Photo edited by Marco Rens
Exactly thirty-five years ago, on January 6th, 1990, the charity single "Starmaker" by the All Stars—a supergroup that included Luv' and other artists—entered the Dutch singles chart known as the "Nationale Top 100" (now called the Singles Top 100). Here's the story of this often-overlooked record, which celebrates its 35th anniversary.
History
In September 1989, Luv' made a comeback with a new lineup. Marga Scheide was the only original member, joined by Diana van Berlo and Michelle Gold, who replaced José Hoebee and Patty Brard, respectively. In early October 1989, the group released a dance-pop single titled "Welcome To My Party", produced by British producer Nigel Wright and heavily influenced by the iconic sound of "Stock, Aitken & Waterman". Although the song did not achieve the commercial success of Luv's late 1970s hits, it reached #19 on the Nationale Hitparade Top 100 and #22 on the Dutch Top 40 in the Netherlands, as well as #28 on the Flemish BRT Top 30 and #39 on the Ultratop Flanders in Belgium.
Luv's 1989 trio: Diana van Berlo, Marga Scheide & Michelle Gold
Photo edited by Marco Rens
In November 1989, Luv' released their mini-album "For You" through High Fashion Dance Music/Dureco. This record included four songs that were released as singles: the above-mentioned chart hit "Welcome to My Party", as well as "I Don't Wanna Be Lonely", "Girl Like Me", and "Medley" (also known as the LUV Hit-Medley).
Front cover of Luv's mini-album "For You" (1989)
Shortly after, Franky Rampen, also known as Justian, who was part of the duo "Justian & Mandy" alongside former Frizzle Sizzle singer Mandy Huydts, launched a project aimed at raising money for children in the developing world. This initiative was inspired by previous internationally acclaimed charity records, such as "Do They Know It's Christmas?" by Band Aid (1984) and "We Are the World" by U.S.A for Africa (1985).
Band Aid - Do They Know It's Christmas? (Official Video - 1984)
U.S.A. For Africa - We Are the World (Official Video - 1985)
Marga's partner, record producer Jacques Zwart, assembled a supergroup that featured Luv', Justian & Mandy, and various Dutch pop acts. This ensemble included Desirée, aka Desray, who later became a member of the well-known Eurodance group "2 Brothers on the 4th Floor', popular internationally in the 1990s, as well as MC Miker G, known for his work in the rap duo "MC Miker G & DJ Sven", which gained international fame with the hit "Holiday Rap" in 1986. The group also included Marjon, who represented the Netherlands at the 1986 Eurovision Song Contest as a member of Frizzle Sizzle, along with Nando and Oscare, Jetty Weels' solo stage name following her success in the Low Countries and abroad with the girl group "Mai Tai" in the 1980s. The female pop group "Sisters", also produced by Jacques Zwart, completed the lineup of this all-star ensemble. Together, these talented artists collaborated on a cover of "Starmaker", a song originally written by Bruce Roberts and Carole Bayer Sager for Roberts' self-titled 1977 album. The track gained widespread recognition in 1982 when it was released as a single by the Kids from "Fame", the musical group from the Fame TV series, inspired by the 1980 film of the same name. The Kids from Fame's rendition of "Starmaker" became a major hit, reaching No. 1 in Ireland, breaking into the Top 5 in the UK and the Netherlands, the Top 10 in Belgium, and the Top 20 in New Zealand.
Starmaker by The Kids from Frame (1982)
The December 4th, 1989, edition of the Dutch daily newspaper Algemeen Dagblad featured a brief article about the All Stars' single, whose proceeds were earmarked for donation to the Dutch branch of Terre des Hommes, an international children's rights charity based in The Hague. "We have high expectations for this track and hope to bring them joy with a substantial contribution," said Justian, the project's initiator.
Algemeen Dagblad - December 4th, 1989: Artists for a good cause
Click here to read the article online
TV performances
The All Stars performed 'Starmaker' on several Christmas and holiday season TV shows on Dutch national TV in late 1989.
Unknown broadcast date (December 1989): Hits Uit Holland (RTL-Véronique), Netherlands
Unknown broadcast date (December 1989): Passage (NCRV), Netherlands
Unknown broadcast date (late December 1989): on B.O.O.S (Veronica), Netherlands
Unknown broadcast date (late December 1989): Songbook (NCRV), Netherlands
Starmaker by the All Stars (2 broadcasts of Hits uit Holland on RTL Veronique, Songbook on NCRV, B.O.O.S. on Veronica)
December 27th, 1989: Dag Tachtig (Veronica/Nederland 2), Netherlands
Commercial performance
The charity single "Starmaker" by the All Stars did not achieve the desired results. It entered the Tipparade (Bubbling Under Top 40) at #26 on December 23rd, 1989. In the following week, it climbed to #20 and peaked at #18 on January 13th, 1990. It only remained on this list for three weeks, ultimately failing to chart on the Dutch Top 40.
On January 6th, 1990, this record entered the Dutch National Top 100 at #72 and reached #57 on January 20, 1990. It remained on this Dutch singles chart for four weeks
Tracklisting and release
Starmaker by The All Stars
Released as a 7" vinyl single and CD single by High Fashion Dance Music / Dureco in December 1989.
Starmaker by The All Stars (Roberts, Sager)
Air by Jacques Michel Orchestra (D. P. Bach, E. Mergency)
Credits:
Vocals: The All Stars (Luv', Justian & Mandy, Desirée, MC Miker G, Marjon, Nando, Oscare and Sisters)
Production by Jacques Zwart and Justian
Recorded and mixed at the Dureco Studio in Weesp, the Netherlands
Concept by Justian
Arrangements by Jacques Zwart
Photo by Gideon Productions
Back cover of "Starmaker" by The All Stars
Source: Discogs, 45cat, Delpher, YouTube, Wikipedia...
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