Photo courtesy of © Official Luv' Fan Page (Facebook), Marco Rens & Martin Vink
Photo edited by Marco Rens
Thirty-five years ago precisely, on September 29th, 1989, Luv's single "Welcome To My Party" made its television debut on the Dutch TROS program "De Grote Clubshow". This particular track did not feature the vocals of original members José Hoebee or Patty Brard. Instead, it was performed by Luv's then-lineup, which consisted of Marga Scheide (the only remaining original member) and two new singers, Diana van Berlo and Michelle Gold. As we celebrate the 35th anniversary of this infectious dance-pop track, it’s worth noting that it was heavily influenced by the popular "Stock, Aitken & Waterman" sound of the era.
Luv's 1989 trio: Diana van Berlo, Marga Scheide & Michelle Gold
Photo edited by Marco Rens
History
On October 27th 1988, Luv's original trio (Patty Brard, Marga Scheide and José Hoebee) surprised fans by appearing 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.
Luv' on "Samen" (1988)
Photo courtesy of © Official Luv' Fan Page & Beeld en Geluid
Following their appearance, rumours began circulating that Luv' were planning a comeback, and there was speculation that the British production trio Stock Aitken & Waterman (known for producing hits for artists like Rick Astley, Mel & Kim, Kylie Minogue, and Bananarama) might make a new album for the group. However, despite the buzz, no collaboration with "The Hit Factory" ever came to fruition.
Diana & Michelle: The Two New Luv' Singers
Despite this, Luv' pressed forward with plans for a reunion. In April 1989, José decided not to participate, choosing to focus on her family, particularly her son Tim. She was replaced by 23-year-old Diana van Berlo, born July 6th, 1966, in Helmond, the Netherlands.
Diana was an experienced vocalist who had already performed under the stage name "Sharon Vice".
Diana van Berlo aka Sharon Vice (1988)
Diana shared her experience in a 2009 interview for my former Luv' site: "In 1989, I auditioned for a girl group, though none of us knew initially that it was for Luv'. Marga Scheide was present at these auditions, and it soon became clear that the project was indeed for Luv'. I performed my songs and went home after hearing the usual words, "You'll be hearing from us." A few days later, they called to inform me that I was preselected and had to go to Dureco, a record company in Weesp, for a second audition. I was tasked with memorizing a track and performing it in the studio. After doing so, a few days later, they called again to let me know that I had been chosen to join Luv'".
Algemeen Dagblad - July 31st, 1989: Luv' not yet reunited
Click here to read the article online
De Telegraaf - July 31st, 1989: Patty Brard & Marga Scheide together again
Click here to read the article online
Patty, Marga and Diana started to record new material. But in early August 1989, Patty suddenly left Luv' as she signed a contract with the newly created RTL Veronique channel. A replacement had to be found. Marga recruited a talented vocalist, 29-year-old Michelle Gold (born Rachelle Gold on December 24th, 1959, in London, Great Britain and mother of a 10-year-old son Leo).
Rachel Michelle Gold is the daughter of the English-Guyanese actor Daniel Jackson, well known as one of the first black actors to gain recognition in the United Kingdom, having starred in films with Anthony Quinn and James Coburn and having appeared uncredited in the James Bond film "Live and Let Die" (1973).
Dan Jackson, Rachel Michelle Gold's father, in "Mysterious Island" in 1961
At age fifteen, Michelle started singing as ''Michelle Jackson'' in local jazz clubs and music venues. In late 1979 and 1980, she went on a French tour with Serge Gainsbourg as a backup singer at age nineteen. The prolific Jamaican rhythm section, Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare, better known as Sly and Robbie, were part of this tour, launched in support of Gainsbourg's platinum studio album "Aux armes et cætera". Michelle Jackson can be heard on Gainsbourg’s live album "Enregistrement public au Théâtre Le Palace", recorded on December 26th, 27th, and 28th, 1979, at the Palace in Paris, France.
