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Luv' on "Countdown '78" (Veronica Awards)

Posted by abohan Senin, 30 Desember 2013 0 komentar

I've posted a nice video of Luv' on YouTube. On December 31st, 1978 Veronica channel broadcast "Countdown '78", a program about the most significant events in the music industry in 1978: the break-up of the "Sex Pistols", the success of Paul McCartney & Wings ("Mull of Kyntyre"), Yvonne Keeley ("If I Had Words"), Blondie ("Denis"), The Bee Gees ("Stayin' Alive" from Saturday Night Fever), Donna Summer ("Last Dance" from Thanks God It's Friday), Boney M. ("Rivers of Babylon"), Vader Abraham ("Smurf song"), 10cc ("Dreadlock Holiday"), Meat Loaf ("Paradise by the Dashboard Light"), John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John (Grease)....and of course Luv' (Holland's greatest pop sensation back then).

The filming of Luv's segment took place in the Wisseloord studios where the trio recorded their best songs. Luv' performed a medley of their greatest hits: "U.O.Me", "You're the Greatest Lover" and "Trojan Horse". 1978 was fabulous for the girls. Luv' were the only Dutch group that reached number one on the Dutch Top 40 that year. Because of the success of "Greatest Lover" and "Trojan Horse", they won two Veronica Awards.

Two days prior to the broadcast of "Countdown '78", De Telegraaf published an article about the triumph of the trio. The three "Princesses of Dutch Pop" were shown in winter outfits in Verona, Italy where they gave a TV performance. At that time, "Greatest Lover" had already sold 1 million copies in Europe and "Trojan Horse" went quite the similar way. Between September and December 1978, the Luv' singers were very busy. They appeared on 29 TV shows in 9 European countries. Thanks to their popularity on the "Old Continent", Luv' had plans for the future: they wanted to conquer the US charts. They were in touch with two important American record labels to sign a licensing contract: Casablanca (Donna Summer, Village People, Kiss, Parliament...) and RSO (The Bee Gees, Andy Gibb, soundtracks of "Saturday Night Fever" and "Grease"). Unfortunately, none of these companies collaborated with the ladies. Instead, they had a deal with Polydor USA which released "Trojan Horse" and never broke into the Billboard charts.

Article written by Henk van der Meyden and published in De Telegraaf / Privé (December 29th, 1978)

Source: YouTube, Beeld en Geluid, De Telegraaf

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Special picture: Luv' at the bar (1978)

Posted by abohan Sabtu, 23 November 2013 0 komentar

Amateur pictures of Luv' in their heyday are rare. Luv' fan Marco Rens sent me a beautiful photo of the girls in their "Greatest Lover" costumes dating back to 1978:

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"All You Need Is Luv'" special: 35th anniversary

Posted by abohan Selasa, 19 November 2013 0 komentar

After the recent anniversaries of "You're the Greatest Lover", "With Luv" and "Trojan Horse", today it's time to celebrate another one: 30 years ago exactly, on November 19th 1978, TROS channel aired a 20 minute TV special entitled “All You Need Is Luv”. The fans remember very well this music program which was included on the "Back In Luv" DVD in 2006.

Luv’ was a visual act. At the time MTV didn’t exist. The group's management understood the power of television. This medium fit them like a glove and was one of the reason of their success. In the late 1970’s, the number of channels was limited. When an artist or a band performed on TV, they could reach lots of viewers.

The special featured videos of songs from their debut album “With Luv”:

You’re the Greatest Lover: The girls were riding a tandem, playing basket ball with a male team and singing among body builders in a gym:

· Who Do You Wanna Be: The trio was singing on a grand piano, pretending they were naked with bath mousse on them. But at the end, you can see they wore wetsuits:

· Trojan Horse: The ladies was accompanied by a fanfare and giggling while trying on hats:

· Louis Je t’Adore: Luv' was sitting on rattan chairs in an exotic interior:

· U.O.Me: Luv' was singing on motorbikes and appearing as angels:

· Oh, Get Ready: Luv' was dancing with masked men:

Source: YouTube, Beeld en Geluid (Dutch TV and radio archives)

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TROJAN HORSE: 35TH ANNIVERSARY

Posted by abohan Senin, 18 November 2013 0 komentar

After the huge success of "You're the Greatest Lover", Luv's challenge was to choose the right follow-up and to avoid being a "one-hit wonder". Fortunately, the ladies hit once again the number one spot with "Trojan Horse". The single entered the Dutch charts on November 18th, 1978 and later did the same abroad. It eventually sold one million copies.

