Hans van Hemert: the 75th birthday of a Dutch pop Maestro!!!

Marga Scheide, Hans van Hemert and José Hoebee in 2015

Today Dutch record producer and songwriter Hans van Hemert celebrates his 75th birthday!!!

As we say in Dutch: "Van Harte Gefeliciteerd Met Je Verjaardag!"

Three years ago, Hans won the "Lifetime Achievement Award" at the Buma Awards (the most prestigious music ceremony in the Netherlands). This prize rewards the maestro's outstanding contribution to Dutch music (see news posted on March 7th, 2017).  

Hans is the father of Luv'. Between 1977 and 1981, Luv' scored hit after hit in Holland and abroad ("U.O.Me", "You're the Greatest Lover", "Trojan Horse", "Casanova", "Ooh, Yes I Do"....). Recently, Marga Scheide (who trademarked Luv's name in 1989) gave the green light to Hans' Luv' musical project (see news posted on March 28th, 2020). 

From left to right: Hans van Hemert, Pim ter Linde, Patty Brard, Marga Scheide, Piet Souer and José Hoebee celebrating their #1 hit "You're the Greatest Lover" on the Dutch Top 40 in the office of Interlinde Management on September 2nd, 1978 

Hans with Luv' in 1988

Hans and Luv' in 2019

Moreover, he produced hits for many other artists and bands (Q65, The Motions, Ro-d-ys, Zen, Group 1850, Big Wheel, Sommerset, Cardinal Point, Ramses Shaffy and Liesbeth List, Sandra & Andres, Mouth & MacNeal, Kamahl, American Gypsy, Vulcano, André Hazes, Glennis Grace...). He also composed three songs for the Eurovision Song Contest: "Als het om de liefde gaat" by Sandra & Andres (#4 in 1972), "Ik Zie Een Ster" ("I See A Star")  by Mouth & MacNeal in (#3 in 1974) and "The Party's Over" by Sandra Reemer (#9 in 1976).

His best selling record is "How do you do" by Mouth & MacNeal (from 1971). This classic pop song hit the number one spot in the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Switzerland and New Zealand. It reached #5 in Germany and #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the USA (where it sold one million copies alone). This track has been covered and sampled on many occasions. 

Hans van Hemert's best productions

Hans collected 40 gold and platinum records as well as several trophies including:

• two Conamus Export Prizes: in 1972 (with Mouth & MacNeal) and in 1979 (with Luv').
• a Gouden Harp (Golden Harp) in 1974 for his talents as a producer.
• an ASCAP award in the United States for the song "How Do You Do" by Mouth & MacNeal.

He still has a music production company located in Laren, Netherlands. In addition to the exploitation of an impressive back catalogue, Van Hemert's studio also releases jingles, TV tunes, children's music and music downloads. 

Hans also spends time in his houses in the south of France and Bali, Indonesia with family and friends.

Source: Luv' weblog archives, Hans van Hemert productions, YouTube...