Three days ago, José Hoebee attended the premiere of the latest Dutch production of Mamma Mia! (the musical based on the songs of ABBA) at the Beatrix Theater in Utrecht, Netherlands (see news posted on September 24th, 2018).
ABBA fan Bé Annen and his partner Jelle were also present and posed with the Luv' singer for photos. I would like to thank him for the pictures he sent me.
José & Bé
José & Jelle
Moreover,Béinformed me that the latest issue of Story magazine featured a picture of José during this glamorous event.
Yesterday, Luv' performed during a "Shownamiddag" (an afternoon show) at Puyenbroeck (a domain in Wachtebeke, Belgium). The trio delighted the audience with classic hits such as "U.O.Me", "You're the Greatest Lover", "Trojan Horse", "Casanova", "Ooh, Yes I Do", "My Number One", "Welcome To My Party" and "Megamix".
Thanks Koen De Smet and Nathalie Brys (of Koen De Smet Entertainment) who made this performance possible.
Photos by Charles Olthof, Willem van der Velden and Gerdy Baetens:
Backstage pictures
Luv' and Willem van der Velden ( a friend of José Hoebee)
Franklin van Liempt, José Hoebee & Klaas Jan van Hees - Photo by Jan Swinkels
Yesterday, José Hoebee attended the premiere of Mamma Mia! (the musical based on the songs of ABBA) at the Beatrix Theater in Utrecht, Netherlands. This third Dutch production of the world-famous music show (supervised by Albert Verlinde) features Antje Monteiro as Donna, Jolijn Henneman as Sophie (the future bride) and Soy Kroon as Sky (the fiancé). Dieter Troubleyn, Emiel de Jong and Zjon Smaal are Donna’s ex-partners Sam, Bart and Harrie. Hilke Bierman and Sophia Wezer are Donna’s friends and are part of the girl group The Dynamos with Donna.
The Luv' singer (accompanied by Franklin van Liempt) really enjoyed the performance and expressed satisfaction in a message posted on Facebook. Some of her friends were present too (Dennis Erhardt, Jan Uriot, Leon Vosters, Tineke de Nooij, Karin Angeleyes, Stany Van Wijmeersch, Guido Spek, Jessica van Riel...).
José Hoebee will be performing as part of the Top40van040 evening at the Effenaar, a venue in Eindhoven, Netherlands on October 5th. The event will start at 7.30 pm and end at 2.00 am. José will sing her solo hit "I Will Follow Him" and a Luv' song. Lenny Kuhr, August Boers (Flyin' Spiderz), Kiki Mettler, Camilla Blue, Quintijn Lohman, Iris Penning and Dada will be performing as well. All artists will be accompanied by the top band Betty Blue.
Luv' will be performing during a "Shownamiddag" (an afternoon show) at Puyenbroeck (a domain in Wachtebeke, Belgium) on September 25th between 4.15 pm and 4.45 pm.
Recently, the participation of Dutch singer Glennis Grace in the 13th season of NBC talent show "America's Got Talent" caused a sensation.
Glennis received praising reviews from the jury of AGT: Howie Mandel, Mel B, Heidi Klum and Simon Cowell. She even made it into the final of the competition because of her tremendous performances. The talented vocalist was among the 10 finalists but failed to make the top five. Magician Shin Lim was named the winner on the season finale on September 19th.
After this event, here's what Glennis wrote on her Instagram account:
"This has been a journey and a life changing experience. Whatever happens in a few hours @agt gave me the platform I needed to announce myself to America. Thanks to everybody that has been rooting for me and send me all the sweet and supporting messages. I read all of them😌 hopefully I will see you all in the near future during my tours and concerts. Much love GG 🙏🏽❤️💜"
Dutch public broadcaster NOS reported that a US tour was planned. Moreover, judge Simon Cowell, who described Grace as a ‘star’ after her first performance on the show, owns the record label Syco which has exclusive rights to contract all the finalists.
Grace singing Whitney Houston's Run to You during the auditions of AGT
Grace singing Prince's Nothing Compares 2 U
Grace singing Never Enough from the film The Greatest Show Man (Quarterfinals)
Grace singing Kate Bush's This Woman's Work (Semifinals)
Grace singing Run from Snow Patrol (Finals)
Glennis and Bebe Rexha singing I'm a Mess/Meant To Be
Although the songstress was unknown in the USA before AGT, she is a well-established singer in her homeland. She was born in Amsterdam on June 19th, 1978 and got discovered at the age of 16 after she won the Dutch TV talent show "Soundmixshow" with her performance of Whitney Houston's "One Moment In Time".
Luv's father Hans van Hemert even produced her debut album which included the single "I'm Gonna Be Strong" (which peaked at #13 on the Dutch Top 40 and the Single Top 100 in late 1994).
Glennis Grace: I'm Gonna Be Strong (1994)
Yesterday, Hans van Hemert posted a message on Facebook about his former protégée: "23 years ago, I did an album containing 14 songs with Glennis Grace. Was I 23 years ahead of time? Surely 😂 Congratulations on your first place on AGT".
On September 13th, ex-Luv' singer Patty Brard tweeted: "Glennis Grace to the final of America's Got Talent! Thank you America! Girl girl girl...I'm so proud of you!!!"
Glennis has scored 19 hits on the Dutch Single Top 100 (including the #1 song "Afscheid" in 2011) and 9 albums on the Album Top 100. She represented the Netherlands at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2005 with the ballad "My Impossible Dream". Grace did not make it through the semi-final.
