35 years ago: With Luv' from Dubai...

Ralph Ruiz
il y a 1 heure
4 min de lecture

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

Luv' and Marines in Dubai (December 1990)

Photo edited by Marco Rens

Thirty-five years ago, exactly, on December 14, 1990, Luv' (featuring Marga Scheide as the only original member with Diana van Berlo and Carina Lemoine) gave a memorable show in Dubai to entertain Dutch marines involved in the First Gulf War. It was a milestone in the trio's career. Here's the story of this unique performance.

One year prior to this event, Marga revived Luv’ without Patty Brard and José Hoebee and trademarked the group’s name. She then recruited two new members: 23-year-old Diana van Berlo from Helmond, the Netherlands, and 28-year-old Michelle Gold from London, UK.

Luv' in 1989: Diana van Berlo, Marga Scheide, and Michelle Gold

Original photo by Govert de Roos

Edited by Marco Rens

This new line-up scored a Top 30 hit in Holland and Belgium in the autumn of 1989 with the dance-pop single "Welcome To My Party". In November 1989, Luv's mini-album "For You" was released by High Fashion Dance Music/Dureco.

Front cover of "For You" - released by Dureco Records in November 1989

Photo by Govert de Roos

In addition to the chart hit "Welcome To My Party", this EP included three other songs released as singles, all of which flopped: "I Don't Wanna Be Lonely", "Girl Like Me", and "Medley" (also titled Luv Hit-Medley).

Luv' in Hitkrant - February 10, 1990

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Though the ladies never achieved the level of success of the original trio, they toured the club circuit and appeared frequently on TV. In July 1990, Michelle Gold was replaced by 21-year-old Carina Lemoine.

Luv' (Carina Lemoine, Diana van Berlo, and Marga Scheide) in 1990

The announcement of Carina as Luv’s new singer coincided with the expiration of the trio’s contract with Dureco Records and the signing of a new deal with RCA Records.

The re-formed Luv’ subsequently recorded a Latin pop single entitled "Hasta Mañana," written and produced by Marga Scheide and her partner Jacques Zwart (also known as E. Mergency). In the autumn of 1990, Luv’ promoted the song extensively in the media, including television appearances on Sportgala (Veronica), Tineke (Veronica), and 5 Uur Show (RTL 4). Despite this level of exposure, the single failed to enter the charts.

Front cover of the 7" single of Hasta Mañana by Luv'

Released by RCA Records in October 1990

Former Luv' singer Ria Thielsch (who worked in the fashion industry) was in charge of the group's styling for this single.

Ria Thielsch and Luv' backstage at Veronica's Sportgala taped at the Eurocircuit in Valkenswaard (1990)

As the girl group was experiencing changes, the world was facing a major crisis: the Gulf War.

The Gulf War (August 2, 1990 – February 28, 1991) was a war waged by coalition forces from 35 nations led by the United States against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait, arising from oil pricing and production disputes. It was divided into two key phases: Operation Desert Shield (August 2, 1990 – January 17, 1991) for the buildup of troops and the defense of Saudi Arabia, and Operation Desert Storm (January 17, 1991 – February 28, 1991) for its combat phase.

Among the countries involved in the coalition against Saddam Hussein's army was the Netherlands. The Dutch warships that took part in the conflict were Kortenaer-class frigates, HNLMS Pieter Florisz, HNLMS Philips van Almonde, Jacob van Heemskerck-class frigates, HNLMS Witte de With, and HNLMS Jacob van Heemskerck.

The Luv' girls were officially invited by the Dutch community based in Dubai, in association with Joop van de Ende productions and the Koninklijke Marine (Royal Netherlands Navy), to entertain the marines. They followed in the footsteps of The Andrews Sisters, Vera Lynn, Marlene Dietrich, Josephine Baker, Marilyn Monroe, and Raquel Welch, who had already sung for soldiers.

The Andrews Sisters

Vera Lynn

Josephine Baker

Marlene Dietrich

Marilyn Monroe

Raquel Welch

Ten years before Luv', another Dutch girl group had already performed for soldiers: Babe. In April 1980, this trio performed for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

De Telegraaf - April 10, 1980: Babe in Lebanon

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De Telegraaf - April 28, 1980

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De Telegraaf - April 29, 1980

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Privé (1980)

Babe: Never Listen To A Bouzouki Player (filmed in Lebanon in 1980)

In 2017, the former Babe singer Gemma van Eck met UNIFIL veterans and spent a nice moment with them.

In late November 1990, the announcement of Luv's Christmas show for the Marines generated significant media coverage.

De Telegraaf - November 29, 1990

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Nieuwsblad van het Noorden- November 29, 1990

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Het vrĳe volk - November 29, 1990: Luv' to the Gulf

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Limburgsch dagblad - November 30, 1990

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On December 13, 1990, Marga, Diana, and Carina flew to Dubai.

De Telegraaf - December 14, 1990

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On December 14, 1990, Luv' gave their special show for the Dutch boys at the Hyatt Hotel in Dubai. The three singers expressed satisfaction with this performance in interviews. The icing on the cake was the front page of De Telegraaf.