Commemorating 20 Years of "Alle Hits & Unieke Bonustracks" by José

In Loving memory of Will Hoebee, Benny Neyman, Pim Koopman, Hans Vermeulen, Harry van Hoof, Ron Brandsteder, and David Soul

Photo credits: Jos Theuns

Photo edited by Marco Rens

Twenty years ago, precisely, on September 24, 2005, José Hoebee marked a special moment with her fans during a gathering in Oirschot, the Netherlands: the release of her first and only CD compilation album to date, "Alle Hits & Unieke Bonustracks". This collection brought together her biggest hits, lesser-known recordings, and previously unreleased material. Today, we celebrate the 20th anniversary of that milestone. This was the one and only time José’s remarkable career outside of Luv' was properly celebrated, giving fans a unique opportunity to fully appreciate the scope of her work.

Background

From a musical standpoint, José Hoebee was the former Luv’ member who achieved the most notable musical success outside the group, both as a solo artist and as a duettist in the Netherlands and Flanders. Among her most popular recordings, all cover versions, are two solo hits: the chart-topping "I Will Follow Him" (1982) and "Secret Love" (1982).

José at the peak of her solo success in 1982

Due to the triumph of "I Will Follow Him," José was part of a prestigious list of artists (including John Lennon, George Michael, Mick Jagger, Michael Jackson, and Diana Ross) who had #1 hit singles in the Netherlands as members of a group and as solo singers. This list appeared in the 1997 edition of "500 Nr. 1 Hits uit de Top 40", a book written by Johan van Slooten and published by Gottmer Becht Groep:

Veronica Award for José's I Will Follow Him at #1 on the Dutch Top 40 (awarded on July 3, 1982)

José, the lucky winner of the 1983 Hitkrant award for "best Dutch female singer of 1982"

The songstress also scored three popular duets: "So Long, Marianne" with Ron Brandsteder (1984), as well as "Cassandra" (1984) and "Zoals Vrienden Doen" (1985) with Bonnie St Claire.

In 2003, after a well-received Luv’ reunion in the 1990s, José returned to the spotlight as a solo performer, following several years away from the entertainment industry. Just before this comeback, she had run a video rental shop, The Movie Store, in her hometown of Best near Eindhoven. She operated it for about 18 months before selling it in the summer of 2003.

Article about José Hoebee after she sold her video rental shop in 2003

On October 13, 2003, José attended the release party for the double CD compilation "25 Jaar Na Waldolala," celebrating the 25th anniversary of Luv’s breakthrough in Breda, the Netherlands. The event brought together Luv’s “godfather” Hans van Hemert, her husband Will Hoebee, Ria Thielsch (who replaced Patty Brard in Luv’ between 1980 and 1981), and René Moonen, founder of Luv’s first official fan club.

René Moonen, José Hoebee, Hans van Hemert, and Ria Thielsch at the release party of "25 Jaar Na Waldolala"

With the support of Corry Konings, a popular Dutch singer, and her booking agency, José decided to revive her singing career.

José Hoebee in 2003

Article about José's solo comeback (2003)

The singer began writing a weekly column for the now-defunct website Muziekmaken.nl, which she contributed to until 2006. In it, she shared anecdotes from her time with Luv’, commented on Dutch show business, and often responded to Patty Brard’s critical remarks in the media.

In early 2004, José released a dance-oriented cover of the Four Tops classic "Walk Away René" under the pseudonym Stuff. That same year, she recorded two tracks as a guest artist for "Marjan Berger Meets Doris Day", a tribute album dedicated to Doris Day.

José performing "Who’s Sorry Now", a track she recorded as a guest artist for the album "Marjan Berger Meets Doris Day", on the RTL 4 program "Lijn 4" in 2004.

In the summer of 2004, José and Will moved to Lommel, Belgium.

Algemeen Dagblad - September 10th, 2004: José escapes to Belgium

Click here to read the article online

Shortly afterward, José hosted a local music talent show called "Tijd Voor Muziek" on the Dutch channel VSM TV, a program produced by Will Hoebee.

José (like Patty) back on the small screen (2004)

José singing her signature song "I Will Follow Him" on Tijd Voor Muziek (2004)

In November 2004, a secret meeting took place between René Moonen (the initiator of "25 Jaar Na Waldolala"), the three original Luv' members, and Hans van Hemert. They discussed the possibility of a reconciliation and potential comeback. Unfortunately, shortly thereafter, during an appearance on "Jensen!," a late-night talk show on RTL 5, Patty appeared somewhat inebriated and insulted José, causing the plans for a reunion to collapse.

