Luv', Marga Scheide & José Hoebee: latest news

Photo edited by Co Rnz

Luv' on "Het beste van...de jaren 80"

On August 4th, AVROTROS/NPO 3 broadcast the third episode of "Het beste van...de jaren 80", which drew 294.000 viewers. This TV show featured several Dutch celebrities who told their memories of the 1980s illustrated with excerpts from music videos of this decade. 

One part of the program dealt with Dutch girl groups from this era. It included a clip from Luv's hit "One More Little Kissy" (originally broadcast on July 4th, 1980, as part of the NCRV special "This Is True Luv'"). 

Radio DJ Erik de Zwart said: "The 1980s was the decade of girl groups. Female groups from abroad were also successful at the time".

Eric de Zwart

Radio DJ Giel Beelen explained: "Luv's secret is that Hans van Hemert wrote good songs for them. His idea was to choose three kinds of girls for everybody".

Giel Beelen

Singer Karin Bloemen told: "It's so wonderful that these girls had such an amazing success. They were three lovely girls". 

Karin Bloemen

Other female pop groups were also mentioned: Dolly Dots, Star Sisters, Babe and Frizzle Sizzle.

Click here to watch episode 3 of "Het beste van...de jaren 80". 

Source: AVROTROS/NPO3, SKO, Mediacourant, Martin Vink

Marga Scheide in Story

Last week's issue of Story magazine features a photo collage related to Marga Scheide's metamorphosis between 1978 and 2021.

Source: Marga Scheide's fan page (Facebook), Marco Rens

Marga Scheide celebrating the 50th birthday of Dyon Hagenaars and the wedding anniversary of Ger Valkenburg and Dyon

On August 14th and 15th, Marga Scheide and friends took part in the celebrations of Dyon Hagenaars' 50th birthday and the 2.5th wedding anniversary of Ger Valkenburg and Dyon in Ibiza. Ger and Dyon own DC Models and have been Luv's allies in the recent years. Marga and Ger even gave an impromptu performance of Luv's signature song "You're the Greatest Lover". Click here to watch it.

Marga & Dyon

José Hoebee in Privé

The latest issue of Privé magazine features an article about José Hoebee hoping for a reunion with Bonnie St Claire. In the 1980s, the ladies formed a successful duo that covered ABBA songs in Dutch. Earlier this month, José already told Story magazine that she and Bonnie had not been on speaking terms for years. 

Read the article posted on August 3rd, 2021: All About LUV' (past, present, future and more): José Hoebee in Story: "The ball's in Bonnie's court now!" (luvgirlgroup.blogspot.com)

Nothing has changed to this day. José is still waiting for a meeting with Bonnie. "I can't explain why we lost contact. I don't know what happened and why Bonnie is angry at me. I've tried to solve the problem so many times in different ways. But she hasn't reacted yet. I tried to call her husband Anne-Jan and her managers, but it didn't help. A couple of months ago, I heard that she wanted to get in touch with me. But after the publication of her biography and her promotion work, she was supposed to call me earlier this month. I'm patient. There's nothing more I can do," José says. 

Moreover, the ex-Luv' singer mentions Dutch actress Eva van de Wijdeven who has the same maiden name as hers and who has an uncanny resemblance to her. "I wonder if actress Eva van de Wijdeven is part of my family. Van de Wijdeven is not a common name. Maybe Eva wonders the same. She probably knows that I have the same last name. Maybe she doesn't know it as I always used the names of my husbands. I first used the name of Marteen Andreoli, with whom I was married from 1974 to 1980. Then I used the name of Will Hoebee, who died in 2012. I really want to know if Eva's family. If it was the case, would she be in touch with me? It's not that important, but it would be so nice," José adds. 

Click on the image to enlarge it:

Source: Privé, José Hoebee's Fan Page (Facebook), Marco Rens

José Hoebee in Story: "The ball's in Bonnie's court now!"

The latest issue of Story Magazine features an article about José Hoebee. This item is published following a recent article in De Telegraaf in which the singer complained that she and Bonnie St. Claire had not been on speaking terms for years. Read the article posted on July 25th, 2021: All About LUV' (past, present, future and more): Marga & José's latest news: Marga Scheide at Hans Klok's premiere / José Hoebee in De Telegraaf (luvgirlgroup.blogspot.com)

José was surprised when she received a copy of Bonnie's recent biography. "Bonnie and I haven't been in contact for years. I don't know the real reason. Maybe it is due to her husband Anne Jan, maybe not. But one thing is sure: we haven't talked for years. That's why I was shocked when I got a copy of her book. Her manager sent it to me, but Bonnie must know it. I consider it a first sign to get in touch again. In her book, she's very positive about us. Only beautiful memories of fantastic times, and she gently wrote them. I was so happy about it," José told Story. 

