Patty Brard's column about "All Animals Ibiza"

Patty Brard's latest column for Weekend magazine deals with the "All Animals Ibiza" foundation that she supports. Since 2012, this foundation has been involved in the well-being of animals in and outside the Netherlands with the special emphasis on animals suffering on Ibiza (Spain). As a small organization, All Animals Ibiza cooperates with several local dog and cat shelters on Ibiza and additionally it closely work together with one veterinary practice on the island.

Click here to read the column.

Click here to donate to All Animals Ibiza.

Source: Weekend

Luv' in Story: "Despite the problems, the ladies don't stop performing!!!" + beautiful pics in Spain!!!

The latest issue of Dutch celebrity gossip magazine "Story" features an article about Luv'. The weekly publication uses a sensationalist style to mention Luv's recent misadventures. Marga Scheide was interviewed recently to discuss the problems of the group.

Photos by Edwin Smulders / Text by Ben Holthuis

Two years ago, when Luv' did their comeback, they collaborated with their manager Walter van der Schaaff (of Quadra Group BV). Unfortunately, this collaboration ended rapidly as the Luv' singers were not satisfied with the way Walter guided their career. 

Moreover, the trio was supposed to record new material with American producer Juan Cristobal Losada (who worked previously with Ricky Martin, Enrique Iglesias and Shakira). Henk Schorel (CEO of Viva Canal, an international TV, music and entertainment company) coupled Luv' with Juan. But Henk's wife got very seek and Luv's plan to record new songs was put on hold. 

Story also reports an incident which occurred earlier this month in Spain. The group was supposed to give an open-air performance in Guardamar del Segura. Unfortunately, their show was cancelled due to bad weather conditions (see news posted on June 8th, 2018). 

Despite these problems and the fact that Patty Brard is not part of the group anymore, the Luv' ladies still enjoy their gigs and want to go on.

In addition to this article, beautiful pictures of Luv's recent stay in Spain were posted on the Official Luv' fan page on Facebook (Photos by David Hay Gibson):

Luv' with sound technician Charles Olthof and tour manager David Hay Gibson

Luv' with Harold and Chantal Bekelaar-Mensinck, the owners of "Casa Almendros" in Quesada - Royales (Alicante)

Source: Story, Official Luv' (Facebook), Martin Vink

Patty Brard puts the record straight in her latest column for Weekend magazine!!!

In her latest column for Weekend magazine, Patty Brard puts the record straight after Dutch media announced in mid-May that the diva (who lives in Ibiza) would move back to the Netherlands definitively. Rumour has it that her husband, architect Antoine van de Vijver had less work on the Balearic island and that Patty could not afford her expensive rent in Ibiza. Other malicious rumours circulated about the fact that the former Luv' singer could not find buyers to sell them her luxury house in Amstelveen.

Patty asserts that her two dogs, Antoine and she are safe and well. After four hectic weeks in the Netherlands, they are back on their favourite island. Recently she acted as a marriage officiant (see news posted on June 19th, 2018). She specifies that actually, she was more a master of ceremony than an officiant. This one-off activity is not a career switch although naysayers suggest the contrary. Patty tells that Antoine is currently busy with eleven projects. She adds that she took her house in Amstelveen off the market and that she weighs 76.2 kilos (which is very good, four months after her gastric bypass). 

Moreover, La Brard regularly posts pictures of her happy life on social media:

Patty, Antoine with friends (Sarah Belien, Dutch actor Guido Spek and Flemish media personality Cath Luyten)

Patty has posted this picture on Instagram to support the "All Animals Ibiza" foundation

Click here to read the column. 

Source: Weekend, Patty Brard on social media

Luv' @ Havendagen Terneuzen

On June 23rd, Luv' performed as part of the "Havendagen Terneuzen", a maritime event in Terneuzen, NL. The audience really enjoyed the show. The ladies and their entourage (including tour manager David Hay Gibson) were very satisfied with the organization of this event (including Jolanda Fieret (member of the committee of the Havendagen) and William van Leeuwen (SPH Int. Music Artists and Events).

