José @ VOLENDAM van het ZUIDEN

José Hoebee will be performing at "VOLENDAM van het ZUIDEN", a festival which takes place at the Boerenbondsmuseum in Gemert, NL on June 21st (between 10.30 A.M and 7.00 P.M).

Info: http://volendamvanhetzuiden.nl/

Source: Facebook (Laura van den Elzen)

Interview with José on Wekker-Wakker-Weekend!

Jan Rietman & José

Today, José Hoebee was the guest of Jan Rietman on his morning radio show "Wekker-Wakker-Weekend!"on NPO Radio 5 Nostalgia. 

The artist discussed the usual subjects: her family background, her debut with her sisters and a friend in a folk group, her Luv' years, her ups and downs, the recently published book "The Story of Luv"....She called Nelleke Koen (executive producer at Dutch public broadcaster Omroep MAX) her "best friend". Nelleke took care of José three years ago when she was in trouble. After the death of her husband, record producer Will Hoebee and the break-up of Luv', she had financial difficulties and got herself into a hole.

When asked "how happy" she was, the ex-Luv' singer answered: "I try to do my best...I'm surrounded by very good friends but when I'm home, I'm still lonely". 

She also told that she planned to perform again. 

The playlist of the program features songs by Harry Nilsson, Hans Vermeulen ("the best singer of the world" according to the songstress), Paul Anka, Andrew Sisters, Roger Daltrey (of The Who), David Soul and Raffaella Carrà...

Facebook friend Karin Angeleyes posted the radio interview on YouTube. I would like to thank her!

You can also listen to the program by clicking here. 

Source: NPO Radio 5 Nostalgia, Facebook (Karin Angeleyes)

José on "Wekker-Wakker-Weekend!"

On May 16th, José Hoebee will be Jan Rietman's guest on his radio show "Wekker-Wakker-Weekend!" (on NPO Radio 5 Nostalgia which airs between 6.00 and 10.00 a.m).

Info: click here

Source: Facebook (Jos Theuns), Omroep Max/NPO Radio 5

José in "Stars of 80s Dance Pop - The European Edition"

American author and Facebook friend James Arena published a book entitled "Stars of 80s Dance Pop - The European Edition" (see news posted on March 9th, 2015). He interviewed more than 50 European Dance-pop artists from the 1980s including Pete Burns of Dead or Alive, Sabrina Salerno, Thomas Anders of Modern Talking, Spagna, Amii Stewart, Ryan Paris, Caroline Loeb, Desireless, Fab Morvan of Milli Vanilli, Leee John of Imagination, Liz Mitchell of Boney M., Hazell Dean, Yazz, Jo Bogaert of Technotronic, Taco, Mai Tai and  Hollywood entertainer Mel Brooks. All the artists have one thing in common. They scored big post disco hits in Old Europe in the 1980s. 

The book also features the former lead singer of Luv': José Hoebee. The songstress discussed her glory years as a member of Holland's greatest girl group and as a solo artist.

This is how James described Luv': "Bridging the swinging '70s and the electro-edgy 80s with their effervescent dance-pop sound, the music of the Dutch female trio known as Luv' became one of Holland's top exports. The group, which featured lead vocals by José Hoebee, is reported to have sold more than seven million records worldwide. Distinguished by sweet harmonies and uplifting melodies, such as their breakthrough 1978 disco hit "You're the Greatest Lover", Luv' was an international phenomenon".

Here's what José said about several issues:

On her recruitment as a Luv' singer: "I met Piet Souer (Champagne, Doris D. & The Pins, Vanessa), who was an arranger. We became friends and he asked me if I was interested in being in a commercial group with two other singers....I thought maybe it was worth trying as a way of furthering my music career...."

On Luv's debut: "At first, the group's producer, Hans van Hemert, wanted to do a three-girl group like The Ronettes and The Shangri-Las....They realized The Shangri-Las' sound wouldn't work and the new sound of Luv' came from that need for something more contemporary".

On the trio's image: "We had a sexy image, but we were never vulgar, I think because we maintained a very tasteful style, we were always treated with respect".

On the lack of success in the UK and the USA (despite their popularity in Continental Europe): "It would have been great if we had been picked up in America and England but I think the lyrics to our songs may have been too simple for those markets."

On her solo career: "It was difficult at first....The producers didn't want to change the way I sang from the way I sounded with Luv', so, as a result, my first song "I'm so sorry" failed to make the charts in Holland...I took a different approach on my next song "I Will Follow Him"....It was completely accepted, going all the way to number 1". 

On her duo with Bonnie St. Claire: "Our voices really sounded good together. It was suggested that we do a recording together, so we did an album of ABBA covers, translated in Dutch. I recall our manager asked Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA if he'd like to make a comment about the album on TV....Björn agreed on the condition that he had to, of course, like the album once he heard it. He gave us the most glowing recommendation, saying how proud he was that we were singing their songs in Dutch. It was the biggest compliment I ever received."

If you're curious about the other comments of José, you can buy one copy of the book by clicking here.

I would like to thank James for his Herculean work and José for her generosity.

José on Sterrencarrousel

 José & Marco de Hollander

Yesterday, José was interviewed by Marco de Hollander on his radio show "Sterrencarrousel" (on Sterren.nl). The singer discussed the highlights of her career (her #1 hit "I Will Follow Him", her duets with Ron Brandsteder and Bonnie St. Claire, her Luv' era, Luv's photo book...). She also told that she planned to perform on stage again.

Source: Sterren.nl, Facebook (José Hoebee, Co Rnz, Jennifer Bostelaar, Jos Theuns), Marco de Hollander's Twitter account, 

José's Facebook message about the release of "The Story of Luv"

In show business, never say never. Recently, José told that she would never post any message on Facebook after Patty Brard's criticism about Luv's photo book (see news posted on Luv's blog).  But the singer changed her mind. Yesterday, the press launch of this long-awaited publication took place in Hilversum (see article posted on Luv's blog).

Here's what José wrote about it on Facebook:

"Today was fantastic....So many kind people...The press was very positive....By the way, it has to be positive. A beautiful book...My dear friend Hans Klok made a kind presentation. Showbiz friends who followed our career and who thought it was a good event. Everybody likes the book....Not a bad scrapbook...I've heard from professionals that the book is very good....Peter could not have a better compliment....Thank you Peter...XXX."

Source: José Hoebee's Facebook Page