30th anniversary: Carina Lemoine as a member of Luv', Record deal with RCA and Release of "Hasta Mañana"
Thanks Martin Vink for the information, pictures and press clippings as well as Co Rnz for additional photos and support.
Luv' backstage at Veronica's TV show "Sportgala" taped at the Eurocircuit in Valkenswaard (1990)
30 years ago, in the summer and autumn of 1990, Luv' went through two major changes: a new line-up (21-year-old Carina Lemoine joined Marga Scheide and Diana van Berlo) and the signature of a new record deal. Let's celebrate the 30th anniversary of this special chapter of Luv's history.
In 1989, Marga Scheide (the only original member of Luv') decided to relaunch the group with two other girls: Diana van Berlo and British singer Michelle Gold (see news posted on August 14th, 2019).
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.
In the meantime, Marga trademarked Luv's name which later led to tensions with Hans van Hemert (who created the original group in 1976) and Patty Brard (who often blamed her for this decision in interviews and her recent biography).
Welcome To My Party did not achieve the success of Luv's classic hits from the late 1970s but kept the girls busy. They promoted their record in the media, performed it on TV and toured the club circuit.
Welcome to my party peaked at #22 on the Dutch Top 40 and #19 on the Nationale Hitparade in the Netherlands. It reached the 28th position on the BRT Top 30 in Belgium and #39 on the Flemish Ultratop.
The follow-up singles taken from the For You mini-album all flopped: I Don't Wanna Be Lonely (December 1989), Girl Like Me (released only in Japan in 1990) and Hit-Medley (1990).
In June 1990, Michelle Gold left the group as she could not cope with frequent round trips between the UK and Holland.
The July 12th, 1990 edition of Dutch most-read newspaper De Telegraaf featured an article about Luv' looking for a new singer. Here's what manager Jaap Buys said about this situation: "Michelle could not manage it anymore. She always had to fly from England to come here. It was very expensive and sometimes she also missed the flights. We can't work like that. She was supposed to move to the Netherlands but it never happened as her son is in a special school in England. So we are looking for a new singer."
Marga held auditions to find the perfect replacement for Michelle. Carina Lemoine from Velsen, the Netherlands was selected from 100 applicants as a new member of Luv'. Like José Hoebee, Diana van Berlo and Michelle Gold before they joined the pop formation, Carina was an experienced vocalist. Prior to Luv', she put out four solo singles:
I Love Disco / Walkman (7" Single), Mercury, 1981
Oh Lieve Papa / 'k Hou Van Disco (7" Single), Mercury, 1982
Mama, Hij Wil Zo Graag Een Zoen / Een Beetje Liefde (7" Single)
Big Lift Records, 1984
The Hour Comes Nigh / Stay With Me (7" Single), Corduroy Records, 1986
The August 3rd, 1990 edition of Dutch celebrity gossip magazine Story included an article about Carina's recruitment and provided information about her audition and her background. Dozens of candidates took part in the selection process. Before joining Luv', Carina worked as a secretary. "I was so nervous when I had to audition," she told Story. She immediately gave up her job when she knew she became the new member of Luv'. "I started to rehearse directly. I learned the lyrics and dance routines. I had to do it because we have a hectic schedule. One week and a half after I was chosen, we had to perform on stage. Day and night I was cramming for this performance. I didn't want to forget the lyrics during the show. I have to work hard but this is what I've always wanted to do. To sing with Luv' and to record an album, this is a dream come true," she added.
Story - August 3rd, 1990
Other articles followed. In Privé magazine published on September 15th, 1990, Carina explained that she wanted success. "I want to be world-famous like my favourite singer Whitney Houston. I want to work hard for this goal. Luv' is my first big chance. I hope I'll achieve this aim," she asserted.
Scans (click on the images to enlarge them):
Veronica Magazine - September 8th, 1990
Privé - September 15th, 1990
NHD - Schager Courant - September 2nd, 1990
Marga Scheide was in the spotlight in De Telegraaf published on September 12th, 1990. The blonde and classy lady discussed her glamorous house in Naarden, the Netherlands.
De Telegraaf - September 12th, 1990 - click on the image to enlarge it
Click here to read the article online
The announcement of Carina as a new Luv' singer coincided with the end of the trio's contract with Dureco Records and the signature of a deal with RCA Records. The October 8th, 1990 edition of Algemeen Dagblad mentioned this transfer. "We've signed a new record deal with RCA. Carina Lemoine replaced Michelle. She can be heard on our new single "Hasta Mañana" which will come out in a couple of weeks," Marga Scheide said.
Click here to read the article online
The renewed Luv' trio recorded a Latin pop single entitled Hasta Mañana written and produced by Marga Scheide and her partner, Jacques Zwart (aka E. Mergency).
Released by RCA Records in October 1990
A side: Hasta Mañana (Hé Kanjer!) - 3:57
B side: Hasta Mañana (Hé Guapo!) - 3:57
Song written by E.Mergency and Marga Scheide
Former Luv' singer Ria Thielsch (who worked in the fashion industry) was in charge of the group's styling for this record.
Pictures edited by Co Rnz (click on the photos to enlarge them):
Article about Ria collaborating with Luv' in Story (1990)
During the autumn of 1990, Luv' promoted Hasta Mañana in the media (including TV performances on Sportgala (Veronica), Tineke (Veronica) and 5 Uur Show (RTL 4). Despite this exposure, the single didn't enter the hit parade. Though chart success was a distant memory, Luv' gave many live performances (private parties, corporate events, public shows, festivals...) and were present on the small screen.
Source: Martin Vink, Co Rnz, Luv' weblog archives, Delpher Kranten, Facebook (Siegfried Stelte)...
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