 Photos by David Hay Gibson, Diana Kint Verplanke, William van Leeuwen:

Luv' & William van Leeuwen (SPH Int. Music, Artists and Events) backstage

Videos by David Hay Gibson:

Ooh, Yes I Do

Trojan Horse

 

Megamix

Short video of U.O.Me by Jurgen Buysrogge:

Source: Facebook (Official Luv')

Luv' & Frans Bauer in Ulicoten

Yesterday, Luv' and iconic Dutch singer Frans Bauer gave a private performance in Ulicoten, North Brabant. They posed backstage for pictures.

Photo courtesy of Ria Thielsch

 Luv' & Frans Bauer

 Luv' & Dexter (Ria's grandson)

Frans Bauer & Ria Thielsch

 Luv' with  Willem van der Velden and Frans Bauer

Source: Facebook (Official Luv')

You're the Greatest Lover on Qmusic's "Top 500 van het Foute Uur 2018"

Dutch radio station Qmusic has revealed its list of the 500 kitschiest pop tracks of all time (excluding the Top 10 which will be revealed later). Luv' signature song "You're the Greatest Lover" has reached the 275th position.

Click here to see the complete list of "Top 500 van het Foute Uur".

Source: Qmusic, Hitsallertijden.nl, Martin Vink

Peter and Marga visit José

Earlier today, Peter Boonstra (author of "The Story of Luv") visited José Hoebee in Best, NL. As a surprise, he brought Marga Scheide with him. He picked Marga up at the Eindhoven Airport. Beautiful pictures of the three of them were posted on the Official Luv' Facebook Page:

Source: Official Luv'

José Hoebee in Party: "I'm not looking for love!"

The latest issue of Party magazine features an article about Luv' singer José Hoebee. The songstress explained that six years after the death of her husband, record producer Will Hoebee, she was not looking for a new love relationship. She also told a funny story. Recently, a lady from Warner Bros. Entertainment Nederland B.V. called her to appear on "Adam zkt Eva", a Dutch dating show featuring naked participants. José refused to participate in this program. She also revealed that when she was 40, Playboy Holland asked her to pose nude. She declined the offer despite a huge amount of money. 

Moreover, José said that she still enjoyed performing with Luv'.

Scan by José Hoebee Fan Page (Facebook)

Source: Party, Facebook

The complete track listing of Luv's new compilation revealed!!!

Earlier today, long-time fan and Facebook friend René Moonen revealed the track listing of Luv's forthcoming compilation released by Universal Music (as part of the "Favorieten Expres" series). I would like to thank him for this information.

Track listing:

1.My Man

2.Dream, Dream

3.U.O.Me (Theme from Waldolala)

4. You're The Greatest Lover

5.Trojan Horse

6. Who Do You Wanna Be

7.Sugar Babe

8.Don Juanito De Carnaval

9.Louis Je T'adore

10.Everybody's Shakin' Hands On Broadway

11.Casanova

12.Eeny Meeny Miny Moe

13.I.M.U.R

14.Ooh, Yes I Do

15.I Like Sugar Candy Kisses

16.D.J.

17.Ann-Maria

18.One More Little Kissie

19.My Number One

20.Tingalingaling

This "Greatest Hits" CD will come out on June 29th.

Click on one of the links to pre-order a copy:

Bol.com: https://bit.ly/2JP7gi7

TV Oranje Shop: https://bit.ly/2thNv7x

Source: Facebook (René Moonen, Official Luv')

Patty as a marriage officiant in Ibiza

Last week, Patty Brard officiated for the first time at a wedding in Ibiza and posted on Instagram a beautiful of herself with a married couple. 

According to Dutch news websites, the former Luv' singer can be booked as a marriage officiant. It is common practice for Dutch to pay celebrities to act as vow masters. Among personalities who can be hired: Erica Terpstra, Paul de Leeuw, Kees Tol, Gerard Joling, Imca Marina and Xander de Buisonjé. 