The former Luv' singer is not in good shape one year and a half after the group's break-up. She retired from show business in her native little town, Best. She has no energy to get up for two hours daily. She was supposed to attend the "Hans Klok & Friends" premiere with Marga Scheide, but she cancelled her presence at the last minute. "I felt pain. Such an afternoon was too much for me. It's a pity because I consider Hans, a dear friend of mine. I still have my oral tic. Fortunately, I don't lose weight anymore. But eating is still difficult. I eat space food, and I mix it with cake. So I can maintain my weight," José explained. "I have an appointment at a health centre specialized in tics in Eindhoven. There's an eight-week waiting list. I have to be patient. I hope they'll be able to help me. It would change my life," she added. 

"It would be so nice if Bonnie and I could meet again. We spent so many good years together. The two of us with our husbands. Albert (her then-spouse) and Will even ran a company together. I want our friendship back," José said. 

Recently, Bonnie reacted to José's comments. The blonde singer told Story that it took her years to overcome her own problems (alcohol, family...) and that she was not angry at José. "I feel good when I hear that. But the ball's in Bonnie court now. I am waiting for her call," José replied. 

Click on the images to enlarge them:

Moreover, Bonnie gave another interview published this week in Weekend magazine. When asked if she had planned a reunion with José, Bonnie answered: "No, not at the moment because she lives in Best. We were very close when we recorded our album with ABBA covers. We met very often back then. Her late husband Will (who died too soon) produced my records". When asked if she was about to call José, Bonnie said: "Yes, it's going to happen. There have been unpleasant stories. I want to talk to her about them without media around".

Click on the images to enlarge them:

Source: Story, Weekend, José Hoebee Fan Page (Facebook), Co Rnz

Marga & José's latest news: Marga Scheide at Hans Klok's premiere / José Hoebee in De Telegraaf

Photo edited by Marco Rens

Marga Scheide at "Hans Klok & Friends" premiere

On July 18th, Marga Scheide, her partner Michiel Gunning, her sister Hannie and their friends (Silvia Moos, gossip columnist Jan Uriot and Dennis van Zwol) attended the premiere of the "Hans Klok & Friends" show at the Griftpark in Utrecht, the Netherlands. 

Marga Scheide & Silvia Moos

Dennis van Zwol & Marga Scheide

Marga & sister Hannie Scheide

Marga Scheide, Silvia Moos, Jan Uriot, Dennis van Zwol, Michiel Gunning and Hannie Scheide

Source: Facebook (Silvia Moos, Dennis van Zwol en Hannie Scheide)

* José Hoebee in De Telegraaf: "Bonnie, please call me!"

The July 22nd edition of De Telegraaf featured an article written by Jan Uriot about José Hoebee in its "Privé" (entertainment news) section. 

Recently, a biography about Bonnie St. Claire came out. This publication generated publicity in the Netherlands. The book mentions Bonnie's collaboration with José in the 1980s. The ladies formed a duo to sing Dutch cover versions of ABBA songs produced by José's husband, record producer Will Hoebee. They scored two Dutch Top 40 hits: Cassandra (1984) and Zoals Vrienden Doen (The Way Old Friends Do - 1985). Shortly afterwards, a duet LP entitled "Herinnering" (including the two above-mentioned singles) was released. Last Autumn, the album was reissued on CD/DVD after a crowdfunding campaign. Read the article posted on November 20th, 2020: All About LUV' (past, present, future and more): Bonnie & José's Herinnering (2020 edition): officially out today and media coverage!!! (luvgirlgroup.blogspot.com)

José told De Telegraaf that Bonnie had been ignoring her for years although she appeared in her biography. "I don't know what I did wrong. I think Bonnie is not that angry at me. Otherwise, she would not have written about me. My late husband Will Hoebee and I are frequently mentioned. I appreciate it. I don't have her new phone number. That's why sometimes I send messages to her manager. Recently I wrote to him: "Bonnie looks fantastic on the cover of her book". The manager answered: "I'm going to forward your message to Bonnie". But I never got an answer from her whereas my phone number is still the same. Bonnie can call me but she doesn't do it. In my opinion, her husband Anne-Jan forbids her from contacting me. Maybe it's because I used to say that she should drink less. I understand that she's leaving the past behind. We used to have fun back in the day. Now that I'm ill, I need her. It would be so nice if we could talk and laugh again. We laughed a lot in the past," José explained. 