Michelle Jackson, part of the live band which played with the notorious Serge Gainsbourg (1979)
Moreover, Michelle Jackson performed background vocals on Jimmy Lindsay's reggae albums ''Where Is Your Love''' (1979) and ''Children Of Rastafari'' (1980).
Moving to New York in the early 1980s, she pursued her career as a session vocalist and collaborated with R&B and soul legends Evelyn "Champagne" King, Luther Vandross, Harry Belafonte and Mtume.
In late 1985, she was a backup singer for Nik Kershaw during his televised appearance on the Royal Variety Performance.
In 1984, under contract with Other End Records, she released as ''Michelle Gold'' the single "You Have Taken Control".
You Have Taken Control by Michelle Gold (1984)
In 1985, the British-Dutch label Palace Records put out the soul single ''Lost In Love'', featuring Grover Washington Jr. on Saxophone, produced by Butch Ingram.
Lost In Love by Michelle Gold (1985)
Two other solo singles followed: ''Oh Suzy'' (1986) and ''Give Me The Time'' (1988).
Oh Suzy by Michelle Gold (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 Luv's new line-up (featuring Marga Scheide, Diana van Berlo and Michelle Gold).
De Telegraaf - August 14th, 1989: Luv's new trio
Click here to read the article online
Marga's partner, record producer Jacques Zwart (also known as E. Mergency), helped choose a new repertoire inspired by the catchy sound of "Stock, Aitken & Waterman". English producer Nigel Wright supervised the recording sessions. He was a former member of the legendary Jazz-funk band Shakatak and a music scene veteran known for producing hit records for Mirage, Enigma, Imagination, and numerous acts. The first single by the new Luv' was the Dance-pop track "Welcome To My Party", released in October 1989 by High Fashion Dance Music/Dureco. The song was written by John van Katwijk (who previously worked with Patricia Paay), Marcel Schimscheimer (who collaborated with René Froger), and Ronald Sommer.
Diana, Marga & Michelle aka Luv' (1989)
Photo edited by Marco Rens
The newly formed trio made their live debut at the Four Roses Discotheque in front of a select audience in Hilversum on September 10th, 1989.
Article about the new Luv's launch published on September 14th, 1989
A few days later, on September 29th, 1989, the viewers watched the first TV performance of the "new" Luv' on the TROS program "De Grote Clubshow".
Here's what Diana remembered of her first TV show with Luv': "I remember my first TV performance vividly. It was on "De Grote Clubshow" on TROS. I was aware that Gloria Estefan was scheduled to perform on the same program. It was a wonderful experience to appear on a show alongside such a great star. During the show's airing, I was in Sri Lanka for a TV special, so unfortunately, I couldn't share that moment with my family. I later heard that my mother and sisters had cried tears of joy when they saw me on TV and were incredibly proud of me".
My Luv' friend, Martin Vink, met Diana and Michelle for the first time backstage during the TV show's taping on September 16th, 1989.
Photo courtesy of Martin Vink:
Diana van Berlo, Martin Vink & Michelle Gold
The Dutch and Flemish press again paid attention to Luv' thanks to the group's new line-up and the "Welcome To My Party" release.
Press clippings (click on the pictures to enlarge them):
Algemeen Dagblad - August 28th, 1989: Luv' to Sri Lanka for the taping of the AVRO's program "Muziek In Natura"
Click here to read the article online
Veronica Magazine - September 23rd, 1989: Luv' is back
Hitkrant, October 14th, 1989
Joepie, October 15th, 1989
Source: Toen gisteren nog vandaag was
Algemeen Dagblad - October 16th, 1989: Luv's renaissance
Click here to read the article
Story (Flemish edition) - October 17th, 1989
De Telegraaf, October 20th, 1989: Luv' on their way to success
Click here to read the article online
Luv' having a beauty treatment - Story (late 1989)
"Welcome To My Party" did not achieve the success of Luv's classic hits recorded by the original trio but it kept the girls busy. They promoted their record in the media, performed it on TV and toured the club circuit in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.