History

After the Spanish touch of "U.O.Me" and "You're the Greatest Lover", the group's songwriters and producers, Hans van Hemert and Piet Souer, tried another kind of arrangement. That's how they came up with "Trojan Horse". This catchy pop song used a bagpipe theme. The intro was inspired by the famous "20th-Century Fox Fanfare" by Alfred Newman. The lyrics dealt with a man who acted as a "Trojan Horse" (someone who is secretive). One sentence is a shining example of "double entendre": "The gate is not yet open so the horse cannot come in". No need to explain what these words mean!

Luv' on TopPop

Thanks to this popular record, Luv's success story carried on in a large part of Continental Europe. "Trojan Horse" was even a Top 10 single in New Zealand as well as a minor hit in Canada and Australia.

It was included on the German version of their debut album "With Luv'". It later appeared on CD compilations (such as "Luv' Gold" and "25 Jaar Na Waldolala"). A 2006 Dance remix of the song by Hans van Hemert's production team was added as a bonus track to the track listing of the Box set "Completey In Luv'".

This pop standard was used for the soundtrack of the movie "Spetters" directed by Paul Verhoeven. Moreover, Luv' played a cameo role in the German movie "Cola, Candy,Chocolate" (aka "Drei Kesse Bienen auf den Philippinen") in which they performed "Trojan Horse".

Luv' in "Drei Kesse Bienen auf den Philippinen" (1979)

Chart performance & certification

"Trojan Horse" was a million seller and a #1 hit song in the Netherlands, in Belgium, and Denmark. It peaked at #2 in Austria and Switzerland, #3 in Germany, #17 in South Africa #38 in France, #6 in New Zealand, #50 in Australia and #95 in Canada. The single went platinum in Holland and reached the gold status in Austria and Belgium.

Press clippings about the release party of "Trojan Horse" in November 1978. In addition to the presentation of their Scottish-styled track, the girls received gold records for "The Greatest Lover" and "With Luv'":

Tracklisting & release

Trojan Horse

7" vinyl single (45 pm) - original release by Philips/Phonogram Records in November 1978

A side: "Trojan Horse" - 3:24

B side: "Life Is On My Side" - 2:38

Original Dutch Sleeve

German sleeve

Canadian pressing

Argentinian pressing

US promo copy

YouTube videos

Luv' on TopPop (1978)

Luv' on Rock Planet (TROS -1978)

All You Need Is Luv TV Special (Nov. 1978)

Luv' on Showbizzquiz (1978)

Luv' on Musikladen (Broadcast date: December 14th 1978)

German TV show

Luv' on Disco (broadcast date: February 19th 1979)

Cover versions

De Bumpers: "M'n Doedelzak" (Netherlands, 1979)
Siw Inger: "Komm und spiel mit mir" (Germany, 1979)
Orchester Tony Anderson: "Trojan Horse" (Germany 1979)
Disco Light Orchestra: "Trojan Horse" (Instrumental, Germany 1979)
The Golden Akkordeon Harmonists: "Trojan Horse" (Germany, 1979)
Bezinky: "Trojský Kůň" (Czechoslovakia, 1980)
Die Molly Sisters: "Im grünen Wald" (East Germany, 1979)
Luv' Connection: "Trojan Horse" (Germany, 2003).
Sheffield Jumpers: "Jump With Me" (featuring a re-sung chorus from "Trojan Horse (Netherlands/Germany, 2008). #69 on the German Media Control Charts.