As for Bonnie who is busy promoting her book, she told De Telegraaf/Privé she was not opposed to reconciliation. "José has moved often. She was here and another time she was there. She even lived in Belgium. We were less in contact. But I still plan to invite her home. Now I have a hectic schedule. I hope she's doing fine. Sooner or later I'll be in touch with her," Bonnie said. 

Click on the images to enlarge them:

Source: De Telegraaf, José Hoebee Fan Page (Facebook)

Zoals Vrienden Doen: Cover Versions of Bonnie & José's Pop Classic

This article is written in memory of Will Hoebee and Benny Neyman. Good music is timeless. 

In 1985, Zoals Vrienden Doen, a duet by Bonnie St. Claire and José Hoebee reached the Top 40 in the Netherlands (see article posted on August 3rd, 2020). This song inspired other Dutch artists (including Anny Schilder, Janneke de Roo and Amira, winner of Holland's Got Talent 2013) who covered this beautiful ballad. 

The original song by ABBA

Zoals Vrienden Doen was a Dutch cover version of The Way Old Friends Do originally performed live by ABBA at the Wembley Arena in London in November 1979. The Super Trouper album (released by the Swedish Fab Four in late 1980) closed with this song. On June 6th, 2016, the members of ABBA took the world by surprise when they appeared together at a private party at Berns Salonger in Stockholm, which was held to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus's first meeting. On this special occasion, Agnetha Fältskog and Frida Lyngstad performed The Way Old Friends Do live before they were joined on stage by Andersson and Ulvaeus.

The Way Old Friends Do - 1979

The Way Old Friends Do - 2016

Zoals Vrienden Doen by Bonnie & José

Zoals Vrienden Doen (released in June 1985 by RCA Records) is considered the signature song of the Bonnie & José duo. The Dutch lyrics of Zoals Vrienden Doen were written by the legendary singer Benny Neyman. The record was produced by José's husband, Will Hoebee (a sought-after producer at the time) and arranged by the Eurovision Song Contest conductor Harry van Hoof. 

Bonnie & José on July 11th, 1985 on Nederland Muziekland (Veronica TV channel)

Zoals Vrienden Doen was the foretaste of Bonnie & José's LP entitled "Herinnering" (including Dutch cover versions of ABBA songs) that came out in September 1985. Recently, Bonnie & José's album was reissued on CD/DVD by the independent label CD-licious thanks to a successful crowdfunding campaign initiated by Franklin van Liempt (see news posted on November 20th, 2020). 

Zoals Vrienden Doen: The Cover Versions

Even though it was initially an ABBA song, Zoals Vrienden Doen became a classic of Dutch-speaking pop music. Several artists covered it over the years.

In 1985, Dutch trumpeter Marty performed the song for his album entitled "Carpentras".

In 1986, Flemish chanteuse Dana Winner sang it live on stage:

In 2001, the Flemish singers Eric Flanders & Margriet Hermans recorded their version of the track. This duet was included on Eric's album entitled "Genoegens". It was reissued as a CD single in 2008.

In 2007, Annie Schilder and Anja Steur's version of the song appeared on the album "Anny en Ik". Two years later, Anny and José formed a duo and recorded the Phil Spector classic "Be My Baby" (originally performed by The Ronettes in 1963). 

In 2009, Dutch singer Janneke de Roo recorded her own version of Bonnie & José's song that was included on her album entitled "Hallo hallo de wereld is van jou". She performed the track with her sister Anita and the pirate choir De Stormvogels. 

In 2015, José Hoebee's matinee with Dutch Show Company (fronted by Anton van Stekelenborg) took place at Musis Sacrum in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. The songstress and the party band performed several tracks from her back catalogue including Zoals Vrienden Doen (see news posted on October 13th, 2015). 

In 2018, Dutch soprano singer Amira Willighagen (winner of Holland's Got Talent 2013) covered Zoals Vrienden Doen for her album "With All My Heart" released in South Africa.