Source: Instagram, RTL Nieuws (RTL Boulevard), Story.nl

Marga, Michiel and friends at Ger Valkenburg's birthday party!!!

Yesterday, Luv' singer Marga Scheide and her partner Michiel Gunning attended the birthday party of Ger Valkenburg at Kaixo Ibiza with friends (including Ron Brandsteder's wife, Yvonne). Once again, on behalf of the Luv' fans, Happy Birthday Ger and many thanks for your input!!!

Ger, Dyon, Michiel, Marga and friends (including Yvonne Brandsteder)

 Marga & Ger

Photo courtesy of Ger Valkenburg

All the guests really enjoyed this moment. Ger and his partner Dyon Hagenaars run DC Models. They recently developed nice projects with Luv' (Ladies Day in Hellevoetsluis, Reopening party of shopping center "De Els" in Walwijk, Goes Couture by Ronald Kolk and Ibiza Fashion Festival).

Source: Facebook

A new Luv' compilation (as part of the "Favorieten Expres" series) due for release on June 29th!!!

Dutch websites Bol.com and tvoranjeshop.nl have recently revealed the front cover of a new Luv' compilation as part of the "Favorieten Expres" series. This "Greatest Hits" CD will come out on June 29th.  It will feature classic hits such as "My Man", "U.O.Me", "You're the Greatest Lover", "Trojan Horse", "Casanova", "Eeny Meeny Miny Moe" and "Ooh, Yes I Do". The complete track listing will be announced later.

Click on one of the links to pre-order a copy:

Bol.com: https://bit.ly/2JP7gi7

TV Oranje Shop: https://bit.ly/2thNv7x

Luv's previous compilation was released more than four years ago by the German branch of Universal Music (see news posted on January 15th, 2014). 

Source: Bol, TV Oranje

With Luv' from David....

My interview with David Hay Gibson

Team spirit has always been important in Luv's career. Since their latest comeback in 2016, the ladies have been able to count on the support of their tour manager, David Hay Gibson. Like José Hoebee, David lives with his partner Leon in Best, a village in the southern Netherlands. 

I had the pleasure to meet him twice: last year at Luv's 40th-anniversary party (see news posted on July 9th, 2017) and then at one of José's lunch with other fans (see news posted on January 28th, 2018). We are friends on Facebook. 

Me, David and Marga Scheide at Luv's 40th-anniversary party (July 2017)

David and me at José's lunch (January 2018)

He's a real British gentleman who answers all my questions anytime I need to check a detail related to the group. He always shares pictures and videos of shows so that the Facebook team of Official Luv' (Marco Rens and me) can use them. I am very grateful for his tremendous input. He is a great asset to Luv'.

I've decided to interview David for my blog in order to put him in the spotlight. He gladly accepted to answer my questions.

Ralph: When and where were you born?

David: I was born on Saturday, 5th of November 1949 in Edinburgh, Scotland, U.K. I have dual nationality, namely British and Dutch.

Ralph: I saw on your Facebook page a picture of you as a young athlete posing with your trophies. So you had a sport career before you moved to the Netherlands?

David: Yes, I took up athletics in High School. I became a member of an Athletic Club and was trained and coached for international athletics during which time I represented my country and travelled a lot. Later I changed sport disciplines and played tennis which I continued after settling in the Netherlands. I played national competition tennis until I turned 50! 

David as an ambitious young athlete in 1967

Ralph: When did you meet Dusty Springfield for the first time? How did you launch her fan club?

David: I was introduced to Dusty by a friend for the first time in the late 1960s at a nightclub in London. We got on well and danced the night away together and became friends. I was asked to take over “The Official Dusty Springfield Fan Club” some years ago. I started with 232 members and now have almost 4500 members from all over of the world.

Signed photos of the legendary pop singer Dusty Springfield

Ralph:  What brought you to the Netherlands?

David: I was offered a job by a British/Dutch company whilst I was working in Kitzbühel, Austria. They simply made me an offer that I couldn’t refuse!

Ralph: When did you meet José Hoebee for the first time? What about your meeting with the other Luv' ladies?

