Luv' biography - Chapter IX

1997 - 2004: Feud

Luv' in November 2004

In 1993, Luv' enjoyed a cheerful reunion and exposure in the media (see previous Chapter). Their "Luv' Gold" compilation sold quite well. The only dark cloud on the horizon was Patty Brard's bankruptcy. But the Indo-Dutch entertainer was a survivor and in 1994 she was back on television as a presenter. The group performed occasionally on stage until 1996 and then disbanded.

Soon after this umpteenth break-up, tensions between Patty and José Hoebee appeared. Their feud was covered by celebrity gossip magazines. Patty wanted to make up with her former colleague. Accompanied by a camera crew, she met José in a parking garage with a bouquet of roses to bury the hatchet. But José refused to be filmed although she was not opposed to make peace in private. A reconciliation seemed impossible.


* Patty: Reality Queen

In the late 1990s and at the turn of the 21st century, Patty was a familiar face on Veronica channel with programs such as "Brard gaat extreem", "Brard", "Veronica Goes Gay", "Patty", "Patty gaat extreem" and "Absolutely Patty". 

Patty interviewed Marilyn Manson in late 1998

2001 saw her involvement in reality television when she hosted the third season of Holland's "Big Brother". 

Patty on "Big Brother - the Battle" (2001)

Inspired by the success of "The Osbournes" on MTV, the reality series "Patty's Posse" aired on Yorin in 2003 and featured her domestic life, her friends and her family (her daughter Priscilla and her third husband René Muthert). The show was high in the ratings and each episode averaged 850.000 viewers.

Patty and her daughter Priscilla

Theme song from "Patty' Posse" (2003)

During the craze for "Patty's Posse", La Brard wanted to take advantage of the nostalgia for Luv' and formed her own girl group called "Enuv'" with two ex-members of "De Frogettes"  Anouskha de Wolff and Marian van Noort. The ladies performed cover versions of hits from the 1970s and 1980s (Luv', Dolly Dots, Vanessa...). The group rapidly disbanded.

Thanks to her popularity, Dutch journalist Pieter Ploeg wrote her biography ("De Naakte Waarheid: The Naked Truth") which was published in 2003. 

Front cover of Patty's biography

In the autumn of 2004, she starred in "Patty's Fort", a Yorin program with other celebrities (including Marga Scheide) as they were having a therapy which consisted of fasting, yoga and meditation. It caused a sensation and was unfairly known as the "Klysma show" because of a segment showing Miss Brard having an enema. During the broadcast of "Patty's Fort", the larger-than-life entertainer was devastated when her brother Robert passed away at age 43 due to a kidney disease.

Marga and Patty on "Patty's Fort" (2004)

* Marga: Tragedy and business

As for Marga, her world was tumbling down when her partner, record producer Jacques Zwart died of a heart attack in Ibiza in April 2003. It took her months to get over this sudden loss. She continued the online music store "www.selectcd.nl" launched by Zwart in 2001. In 2004, she set up another online service specialized in the merchandising of Dutch celebrities (www.selectidols.com). These companies were short-lived and by 2007 they were dissolved. 

* José: solo comeback

José Hoebee who retired from show business in the 1990s was the owner of a video rental shop (The Movie Store) for one year and a half in Best, a village near Eindhoven, NL. She sold her business in the summer of 2003. With the help from Corry Konings (a popular singer in the Netherlands) and her booking agency (CK Produkties), José decided to resurrect her singing career. She also started to write a weekly column on the now-defunct "Muziekmaken.nl" site. She told anecdotes about the glorious years with Luv', expressed her opinion on Dutch entertainment and replied to Patty's attacks in the press. In early 2004, she recorded under the pseudonym "Stuff" a dance oriented cover version of a Four Tops classic hit ("Walk Away René") downloadable on internet. Moreover, she sang two tracks as a guest artist on a tribute album to Doris Day (Marjan Berger meets Doris Day). In the fall of 2004, José hosted a music talent show (Tijd Voor Muziek) on a Dutch local channel (VSM TV). Her husband, Will Hoebee collaborated on the production of this program. On December 13. 2004, the singer was a witness at Bonnie St. Claire's wedding. The ceremony was broadcast live on SBS 6's "Shownieuws".

José performing "Who's sorry now" 

* Luv's 25th anniversary

The quarrel between Patty and José didn't stop the fans from enjoying projects which focused on the legendary female pop trio. Budget-priced compilations came out during this period. In September 2001, René Moonen launched Luv's official fansite by courtesy of Marga and José. In April 2003, the first fan club meeting took place with José and Ria Thielsch (member of the 1980-1981 line-up). Marga was invited but because of Jacques' death she could not come. 

Ria & José at Luv's first fan club meeting (2003)

Six months later, Universal Music (in association with René Moonen, Hans van Hemert Productions and CNR) released the double CD "25 Jaar Na Waldolala" to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Luv's breakthrough. The compilation included smash hits, Spanish versions of four songs, previously unreleased tracks on CD and solo recordings by José and Marga. Will Hoebee, José, Ria Thielsch and Hans van Hemert attended the album release party. Patty was not involved in this project as she was then in conflict with the producers and her former colleagues. A DVD was supposed to come out simultaneously with the double CD. However, Miss Brard vetoed this video collection because of her right of publicity. 

