Her father realized it early. Daughter José should become an artist, she is not good for anything else, he said. Sixty years later, that daughter and former member of girl group Luv ‘, José Hoebee (70), can still laugh at it very much. “He was absolutely right and I never wanted to miss it.”
Omroep Brabant Radio is all about the seventies this weekend. It was at the time that Luv ‘originated and in no time stormed numerous stages and charts in the Netherlands and far beyond borders.
One of the three women who were part of the original (and most successful) composition was José Hoebee, who then bore her maiden name of De Wijdeven. As a young Grietje, she was singing on the balcony of the parental home in Best Music by Aretha Franklin in the hope of being discovered.
In 1976 the born and raised Eindhoven pier Souer spotted her during a talent show with her sisters Yvonne and Marijke and their best friend, Ad van Genechten.
It was precisely during that period that Hans van Hemert, Souers Compagnon and a highly appreciated composer, was looking for a girl group. He already had a dark woman (Patty Brard) and was still looking for additions. Souer, who later became indispensable for Luv, “Van Hemert pointed to José. However, the best refused to give up her dark locks. Twice she dared to say no to the metamorphosis, after which Van Hemert still tacked. After that, Blondine (Marga Scheide) was also tied.
“I don’t want to be arrogant, but I was the only singer.”
Van Hemert, the conductor and arranger who died last year, also had to add water to the wine in another area. “When singing the songs, I was initially always skipped. I always had to notice that apparently I was not the most attractive to the general public, while I was closest to our fans, “says José in an exclusive radio interview with Omroep Brabant. “I don’t want to happen to arrogant, but I was the only singer of the three.”
Also read: Composer, conductor and arranger Harry van Hoof (81) died
Seventies at Omroep Brabant Radio
Omroep Brabant Radio goes back in time on Saturday and Sunday. In the ’70’s weekend’ only music is played from the seventies. Memories are also collected with games and fragments. And of course the listeners can also have their say.
On Saturday evening the feet of the floor, with a special program, can be made from 6 pm to 10 pm: “Daaian & Sjaaan.” For those who have not yet had enough of this period, a great bouncer will wait on Sunday afternoon. Between 12:00 and 18:00 you can listen to the seventies iconic records of the seventies.
Of course Luv ‘had to have it from the music, but the eye also wants something, José agrees. “Yet we were fairly prudish at the time. The buttons remained closed. We were therefore more legs than breast girls. That was difficult when we were asked to appear in Waldolala. ”
Waiting for privacy settings …
Waldolala was the name of a nightclub in a controversial series on TV, from the VPRO, and then the viewer knew what time it was at the time. José: “We have made agreements about our performance and it helped us well.” The song in which the nightclub was called, Uome, became a huge hit. And José’s personal favorite, in addition to singles such as The Greatest Lover and The Trojan Horse.
After five years, Patty thought it was enough. On her departure, José does not want to stand still for too long. All the more so, because afterwards she managed to manifest herself as a soloist (I Will Follow Him) and with Ron Brandsteder and Bonny St. Claire. And there were also some comebacks with, among others, Marga Scheide, her girlfriend for life.
“Isn’t it the only thing that you will be recognized after all these years?”
Moreover, the tone was set for other girl groups, such as the Dolly Dots, Mai Tai and Centerfold. José, laughing: “Many groups have tried to imitate us, but she did not succeed. I look back with great pleasure and pride and I think it is the only thing that I am still recognized after all these years and may give a signature. ” In the meantime, the music continues: a new CD with old songs will be released soon.