In Memoriam: Mies Bouwman

Mies Bouwman in 1979

Earlier today, the Dutch media announced the death of the legendary TV host Mies Bouwman at age 88. May she rest in peace. Mies started her career in 1951 on KRO channel. She presented a string of shows on several networks (KRO, AVRO, VARA). She definitively ended her work on TV in 1993 due to health restrictions and was appointed Knight in the Order of Orange-Nassau. In later years, she appeared as a guest on programs on the small screen. 

Luv' had the honour to perform on her shows. 

The ladies premiered their single "Ann-Maria" on her TV program "Telebingo" on AVRO on February 11th, 1980. Mies presented the trio as "Holland's best export product" (because of the Conamus Prize they won a few weeks earlier thanks to their good record sales abroad). The famous TV host had a short interview with Luv' just after their performance of "Ann-Maria". When asked how busy the group was, Patty Brard answered that they were on a promo tour through Europe (Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Wiesbaden, Zurich...). When asked which country was the best, Marga Scheide immediately replied "the Netherlands!". Then Mies asked Luv's blonde singer how she considered their success. "We work hard for it but it remains a wonder," she said. 

Ann Maria on Telebingo

In late December 1980, as Luv' was at a complete standstill due to Marga's burnout, José Hoebee appeared alone on "Telebingo" to sing "Mother of the hearts", a track from "Forever Yours" penned by Hans van Hemert and dedicated to his mother. Before her performance, she told Mies that Luv' would be performing again after Marga's rest cure. But Luv' disbanded a couple of months later. 

Mother of the hearts on Telebingo (1980)

On October 27th 1988, more than seven years after their first break-up, Luv' took everybody by surprise when they reunited on a TV charity show ("Samen") hosted by Mies Bouwman on AVRO. They sang their signature song "You're the Greatest Lover". Their former producer Hans van Hemert greeted them backstage. This unique performance caused a profusion of positive reviews in the media. At that time, no-one knew that the girl group would reunite on several occasions.

You're the Greatest Lover on "Samen" (1988)

Source: De Telegraaf, AD, Televizier...

Luv's festive performance @ 4de Lokers Schlagerfestival

Yesterday, Luv' gave a joyful performance at the 4th edition of the Schlagerfestival in Lokeren, Belgium. The ladies were very enthusiastically received by the public. The group and their team (including their friend and tour manager David Hay Gibson) would like to thank Nathalie Brys from Koen De Smet Theatre Management for her presence and wonderful support. The trio was also very satisfied with Gerry from the organization of this event and with the attendance of Brigitte Vis from Luv's Dutch booking office.

Photo credits: Rony van de Vyver (Lokeren Leeft), David Hay Gibson, Nathalie Brys, Guido de Meyer

A video of the best moments of the show has been posted on the YouTube channel of "Lokeren Leeft":

Backstage pictures:

Luv' with Brigitte Vis (of Jan Vis talent agency) and Nathalie Brys (of Koen De Smet Theatre Management) 

Luv' and Kiana (daughter of Koen De Smet and Nathalie Brys) who celebrated her birthday

Luv' and  Flemish artist Torsten van Loock

Source: Facebook, YouTube

Marga alerts the fan community about the terrible situation of animals at a Dutch reserve!!!

Yesterday, Luv' singer Marga Scheide communicated a special message through the Official Luv' Facebook fan page. As a devoted animal rights activists, she shed light on a terrible situation occurring at the Oostvaardersplassen (a nature reserve in the Netherlands managed by the State Forestry Service (Staatsbosbeheer). Sylvo Thijsen (director of the Forestry Service) decided not to feed the animals of the reserve during the winter. According to him, the fact that animals die of starvation at this time of the year is part of a natural process. The reserve was created in 1968 and initially was supposed to welcome 800 animals. Currently, 8500 large herbivores live in the Oostvaardersplassen!!! The weakest are shot when they cannot survive the winter. Marga (who is not directly present on social media) asked the fans and anyone who cannot stand this cruel policy to spread this message.

Let's hope a solution to protect the animals will be found!!!

Source: Official Luv' Facebook Fan Page

Patty's column about Teun van de Keuken

Teun & Patty (photo shoot for Linda, 2015)

Patty Brard's latest column for Weekend magazine deals with Dutch media personality Teun van de Keuken. Three years ago, the two celebrities were interviewed by Dutch women's magazine "LINDA." (see news posted on February 22nd, 2015). 

Teun is specialized in issues dealing with food business. 

Click here to read the column. 

Source: Weekend

Tattoo Trippers (feat. Patty Brard & Eva van de Wijdeven) flops!!!

On February 22nd, Veronica TV program "Tattoo Trippers" featured Patty Brard and Dutch actress Eva van de Wijdeven travelling to Morocco in order to be tattooed. The show only drew 77.000 viewers (market share: 1.9%). 

Source: Veronica, SKO, Patty Brard on social media

José's latest lunch with fans/friends @ Ambacht

José Hoebee's latest lunch with fans/friends took place at the Ambacht restaurant in Best, NL on February 21st. In addition to the Luv' singer, the other guests were Ingrid de Groot (her sister), Rien Houet, David Hay Gibson (her friend and tour manager), Jos Theuns, Yvonne Bal and Ine Foudraine. José really enjoyed their presence. 

