30th anniversary of Michelle Gold as a member of Luv'
Thanks Martin Vink & Arnold Kroone for the information, pictures and press clippings as well as Co Rnz for additional photos and support.
On October 27th 1988, the original Luv' trio (Patty Brard, Marga Scheide and José Hoebee), took everybody by surprise when they appeared on the TV charity show "Samen" hosted by Mies Bouwman on AVRO. They sang their signature song "You're the Greatest Lover", more than seven years after the group's first break-up (see article posted on October 27th, 2018)
The following weeks, the press announced that Luv' was planning a comeback. British hit machine of the 1980s "Stock Aitken & Waterman" (whose artist roster included Rick Astley, Mel & Kim, Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan and Bananarama) were rumoured to produce an album with the girls. However, nothing materialized with The Hit Factory.
The Luv' ladies were determined to make a comeback anyway. But in April 1989, José didn't want to be involved in a reunion due to family reasons (she preferred to focus on the education of her son Tim). She was replaced by 23-year-old Diana van Berlo.
Patty, Marga and Diana started to record new material at the Dureco Studio in Weesp, Netherlands. But in early August 1989, Patty suddenly left Luv' as she wanted to concentrate on her TV career: she signed a contract with the newly created RTL Veronique channel. A replacement had to be found. Marga recruited 28-year-old Michelle Gold, a talented vocalist from the UK.
Prior to Luv', Michelle was an experienced singer who cut a few solo singles released by the UK and Dutch label Palace:
* "Lost In Love" (1985) - written and produced by R&B artist Butch Ingram with Grover Washington Jr. as a guest artist:
* "Oh Suzy" (1986) - written by Marshall and produced by Michelle Gold
- "Give Me The Time" (1988) - written by Bill Hagans and produced by Lionel Job and Bill Hagans
On August 14th, 1989, Holland's most-read newspaper De Telegraaf presented the new line-up of Luv' (featuring Michelle Gold for the first time):
With the help from Marga's partner Jacques Zwart (aka E. Mergency), a repertoire (highly inspired by the catchy sound of "Stock, Aitken & Waterman") was chosen. English producer Nigel Wright was hired to supervise the recording sessions of the mini-album "For You". This former member of the legendary Jazz-funk band Shakatak was a veteran of the music scene thanks to the hit records he produced for Mirage, Imagination and numerous acts. The first single by the new Luv' was the Dance-pop track "Welcome To My Party" which came out in October 1989. The first live show of Marga and her new colleagues took place at the Four Roses Discotheque in Hilversum in front of a select audience (including TV mogul John de Mol) on September 10th, 1989.
A few days later, the viewers watched the first TV performance of the "new" Luv' trio on TROS program "Grote Club Show".
The Dutch tabloid press paid attention once again to Luv' and provided information about Michelle (her artistic past and her motherhood (she had a 10-year old son named Teo).
Press clippings (click on the pictures to enlarge them):
Hitkrant, October 14th, 1989
De Telegraaf, October 20th, 1989
Story, February 9th, 1990 (article about Teo, Michelle's son)
In February 1990, Luv' performed at a student hall of residence in Leiden, Netherlands. Prince Friso attended the show. Michelle and the hip member of the Royal Family clicked.
Story, February 16th, 1990
The release of Luv's mini-album "For You" was announced on the November 11th, 1989 issue of the Pan-European trade magazine "Music & Media":
Another article was published on December 2nd, 1989 in "Music & Media":
In late 1989, Luv' and other Dutch pop acts (Desirée, Justian & Mandy, MC Miker G, Marjon, Nando, Oscare, Sisters) joined forces in the "All Stars" project to raise funds for third world children. They recorded a cover version of Starmaker (originally performed by The Kids from Fame in 1982) and released it as a charity single (which peaked at #57 on the Nationale Hitparade in Holland).
On December 18th 1989, a TV special "Muziek in Natura" (taped in Sri Lanka and featuring I Don't Wanna Be Lonely, Girl Like Me and Welcome To My Party) aired on AVRO.
Source: Michellegoldmusic.com, Rachelgoldstylist.com, Discogs.com, Beeld en Geluid, Music & Media archives (https://americanradiohistory.com), Luv' weblog archives, Martin Vink, Co Rnz...
Photo edited by Co Rnz
On October 27th 1988, the original Luv' trio (Patty Brard, Marga Scheide and José Hoebee), took everybody by surprise when they appeared on the TV charity show "Samen" hosted by Mies Bouwman on AVRO. They sang their signature song "You're the Greatest Lover", more than seven years after the group's first break-up (see article posted on October 27th, 2018)
The following weeks, the press announced that Luv' was planning a comeback. British hit machine of the 1980s "Stock Aitken & Waterman" (whose artist roster included Rick Astley, Mel & Kim, Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan and Bananarama) were rumoured to produce an album with the girls. However, nothing materialized with The Hit Factory.
The Luv' ladies were determined to make a comeback anyway. But in April 1989, José didn't want to be involved in a reunion due to family reasons (she preferred to focus on the education of her son Tim). She was replaced by 23-year-old Diana van Berlo.
De Telegraaf - July 31st, 1989
Patty, Marga and Diana started to record new material at the Dureco Studio in Weesp, Netherlands. But in early August 1989, Patty suddenly left Luv' as she wanted to concentrate on her TV career: she signed a contract with the newly created RTL Veronique channel. A replacement had to be found. Marga recruited 28-year-old Michelle Gold, a talented vocalist from the UK.