Jump with me by Sheffield Jumpers (2008)

Marco de Hollander: "Hij speelde elke avond op zijn doedelzak" (2009)
Engel & Engel: "So ist die Liebe, mi Amor" (2011).

Bibliography:

• Hit-Lexikon des Rock und Pop Vol. 1 by Frank Laufenberg, publ: Verlag Ullstein

• 50 jaar nummer-1-hits 1956-2006 by Johan van Slooten , publ: Gottmer Uitgevers Groep

• De 500 Nummer 1-Hits uit de Top 40 (1997) by Johan van Slooten, publ: Gottmer Becht

• Top 40 Hitdossier 1956-2005 (9e editie) by Johan van Slooten, publ: Gottmer Bech

Source: Wikipedia, Discogs.com, Dutchcharts.nl...

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With Luv': 35th anniversary of Luv's debut album

Posted by abohan Kamis, 19 September 2013 0 komentar

35 years ago, Luv's first album, entitled "With Luv'", entered the Dutch charts. It later became a big selling record in the Netherlands and the neighbouring countries. This release was a milestone in the ladies' career and achieved cult status among the fans.

Background

1978 was a special year for the girls. "U.O.Me" was their breakthrough in their homeland. The follow-up single "You're the Greatest Lover" was a bigger success: this million seller hit the number one spot in some European territories and even charted in South Africa (see article posted on July 29th 2013). The next step was to put out a full-length album. The trio's first LP was released by Philips/Phonogram in late August 1978. The production of this opus was supervised by Hans van Hemert and Piet Souer who wrote all the songs under the pseudonym "Janschen & Janschens", with the exception of "Don Juanito de Carnaval" (the cover version of "A far l'amore comincia tu", the 1977 hit of Raffaella Carrà). "With Luv'" was a perfect blend of ABBA-esque sounds (My Man, Dream Dream), Latin American and Spanish orchestrations (U.O.Me, You're the Greatest Lover, Don Juanito de Carnaval), Disco (Everybody's Shaking Hands On Broadway), Pop music (Who Do You Wanna Be) and Soft Rock (Get Ready). One important aspect of the record was its iconic sleeve with the three sexy singers posing in an airfield in the Canary Islands. The pictures for the front and back covers of the LP were taken by Claude Vanheye. This artist had already photographed the "crème de la crème" of the 1960s and 1970s: Jimi Hendrix, Mick Jagger, Michael Jackson, Iggy Pop...

Ad published in the press to promote "With Luv'"

Commercial response and chart performance

As a manufactured pop formation which targeted youngsters, Luv' was more successful on the singles chart than on the albums chart. Indeed, 7" singles were popular among teenagers in the 1970s. With Luv' entered the Dutch charts on September 2nd 1978. It later peaked at #6 on the LP Top 50 and #8 on the Nationale Hitparade Top 50 in the Netherlands, #15 on the Austrian Alben Top 25 and #16 on the Danish year-end chart (BT Hitliste). The LP was a minor hit in Germany where it reached the 50th position. The album eventually turned platinum in Holland (100.000 copies) and silver in Denmark (25.000 copies).

Clipping from November 1978 (With Luv' turned gold in Holland and later platinum)

Clipping from Billboard Magazine (July 1979)

Newspaper clipping from Denmark (1979 - With Luv' silver certification)

Release and distribution

Patty, Marga and José at the release party of "With Luv'

The album release party took place at the Hilversum Airport on August 22, 1978. With Luv' came out in various editions - all depending on which countries the release took place. Philips/Phonogram licensed the rights for the record to various labels around the world (Carrere Records in Germany, PGB RTB in Yugoslavia, Mercury Records in Canada...).

Article published in Nieuwsblad van het Noorden (August 23. 1978)

To know details about the release of "With Luv": click here

Back cover (original Dutch version)

German pressing

Spanish version (including "Tu eres mi mejor amante" - Spanish version of "The Greatest Lover")

Korean pressing (front cover)

Korean pressing (back cover)

Re-issues

Philips Records re-issued the LP in 1980 after the trio left the label and was under contract with CNR/Carrere Records. This pressing was part of the "Succes series", a re-issue of popular albums of the Philips back catalogue.

