A tribute to ABBA's music
Exactly forty years ago, on June 30th, 1984, "Cassandra", a Dutch cover version of an ABBA song released as a duet single by Bonnie St. Claire and José Hoebee, entered the "Nationale Hitparade" (Dutch singles chart). This record later made its way into the Dutch Top 40, marking the start of a fruitful three-year collaboration between the two female pop singers. This release was also one of the earliest tributes to ABBA before the Swedish pop group became iconic.
Let's celebrate Cassandra's 40th anniversary.
History
After Luv's first break-up in 1981, José Hoebee was the former member of the girl group who enjoyed the most successful solo career. She scored two big hits in the Netherlands and Belgium, the #1 song "I Will Follow Him" and "Secret Love" in 1982, as well as a couple of lesser-known singles: "The Good Times" (1982), "I Can Hear Music" (1983) and "Time Goes By" (1984). She experienced a new phase of her career thanks to the popular duet single "So Long, Marianne" with Ron Brandsteder in early 1984.
Similarly, Bonnie St. Claire had been a well-known name in the Low Countries since the early 1970s, with several hit singles to her name: "I Won't Stand Between Them" (1970), "Claps Your Hands And Stamp Your Feet" (with Unit Gloria - 1972), the chart-topper "Rocky" (with Don Mercedes - 1976), "Dokter Bernhard" (with Ron Brandsteder - 1976) and "Pierrot" (1980).
José and Bonnie had known each other since 1978 because they were under the same management (Interlinde, a company owned by Pim ter Linde). They rapidly became friends.
The artists of Interlinde Management: Saskia & Serge, Luv', Pim ter Linde (head of the company), Bonnie St.Claire, Riny van der Lee, Ciska Peters (Pim's wife) and Lee Towers in 1979
In 1983, Bonnie had the opportunity to cover "Wrap Your Arms Around Me" in Dutch. This song was originally performed by former ABBA singer Agnetha Fältskog. Will Hoebee (José's husband) produced Bonnie's version entitled "Sla Je Arm Om Me Heen", which reached #13 on the Dutch Top 40 and #11 on the Nationale Hitparade in Holland.
Agnetha Fältskog: Wrap Your Arms Around Me (1983)
Bonnie St. Claire: Sla Je Arm Om Me Heen (1983)
In early 1984, Bonnie and José recorded background vocals on Benny Neyman's legendary album "Het Zwart Goud", including the #1 hit "Waarom fluister ik je naam nog", produced by Will Hoebee. "I expect a lot from this LP. The previous album was disappointing in terms of record sales, but we have found the right formula. Will Hoebee supervises the production, and his wife, José, records background vocals. With Bonnie and José, we recorded a unique track for fun. Our voices match well. Some people think we will launch a trio, but it isn't the case," Benny Neyman told Veronica magazine.
Veronica magazine - March 3rd, 1984
Photo edited by Marco Rens
Long before the revival of interest in ABBA's music (ABBAesque by Erasure, ABBA Gold, Mamma Mia! musical...), Bonnie and José decided to form a duo to record songs of the Swedish Fab Four in Dutch. Their first collaboration was "Cassandra" (originally the B-side of ABBA's hit "The Day Before You Came" in late 1982).
ABBA performing "Cassandra" on ZDF's Show-Express on November 11th, 1982
Will Hoebee supervised the recording of "Cassandra" by Bonnie & José at the Wisseloord Studios in Hilversum, the Netherlands. Eurovision Song Contest conductor Harry van Hoof arranged the track. Benny Neyman wrote the text of this song in Dutch. His lyrics dealt with the movement of Argentinian mothers (Las Madres de La Plaza de Mayo) who marched in 1977 in Buenos Aires to protest against the disappearance of their children (who were actually arrested by the military and eventually died).
In June 1984, Philips Records released Bonnie & José's Cassandra. The duet single premiered on the TROS TV show "Op Volle Toeren" on June 7th, 1984.
Video edited by Marco Rens
Article published after Cassandra's release (1984)
The ladies gave sporadic live shows across the Netherlands to promote their record.
Bonnie & José at Discotheek Meetpoint in Schinveld, the Netherlands (photo by Jos Theuns)
Commercial performance
On June 30th, 1984, Cassandra entered the Nationale Hitparade at #41, peaked at #19 on July 21st, 1984 and stayed eight weeks on this Dutch singles chart.
On July 7th, 1984, Bonnie & José's duet entered the Dutch Top 40 at #39, reached #24 on July 28th, 1984, and remained on this hit list for five weeks.
Despite the dominance of English and American productions on the Dutch charts at the time, this Dutch-sung record managed to sell reasonably well.
Tracklisting - Credits
A side: Cassandra - 4:55
Dutch Lyrics by Benny Neyman, Written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus
B side: Ik Blijf Wachten - 4:00
Written by Albert Hol and Joost Timp
Vocals - Bonnie St. Claire & José Hoebee
Recorded at Wisseloord Studios, Hilversum, the Netherlands
Arranged by Harry van Hoof
Management – Interlinde Management
Producer – Will Hoebee
Sound Technician – Pieter Boer
Bass Guitar – Jan Vermeulen
Choir – Edward Reekers, Hans Vermeulen, Hilde Vermeulen, Jody Pijper
Drum [Drum-fills] – Max Werner
Grand Piano, Synthesizer – Hans Jansen and Harry van Hoof
Guitar – Lex Bolderdijk
TV performances
June 7th, 1984: Op Volle Toeren (TROS)
July 15th, 1984: Nederland Muziekland (Veronica)
Unknown broadcast date in 1984: Op Volle Toeren (TROS)
November 26th, 1984: Een Voor Afrika (Nederland 1)
January 24th, 1985: Bonnie & José sing a medley (including Cassandra) on Veronica Awards (Veronica)
After Cassandra's respectable success on the charts, the ladies decided to continue their professional relationship. But that's another story...
Sources:
Withluvfromjose.blogspot.com (archives)
Top 40 Hitdossier 1956-2005 (9e editie) by Johan van Slooten, publ: Gottmer Bech
Dutch hit parade: www.dutchcharts.nl, Top40.nl
Facebook (José Hoebee's Fan Page)
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