Although it was a mainstream success, this beautiful cover (produced by Hans Vermeulen and Will Hoebee) is still appreciated by the fans. Click here for information on this underestimated single.
Forty years ago precisely, December 5th, 1981 saw a milestone in José Hoebee's career when her debut solo single "I'm So Sorry" entered the Dutch Tipparade (the Bubbling Under Top 40 chart). Let's celebrate the 40th anniversary of José's solo career!!! Click here to read a detailed article about this special event.
Source: Luvgirlgroup.com
Angela Groothuizen (of Dolly Dots), Ilse DeLange, Frans Bauer and Gerard Joling are on the jury. Jody Pijper sang "Desperado" (a song by The Eagles). All chairs of the jury members (except Angela Groothuizen's one) turned around.
Even though José is still offline two years after announcing her illness, she posted her reaction through her fan page on Facebook. Here's what the former Luv' singer wrote: "Dear friends, I am still busy with health issues. However, I want to tell you something. I've watched The Voice Senior. And who was performing? Jody Pijper, the best singer in my opinion. I'm not the only one who thinks that. She was a background singer with a unique sound. She also had her own hits in addition to her vocals for famous artists. Every member of the jury turned around. Gerard shouted "Hey Jody!" before the rest turned around. Except for one who explained that her singing was too "insecure". Hallooo...Jody is an icon who is very experienced. My requirement for my solo projects was: "I want Jody and Hans Vermeulen for backup vocals". I think this remark was very arrogant and I don't understand it. I'm not deaf so it's a very unfair comment. Sorry, I had to say it...Lots of Love, José".
Among all the projects Jody Pijper took part in were the world-famous Stars on 45 records in the early 1980s. In 1985, she recorded background vocals on Bonnie St Claire & José Hoebee's legendary album "Herinnering" (including Dutch cover versions of ABBA songs). In 1999, José and Jody recorded the Dutch version of the soundtrack of Jellabies (an Australian children's animated television series). In 2018, both ladies and many other artists performed in a musical tribute to Hans Vermeulen. Read the article posted on April 8th, 2018: All About LUV' (past, present, future and more): Musical tribute to Hans Vermeulen (featuring José Hoebee) (luvgirlgroup.blogspot.com)
Montage by Marco Rens
Earlier today, the media announced Don Everly's death at age 84. This rock ‘n’ roll pioneer was part of The Everly Brothers with his brother Phil who passed away in 2014.
Will Hoebee and Don Everly
Don and his younger brother Phil were in the first group to be inaugurated in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1986, alongside Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Buddy Holly and Jerry Lee Lewis. Their family harmonies set them apart, as did an out-of-time gentleness: the Everly Brothers’ well-crafted songs floated between country and city and moved with the rhythms of a dream.
In a five-year span from 1957 to 1962, they had 15 top 10 hits on the US Billboard Hot 100, among them: “Bye Bye Love”, which launched them; “All I Have to Do Is Dream,” written by Boudleaux Bryant; and “Cathy’s Clown,” which was a No. 1 hit in 1960 and a No. 1 country hit for Reba McEntire in 1989.
Bye Bye Love by The Everly Brothers
Their harmonies influenced the Beatles and Simon & Garfunkel in the 1960s, and a decade later, their Appalachian roots inspired country rockers like Gram Parsons and Linda Ronstadt, who had a hit covering their “When Will I Be Loved” in 1972.
The Everly Brothers were among José Hoebee's musical heroes and inspirations. The former Luv' singer mentioned them in interviews. On July 1st, 2014, as she talked to Sonja van Stek on her radio show "Lunchpakket" on Bingo FM, José said that she dreamt of recording a duet with Don Everly.
Read the article posted on July 1st, 2014: All About LUV' (past, present, future and more): José: interview on Bingo FM (luvgirlgroup.blogspot.com)
"Don once performed in the Netherlands. He went solo as he was not on speaking terms with Phil. Fortunately, they were reconciled later. Don knew Will (Hoebee) from Nashville, where he recorded music with Saskia and Serge and invited us to his concert in the Netherlands. We even saw him backstage. What a pity we don't have pictures of this moment. I've always been a huge fan of The Everly Brothers," José told Marco Rens and me when asked to react to Don's passing.
Our condolences go to Don's family, friends and fans.
Source: The Guardian, Rolling Stones, Los Angeles Times, Marco Rens...
On August 8th, José Hoebee's Fan Page on Facebook posted a message to confirm that the singer was "still offline and not ready to answer all the private messages she received" nearly two years after the announcement of her illness. However, the fan page informed that José was "touched by all the kind DMs she got but could not answer them due to her ill health". It added that when she felt better, she would reactivate her personal Facebook page. The administrators insisted that they would not answer personal questions about her health.
Shortly afterwards, Dutch websites specialized in celebrity gossips "Shownieuws.nl", "DitjesenDatjes.nl", and "Story.nl" reported the message of José Hoebee's Fan Page.
Source: José Hoebee's Fan Page (Facebook), Shownieuws, Ditjes en Datjes, Story...
José was surprised when she received a copy of Bonnie's recent biography. "Bonnie and I haven't been in contact for years. I don't know the real reason. Maybe it is due to her husband Anne Jan, maybe not. But one thing is sure: we haven't talked for years. That's why I was shocked when I got a copy of her book. Her manager sent it to me, but Bonnie must know it. I consider it a first sign to get in touch again. In her book, she's very positive about us. Only beautiful memories of fantastic times, and she gently wrote them. I was so happy about it," José told Story.
The former Luv' singer is not in good shape one year and a half after the group's break-up. She retired from show business in her native little town, Best. She has no energy to get up for two hours daily. She was supposed to attend the "Hans Klok & Friends" premiere with Marga Scheide, but she cancelled her presence at the last minute. "I felt pain. Such an afternoon was too much for me. It's a pity because I consider Hans, a dear friend of mine. I still have my oral tic. Fortunately, I don't lose weight anymore. But eating is still difficult. I eat space food, and I mix it with cake. So I can maintain my weight," José explained. "I have an appointment at a health centre specialized in tics in Eindhoven. There's an eight-week waiting list. I have to be patient. I hope they'll be able to help me. It would change my life," she added.
"It would be so nice if Bonnie and I could meet again. We spent so many good years together. The two of us with our husbands. Albert (her then-spouse) and Will even ran a company together. I want our friendship back," José said.
Recently, Bonnie reacted to José's comments. The blonde singer told Story that it took her years to overcome her own problems (alcohol, family...) and that she was not angry at José. "I feel good when I hear that. But the ball's in Bonnie court now. I am waiting for her call," José replied.
Click on the images to enlarge them:
Source: Story, Weekend, José Hoebee Fan Page (Facebook), Co Rnz
