As mentioned last month on this website, the legendary record producer and songwriter Hans van Hemert passed away on October 7th. His name is associated with Luv', the girl group he launched in late 1976, and many other successful pop acts he collaborated with (including Mouth & MacNeal, Sandra & Andres, Kamahl, André Hazes and Glennis Grace).
Hans' demise was announced laconically via his Facebook page on October 7th at 12:28 pm :
English translation: With great sadness, we want to let you know that our beloved Hans passed away peacefully this morning, October 7th, at 10:15 in the hospital. We will miss him immensely. We are deeply grateful for the beautiful moments we shared together and will cherish all the wonderful memories. Further information about the farewell will be shared later. Thank you for all the support during this difficult time.
This heartbreaking news triggered an outpouring of reactions from fans and friends, garnering extensive coverage in the Dutch media.
De Telegraaf (Privé section) and Strikt Privé podcast- October 8th, 2024
On October 8th, De Telegraaf, Holland's most-read newspaper, featured two articles about the Dutch Pop Maestro.
The first article about Hans' impressive career appeared in De Telegraaf's "Culture" section. Click here to read an online version of the item.
The second article, published in De Telegraaf's Privé entertainment section, explored whether Hans’ passing might lead to a reunion of Luv’s former members—Patty Brard, Marga Scheide, and José Hoebee. Despite years of conflicts, the trio appeared united in their grief.
The ex-Luv’ singers each shared memories of working with Hans. Patty spoke of his humour and creativity, expressing deep gratitude for his support in her career. Marga recalled the lively studio sessions filled with his jokes. José cherished their enduring friendship, noting she nearly didn’t join Luv' because Hans initially wanted her to dye her hair blonde.
Hans' widow, Willy, reflected on his last days, noting that despite doctors’ predictions, his strong will kept him alive longer than expected. Last year, Willy shared with De Telegraaf the severity of Hans’ cancer, initially believing he had only days or weeks left to live. Remarkably, he went on to live for more than an additional year.
Additionally, in the October 8th episode of the "Strikt Privé" podcast for De Telegraaf, Jordi Versteegden and Privé editor-in-chief Evert Santegoeds discussed Hans' career and considered whether his passing might lead to a reunion of Luv'. Click here to listen to the podcast.
Evert Santegoeds and Jordi Versteegden on Strikt Privé
Other articles were published in the press.
De Volkskrant - October 8th, 2024
AD - October 8th, 2024
Dagblad van het Noorden - October 8th, 2024
NRC - October 8th, 2024
De Twentsche Courant Tubantia - October 8th, 2024
Story magazine - October 9th, 2024
Hans' funeral took place at the historic 16th-century Dutch Reformed Church in Blaricum, the Netherlands, on October 15th. The celebrated songwriter was laid to rest in a way that honoured his love for cycling: his final journey to the cemetery was made by bicycle, accompanied by family and close friends from the entertainment industry (including Patty Brard, André van Duin, Ciska Peters and her husband, the former Luv's manager Pim ter Linde, Vivian Boelen, Tineke de Nooij and Sjoukje Smit (aka Maggie MacNeal). As a fitting tribute, his 1983 hit "Als je haar maar goed zit", performed by Vulcano, was played as his coffin was carried from the church, reflecting his philosophy of embracing life as it came. Another emotional moment happened when Hans' loved ones sang one of his evergreens, "Wij Houden van Oranje", the hit song initially performed by André Hazes for the UEFA Euro 1988 Championship, which saw the victory of the Dutch football team. Click here to watch a short video of the funeral.
De Telegraaf's October 16th edition featured an article about Hans' obsequies.
De Telegraaf - October 16th, 2024: Hans van Hemert's funeral
Weekend magazine - October 23rd, 2024
This series of articles in the Dutch press and news items on television (including NOS Journaal, RTL Boulevard, and Shownieuws), along with the numerous tributes on social media, crowned the fabulous career of one of the greatest music producers in the Netherlands over the past 60 years.