1980 re-issue (Succes series)

With Luv' was digitally remastered and reissued in 2006 as part of the "Completely In Luv'" box set with the same track listing and three bonus tracks:

"Don't Let Me Down" (Janschen & Janschens) – 2:37 B-side of "My Man"

"Eres Mi Mejor Amante" (Alfred Garrido, Janschen & Janschens) – 2:50 Spanish version of "You're the Greatest Lover".

"All You Need Is Luv' Jingle" (Janschen & Janschens) – 0:12

Track listing

A Side:

"You're the Greatest Lover" (Janschen & Janschens) - 2:50
"Who Do You Wanna Be" (Janschen & Janschens) - 3:44
"My Man" (Janschen & Janschens) - 3:05
"Sugar Babe" (Janschen & Janschens) - 2:49
"Don Juanito De Carnaval" (Daniële Pace, Franco Bracardi, Gianni Boncompagni, Janschen & Janschens) - 3:09
"Life Is On My Side" (Janschen & Janschens) - 2:38

B Side:

"U.O.Me (Welcome To Waldolala)" (Janschen & Janschens) - 2:55
"Dream, Dream" (Janschen & Janschens) - 3:30
"Oh, Get Ready" (Janschen & Janschens) - 3:16
"Louis, Je t'Adore" (Janschen & Janschens) - 3:40
"Everybody's Shaking Hands On Braodway" (Janschen & Janschens) - 3:27
"Hang On" (Janschen & Janschens) - 3:07

Note: "Don Juanito de Carnaval" was replaced by "Trojan Horse" on some German pressings.

Album credits

Luv':

José Hoebee - vocals

Marga Scheide - vocals

Patty Brard - vocals

Additional personnel:

Ernö Olah & Metropole Orkest - strings

Production

Producer: Hans van Hemert

Arranger/conductor: Piet Souer

Photography: Claude Vanheye

Design: Jan H. van Uden

Art Direction: Clouds Studio

Source: Wikipedia, Discogs.com, Dutchcharts.nl, Austriancharts.nl, Charts.de

Bibliography:
Albumdossier 1969-1972 by Johan van Slooten, publ: Becht's Uitgevers

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You're the Greatest Lover : 35th Anniversary

Posted by abohan Senin, 29 Juli 2013 0 komentar

LUV's international breakthrough

On July 29th 1978, "You're the Greatest Lover", Luv's fourth single, entered the Dutch Top 40 and became the trio's signature song and their breakthrough abroad.

Background

In March 1978, Luv' reached fame and fortune in the Netherlands and Belgium with their "U.O.Me" single (see article posted on March 11th 2013). But the girls were not satisfied by the way their manager Han Meijer developed their career and wanted to dispense with his services. Meijer considered the name of the pop goup as his ownership and took the three singers to court about the use of it. Finally, in early June 1978, the ladies won the legal action and were officially allowed to be named Luv'. Pim ter Linde became their new manager. He ran Interlinde Artists Management, the legendary “House of Dutch Stars” (including Bonnie St. Claire, Don Mercedes, Saskia & Serge, Ron Brandsteder, Lee Towers.... ).

Picture published in Leidsch Dagblad on May 26th 1978 (Luv' Vs Han Meijer)

Article published in Leidsch Dagblad on June 2nd 1978 (The group is allowed to be named "Luv")

The ladies were ready to concentrate on their main goal: to have an international career. Their songwriters Hans van Hemert and Piet Souer composed "You're the Greatest Lover" which featured Spanish guitars. In the book "Nederpop, met hart en ziel", a history of Dutch pop music written by Jan van der Plas in 2003, Van Hemert told: "The music had to be uncomplicated but not too vulgar. Preferably with a South American touch....My songs were easy but Piet made refined arrangements for them."