In addition to the above-mentioned cover versions, other amateur artists rendered Zoals Vrienden Doen, making it part of the Dutch popular culture. 

Dutch male choir (2012)

Female choir Vechtsche Parels (2013)

The Monday Singers (featuring Ebelien and Sylvia) in 2015

Sinterklaas (St Nicholas) with Ilse Raasing (vocals) and Michel van Bavel (guitar)  broadcast on the local channel Omroep Pim in 2015

Source: Discogs, YouTube, Luv' & José weblogs archives

José Hoebee in Brabantian media to promote the new edition of Herinnering

José Hoebee was born in Best, a small town in North Brabant, a province in the south of the Netherlands. The singer still lives there and is proud of her Brabantian roots. Therefore local media from Brabant sometimes put the artist in the spotlight.

Last month, Frits, a magazine about Eindhoven and the surrounding area, published a small article about the reissue of José's album with Bonnie St. Claire entitled "Herinnering" on CD/DVD. The LP (initially released in 1985) features Dutch cover versions of ABBA songs. 

* On March 17th, José gave a phone interview on the radio show "Brabants Bond" on Omroep Brabant. She answered the questions of Hubert Mol about the reissue of Herinnering. Click here to listen to the interview. 

* On April 17th, José will give another phone interview on the radio show "Zet 'm OB" on Omroep Brabant at 3.45 pm. Once again, the singer will mention "Herinnering". She will discuss her taste in music and her favourite singers when she was a teenager. She will also reveal her musical "guilty pleasure". You will be able to listen to the interview via https://www.omroepbrabant.nl/radio   

Source: Facebook (José Hoebee Fan Page, Franklin van Liempt (CD-licious) and the Herinnering - Bonnie & José page), Frits, Omroep Brabant

"Herinnering (2020 edition)" by Bonnie & José: Franklin van Liempt interviewed on TinekeShow

On February 13th, Franklin van Liempt was interviewed by Tineke de Nooij on her program TinekeShow on MAX/NPO Radio 5. He discussed the recent reissue of the Herinnering album by Bonnie St. Claire & José Hoebee on CD/DVD (including Dutch cover versions of ABBA songs). During his phone conversation with Tineke, Franklin explained how this ambitious project was developed. When asked what Bonnie and José's opinion about this re-release was, Franklin answered: "Both ladies are very enthusiastic about it. As for José, it is very special as it was produced by her husband Will Hoebee". After this interview, Herinnering (Andante, Andante) by Bonnie & José was played. 

Click here to listen to TinekeShow (the interview with Franklin starts at 1:11:00)

Source: MAX/NPO Radio 5

Herinnering (2020 edition) by Bonnie & José mentioned on Winq.nl and NPO Radio 5

The recent reissue of Herinnering, the 1985 iconic album by Bonnie St. Claire and José Hoebee (including ABBA songs performed in Dutch) has recently been mentioned on the website of the Dutch gay lifestyle magazine Winq.nl. Click here to read the article about Bonnie & José's LP considered as a "guilty pleasure". 

Yesterday, José gave a phone interview on Volgspot, a program hosted by Astrid de Jong on KRO-NCRV/NPO Radio 5 to promote the new edition of Herinnering. "Bonnie and I are friends. We spent ski holidays with our husbands in Austria. Bonnie and I were singing The Way Old Friends Do by ABBA accompanied on guitar. My husband, Will, who was a record producer, said that our voices blended very well together," José explained. When asked who sang Frida and Agnetha's part, the singer answered: "It's funny. Bonnie is blonde so she was supposed to sing Agneta's part and I am dark-haired so I should have sung Frida's part. But it didn't happen this way. Bonnie's voice is close to Frida's vocals. My voice is close to Agneta's one". The ex-Luv' lady also discussed the TV special in Sweden that is included on the DVD. Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA appeared on this show to congratulate Bonnie & José on their LP. José told she was proud of the re-release thanks to Franklin van Liempt's initiative. After the interview, Ligt Dat Aan Jou Of Aan Mij (the Dutch cover of ABBA's Why Did It Have To Be Me) was played.

Click here to listen to the interview with José.

Source: Winq.nl, NPO Radio 5

José Hoebee in Weekend: Looking for new opportunities in 2021!!!