A glorious career in the music industry
Hans van Hemert was born in Voorburg, the Netherlands, on April 7th, 1945, in a very artistic and creative family. He was the son of the legendary Willy van Hemert, a pioneer of Dutch television in the 1950s renowned for his work as a director and dancer Miep Kronenburg. The Van Hemert family also included two brothers, Ruud (a trendy film director in the 1980s) and Eric van Hemert (painter), as well as a sister, Ellen (the actress who starred in the first Dutch colour film, "Jenny," directed by her father).
A difficult artistic debut
At 17, Hans began working at the record company, Phonogram (a subsidiary of Philips). His rejection from drama school thwarted his ambition to become an actor.
Hans van Hemert at age 18 in the VARA series 'De TV Rechtbank" (1963)
Between 1963 and 1967, Hans was a singer in the band 'The Caps', which released three singles on the Phonogram-Philips label that never made it to the charts. After the Caps broke up in 1967, other ex-members of the group would become successful in addition to Hans. Bert Ruiter went to a famous Dutch prog rock band, "Focus". Roy Beltman would become an in-demand producer (BZN, Bonnie St. Claire...).
The Caps (including Hans van Hemert, second from the left)
I Wanna Tell You (I'm So Glad) by The Caps (1964)
In 1967, Hans briefly collaborated in the short-lived duo "You and Me" with Peter Koelewijn (who would later become a very esteemed record producer).
Peter Koelewijn & Hans van Hemert in 1967
Take Me Or Break Me by You And Me (1967)
From the late 1960s to the early 1970s, Hans recorded solo singles. None of them were hits.
Old Dom Is Dead by Hans van Hemert (1972)
A young and promising producer at Phonogram-Philips
When Phonogram's sales department dismissed Hans, he was hired by the same company's 'Artists and Repertoire' department as a producer for the 'Pop' division. At that time, Hans, in his early 20s, found his salvation by producing popular groups from the Nederbeat and Nederpop scene, such as "Zen", "Group 1850", "Q65", "RO-D-YS", "The Motions", "The Dukes", "The Sound Magics", and "Big Wheel". Notably, Hans sometimes took on lead vocals for these groups, as in the cases of "Mother No-Head" by Group 1850 and "If I Stay Too Long" by Big Wheel.
His first successful composition was "Love In Copenhagen", the theme for the TV series "De Glazen Stad" (1968), directed by his father.
Love In Copenhagen by Studio-Orkest o.l.v. Tony Vos (1968) - written by Hans van Hemert
Hans and Trea Dobbs recorded the vocals of this song.
Sandra & Andres (1966 - 1975)
Andres & Sandra
Hans van Hemert brought Sandra Reemer and Dries Holten together to form the duo "Sandra & Andres", active from 1966 to 1975. The pair scored 14 hits on the Dutch Top 40. Their signature song was the successful Eurovision Song Contest entry "Als het om de liefde gaat" (1972), which finished in 4th place. This single peaked at #3 on the Dutch Top 40 and #7 on the Flemish singles chart. In Germany, the German version, "Was soll ich tun?", reached #23, while the English version, What Do I Do?, peaked at #46.
Als het om de liefde gaat by Sandra & Andres (1972)
Mouth & MacNeal (1971 - 1974)
Hans van Hemert, Mouth & MacNeal, Harry van Hoof getting a gold record for "How Do You Do" (1 million certified copies in the USA) from the Recording Industry Association of America (1972)
In 1971, Hans created another musical duo, "Mouth & MacNeal", by recruiting Big Mouth (born Willem Duyn) and Maggie MacNeal (born Sjoukje van't Spijker). Before this collaboration, Big Mouth had sung with several bands in the 1960s, including Speedway. Meanwhile, MacNeal had released a solo single before teaming up with Big Mouth—a cover of Marvin Gaye's "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," also produced by Hans.
Hans van Hemert would achieve his greatest commercial and international success with "Mouth & MacNeal".