Prior to Luv', Michelle was an experienced singer who cut a few solo singles released by the UK and Dutch label Palace:
* "Lost In Love" (1985) - written and produced by R&B artist Butch Ingram with Grover Washington Jr. as a guest artist:
Michelle Gold - Lost In love
* "Oh Suzy" (1986) - written by Marshall and produced by Michelle Gold
- "Give Me The Time" (1988) - written by Bill Hagans and produced by Lionel Job and Bill Hagans
In addition to her solo career, Michelle was a background singer for James Ingram, Grover Washington JR, Nik Kershaw, Helen Terry (of Culture Club) and Princess. She also performed with Serge Gainsbourg, Evelyn "Champagne" King, Run DMC and Madonna.
On August 14th, 1989, Holland's most-read newspaper De Telegraaf presented the new line-up of Luv' (featuring Michelle Gold for the first time):
Article published on September 14th, 1989
A few days later, the viewers watched the first TV performance of the "new" Luv' trio on TROS program "Grote Club Show".
* September 29th, 1989: Welcome To My Party on Grote Club Show (TROS), Netherlands
The Dutch tabloid press paid attention once again to Luv' and provided information about Michelle (her artistic past and her motherhood (she had a 10-year old son named Teo).
Press clippings (click on the pictures to enlarge them):
Veronica Magazine - September 23rd, 1989
Luv' in Hitkrant - February 10th, 1990
Click here to read the article online
"Welcome to my party" entered the Dutch Top 40 on October 21st, 1989 and later peaked at #22. It also reached #19 on the Nationale Hitparade in the Netherlands and the 28th position on the BRT Top 30 in Belgium.
Luv' performed the track on several TV shows :
* October 20th, 1989: Linda (TROS), Netherlands
* October 20th, 1989: Berg (RTL-Véronique), Netherlands
* October 21st, 1989: Top 40 (Veronica), Netherlands
* Unknown broadcast date in late 1989: Pak De Poen (BRT 1), Belgium
* November 1st, 1989: B.O.O.S (Veronica), Netherlands
* November 2nd, 1989: Hits Uit Holland (RTL-Véronique), Netherlands
* November 11th, 1989: St Maarten: The Friendly Island (Veronica), Netherlands
* December 18th, 1989: Muziek in Natura (AVRO), Netherlands
* July 11th, 1990: Rerun of St Maarten: The Friendly Island (Veronica), Netherlands
The release of Luv's mini-album "For You" was announced on the November 11th, 1989 issue of the Pan-European trade magazine "Music & Media":
In late 1989, Luv' and other Dutch pop acts (Desirée, Justian & Mandy, MC Miker G, Marjon, Nando, Oscare, Sisters) joined forces in the "All Stars" project to raise funds for third world children. They recorded a cover version of Starmaker (originally performed by The Kids from Fame in 1982) and released it as a charity single (which peaked at #57 on the Nationale Hitparade in Holland).
On December 18th 1989, a TV special "Muziek in Natura" (taped in Sri Lanka and featuring I Don't Wanna Be Lonely, Girl Like Me and Welcome To My Party) aired on AVRO.
AVRO Bode - December 1989
TV Magazine, December 1989
Meanwhile, Mercury/Phonogram Records (in charge of the back catalogue of the initial trio) released a megamix ("Luv' Hitpack") conceived by the then successful producer and remixer Peter "Hithouse" Slaghuis in December 1989. This megamix was included on a CD compilation ("Greatest Hits") which came out in early 1990 and which featured tracks from the late 1970s. Marga, Diana, Michelle and their record company, Dureco were furious with these releases. The ladies were afraid it might ruin their efforts to promote Luv's new material.
Story, late 1989
The next single was entitled "I Don't Wanna Be Lonely" and released in December 1989. It was a cover version of a club hit by Joan Orleans but it flopped. The girls performed the song on the Veronica TV show "Nederland Muziekland" on February 3rd, 1990.
Then Dureco Records licensed "Girl Like Me", a track taken from the "For You" mini-album, to the Japanese label Alfa International. It was promoted as a "Eurobeat" song (this music style was popular back then in the Asian archipelago) and was included on Japanese compilations. This strategy to conquer the "Land of the Rising Sun" did not succeed.
Luv' tried to recapture the joyful sound of the original line-up with the follow-up single: "Hit-Medley" (released in German-speaking countries in 1990 by RCA/BMG).
Weekend, April 21st, 1990
In June 1990, Michelle Gold left the group as she could not cope with frequent round trips between the UK and Holland.
Story, June 29th, 1990
Despite Michelle's departure from Luv', Marga and Diana wanted to go on and searched for a new Luv' singer. But that's another story...
De Telegraaf, July 12th, 1990
Backstage pictures (photo courtesy of Martin Vink & Arnold Kroone):
Martin and Luv'
The fans lost trace of Michelle Gold...until recently.
The beautiful and talented British lady has two profiles on the internet:
* First as a successful fashion stylist working under her first name Rachel Gold:
Website: https://www.rachelgoldstylist.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RachelGold3
* Then as a vocalist under her stage name Michelle Gold. In late 2018, she launched a website, Twitter and Instagram accounts as well as a Facebook page to promote her new activities. Michelle now performs with the jazz fusion-soul band "Red Heads". She plans to put out an EP soon.
Michelle's SoundCloud: click here to listen to her music.
Michelle's Facebook page: click here to read her posts.
Michelle's Instagram account: click here to see photos.
Michelle's YouTube channel: click here to watch videos.
Source: Michellegoldmusic.com, Rachelgoldstylist.com, Discogs.com, Beeld en Geluid, Music & Media archives (https://americanradiohistory.com), Luv' weblog archives, Martin Vink, Co Rnz...
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