The latest issue of Weekend magazine features an article about José Hoebee. The singer has been sick for nearly one year and a half. Her ill health caused the interruption of Luv's activities (see news posted on February 7th, 2020). Several articles related to her bad shape have been published in the tabloid press. 

However, the former Luv' singer remains positive. "The new year makes me happy. A new beginning with new opportunities. I want a healthier year. Hopefully, it will happen in 2021. It will be so nice when we go to cafes and restaurants again and the coronavirus is over. Everybody gets bored now. Fortunately, I like to watch movies. I've frequently met friends in the neighbourhood. I walk a couple of times a week in the woods with my dog and a dear friend of mine. I enjoy my life in North Brabant. I don't want to go back to Hilversum. This is where I lost my best friend. I knew him from Best since I was 15 years old. He lived in the same building and he died several years ago. I have no reason to go back to the Gooi," José tells. 

The recent reissue of Herinnering (José's album with Bonnie St. Claire including ABBA songs in Dutch) is also mentioned in this article. This initiative was possible due to a crowdfunding campaign launched by Franklin van Liempt. José misses Bonnie. "I haven't talked to her for a while. Why I'm not in touch with her at the moment? You have to ask Bonnie. She is still one of my best friends. I spent so many nice moments with her. I miss her calls and Whatsapp messages," she explains. 

José doesn't exclude the possibility of performing with Bonnie again. "Never say never. Now it's not possible due to the coronavirus. We also stopped our live shows with Luv' last year. We could have continued but Marga and I are 66," she says. As for Bonnie, José considers things differently. "It's another music genre. When I sang with Luv', our costumes were important. We often wore petticoats. But I think that we can't go on like that eternally. Marga agrees with me. We are in touch daily. She is my best friend. We've been through a lot of things for 43 years," José adds. 

Three songs from Herinnering entered the Dutch charts: Cassandra, Zoals Vrienden Doen and Waarom. Ron Brandsteder wrote the lyrics of Waarom and also contributed to the recording of this song as a narrator. "He has a warm voice. He knew how to write good lyrics and he was very popular at the time. So it was a win-win situation for us. When Ron was married to Patty Brard who was part of Luv', he attended our shows. He often made me laugh. I also performed the duet So Long Marianne with him. He always protected me. He made sure that men couldn't approach me. He was like a big brother to me, "José asserts.

Click on the images to enlarge them:

Source: Weekend, José Hoebee's Fan Page (Facebook)

Bonnie & José: De Telegraaf, Privé and Ron Wacht Op de Nacht

The 2020 edition of Herinnering, the 1985 iconic album by Bonnie St. Claire and José Hoebee (including ABBA songs performed in Dutch) officially came out on November 20th. This reissue on CD/DVD has been possible due to a successful crowdfunding campaign launched by Franklin van Liempt in January. Herinnering was mentioned in the media (click here and here to read previous articles). 

In addition to this promotion, Bonnie & José were recently in the spotlight in other media:

- Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf (in the Privé (entertainment news) section) on December 9th:

Click on the image to enlarge it:

- Ron Wacht Op de Nacht (radio show hosted by Ron Brandsteder on MAX/NPO Radio 5) on December 11th. Bonnie & José's duet Cassandra was played. Ron discussed the recent reissue of Herinnering. He collaborated with the ladies on their single Waarom which appeared on their LP (see news posted on December 7th, 2020). Click here to listen to the radio program (the part about Bonnie & José starts at 1:38:05)

- Celebrity gossip magazine Privé (latest issue):

Click on the image to enlarge it

Source: José Hoebee's Fan Page (Facebook), De Telegraaf, Privé, MAX/NPO Radio 5

Herinnering (album) and Waarom (single) by Bonnie & José: 35th anniversary

          

Front cover of Herinnering - photo by Govert de Roos

Thirty-five years ago, in the autumn of 1985, RCA Records released the album Herinnering by Bonnie St. Claire and José Hoebee. A wonderful tribute to ABBA's music. A few days ago, this opus was reissued on CD/DVD by the independent label CD-Licious thanks to a successful crowdfunding campaign launched by Franklin van Liempt (see news posted on November 20th, 2020). This album featured two Dutch Top 40 hits which came out before its release: Cassandra and Zoals Vrienden Doen. A third single taken from Herinnering and entitled Waarom (featuring Ron Brandsteder) was released in October 1985. It entered the Dutch Tipparade exactly thirty-five years ago, on December 7th, 1985 and later reached one of Holland's main singles chart De Nationale Hitparade. Let's celebrate the 35th anniversary of Herinnering and Waarom. 