The duo released their first single, "Hey You Love," which reached #5 on the Dutch Top 40. Their following singles, "How Do You Do" and "Hello-A", both climbed to #1 in the Netherlands. In 1972, "How Do You Do" topped the charts across Continental Europe and Scandinavia, and it peaked at number 32 in Australia and number 2 in Canada. In the United States, the song gained popularity thanks to radio personality Jim Connors, eventually reaching #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in July 1972. "How Do You Do" remained on the US charts for 19 weeks and was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA on August 2, 1972. The song sold over a million copies in the US alone, with global sales exceeding two million. Numerous artists have covered "How Do You Do", and it was sampled by Party Animals in 2006 and by Scooter in 2007 for his European hit "The Question Is What Is the Question?", which became a Top 5 hit in Germany, Austria, Finland, and Hungary, as well as reaching the Top 20 in Ireland and the Top 50 in the Netherlands and the UK.
How Do You Do by Mouth & MacNeal
More hit singles followed in 1973, and in 1974, Mouth & MacNeal represented the Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest with their song "I See a Star", where they placed third behind ABBA and Gigliola Cinquetti. This song also became a top ten hit in the UK, peaking at #8.
In December 1974, shortly after their success with "I See a Star," Mouth & MacNeal decided to part ways.
Hans van Hemert, Mouth & MacNeal and Harry van Hoof receiving the Dutch music award "Gouden Harp" in 1972
Auntie (1972)
In 1972, Hans wrote and produced "Auntie", a song celebrating the 50th anniversary of the BBC. He recorded it with several well-known singers from the European pop music scene, including Hildegard Knef, Enrico Macias, Alice Babs, Sandra & Andres, Demis Roussos, and Vicky Leandros. While "Auntie" reached the Top 5 in the Netherlands, it did not achieve the anticipated international success.
Auntie by Hildegard Knef, Enrico Macias, Sandra & Andres, Demis Roussos, Alice Babs and Vicky Leandros in 1972
The Elephant Song by Kamahl (1975)
On behalf of the World Wildlife Fund, Hans wrote "The Elephant Song", which was originally intended for Frank Sinatra in 1975. The Australian singer Kamahl performed the song, and it became a number-one hit in the Netherlands and Flanders (Belgium). It also reached #38 in New Zealand and #55 in Australia.
The Elephant Song by Kamahl (1975)
A much sought-after music professional in the 1970s
Hans van Hemert in 1970s
In addition to the successful productions mentioned earlier, Hans had a remarkable impact on several other popular acts in the 1970s. Some of these included Cardinal Point, who had a hit with "Mama, Papa" in 1972, reaching #8 in the Netherlands, #23 in Flanders, and #48 in Germany. The British brother-sister duo Mac & Katie Kissoon released "Sing Along" that same year, which became #1 in the Netherlands, #11 in Flanders, and #23 in France. The Grande Dame Liesbeth List also succeeded with "Te Veel Te Vaak" in 1974, reaching #11 in the Netherlands.
Hans collaborated with the Holland-based American R&B band American Gypsy on their hit songs "Angel Eyes" and "Lady Eleanor," which made it into the Dutch Top 10 and Top 20, respectively, in 1974. He also worked with Big Mouth & Little Eve—a follow-up project to Mouth & MacNeal—on the song "Uncle," which became a Top 5 hit in the Dutch and Flemish charts in 1975. Furthermore, he worked with Sandra Reemer, formerly of Sandra & Andres, who placed 9th at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1976 with "The Party's Over" representing the Netherlands.
In 1976, Hans produced the Flemish disco trio Trinity's hit "002.345.709 (That's My Number)", reaching the Top 5 in Dutch and Belgian charts. He also produced "The Big Bear Bump" by Ronnie And The Big Bear in 1977, another Top 5 hit in the Dutch and Flemish charts. Additionally, he wrote "What Kind of Dance Is This" for Veronica Unlimited in 1977, a single celebrating the 12.5th anniversary of the Veronica Top 40, which peaked at #2 in both the Netherlands and Belgium. In 1978, Hans and fellow songwriter-producer Piet Souer launched the studio project "Conquistador". Their single "Argentina", written for the 1978 FIFA World Cup, reached the Top 5 in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Switzerland.
