Visual charm on TV: Lots of Luv' Special (45th anniversary)

Photo courtesy of © Official Luv' Fan Page (Facebook)

Forty-five years ago exactly, on July 13th, 1979, TROS/Nederland 1 TV channel aired a 20-minute special entitled "Lots of Luv'", named after the group's second LP. José Hoebee, Marga Scheide and Patty Brard were visual delights for viewers and took advantage of their charisma to rise to fame.

After the first special (All You Need Is Luv') broadcast in late 1978, things were getting better for the ladies. After being successful in their homeland, the girl trio became a household name in Continental Europe, Israel, South Africa, Rhodesia and New Zealand, thanks to the international success of their hit singles (You're the Greatest Lover, Trojan Horse and Casanova) and their albums (With Luv' and Lots of Luv').

Before the Lots of Luv' show was telecast and despite the worldwide success, the future of the girl group and their Pygmalion, record producer Hans van Hemert, seemed uncertain behind the scenes. Hans and his protégées were not on good terms with their record company, Phonogram/Philips.

In the Spring of 1979, the Dutch media confirmed the creation of an independent limited company (INTERLUV' B.V) to control the distribution of the trio's records inspired by ABBA's example. The Luv' singers, their record producers (Hans van Hemert and Piet Souer) and manager Pim ter Linde were InterLUV's shareholders.

Hans van Hemert expressed concerns about the group's record label decisions and announced his departure from Phonogram, showing a desire to work more in the international music market. The departure was confirmed in an interview published in Holland's most-read newspaper, De Telegraaf, on July 7th, 1979.

"After we released our latest recording "Casanova", the record label decided to put out an old track from the LP. Look, a lot of people already have listened to this song on the album. If it's released as a single, people will say: "maybe Luv' is not good enough to release new things". If this song doesn't reach a high position on the hit parade, I'm afraid the public will think we are not doing a good job. The ladies won't be able to promote it well if they go on holidays. However, there'll soon be a TV special where they perform this song." Hans said.

"The situation frightens me. The girls are afraid, too. They fear the follow-up single to Casanova might not be a big success. We are not happy. We didn't expect that such a thing was possible without informing us. It's not a happy end and nor good for a probable collaboration with Phonogram in the future, " Hans added.

"If you've been working at Phonogram for fifteen years like me, you're treated like furniture. That's the reason why I'm leaving. As an artist, I need new challenges and atmosphere," the Pop Maestro explained.

Luv's father had a clear vision for Luv' and his artist roster. "I want to work more in the international marketplace. Luv' sells records in more than forty countries. Each of their records in Germany has reached the hit parade and sold millions of copies. They have started noticing them in England and don't know them yet in the U.S.A. I want to focus on the American market. I want to work with a specific label in the Benelux to release the records of my artists, including Luv'. Moreover, for each of my productions, I want to sign deals per country with labels which will do their best to promote them. In the past, my artists released their records with Phonogram-related companies abroad. Sometimes, it was good. Sometimes, local subsidiaries could have done a better job in certain countries. If Luv' wants to conquer America, I better work with the label which will put its heart into promoting them. The record company, which will propose ten shows on American national TV and an advertisement campaign for 200.000 dollars, will get Luv'', Hans asserted.

De Telegraaf - July 7th, 1979: Hans van Hemert and Luv' leaving Phonogram

Click here to read the article online

The July 5th, 1979 issue of Hitkrant magazine featured a short article about Hans van Hemert's departure from Phonogram.

Hitkrant - July 5th, 1979: Hans van Hemert wants to broaden his horizons

The Lots of Luv' special was taped at the Ponypark in Slagharen, the Netherlands. It was produced by John de Mol (Endemol and Talpa's founder, who later became Marga Scheide's lover) in association with Interlinde Management (Pim ter Linde's company) and Variety Productions.

Photos of rehearsals for the Lots of Luv' TV show:

The Dutch press published articles to announce the program's broadcast.

Zwoslche Courant - July 13th, 1979: Attractive Luv' easily to the top

Nieuwsblad van het Noorden - July 13th, 1979

Click here to read the article online

Nieuwe Winterswijksche courant - July 13th, 1979: The day José of Luv' was terrified

The big stunt of the TV special was a hot-air balloon ride with the Luv' singers. José didn't enjoy this experience as she suffered from a fear of heights.

Click here to read the article online

The Lots of Luv' special started with a medley of their greatest hits from the previous year (U.O.Me, Eres Mi Mejor Amante (the Spanish version of You're the Greatest Lover) and Trojan Horse). During this medley, Luv's impressive records sales, peak positions on the international charts and gold and platinum records were shown.

U.O.Me/ Eres Mi Mejor Amante medley from "Lots of Luv'"

The TV show also featured songs from their second album, "Lots of Luv'": D.J, Casanova, Marcellino, Shoes Off (Boots On), Eeny Meeny Miny Moe and I.M.U.R.

On August 2nd, 1979, TROS/Nederland 1 reran Lots of Luv'.

In 2006, the TV special was included on the Back In Luv’ DVD.

Credits:

Clothing: Carla van der Vorst, T. Schuhmacher

Music and lyrics: Janschen & Janschens

Edit: Theo Kasteel

Direction: Guus Verstraete Jr.

Production: Interlinde Management, John de Mol Jr. Productions, Variety Productions

Source: Luv' weblog archives, Delpher.nl,