Reception

The Luv' singers took advantage of their attractive look and promoted the "Greatest Lover" on the major European TV shows (TopPop, Musikladen, Disco, Roxi, Top Club, Musik & Gäste...). As a result, the track was a chart topper in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany (where it sold 600.000 copies), Switzerland and Denmark. It reached the Top 5 of the Europarade (a compilation of European charts). It peaked at #2 on the Austrian charts and #15 in South Africa. In France, the song was entitled "Sing me, sing me a chanson" and was a minor hit there (#37 on the Hit Parade RTL). Moreover, it was also popular behind the Iron Curtain, especially in East Germany, Poland and Hungary . In early 1979, Phonogram/Philips Records announced that the single sold 1 million copies worldwide.

Leidsch Dagblad - September 1st 1978 (Luv' hit the number one spot with "The Greatest Lover")

Leidsch Dagblad - September 20th 1978 (Luv' about their success)

YouTube Videos

TopPop - Broadcast date: October 21st 1978

All You Need Is Luv' (TROS Special) - Brodcast date: November 19th 1978

André van Duin's show

Roxi (Germany)

Disco (Germany) - Broadcast date: October 30th 1978

Musikladen (Germany) - Broadcast date: Septermber 21st 1978

Top Club (France) - Broadcast date: December 8th 1978

Des Magiciens (France) - Broadcast date: January 1st 1979

Tracklisting & release

You're the Greatest Lover

7" vinyl single (45 pm) - original release by Philips/Phonogram Records in July 1978

A side: "You're the Greatest Lover" - 2:50

B side: "Everybody's Shaking Hands On Broadway" - 3:27

Original Dutch sleeve

German sleeve

Spanish version (Tu eres mi mejor amante)

French sleeve

Italian sleeve

Japanese sleeve

Turkish sleeve

Cover versions

In 1978, Ulla Norden covered the song in German as "Wir Sind Verrückt (Wir Beide)".
In 1979, Jonathan King recorded a cover version of Luv's hit that peaked at #67 on the UK Singles Charts.
Disco Light Orchestra from Germany performed an instrumental version for their LP Disco Sensation in 1979.
James Last Orchestra performed an instrumental version on his album "New Non Stop Dancing 79".
Teenage singer Eini covered the song (entitled Vetonaula) in Finnish in 1979".
Irish pop group Gina, Dale Haze and the Champions had a top 10 hit with this song on the Irish Charts in 1979.
In 1980, British group Brotherhood of Man recorded a version of the song for their Good Fortune album.
East German sister duet, Die Molly Sisters, sang a German version entitled He, hallo, du bist ein Mann geworden.
The Hallmond All Stars orchestra performed an instrumental version on the compilation Night Fever Hammond Hit Parade released in the UK in 1996.
In 1999, Kristina Bach sang a Schlager version (entitled Hey, ich such' hier nicht den größten Lover).
In 2000, a dance music cover version by Loona renamed Latino Lover was a Top 10 hit single in German speaking countries (#6 and gold single (250 000 units sold) in Germany, #9 in Austria and #6 in Switerzland).

Loona performing "Latino Lover" on ''Hitparade im ZDF" in 2000 (with an excerpt of Luv's Greatest Lover)

German industrial band Massiv in Mensch recorded an electro version in 2004.
In 2005, the version of The Greatest Lover by Flemish dance group Swoop peaked at #25 on the Ultratop singles charts in Flanders.

Bibliography:

• Nederpop met hart en ziel (History of Dutch Pop Music) by J. van der Plas, publ: Kosmos

Z&K (2003)

• Hit-Lexikon des Rock und Pop Vol. 1 by Frank Laufenberg, publ: Verlag Ullstein

• 50 jaar nummer-1-hits 1956-2006 by Johan van Slooten , publ: Gottmer Uitgevers Groep

• De 500 Nummer 1-Hits uit de Top 40 (1997) by Johan van Slooten, publ: Gottmer Becht

• Top 40 Hitdossier 1956-2005 (9e editie) by Johan van Slooten, publ: Gottmer Bech

Source: Wikipedia, Discogs.com, Dutchcharts.nl...

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