History

In 1984, Bonnie and José decided to form a duo to cover songs of ABBA in Dutch long before the revival of interest in the music of the Swedish Fab Four. 

Photo montage by Co Rnz

Flemish author Stany Van Wymeersch interviewed the ladies for the booklet of the 2020 edition of Herinnening. Here's what Bonnie told Stany when he asked how her project with José started: "José and I were with the same management and she was married to top producer Will Hoebee. After I recorded a solo album and ‘Sla Je Arm Om Me Heen’ (‘Wrap Your Arms Around Me’) – originally a solo hit for Agnethe Fältskog – with Will Hoebee, it seemed like a good idea to record a duet with a woman. Until then I had only recorded duets with men, like with Benny Neyman and Ron Brandsteder. So the initiative was mine actually". As for José, she explained: "We already knew each other, but we had never recorded anything together. Bonnie’s first husband, who also collaborated on the album as co-producer, had a click with Will, Bonnie and I hit it off too. In the  1980s the four of us went skiing in Austria a couple of times. During our vacation, the ABBA idea was born after Bonnie and I sang ‘The Way Old Friends Do’ together. It was obvious that our voices blended very well together".

Bonnie & José's first duet single "Cassandra" peaked at #24 on the Top 40 and #19 on the Nationale Hitparade in the Netherlands in the summer of 1984 (see article posted on July 7th, 2019). 

Press clipping from 1984 when Cassandra entered the Dutch charts

In 1985, the two singers were involved in the ABBAcadra project (see article posted on March 16th, 2020). Later that year, they put out the single "Zoals Vrienden Doen" (the cover of ABBA's The Way Old Friends Do). The track became the signature song of the duo. It reached #36 on the Top 40 and #18 on the Nationale Hitparade in the summer of 1985 (see article posted on August 3rd, 2020). 

Ad published by RCA in June 1985 to promote Zoals Vrienden Doen

Photo by Govert de Roos - Edited by Co Rnz

After this respectable success on the charts, the ladies decided to continue their professional relationship. They had the opportunity to release a full-length album entitled "Herinnering". Will Hoebee, then a sought-after producer, supervised the recording sessions which took place at the prestigious Wisseloord Studios in Hilversum, the Netherlands. Eurovision Song Contest conductor Harry van Hoof was the arranger. 

Here's what Bonnie & José declared about the Herinnering project which appears on the booklet of the 2020 reissue:

"José: Then Will said: “You should make an album together with ABBA songs.”

Bonnie: Look, I wouldn’t know anyone who isn’t a fan of ABBA. We were and fortunately,we had the opportunity to do something about it. To me, the songs will always remain timeless, until the bitter end. We recorded and released ‘Cassandra’ as a single. It became a hit record and so that brought us to the other songs. We all chose songs to create this ABBA project, with a very satisfying result I must say. We never regretted any of it. Of course, it is an honour to be able to record ABBA songs.

José: I always liked ABBA very much, but at that time I didn’t have time to be a fan of anyone. I didn’t have any albums or anything. With LUV’ we went to one of their concerts when they were in the Netherlands, but we didn’t meet them. For ‘Herinnering’ we didn’t only pick these songs, but we also collaborated with good lyricists and professionals.

Bonnie: Will Hoebee was a producer who managed to assemble the best people around him. Look, when José and I enter a studio, we are supposed to sing well because that is what we are there for. But in the end, you are talking about a product and that is the responsibility of the producer. We recorded this album in the Wisseloord Studios Hilversum with the best sound engineer who you can imagine, Pieter Boer, and Will immediately picked Harry van Hoof as the orchestrator and wonderful musicians like Lex Bolderdijk, and Hans Vermeulen was part of the backing vocalists. You couldn’t even imagine! That was Will’s strength and that is what made him such a good producer. On top of that, these were all people who loved music, not necessarily for commercial reasons.

José: It was certainly not a cheap production and you can hear that. Halfway through the 1980s everything in pop music came from synthesizers, on our album you hear clearly real instruments. It was a friendly group of real professionals and there was never any stress during the recordings. When we were recording, there was no one there except Will and co-producer Albert Hol, our fantastic engineer Pieter, and arranger Harry. That always went very smoothly. Of course, Bonnie is a very good singer, we never had any problems.

