germany (#60 on the Musikmarkt/Media Control Charts). In November, the LP "Forever Yours" came out. The album was an eclectic combination of Pop music, Latin American orchestrations, Schlager and exotica sounds. It did well on the charts in Holland (#13 on the LP Top 50 and #5 on the Nationale Hitparade LP Top 50). The lyrics of one track of the record "The Show Must Go On" dealt with the problems due to Patty's departure.

Luv' seemed to be back for good on the hit parades and in the media. However, tensions between the girls appeared rapidly. In December, Marga became overworked and suffered from a burn-out. Once again, the singers had to slow down. Their manager decided to cancel their live shows. The trio would only perform on television and on the radio. But Marga's health didn't improve. Soon after, José appeared alone on Telebingo, hosted by Mies Bouwman, to sing "Mother of the hearts", a track from "Forever Yours" penned by Hans van Hemert and dedicated to his mother.

Luv' feat. José singing "Mother of the hearts"

On December 28th, Patty took everybody unawares when she was invited on Jaaroverzicht Journaal 1980, a restropective program broadcast on NOS which focused on the greatest media events of 1980. Dressed in a strict trouser suit, she looked different from her usual sexy image. She expressed her feelings in a short interview. She told that she left Luv' without anger though a lawsuit was filled between InterLUV' and her. She wished Marga all the best.

Patty on Jaaroverzicht Journaal 1980 (NOS)

1980 ended in a strange way: Luv' was about to vanish. Would the group survive the next year?

To be continued.....
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Singles charts (peak positions)

Ann-Maria: #4 on the Nationale Hitparade and #11 on the Dutch Top 40 (Netherlands), #10 on the BRT Top 30 (Belgium), #37 on the Musikmarkt/Media Control Charts (Germany)

One More Little Kissy: #9 on the Dutch Top 40 and #4 on the Nationale Hitparade (Netherlands),#15 on the BRT Top 30 (Belgium), #75 on the Musikmarkt/Media Control Charts (Germany)

My Number One: #15 on the Europarade, #4 on the Nationale Hitparade and #5 on the Dutch Top 40 (Netherlands), #5 on the BRT Top 30 (Belgium), #60 on the Musikmarkt/Media Control Charts (Germany)

Albums charts (peak positions)

Forever Yours: #13 on the LP Top 50 and #5 on the Nationale Hitparade LP Top 50 (Netherlands)

Records releases

7" Vinyl Singles

1. Ann-Maria
Original release by CNR/Carrere Records in February 1980

A side: Ann-Maria (Piet Souer) - 4:40
B side: Flash (Hans van Hemert) - 3:51

Dutch cover

German cover

2. One More Little Kissy

Original release by CNR/Carrere Records in May 1980

A side: One More Little Kissy (Janschen & Janschens) - 3:49

B side: I win It (Janschen & Janschens) - 3:05

Dutch cover

German cover

3. My Number One

Original release by CNR/Carrere Records in October 1980

A side: My Number One (Janschen & Janschens) - 3:11

B side: The Show Must Go On (Janschen & Janschens) - 3:12

Dutch edition

German edition

Albums

1. True Luv' (1980 edition)

Original release by CNR/Carrere Records

Front cover

A side:

1. Ooh, Yes I Do (Hans van Hemert)- 2:57

2. Ann-Maria (Piet Souer) - 4:40

3. Rhythm 'n Shoes (Hans van Hemert) - 3:07

4. Flash (Hans van Hemert) - 3:51

5. Boys Goodnight (Piet Souer) - 2:40

6. Daddy, What A Life (Piet Souer) - 3:08

B side:

1. One More Little Kissy (Janschen & Janschens) - 3:50

2. Wine, Women And Song (Hans van Hemert) - 3:45

3. Getaway (Piet Souer) - 3:03

4. Stop Me (Piet Souer) - 3:09

5. My Guy (Janschen & Janschens) - 3:49

6. I Win It (Janchen & Janschens) - 3:05

Note: True Luv' was initially released in 1979. In 1980, the LP was re-issued with changes in the track listing. One More Little Kissy replaced Cloud Nr. 9 and I Win It replaced Let There Be Love.

Credits:

Vocals: José Hoebee, Marga Scheide and Patty Brard

Strings: Ernö Olah & Metropole Orkest

Producer: Hans van Hemert

Arranger/Conductor: Piet Souer

Publisher: Roba/Baierle Musik

Recorded at Wisseloord and DMC Studios

Recording engineers: Pieter Boer and John Sonneveld

Photography: Claude Vanheye

Design: Myosotis

Artwork: Clouds studio

2. Forever Yours