Janschen & Janschens (1976 - 1981)
Between 1976 and 1980, after years of collaboration, Hans van Hemert and Piet Souer joined forces under the pseudonym "Janschen & Janschens" to write songs for various artists, including Luv', Trinity, Champagne, Veronica Unlimited, Teach-In, Ron Brandsteder, Conquistador, Liesbeth List, American Gypsy, Chips, and Doris D and The Pins (who achieved notable success in 1981 with two hits: "Shine Up", which reached #1 in both Holland and Belgium and #15 in Germany, and "Dance On", which made it into the Dutch and Flemish Top 5 and the German Top 40). Hans and Piet ended their collaboration in the winter of 1980/1981.
Luv' (1977 - 1981)
Hans and Luv' backstage of the AVRO TV charity show "Samen" in 1988
Luv' was a girl group formed by Hans with the assistance of Piet Souer and manager Han Meijer, who was later replaced by Pim Ter Linde. The group's original and most celebrated lineup consisted of Patty Brard, Marga Scheide, and José Hoebee. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, this trio achieved significant popularity across much of Continental Europe as well as in Israel, South Africa, Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Argentina, and Mexico.
Among their hit singles were "U.O.Me" (1978), the million-selling hits "You're the Greatest Lover" (1978), and "Trojan Horse" (1978), as well as "Casanova" (1979), and "Ooh, Yes I Do" (1979). In July 1980, Patty Brard left the group unexpectedly and was swiftly replaced by Ria Thielsch. The revamped trio then secured a Top 5 hit in both Dutch and Flemish charts with "My Number One" in late 1980.
You're the Greatest Lover by Luv' (1978)
Shortly afterwards, Luv' disbanded after selling seven million records worldwide and earning 14 gold and platinum records. The original trio, along with other lineups, made several comebacks during the late 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s. Luv' ultimately ceased its activities in February 2020 due to José's ill health.
From left to right: Hans van Hemert, Pim ter Linde, Patty Brard, Marga Scheide, Piet Souer and José Hoebee celebrating "You're the Greatest Lover" as a #1 hit on the Dutch Top 40 (1978)
Leaving Phonogram (1979)
In the spring of 1979, Luv', along with Hans, his partner Piet, and their manager Pim ter Linde, established a limited company called InterLUV. This venture was aimed at giving them control over all aspects of their career, including merchandising and record releases. The Dutch press described InterLUV as "favourable from a tax perspective", as funds were routed through Jersey, a well-known tax haven. However, Luv's first break-up in 1981 led to the dissolution of InterLUV, placing Hans in a difficult situation when Dutch authorities accused him of tax evasion in the early 1990s, resulting in significant financial losses.
During the summer of 1979, Hans made the decision to leave Philips/Phonogram Records after more than 15 years with the label. He was unhappy with the international promotion the label provided for Luv', despite the success of major export hits like "You're the Greatest Lover", "Trojan Horse", and "Casanova".
The August 3rd, 1979, issue of Billboard Benelux Magazine featured an article about Luv's mentor, revealing that after leaving Phonogram-Philips—where he had worked since 1964—he received nine serious offers (six from the Netherlands and three from abroad). He remarked, "I find it difficult to make a choice. I will wait until I return from my holidays because I expect to receive more offers in my mailbox then. I will probably not make a final decision until September." Hans stressed that factors beyond financial compensation were important, stating, "I will not let money alone determine my choice. A record company can pay me a lot, but if it has a poor promotion team, all that money is useless because my productions won't make it onto the charts, which is very frustrating". He expressed his desire to continue recording with Luv' for at least the next three years.
Billboard Benelux Magazine - August 3rd, 1979: Many offers for Van Hemert
On October 7th, 1979, Luv' and their team signed a lucrative three-year deal with CNR/Carrere Records, receiving an advance of 750,000 Dutch guilders. This contract was hailed as "the show business transfer of the year" by De Telegraaf. However, this deal was ultimately broken after Patty left Luv'.
December 10th, 1980: Interview with Hans van Hemert about the music trends of 1981 and excerpt from Luv' on the Veronica Awards on Veronica Vandaag (Veronica)
The Post-Luv' era (1980s)
After Luv's first dissolution, Hans remained active in the music industry. He wrote and produced "Tick-a-thumps My Heart", a single by Babe, one of Luv's rivals. This song featured uncredited vocals by Marga Scheide and José Hoebee. Unfortunately, it only managed to reach the Top 20 in Belgium and the Netherlands during the summer of 1981. It was disappointing, as it was expected to achieve international success similar to Luv's singles. While Peter Koelewijn typically wrote all of Babe's songs, "Tick-a-thumps" was an exception, as Hans van Hemert supervised it.