René Moonen, José Hoebee, Hans van Hemert and Ria Thielsch at the release party of "25 Jaar Na Waldolala" (2003)

In November 2004, a meeting between René Moonen, the three original Luv' ladies and Van Hemert was held in secret in order to be reconciled. The trio was considering a comeback. But a few days later, Patty appeared on "Jensen!", a late-night talk show on RTL 5. The enfant terrible of Luv' was a bit drunk and insulted José. The efforts to plan a revival suddenly collapsed....Fortunately, the following year, happy news overshadowed this sad event.

Secret meeting between Luv' and their former producer Hans van Hemert

To be continued....

Click here to read the next chapter.

Compilation releases

1. You're the Greatest Lover

Released by Rotation, PolyMedia, Mercury Records and PolyGram in 1998

Track listing:

• "You're the Greatest Lover" - 2:50
• "Hang On" - 3:07
• "U.O.Me" - 2:57
• "I Like Sugar Candy Kisses" - 3:34
• "Trojan Horse" - 3:24
• "Saint Tropez" - 3:04
• "Casanova" - 3:50
• "Who Do You Wanna Be" - 3:34
• "Eeny Meeny Miny Moe" - 2:53
• "Honey, Money" - 3:16
• "My Man" - 3:05
• "If You Love Me" - 2:34
• "Dream, Dream" - 3:30
• "Louis, Je T'Adore" - 3:40
• "The Night Of Love" - 3:32
• "Oh, Get Ready" - 3:16

All songs written by Hans van Hemert and Piet Souer as Janschen & Janschens

2. You're the Greatest LUVer
Released by Mercury Records/PolyGram in Germany in 1998

Track listing:

• "You're the Greatest Lover" - 2:51
• "Casanova" - 3:51
• "U.O.me (Waldolala)" - 2:58
• "My Number One" - 3:11
• "Shoes off (Boots on)" - 3:07
• "Don Juanito De Carnaval" - 3:12
• "Trojan Horse" - 3:25
• "Louis Je T'Adore" - 2:36
• "Don't Let Me Down" - 3:36
• "Eeny Meeny Miny Moe - 2:59
• "DJ" - 3:20
• "Ooh, Yes I Do" - 2:58
• "Ann-Maria - 4:41
• "One More Little Kissie" - 3:46
• "Tingalingaling" - 2:31
• "Marcellino - 3:14
• "I Like Sugar Candy Kisses" - 3:36
• "If You Love Me" - 2:34
• "I.M.U.R" - 3:36
• "Luv' Hitpack (Medley)" - 4:32

Production:
Hans van Hemert - producer, songwriter
Piet Souer - Conductor/arranger, songwriter
Peter Slaghuis - remix on track 20

3. The Universal Masters Collection: LUV'
Released by Mercury Records/Universal Music in 2001

Track listing:

• "U.O.Me" - 2:57
• "Trojan Horse" - 3:24
• "You're the Greatest Lover" - 2:50
• "My Man" - 3:05
• "Sugar Babe" - 2:43
• "Don Juanito De Carnaval" - 3:11
• "Life Is On My Side" - 2:38
• "Casanova" - 3:50
• "Eeny Meeny Miny Moe" - 2:53
• "DJ" - 3:21
• "Shoes Off (Boots On)" - 3:07
• "Marcellino" - 3:14
• "Dandy" - 2:47
• "Dream, Dream" - 3:30
• "Everybody's Shaking Hands on Broadway" - 3:24
• "I Like Sugar Candy Kisses" - 3:33
• "Don't Let Me Down" - 2:37
• "Eres Mi Mejor Amante" (Spanish Version of "You're the Greatest Lover") - 2:57

Production:
Hans van Hemert - producer, songwriter
Piet Souer - Conductor/arranger, songwriter

4. Hollands Glorie: Luv'
Released by CNR in 2002

Track listing:

• "My Number One" - 3:11
• "One More Little Kissie" - 3:46
• "Tingalingaling" - 2:31
• "Ann-Maria - 4:41
• "Rhythm 'n' Shoes - 3:07
• "Ooh, Yes I Do" - 2:58
• "Never Wanted to Be..." - 4:34
• "Cloud Nr. 9" - 3:25
• "Boys Goodnight" - 2:40
• "Flash" - 3:51
• "I Win It" - 3:05
• "Some Call It Happiness" - 3:09
• "Wine, Women And Sing" - 3:45
• "Getaway" - 3:03
• "Stop Me" (Piet Souer) - 3:09
• "Let There Be Love" - 2:39
• "Billy The Kid" - 3:16
• "Hit-medley (Megamix)" - 2:49

Production:
Hans van Hemert - producer, songwriter
Piet Souer - Conductor/arranger, songwriter

5. 25 Jaar Na Waldolala
Released by Universal Music in 2003

Track listing:

Disc one:

1. "My Man (Luv' song)" (Janschen & Janschens) – 3:05
2. "Dream, Dream" (Janschen & Janschens) – 3:30
3. "U.O.Me (Theme from Waldolala)" (Janschen & Janschens) – 2:55
4. "You're the Greatest Lover" (Janschen & Janschens) – 2:50
5. "Life Is On My Side" (Janschen & Janschens) – 2:38
6. "Trojan Horse" (Janschen & Janschens) – 3:24
7. "Shoes Off (Boots On)" (Janschen & Janschens) – 3:07
8. "Casanova" (Janschen & Janschens) – 3:48
9. "Marcellino" (Janschen & Janschens) – 3:14
10. "Eeny Meeny Miny Moe" (Janschen & Janschens) – 2:46
11. "I Like Sugar Candy Kisses" (Janschen & Janschens) – 3:34
12. "Ooh, Yes I Do" (Hans van Hemert) – 2:57
13. "Wine, Women And Song" (Hans van Hemert) – 3:45
14. "Getaway" (Piet Souer) – 3:03
15. "Boys Goodnight" (Piet Souer) – 2:40
16. "Ann-Maria" (Piet Souer) – 4:40
17. "Rhythm 'n' Shoes" (Hans van Hemert) – 3:07
18. "Cloud Nr. 9" (Hans van Hemert) – 3:25
19. "Stop Me" (Piet Souer) – 3:09
20. "My Guy" (Janschen & Janschens) – 3:49
21. "Daddy, What A Life" (Piet Souer) – 3:08

Information: 
Tracks 1 to 6 taken from "With Luv'"
Tracks 7 to 11 taken from "Lots Of Luv'"
Tracks 12 to 21 taken from "True Luv'"

Disc two:

1. "One More Little Kissie" (Janschen & Janschens) – 3:50
2. "Be My Lover Tonight" (Janschen & Janschens) – 3:27
3. "Some Call It Happiness" (Janschen & Janschens)- 3:09
4. "The Show Must Go On" (Janschen & Janschens) – 3:21
5. "Mother Of The Hearts" (Janschen & Janschens) – 3:04
6. "My Number One" (Janschen & Janschens) – 3:11
7. "Billy The Kid" (Janschen & Janschens) – 3:16
8. "Never Wanted to Be..." (Janschen & Janschens) – 4:34
9. "Song Of Love And Understanding" (Janschen & Janschens) – 3:59
10. "Tingalingaling" (Janschen & Janschens) – 2:30
11. "Eres Mi Mejor Amante (Spanish version of You're the Greatest Lover)" (Alfred Garrido, Janschen & Janschens) – 2:50
12. "Casanova (Spanish Version)" (Alfred Garrido, Janschen & Janschens) – 3:49
13. "Si, Que Si (Spanish version of "Ooh, Yes I Do)" (Alfred Garrido, Hans van Hemert) – 3:05
14. "Ann-Maria (Spanish version)" (Alfred Garrido, Piet Souer) – 4:04
15. "I Will Follow Him" (Stole, Del Roma, Plante, Gimbel, Altman) performed by José – 2:56
16. "Secret Love" (Fain, Webster) performed by José – 3:04
17. "So Long, Marianne" (Leonard Cohen) performed by José and Ron Brandsteder – 4:18
18. "I Love You" performed by José and Hans Vermeulen – 4:11                                                          Nights in White Satin (J.Hayward, C.Donida, Labati, Mogol) / I (Who Have Nothing) (L.C Donida, M.Stoller, J.Leiber) performed by José and Hans Vermeulen – 4:11
19. "One, Two, Three...Bananas" (Piet Souer) – 3:39
20. "Love Symphony" (Supremes medley) – 3:35                                                                               Love Child (Sawjer, Taylor, Wilson, Richards) / Interlude (E. Mergency) / My World Is Empty Without You (Holland, Dosier, Holland) / Interlude (E.Mergency) / I Hear a Symphony (Holland, Dosier, Holland)/Interlude (E.Mergency) / Baby Love (Holland, Dosier, Holland)

Information:
Tracks 1 to 10 taken from Forever Yours
Track 18 previously unreleased

Album credits:

Personnel:
José Hoebee – vocals
Marga Scheide – vocals
Patty Brard – vocals
Ria Thielsch – vocals

Additional personnel:
Ernö Olah & Metropole Orkest – strings

Producers:
Hans van Hemert (Disc one: tracks 1 to 21 and Disc two: tracks 1 to 14)
Pim Koopman (Disc two: tracks 15 and 16)
Will Hoebee (Disc two: track 17)
Hans Vermeulen and Piet Souer (Disc two: track 18)
Piet Souer (Disc two: 19)
Jacques Zwart (Disc two: track 20)

Arrangers:
Piet Souer (Disc one: tracks 1 to 21 and Disc two: tracks 1 to 14)
Pim Koopman (Disc two: tracks 15 to 16)
Harry van Hoof (Disc two: track 17),
Harry van Hoof and Hans Vermeulen (Disc two: track 18)
Hans Hollestelle (Disc two: track 19)

Mastering: Pieter Boer


Compilation assistants: Will Hoebee and René Moonen

Press clippings

Source: Wikipedia, Luv' Official Fan Club, Discogs.com, De Krant van Toen...