David: I met José for the first time at the door of our first business premises in Best which we had coincidently bought from José’s godfather, Ad van de Wijdeven. She was walking with her son Tim, who was I think about three years old at the time! I met up with the other ladies of Luv' through José of course!

Ralph: How did you become Luv's tour manager? 

David: In late 2015 when José was making plans to return to Best a mutual acquaintance (we know many of the same people) suggested to her to approach me to assist her with her appearances with Luv'. From one thing came the other, and in no time I was looking after and arranging things for all three of the lovely Luv' ladies. I am referred to often as their "tour and or road manager", but most of all I make sure that the ladies are looked after, before, during and after the performances and assist them with their costumes in the dressing rooms. I protect and escort them to and from the stage. 

David and Luv' backstage at Hollands Glorie at Kursaal Oostende in Belgium (September 29th, 2017)

David & Luv' during a recent stay in Alicante, Spain (early June 2018)

A busy David backstage

Ralph: Apart from Luv' and Dusty, you've been involved in several activities with other singers. Can you tell us with whom you worked with?

David: I did P.R work for Do in and around the time of her world hit when she covered Brian Adam’s “Heaven”. I also looked after Ruth Jacott and Tatjana Simic when they appeared in the South of the Netherlands. Our business clients often asked me to look after their artists or guests when we had our agency, Van Diepen Gibson.

Do and David in 2004

David and Ruth Jacott during the Tour de France in 1996

David & Tatjana Simic at Eindhoven Airport in 1996

Ralph: What about your involvement in the local community in Best?  I saw that you had won some awards.

David: Leon and I became extremely involved with the community in Best soon after starting up our company, “Van Diepen Gibson druk & vormgeving” in the mid-1980s. I was still active in tennis. We adopted a tennis tournament which then became the “Van Diepen Gibson Open Dubbel Toernooi” which was held yearly. We also sponsored the yearly Carnival in Best. I was asked to join the Carnival Federation in Best to help improve the “podium presentation” of the yearly Prince and select and arrange the costumes. I guided the Prince and prepared a number of them and the “raad” for the Carnival season, which I did for 4 years. We also sponsored and helped bring the 2nd leg of the "Tour De France" to and through Best in 1996. We were members of the “Best Business Club” and had good contacts with our clients and suppliers. In 1997, we received the "citizen’s award for services to the community" which we both, to this day regard as a great honour. In 2004, we were awarded the “Business Men Of The Year Award” for our contribution to business and service to the community in Best.

Van Diepen & Gibson tennis tournament in 1998

Ralph: Apart from the concert dates mentioned on the Official Luv' fan page on Facebook, are there any other gigs that are planned? Any other future plans? 

David: There are a couple of private gigs planned in addition to the publicised Luv' diary for 2018.

Ralph: Honestly, during Luv's heyday (1977 - 1981) did you listen to their music?

David: Yes, I honestly did! I was working in Italy and Austria during the first couple of years of their career. Many of my Dutch clients made sure that I listened to Luv's music. When I finally moved to the Netherlands in late 1979, I was familiar with their songs and watched many of their TV appearances. I made friends with many people in Best before moving here myself. Of course, I knew that José was from Best!

Ralph:  What are your favourite Luv' songs? Favourite José songs?

David: My favourite Luv' songs are Ann-Maria, The Night Of Love, I.M.U.R. Life Is On My Side, Welcome To My Party, Ooh, Yes I Do, Trojan Horse.....My favourite songs by José are Secret Love, Scarborough Fair, I Love You, Time Goes By and of course I Will Follow Him. 

Ralph: You know I'm French. Which French singers do you like?

David: Yes, I know you’re French Ralph...believe it or not, I loved Mireille Mathieu way back in the 1960s, Edith Piaf and Sacha Distel. I was also very fond of Petula Clark whom I know is British and French. Petula is married to her French manager, producer and agent, Claude Wolff. They've been living in France since the late 1960s. English friends of mine have a record label in the U.K. and still release Petula’s records! 

Many THANKS to David for making this interview possible !!!