Hans van Hemert and his Luv' protégées' secret meeting in late 2004

On December 13, 2004, José also took part in a high-profile moment in Dutch entertainment: serving as a witness at Bonnie St. Claire’s wedding, which was broadcast live on SBS6’s Shownieuws.

During this period, discussions took place about reissuing Bonnie & José's duet album, "Herinnering", initially released in 1985. This LP featured Dutch-language cover versions of ABBA songs, including the two Top 40 hits, "Cassandra" and "Zoals Vrienden Doen." However, the project didn’t come to fruition at the time. It wasn’t until November 20, 2020, that "Herinnering" finally received a reissue on both CD and DVD, made possible by a successful crowdfunding campaign through the independent label CD-Licious.

Luv's admirers were pessimistic about the chance of seeing the group performing again. However, José's 51st birthday was a turning point on March 29, 2005. Patty visited José in Lommel. At the time, the diva was working on her reality show "Pat's Life" on Yorin, which involved meeting significant figures from her life. The ladies resolved their issues, and finally, José accepted Patty's apologies in front of the camera.

A few days later, on April 7, 2005, the Luv' ladies created a sensation with a surprise performance at Hans van Hemert's 60th birthday celebration and 40th business anniversary, held at the Wisseloord studios in Hilversum, Netherlands. This unique event made headlines, and the trio even graced the front page of "De Telegraaf."

Marga Scheide, Patty Brard, José Hoebee & Hans van Hemert

Patty, Marga & José at Hans van Hemert's 60th birthday (April 7, 2005)

Luv' at the front page of De Telegraaf (April 2005)

Footage of José and Patty's reconciliation, along with Luv's surprise performance at Hans van Hemert's birthday, was featured in the April 25, 2005, episode of "Pat's Life".

In a relaxed and inspiring atmosphere, José concentrated on an exciting project for the coming weeks: the release of her very first CD compilation. In 2005, Willem van Schijndel, a seasoned veteran of the Dutch music scene and one half of the legendary Carnival duo "De Deurzakkers," agreed to release this anthology through his label, WVS Music.

Willem van Schijndel's musical journey began in 1974 when he teamed up with Clemens van Bracht to form De Deurzakkers. The duo quickly became a staple of the Dutch Carnival scene, known for their festive spirit and infectious party songs. Their breakthrough came in 1975 with the hit single "Zak es lekker door," which climbed to #10 on the Dutch Top 40 and #9 on the Single Top 100, remaining on both charts for five weeks.

Before their rise to fame, Van Schijndel worked in a record store in Den Bosch. It was here that he, along with manager Clemens van Bracht, decided to channel their love for Carnival into music. With the support of the Carnival Association "De Kikvorschen" and the first team of FC Den Bosch, De Deurzakkers released "Zak es lekker door," a song that became a national top-ten sensation and cemented their place in Dutch music history.

De Deurzakkers

Decades later, on Friday, February 21, 2025, the enduring impact of De Deurzakkers was celebrated when they received the AVROTROS Carnaval Oeuvre Award—a lifetime achievement honor—during the broadcast of Carnaval Countdown. That same day, it was announced that the duo had been named honorary citizens of Roeptoetgat, the symbolic carnival village of Omroep Brabant.

Thanks to Willem van Schijndel’s experience, vision, and dedication to Dutch music, José's compilation found a home, preserving her unique contributions for fans and collectors alike.

Nothing could stop the release of the long-awaited "Alle Hits & Unieke Bonustracks" CD, scheduled for October 3, 2005. This anthology brought together the highlights of José’s career, featuring both chart successes and hidden gems.

A closer look at the track listing revealed her singles that made it onto the Dutch and Flemish charts:

• "I'm So Sorry" (December 1981, a single that Sylvie Vartan covered in French as "La Sortie de Secours")

• "I Will Follow Him" (May 1982, a cover of a Peggy March hit)

• "Secret Love" (September 1982, a cover of a Doris Day song)

• "The Good Times" (November 1982)

• "I Can Hear Music" (February 1983, a cover made famous by The Beach Boys)

• "So Long, Marianne" (December 1983, duet with Ron Brandsteder, cover of Leonard Cohen’s classic)

• "Time Goes By" (March 1984, cover of a Newton Family track)

