Luv': level of popularity per country (1978 - 1981)

Between 1978 and 1981, the Luv' singers were a hit machine in their homeland (the Netherlands) and abroad. They scored hit after hit, collected 14 gold and platinum records and won a Conamus Export Prize for being the best selling Dutch recording act of 1979 abroad (sales of 2.5 million records outside of the Netherlands). Their records eventually sold 7 million copies worldwide.

Luv' at the peak of their international career (late 1978 / early 1979). The ladies had their own private jet to fly through Europe.

Their international career was short-lived and only spanned four years.

The maps below show the level of popularity of the legendary girl group in 23 territories during their heyday. I have used several criteria to show the group's fame in the international marketplace:

• number of chart hits (Top 100) / gold and platinum certifications - click here for details
• radio airplay
• television appearances - click here, here and here for details
• articles in the press
• impact on the pop culture

Click on the images to enlarge them:

Europe

World

There are five levels of popularity:

• Dark red: Netherlands, Belgium

The trio enjoyed major mainstream success and hit the headlines in the press. They dominated the record charts. Their songs were played in heavy rotation on the radio. They appeared regularly on TV. They won awards.....

• Red: Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Luxemburg, Denmark

Germany was Luv's biggest export market. As a result, their success in Goethe's country helped the ladies extend their popularity to the neighbouring territories.  

• Light red: France, Spain, Finland, Norway, South Africa, Zimbabwe, New Zealand, Argentina, Mexico 

Luv's music was appreciated to a lesser extent in these territories. 

• Pink: Canada and Australia

"Trojan Horse" reached the lower regions of the charts in these two English speaking countries.

• Pale pink: Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, Soviet Union

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Cold War was a fact. Luv's signature songs "You're the Greatest Lover" and "Trojan Horse" were quite popular behind the Iron Curtain. Some of their records were modestly distributed in these socialist republics by state-owned labels. That's why sales were hard to evaluate there. The trio was invited in 1980 by the Russian authorities to perform on Soviet Central Television. The singers were also expected to put out an album entitled From Russia with Luv'. This great news coincided with the political turmoil caused by the boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow by some Western countries. These Russian projects never materialized due to Patty Brard's departure. However, several Luv' bootlegs came out in Russian speaking countries. 

Luv' records were released worldwide (click here for details). 

Source: Discogs, Dutchcharts, blog archives...