Since 2012, she has been part the Dutch supergroup "Ladies of Soul" with Candy Dulfer, Berget Lewis, Edsilia Rombley and Trijntje Oosterhuis. The ladies gave performances to sold-out audiences at the Amsterdam's Ziggo Dome.
The latest issue of Story magazine features an article about Patty Brard. The diva told the celebrity gossip magazine that her fight against kilos provoked sorrow and that she considered suicide. Now the former Luv' singer is happy because she looks better due to her gastric bypass.
Earlier this week, Patty Brard posted a picture of herself on Instagram which caused positive comments on social media. The diva looks stunning seven months after her gastric bypass. She has to lose 4.5 kilos to reach her goal: 65 kilos.
Several Dutch websites (including Libelle.nl, MSN.nl, Flaironline.nl and RTLBoulevard.nl) also showed this beautiful picture.
Source: Patty Brard on social media, Libelle, MSN, Flair, RTL Boulevard
Patty Brard's latest column for Weekend magazine deals with Dutch TV journalist and presenter Twan Huys. Since September 2nd, Huys has been hosting RTL 4's talk show "RTL Late Night met Twan Huys". Previously, this program was presented by Humberto Tan.
The TV ratings of the new version of RTL Late Night were disappointing, except on September 14th when it drew 1.687.000 viewers (market share: 39.3%) because the results of the final of The Voice Senior were announced live on the talk show (Soul singer Jimi Bellmartin won the competition).
Dutch station NPO Radio 5 has asked its listeners to vote for the 150 greatest songs from the 1980s. José Hoebee's #1 hit single "I Will Follow Him" (released in 1982) has been preselected. Click here to vote for this pop classic and other tracks.
Yesterday, the media announced the death of the legendary Dutch singer Anneke Grönloh at age 76. Many artists reacted to this sad news. Among them: José Hoebee. The Luv' lady posted a message on her Facebook page to express her feelings. She regretted the fact that in recent years Anneke wasn't celebrated enough whereas she was very popular in the 1960s. According to José, the Netherlands neglect mature artists (who haven't scored hits for a long time). Belgium, Germany or the USA seem to be kinder to senior artists.
José also told in her message that after the death of her husband, record producer Will Hoebee, Anneke asked her if she wanted to come to her house in France in order to rest. José declined her generous offer although she appreciated it.
In 2012, the Luv' singer attended the presentation of a triple diamond award for the 3.5 million sales of "Brandend Zand" (a single by Anneke Grönloh). This event (which was combined with the release of Grönloh's compilation) took place at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Loosdrecht, Netherlands (see news posted on December 6th, 2012).
Jose Hoebee, Vivian Boelen, Anneke Grönloh, Viola Holt and Astrid Engels (2012)
Luv's latest live performance took place yesterday during the Artiestengala at the Sporthal ICL in Landsmeer, Netherlands. Once again, the ladies and their audience enjoyed the show.
Photos by David Hay Gibson, sporthallandsmeer.nl, Artfotos.nl (Henk Ros), Michiel Gunning, Yvonne Goede, Ria Thielsch. Thanks Marco Rens for compiling these pictures.
Luv' with Yvonne Goede
Luv' with Hannie Scheide (Marga's sister) and Silvia Moos
Video by David Hay Gibson and Yvonne Goede:
Megamix '93
My Number One
U.O.Me
You're the Greatest Lover
Click here to watch another video of Luv' performing "You're the Greatest Lover" and their Megamix (filmed by Michiel Gunning).
Guido Spek, Carlo Boszhard and Patty Brard on "Een goed stel hersens"
On September 13th, RTL 4's panel game "Een goed stel hersens" (featuring Patty Brard as a participant) drew 510.000 viewers (market share: 10%). These are disappointing viewing figures if you compare them with the previous season. Last year, the TV program averaged 800.000 viewers.
Patty Brard's latest column for Weekend magazine deals with Dutch fashion designer and media personality Olcay Gulsen. Olcay's latest TV project is a travel show called "Beter Laat dan Nooit" broadcast on RTL 4. For the purposes of this program, the ambitious woman travelled through Asia with four veterans of Dutch showbiz and media: Willibrord Frequin, Peter Faber, Gerard Cox and Barrie Stevens. The reality show has been a success. Olcay is a survivor because earlier this year, she went bankrupt. Patty went through the same thing 25 years ago. She rose like a phoenix from the ashes and now she is successful again. Click here to read the column. Source: Weekend
Carlo and Nicolette: the golden duo of "Een goed stel hersens"
The new season of RTL 4's panel game "Een goed stel hersens" (hosted by Carlo Boszhard and Nicolette Kluijver) starts tonight at 9.30 pm and features Patty Brard and fellow celebrities (Guido Spek, Gwen van Poorten and Hugo Kennis) as participants.
On September 8th, Luv' singer Ria Thielsch had a dinner with friends: Leon Vosters (of "Musicals" magazine), Jan Uriot (reporter for Privé magazine), Henk Linde and Marit van Eisden. Pictures of this convivial moment were posted on Facebook:
From left to right: Marit, Jan, Ria, Henk and Leon
One day later, Ria celebrated the wedding anniversary of her brother and sister-in-law with her family. Ria's niece, pop-rock singer Maxime Barlag was present as well.