Babe with Jan Rietman, Hans van Hemert, Ludo Voeten and Peter Koelewijn at Wisseloord studios in 1981
Tick-a-thumps My Heart by Babe (with Marga and José's uncredited vocals - 1981)
The same year Luv' disbanded, Hans launched in 1981 a follow-up project called "Vulcano", another manufactured pop group. The band consisted of Jos Groothuizen (the brother of Angela of Dolly Dots), Dee Dee (the stage name of Anna Dekkers, who scored a Dutch and Flemish Top 20 hit with her 1978 cover of "I Put A Spell On You", produced by Jacques Zwart, Marga Scheide's partner from 1984 to 2003), Suzanne Venneker, and René van der Wel (who was later replaced by Hans van de Pol).
In 1983, Vulcano participated in the National Song Festival, the Dutch preselection for the Eurovision Song Contest, and they finished in second place with the song "Een beetje van dit, een beetje van dat". Despite their second-place finish, the song became a hit in the Netherlands, reaching number 7, and in Belgium, where it peaked at number 8. Following this success, they had another hit with "Als je haar maar goed zit", which also entered the Dutch Top 20 in 1983. Vulcano disbanded in 1986 but made a comeback in the 2000s.
Een beetje van dit by Vulcano (1983)
Vulcano on the cover of "Aktueel" (March 17th, 1984)
Hans wrote "Meidengroep" in 1983 for the Dutch children's choir Kinderen voor Kinderen, which made it to the Top 10 in the Netherlands. Following that success, he had other hit singles that also reached the Top 10 in Holland and the Top 20 in Flanders, including "I'm Your Son South America" by Silvio in 1984, "But Where My Love" by René Shuman in 1986, and "Let Your Sun Shine" by Frank Ashton & Mariska van Kolck in 1987.
Wij Houden van Oranje (1988)
We ♥ Oranje by André Hazes and the Dutch national football team (1988)
"Wij houden van Oranje" (We ♥ Oranje) was a song by the Dutch icon André Hazes that gained immense popularity following the Dutch national football team's victory at the UEFA European Championship in 1988. Hans van Hemert wrote the verses, while the chorus was based on the melody of "Auld Lang Syne". Initially, the song was offered to Willeke Alberti, but she declined the opportunity because she was married to Danish footballer Søren Lerby at the time. The Netherlands national football team, including Ruud Gullit, contributed background vocals to the track.
We ♥ Oranje by André Hazes and the Dutch national football team (1988)
After the Netherlands won the European Championship on Saturday, June 25, 1988, the song received extensive airplay on Radio 2 and Radio 3. A week later, the single re-entered the National Hit Parade Top 100. Two weeks afterwards, it reached the number-one position, holding that spot for three weeks. "We ♥ Oranje" re-entered the Dutch Single Top 100 several times in 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2024. In total, it spent 28 weeks on Holland's Top 100. It also peaked at number 3 on the Dutch Top 40 chart, where it remained for seven weeks.
In 2006, Dutch-Moroccan rapper Ali B released a cover of the song, which reached number 2 on the Dutch Single Top 100 and spent six weeks on the chart.
Later years
In addition to Luv', Doris D. & The Pins and Babe, Hans launched other girl groups: Lily Marlene (in 1994), Patty Cash (whose members were cast by Patty Brard in 1997), Blinq Inc in 2005, Camee in 2016 and Adalyn in 2018. None of these female pop formations achieved success.
Long before she became highly successful in the Netherlands and a finalist on "America's Got Talent", Hans produced Glennis Grace's debut single "I'm Gonna Be Strong", a cover version of a Frankie Laine's song, which peaked at #13 in the Netherlands in late 1994, before it was included on her first album.
I'm Gonna Be Strong by Glennis Grace (1994)
In the late 1990s, Hans created an independent music production company (Hans van Hemert Productions) that still licenses his hits.