Photo edited by Marco Rens
The song remained a part of Luv's legacy, as it was included in the setlist for live performances between 2016 and 2019, during which the group featured Ria Thielsch and Chimène van Oosterhout.
Luv' and the Dureco Team at a music trade fair in Hilversum (1989)
The release and the presence of "Welcome To My Party" on the charts were announced on the November 11th, 1989 issue of the Pan-European trade magazine "Music & Media".
Music & Media - November 11th, 1989
Chart performance
Although "Welcome To My Party" didn’t reach the commercial heights of Luv’s late 1970s hits, it became a Dutch and Flemish Top 30 hit, selling 10,000 copies in the Low Countries by the end of 1989.
🇳🇱 #19 on the Nationale Hitparade Top 100 (Netherlands)
Debut date: October 14th, 1989 - Weeks on chart: 10
🇳🇱 #22 on the Dutch Top 40 (Netherlands)
Debut date: October 21st, 1989 - Weeks on chart: 5
🇧🇪 #28 on the BRT Top 30 (Belgium)
Debut date: November 18th, 1989 - Weeks on chart: 2
🇧🇪 #39 on the Ultratop Flanders - Top 50 (Belgium)
Debut date: December 2nd, 1989 - Weeks on chart: 1
TV Performances
September 29th, 1989: Grote Clubshow (TROS), Netherlands
October 20th, 1989: Linda (TROS), Netherlands
October 20th, 1989: Performance and interview with Luv' (Patty Brard present as well) on Berg (RTL-Véronique), Netherlands
October 21st, 1989: Welcome To My Party (music video) on 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: Welcome To My Party, Medley and interview with Marga Scheide on Hits Uit Holland (RTL-Véronique), Netherlands
November 11th, 1989: St Maarten: The Friendly Island (Veronica), Netherlands
December 18th, 1989: I Don't Wanna Be Lonely, A Girl Like Me and Welcome To My Party on Muziek in Natura (AVRO), Netherlands
July 11th, 1990: Rerun of St Maarten: The Friendly Island (Veronica), Netherlands
Tracklisting and release
Welcome To My Party
Released by High Fashion Dance Music / Dureco in October 1989
7" vinyl single - two versions:
Version 1:
A side: Welcome To My Party (J.v. Katwijk, M. Schimscheimer, R. Sommer) - 3:00
B side: No Cure No Pay (E. Mergency) - 3:39
Co-produced by Nigel Wright and John Smits
Photo by Govert de Roos
Version 2:
A side: Welcome To My Party (J.v. Katwijk, M. Schimscheimer, R. Sommer) - 3:00
B side: Medley (Janschen & Janschens) - 5:16
Medley co-produced by Margret
12" vinyl single:
A side: Welcome To My Party (Party House Mix) - 6:01 / Welcome To My Party (Acapella) - 1:32
B side: Medley (Greatest Lover/Trojan Horse/Yes I Do/Casanova /U.O.Me) - 7:14
CD Maxi-single:
Welcome To My Party (J. v. Karwijk, M. Schimscheimer, R. Sommer) - 3:00
Welcome To My Party (12 Inch Version - J. v. Karwijk, M. Schimscheimer, R. Sommer) - 6:21
No Cure No Pay (E. Mergency) - 3:39
Filipino edition - ToCo International – 1990
"Welcome To My Party" is available on major digital platforms (including YouTube, Apple Music, Amazon, Spotify & Deezer).
* Bibliography:
Top 40 Hitdossier 1956-2005 (9e editie) by Johan van Slooten, publ: Gottmer Bech
* Source: Luv' weblog archives, Wikipedia, Discogs.com, 45cat, Dutchcharts.nl, Beeld en geluid, Delpher, YouTube, Marco Rens, Martin Vink, Toen gisteren nog vandaag was...
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