Bonnie: José sang most of Agnetha’s parts.

José: Because I have a louder, higher voice, I sang the higher parts on the album, but I actually prefer Frida’s voice. I like Frida better anyway. She has a warmer voice, but Agnetha is also a very good singer, of course."

Recently, Omroep Helmond Radio DJ Anton van Stekelenborg-Poirters promoted the 2020 edition of Herinnering on his Maandag Middag Matinee show (see news posted on November 24th, 2020). He asked José what her favourite song from Herinnering was. The former Luv' singer answered: "I like Zonder Hem" because of my current situation (referring to her widow status) and Is't Zo Bedoeld which is a classic song to me".

RCA Records put out Herinnering in September 1985. 

Posters distributed in Dutch record shops to promote Herinnering (source: Danny Bink)

Ad to promote Herinnering published in Algemeen Dagbald on October 18th, 1985

Click here to watch it online

In addition to the previous hits Cassandra and Zoals Vrienden Doen, the LP included a third song released as a single in October 1985: Waarom (the cover of ABBA's Move On). TV personality Ron Brandsteder wrote the Dutch lyrics of Waarom which dealt with the hate between human beings. He also contributed to the recording of this song as a narrator. 

Here's what Ron told Stany Van Wymeersch about his work with the ladies: 

“In 1985, I was already friends with Bonnie and José. In those years I already was a fan of the music of ABBA. In the meantime, I had fathered my son Rick and then you look differently at life itself. You are more open to the important things around you and because of your responsibilities, you become more serious. Perhaps that is why my lyrical contribution to the song ‘Waarom’ was a bit more ideological. I am still very proud of my contribution. By adding beautiful Dutch lyrics to ABBA’s music, it resulted in a wonderful album, sung by perhaps the best pop singers in the Netherlands”.

Bonnie & José performed Waarom on Dutch high-rated TV shows Op Volle Toeren and Showbizzquiz. 

TV performances of Waarom: 

* November 16th, 1985: Op Volle Toeren on TROS

* December 9th, 1985: Showbizzquiz on TROS

* December 19th, 1985: Op Volle Toeren on TROS

* January 25th, 1986:  Op Volle Toeren on TROS

This exposure on the small screen paid off as Waarom entered the Dutch hit parade in December 1985. Herinnering  charted briefly on Holland's Top 75 in late January 1986. Two other songs taken from the LP came out as singles later in 1986 but never reached the charts: De Flierefluiter (The Piper) and Herinnering (Andante, Andante). 

In 1986, the ladies taped a TV special in Sweden to promote the album. Björn Ulvaeus (of ABBA) was interviewed for this show and approved their work (see article posted on September 27th, 2013). 

Björn Ulvaeus on "Bonnie & José in Sweden" (NCRV, 1986)

Release

The Herinnering LP was initially released on vinyl and cassette. In the 2000s, the Dutch website Fonos.nl (a now-defunct service) sold unofficial digitized and restored copies on CD in association with ABBA Fan Club Shop. After José made a solo comeback in late 2003, they were rumours of an edition on CD within the fans community but nothing materialized. When Bonnie & José briefly reunited seven years ago, they planned to reissue the album on CD (see news posted on October 1st, 2013). But once again this project was cancelled. Shortly afterwards, a Facebook page was launched by Karin Angeleyes to demand the re-release of Herinnering (click here to see it). Earlier this year, a crowdfunding campaign for the reissue of the album on CD/DVD was launched by Franklin van Liempt via the Voordekunst.nl site. Four days later, the target was reached (see article posted on January 27th, 2020). The new edition was released on November 20th via CD-Licious.com (see article). The ABBA Fan Club Shop supported this initiative. The CD included four bonus tracks and the DVD featured the TV special ‘Bonnie & José in Zweden’ with three bonus videos. 

Commercial response and chart performance

Waarom entered the Dutch Tipparade on December 7th, 1985 and the Nationale Hitparade one week later. It reached #35 on the hit parade on December 21st, 1985. It stayed for 6 weeks on the singles chart.

Herinnering entered the Nationale Hitparade Elpee Top 75 in Holland at #73 on January 25th, 1986 and only spent one week on this list. Though it wasn't a commercial success, the record achieved cult status among the admirers of the duo and the community of ABBA fans. 

Tracklisting 

1/ Herinnering by Bonnie & José 

Original release in September 1985 by RCA Records BV. 