On April 7th, 2005, the original Luv' trio (Patty, Marga & José) gave a surprise performance at Hans' 60th birthday party. This event was front-page news in the Low Countries.
Hans and his Luv' protégées at his 60th birthday - photo edited by Marco Rens (2005)
In 2017, the Pop Maestro won the "Lifetime Achievement Award" at the Buma Awards (the most prestigious music ceremony in the Netherlands).
Hans van Hemert: proud winner of the 2017 BUMA Lifetime Achievement Award
On October 13th, 2017, Hans took part in a luncheon organized by the Dutch Royal Family at the Noordeinde Palace in The Hague, the Netherlands. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands invited 27 prestigious guests who won a prize for their contributions to art, culture, science, media, journalism, sports and entrepreneurship. Frans Bromet, Eva Jinek, Rineke Dijkstra, Lee Towers and Ellie Lust were among the lucky ones (besides Hans van Hemert) to lunch with the Royal couple.
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands with their guests (including Hans van Hemert) in 2017
In addition to his Buma Award, Hans collected 40 gold and platinum records as well as several trophies, including:
Two Conamus Export Prizes for his best-selling acts abroad: Mouth & MacNeal (in 1972) and Luv' (in 1979).
1 ASCAP award in the United States for the song "How Do You Do" by Mouth & MacNeal in 1972.
1 Gouden Harp (Golden Harp) in 1974 for his talents as a producer.
Hans van Hemert's best productions
Hans' three most profitable songs to date are "How Do You Do" by Mouth & MacNeal, "You're the Greatest Lover" by Luv', and "Wij Houden van Oranje" by André Hazes. These songs have generated significant royalties due to numerous cover versions, remixes, samples, extensive radio airplay, and streaming on digital platforms.
Hans van Hemert's 40 most successful hits on the Dutch Top 40: click here to see the list.
Last summer, Hans hit the headlines when American rapper Eminem used a sample from "Land of Milk and Honey" by Mouth & MacNeal for his track "Lucifer", taken from his latest album "The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce)".
Hans van Hemert Vs Eminem
Luv's creator produced and co-wrote the Greek-inspired pop track "Land of Milk and Honey" with Andres Holten (of the duo Sandra & Andres) in 1971. This song appeared on the B-side of Mouth & MacNeal's signature single "How Do You Do?"
Eminem's "Lucifer" was streamed millions of times on Spotify. "It’s the icing on the cake," Hans van Hemert told broadcaster NOS. "I didn’t think much of the song then. It wasn’t really hit material and had a catchy Greek melody. I have always liked to use exotic instruments, a bouzouki in this case," he added.
Lucifer (feat. Sly Pyper) by Eminem [Official Audio] - 2014
Hans appreciated the possibility that Eminem's producer, Dr. Dre, might have remembered the tune from childhood. His publishing company is constantly touting his music collection to the international music industry.
"But it can’t be all coincidence", Hans joked. "Mouth and MacNeal is M and M, which sounds a bit like Eminem. Roel Smit, Mouth & MacNeal's fan club administrator, was a roadie for Margriet Eshuijs, whose band was called Lucifer," he explained.
This sample is not going to make him rich. “It’ll be €10,000 at most, and I’ll have to share it with eight others,” he said.
In 2007, Hans was diagnosed with prostate cancer, for which he underwent various treatments. In 2023, he was informed that aggressive metastases had been discovered. After receiving palliative care, he passed away on October 7th, 2024, at the age of 79.
Just before Hans' passing, filmmaker Reinout Hellenthal interviewed the talented producer for a documentary. Despite Hans' death, Hellenthal may continue his project. Click here to watch a short item about this documentary, which was broadcast on October 8th on the Dutch local channel RTV Drenthe.
Reinout Hellenthal & Hans van Hemert
We will always remember Hans van Hemert and his timeless music. May this creative man rest in peace.
Hans van Hemert's website: https://hansvanhemert.nl/
Hans' page on Dutchcharts website: https://dutchcharts.nl/showperson.asp?name=Hans+van+Hemert
Source: Luvgirlgroup archives, Discogs...
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