• "Zoals Vrienden Doen" (June 1985, Dutch cover of ABBA's The Way Old Friends Do, in duet with Bonnie St. Claire)

The CD also features singles that did not enter the main Dutch or Flemish charts:

• "Hey Now, Watcha Gonna Do" (August 1983)

• "I Love You" (November 1984, blending Nights in White Satin by The Moody Blues with I (Who Have Nothing), initially performed by Joe Sentieri)

• "All Around My Hat" (November 1986, a cover of an English folk song popularized by Steeleye Span)

From José’s debut LP, The Good Times (November 1982), the following tracks were also included:

• A Reason for Fallin’ in Love

• Casualty (cover of a song by The Hollies)

• If I Could Be Near You

• Mr. Jones

Additional B-sides rounded out the collection:

• Should I Be Lonely (originally by Hans Vermeulen, B-side of I Love You)

• Carroll (B-side of All Around My Hat)

To make this release even more special, unique bonus tracks were added:

• "Elongi" (May 1976), José’s debut single with her sisters, Marijke & Yvonne, a cover of a Makossa classic by Cameroonian singer Ekambi Brillant

• Demo of "Don’t Give Up/Don’t Give On Us", a medley performed with Piet Souer, combining Peter Gabriel & Kate Bush’s Don’t Give Up and David Soul’s Don’t Give Up On Us. This medley was supposed to be performed with David Soul.

• "Spiegel", a Dutch cover of ABBA’s I Wonder from ABBAcadabra (1985)

• "Who’s Sorry Now" (2004, a track made famous by Connie Francis)

• A 2005 remix of "I Will Follow Him" by the Flemish producer Serge Ramaekers (who formed the New Beat group "Confetti's"), which was later released as a single and became a minor hit on the Dutch Top 100 in early 2006.

Release party and fan club meeting

On September 24, 2005, Peter Boonstra and Jos Theuns, administrators of the then José Hoebee fan site on clubs.nl, organized a fan club meeting in Oirschot, a village in North Brabant. During this event, José's compilation album was presented to her fans and the media. José performed the 2005 dance version of "I Will Follow Him" and sang "Zoals Vrienden Doen" in a duet with Bonnie St. Claire.

The afternoon also featured performances by the Flemish group Swoop, fronted by Filip D'haeze, who performed their cover of Luv's "You're the Greatest Lover." This cover peaked at #25 on the Belgian Ultratop chart, where it remained for six weeks from July 30, 2005, to September 3, 2005. Fellow artists Marjan Berger and Casper Janssen also performed at the event.

Among the media present were SBS6's entertainment news program, "Shownieuws", and the celebrity gossip magazine, Party. Additionally, Luv's colleague, Patty Brard, made a brief appearance during José's CD compilation release party.

Patty Brard surprises former rival José (Party magazine, 2005)

Photo courtesy of Jos Theuns:

A Happy José presenting her CD compilation

Edited by Marco Rens

Jos Theuns & José Hoebee

José Hoebee & Peter Boonstra

Jos posing with a beautiful photo of his favorite singer

Edited by Marco Rens

Edited by Marco Rens

José singing the 2005 version of I Will Follow Him

José Hoebee & Bonnie St. Claire singing their signature duet "Zoals Vrienden Doen"

Willem Schijndel (director of WVS Music), the Flemish group Swoop (fronted by Filip D'haeze), and José Hoebee

Marjan Berger, Bonnie St. Claire, Michael Verkooyen & José Hoebee

Release

Alle Hits & Unieke Bonustracks - CD - released on October 3, 2005 by WVS Music

Click here to read information about the compilation.

Scans of the CD booklet with two texts written by José Hoebee:

José’s Thank-Yous:

I want to thank all the people who made the release of this CD possible.

First of all, my husband, Will Hoebee, whose idea for “I Will Follow Him” and its outcome gave me the strength to pursue my solo career, and who has helped and supported me throughout the years.

Then, of course, my sisters, Marijke and Yvonne, because it all started with them.

My dear parents and my little sister, Ingrid, who have continually supported my activities and offered constructive criticism.

Producers/arrangers Piet Souer and Pim Koopman, Alice and Karen Maywood (who recorded background vocals on “I Will Follow Him”), July Forsyth (backup vocals on “Secret Love”), Hans Vermeulen, Bonnie St. Claire, Ron Brandsteder, Harry van Hoof, Pieter Boer, Marjan Berger, Peter Boonstra, Serge Ramaekers (remix of “I Will Follow Him”), and of course all the fans who have remained loyal after all these years, and last but not least, Willem van Schijndel, who made everything possible.