Music by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus

A side: 

1. Zoals Vrienden Doen (The Way Old Friends Do) -3:12 / Dutch lyrics by Benny Neyman
2. De Flierefluiter (The Piper) - 3:24 / Dutch Lyrics by Harm Bremer
3. Waarom (Move On) - 4:34 / Featuring Ron Brandsteder /Dutch lyrics by R. Brandsteder / additional music by Stig Anderson
4. Is 't Zo Bedoeld (I Let The Music Speak) - 5:23 / Dutch lyrics by Hans Vermeulen
5. Chiquitita - 5:22 / Dutch lyrics by Harm Bremer
6. Ligt Dat Nou Aan Jou Of Aan Mij (Why Did It Have To Be Me) - 3:24 / Dutch lyrics by Joost Timp

B side:

    7. Herinnering (Andante, Andante) - 4:32 / Dutch lyrics by Harm Bremer

    8. Zonder Hem (Soldiers) - 4:35 / Dutch lyrics by Edward Reekers

    9. Cassandra - 4:55 / Dutch lyrics by Benny Neyman

    10. Weet Wel Wat Je Doet (Lovers) - 3:24 / Dutch lyrics by Simon Been

    11. Een Man (One Man One Woman) - 4:44 / Dutch lyrics by Hans Vermeulen

    12. Vriendschap (Arrival) - 3:00 / Dutch lyrics by Pieter Boer

Credits

Lead vocals - Bonnie St Claire and José Hoebee

Arranged by Harry van Hoof

Bass Guitar – Jan Vermeulen

Choir – Edward Reekers, Hans Vermeulen, Hilde Vermeulen, Jody Pijper

Drum  – Max Werner

Grand Piano, Synthesizer – Hans Jansen, Harry van Hoof

Guitar – Lex Bolderdijk

Liner Notes – Skip Voogd

Photography – Govert de Roos

Producers – Albert Hol, Will Hoebee

Saxophone – Gerbrand Westveen

Sound Technician – Pieter Boer

Recorded and engineered at Wisseloord Studios Hilversum, the Netherlands

Management – Double Entertainment

Design – Spiral Studio

Back cover

A side

B side

2/ Herinnering (2020 edition)

Released by CD-Licious.com on November 20th, 2020

CD Tracklist:

12 original songs from the Herinnering album

Bonus tracks:

13. Hart Voor Een Kind (Live) (I Have A Dream) - 4:15

14. Vandaag Of Morgen (The Sun Will Be There Again) Dutch Lyrics by Benny Neyman - 3:15

15. De Postkoets - Lyrics by Ferry van Delden - 2:53

16. 'N Engel Als Jij (Engel Wie Du) - Dutch Lyrics by T. Peters - 3:47

DVD Tracklist:

TV Special Bonnie & José in Zweden

Original broadcast on May 27th, 1986 on NCRV

1. Chiquitita
2. Herinnering
3. Ligt Dat Aan Jou Of Aan Mij
4. Zoals Vrienden Doen
5. De Flierefluiter

Bonus tracks:

    6. Cassandra

    7. Waarom (met Ron Brandsteder)

    8. Hart Voor Een Kind (Live)

Additional Credits:

Mastered by MPB 

Producers – Ad Bouman (track 15), Albert Hol (tracks: 1-12), Will Hoebee (tracks: 1-12, 14, 16)

Reissue Producer – Franklin van Liempt

Video Editor [DVD] – New Sense Media

With kind permission from Sony Music Entertainment Netherlands B.V., Universal Music B.V. and KRO-NCRV

3/ Waarom

7" vinyl single (45 rpm) - original release by RCA Records in October 1985

Front cover

A side: 

Bonnie & José with Ron Brandsteder: Waarom (Move On) - 4:34

Written by B. Andersson, B. Ulvaeus, R. Brandsteder, S. Andersson

B side:

Bonnie & José: Ligt Dat Aan Jou Of Aan Mij (Why Did It Have To Be Me) - 3:24

Written by B. Andersson, B. Ulvaeus, J. Timp

Credits:

Arranged by Harry van Hoof

Management – Double Entertainment

Photography – Govert de Roos

Producers – Albert Hol, Will Hoebee

Back cover

Source: Luv' & José weblogs archives, Co Rnz, Stany Van Wymeersch, Discogs.com, DutchCharts.nl, Facebook, YouTube