Photo courtesy of Jos Theuns:

Yvonne, Ingrid, Ine, David, José, Jos and Rien

Source: Facebook

Interview with José in Story

The latest issue of Dutch gossip magazine Story features an interview with José Hoebee. The singer discusses several issues straightforwardly (her late husband, record producer Will, her son Tim, Luv' and cannabis oil). 

Click on the images to enlarge them (scans by Jos Theuns): 

 Source: Story, Martin Vink, Jos Theuns

Patty's latest news: Utopia, Koffietijd, 3 Uurkes Vurraf, Columns in Weekend, Mischa says Hi!

* On February 8th, Roy Donders and Patty Brard gave a performance at Utopia (the multi-service centre in Laren, NL created by the candidates of SBS 6's reality show "Utopia") for a Carnival party. Recently, the duo released a single (see news posted on January 11th, 2018). The February 13th episode of Utopia featured the performance of the duo and attracted 530.000 viewers (market share: 9%). 

Click here to watch an interview with Roy & Patty. 

* On February 9th, Patty Brard appeared on RTL 4's morning program "Koffietijd" (which drew 187.000 viewers (market share: 26,9%). The TV show was hosted by Pernille La Lau and Loretta Schrijver. 

Among the subjects, La Brard discussed the dress worn by Princess Amalia (eldest daughter of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima). Amalia wore it during the photo session for the 80th birthday of her grandmother Princess Beatrix (former Queen of the Netherlands). The diva even called Amalia a "fashion icon". Patty told that she ordered the same dress in black and white (sold by the Greek brand "Devotion"). Click here to watch an excerpt. 

Dutch Royal Family

The ex-Luv' singer (who promoted her latest duet with Roy Donders) also took part in a Carnival quiz. Click here to watch an excerpt. 

Source: RTL 4, RTL Boulevard, SKO

* On February 9th, Patty Brard and Roy Donders gave a flamboyant performance at the Pullman Hotel Eindhoven Cocagne as part of the "3 Uurkes Vurraf" party.  Other artists (including De Deurzakkers, Gerard Joling, Vader Abraham, John de Bever, Snollebollekes and Lamme Frans) sang on the same show (organized by the local broadcaster Omroep Brabant). 

Source: Omroep Brabant, Patty Brard's Facebook Page

* Patty's latest columns for Weekend magazine:

• February 7th: about the high-rated AVROTROS/NPO 3 series "De Luizenmoeder". It takes place in a primary school and it is a satire on the behaviour of parents, teachers and pupils. Click here to read the column. 

• February 14th: about RTL 4's talent show "The Voice of Holland". The elimination of the talented candidate Kimberly Maasdamme caused a sensation. Coach Anouk (known for her straightforwardness) was shocked and called the Dutch "dumb people". Patty thought that Kimberly was "the only who could sign an international deal with an American record label". She was convinced that Kim would have the greatest career despite her defeat. Some news sites and social media explained that a technical problem related to the vote counting might explain this disappointing result. Jim van der Zee eventually won the competition. Click here to read the column. 

Source: Weekend

* Korean born Dutch media personality Mischa Blok currently hosts "Mischa says Hi!", a program on NPO Radio 1 which deals with the funny aspects of Korean culture. This series was filmed on the occasion of the PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games. The February 17th episode featured Mischa showing South Korean people pictures of Dutch celebrities. Mischa asked them who these VIPs might be. When she showed the photo of Patty, a man thought that she was a politician and that she looked "big" 😜😜😜

Click here to watch Mischa Says Hi! #9.

Source: NPO Radio 1

José down memory lane with René and Hans!!!

Yesterday, Luv' singer José Hoebee had a lunch with long-time fan and friend René Moonen and legendary producer Hans van Hemert to discuss sweet memories of the group's glorious past. 

A couple of pictures (courtesy of René) were posted on Facebook: 

 René, José & Hans

René has a special place in the Luv' world. As a great lobbyist, he made prestigious projects possible in the 2000s: the double CD compilation "25 Jaar Na Waldolala" (see article posted on November 7th, 2013), the Box set "Completely In Luv'" and the "Back In Luv" DVD. On behalf of the fans, I want to thank him for his input!!!

René, José, Hans and Ria at the release party of "25 Jaar Na Waldolala"

Source: Facebook

De TV Kantine (including an impersonation of Luv') draws more than 1 million viewers!!!

Yesterday, the latest episode of RTL 4's show "De TV Kantine" included an impersonation of Luv' (with Irene Moors as Marga Scheide and Carlo Boszhard as José Hoebee and Patty Brard). The program drew 1.159.000 viewers (market share: 17%). It reached #8 on SKO's Dag Top 25 (the daily list of the 25 most-watched programs (conceived by Dutch audience measurement company Stichting KijkOnderzoek). 

José reacted to the show on her Facebook page and considered it as "a good publicity for the group". 

Click here to watch "De TV Kantine" (Luv' sketch appears at 17:16). 

Source: RTL 4, KijkOnderzoek, Facebook