Without you, there would be no CD. Understood?

Thank you all.

Translation in English of a text written by José:

It’s in the Blood...

After a year of being a little less active, following the turbulent success of Luv', I decided to try a solo career. I went to the studio with my friend Piet Souer, who produced “I’m So Sorry”, inspired somewhat by the Luv' sound. This record didn’t enter the main charts, which was disappointing after Luv's huge success. Due to circumstances, I switched to another producer and chose the man behind Maywood’s success, Pim Koopman.

My husband, Will, came up with the brilliant idea to cover Little Peggy March’s classic “I Will Follow Him.” With Pim’s commercial and musical input, and the amazing background vocals by Caren and Alice Maywood, the record stormed the charts and reached #1. What a victory! Finally, I received recognition for my vocal talent. After this hit, other successful productions followed, including “Secret Love,” “I Can Hear Music,” and, of course, my duets with my dear friend Bonnie St. Claire and my “little brother” Ron Brandsteder.

When my son Tim was four, I decided to take a break from show business to focus on raising him. Occasionally, I appeared on TV, but I couldn’t combine recording and promoting music with my family duties.

But now I’m back! Tim is twenty and, for the most part, has found his path in life. In Willem van Schijndel, I found the man who enthusiastically agreed to release a CD featuring all my hits. Thanks to him and the fans who have supported me over the years, this project came to life.

My entire oeuvre is now on one disc. I started with my two sisters — that’s why “Elongi” is included in this collection. The beautiful Snow White ballad and the demo, originally intended to be recorded with David Soul, but beautifully sung with Piet Souer and me, complete this anthology. I am very proud of it. I’m going to enjoy it, and I hope you do too.

Enjoy the music, love, José.

Tracklisting

1. I Will Follow Him (original version) - (Altman, Del Roma, Stole, Plante, Gimbel)

2. The Good Times (Piet Souer)

3. I Can Hear Music (J. Barry, E. Greenwich, Phil Spector)

4. A Reason For Fallin' In Love (Pim Koopman)

5. Secret Love (Webster, Fain)

6. Casualty (P. Bliss/R. Demick)

7. If I Could Be Near You (Pim Koopman)

8. I'm So Sorry (Piet Souer)

9. Mr Jones (W. Helmus)

10. Hey Now Watcha Gonna Do (Pim Koopman)

11. So Long, Marianne (Leonard Cohen)

12. Time Goes By (Emoke Zakanyi, Emese Hatvani, Gyorgy Jakab, Laszlo Pasztor)

13. I Love You (C. Donida, Labati, J. Hayward, Mogol)

14. Should I Be Lonely (Hans Vermeulen)

15. Zoals Vrienden Doen with Bonnie St Claire (Benny Neyman, Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus)

16. All Around My Hat (Traditional, Hans Vermeulen, Harry van Hoof, Will Hoebee)

17. Caroll (Hans Vermeulen)

18. In The Sign Of Love (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Piet Souer)

19. Elongi (Ekambi Brillant, Piet Souer)

20. Don't Give Up / Don't Give Up On Us with Piet Souer (Peter Gabriel, T. Macauly)

21. Spiegel (Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, Stig Anderson, Will Hoebee, Joost Timp)

22. Who's Sorry Now (Ted Snyder, Bert Kalmar, Harry Ruby)

23. I Will Follow Him 2005 (Altman, Del Roma, Stole, Plante, Gimbel)

Tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 23 - courtesy of Strengholt Classic BV

Tracks 17, 18, 19 - courtesy of Sony/BMG

Tracks 12, 15, 16, 23 - courtesy of CNR Entertainment

Track 20 - courtesy of Hilltown Produkties

Track 21 - courtesy of Universal Music

Information:

Track 1 to 10 9 - taken from José's album "The Good Times" (CNR/Carrere, 1982)

Track 11 - taken from Ron Brandsteder's album "Niet Alleen" (CNR/Carrere, 1983)

Track 15 - taken from Bonnie & José's album "Herinnering" (RCA, 1985)

Track 20 - previously unreleased

Track 21 - taken from the ABBAcadabra album (Indisc, 1984)

Track 23 - remix by Serge Ramaekers

Source: José Hoebee blog archives, Jos Theuns, Marco Rens, Discogs...