Forty Years of “Herinnering” by Bonnie & José: A Dutch Tribute to ABBA

In loving memory of Will Hoebee, Benny Neyman, Harry van Hoof, Hans Vermeulen, and Edward Reekers

Photo by Govert de Roos

Forty years ago, in October 1985, RCA Records released Herinnering, a collaboration between Bonnie St. Claire and José Hoebee that reimagined ABBA’s songs in Dutch. The album—an affectionate tribute to Sweden’s legendary quartet—captured the warmth and melodic brilliance of the originals while giving them a distinctly Dutch voice.

Before its release, Herinnering had already produced two Dutch Top 40 hits: Cassandra (June 1984) and Zoals Vrienden Doen (The Way Old Friends Do, June 1985). Following the album’s debut, three additional singles extended its life on the airwaves: Waarom (with Ron Brandsteder, 1985), Herinnering (Andante, Andante, 1986), and De Flierefluiter (The Piper, 1986).

In November 2020, this nostalgic opus found new life through a reissue on CD/DVD by the independent label CD-Licious. The project, made possible through a successful crowdfunding campaign initiated by Franklin van Liempt, reintroduced Herinnering to a new generation of listeners and reaffirmed its enduring place in Dutch pop history.

Now, four decades later, fans celebrate Herinnering not just as a collection of songs, but as a heartfelt bridge between two pop cultures—and a timeless reminder of how music can transcend language, era, and borders.

History

In 1984, Bonnie and José decided to form a duo to cover ABBA songs in Dutch, well before the revival of interest in the music of the Swedish Fab Four.

Bonnie & José singing a Dutch version of ABBA's I Have A Dream on "Hart voor 'n Kind Gala" (TROS, Netherlands) on October 3, 1984

Flemish author Stany Van Wymeersch interviewed the duo for the booklet accompanying the 2020 edition of Herinnering. When Stany asked Bonnie how her project with José began, she explained: "José and I had the same management, and she was married to top producer Will Hoebee. After I recorded a solo album and the track ‘Sla Je Arm Om Me Heen’ (‘Wrap Your Arms Around Me’), originally a solo hit for Agnetha Fältskog, I thought it would be a great idea to record a duet with a woman. Until then, I had only recorded duets with men, such as Benny Neyman and Ron Brandsteder. So, I actually took the initiative."

Regarding how she and Bonnie connected, José added, "We already knew each other, but we had never recorded anything together. Bonnie’s first husband, who later co-produced the album, had a good relationship with Will. Bonnie and I also hit it off very well. In the 1980s, the four of us went skiing in Austria a couple of times. During one vacation, the idea of covering ABBA songs emerged after Bonnie and I sang ‘The Way Old Friends Do’ together. It was clear that our voices blended very well."

Bonnie and José's first duet single, "Cassandra," peaked at #24 on the Top 40 and #19 on the Nationale Hitparade in the Netherlands during the summer of 1984.

Photo edited by Marco Rens

In late 1984 and early 1985, the two singers participated in the ABBAcadra project. Later that year, they released the single "Zoals Vrienden Doen," a cover of ABBA's "The Way Old Friends Do." This track became the duo's signature song, reaching #36 on the Top 40 and #18 on the Nationale Hitparade in the summer of 1985.

After their respectable success on the charts, Bonnie and José decided to continue their professional collaboration. They were offered the opportunity to release a full-length album titled "Herinnering." Will Hoebee, a sought-after producer at the time, oversaw the recording sessions, which took place at the prestigious Wisseloord Studios in Hilversum, the Netherlands. Eurovision Song Contest conductor Harry van Hoof served as the arranger.

Here’s what Bonnie & José declared about the Herinnering project, as featured in the booklet of the 2020 reissue:

José: "Then Will said: “You should make an album together with ABBA songs.”

Bonnie: "Look, I wouldn’t know anyone who isn’t a fan of ABBA. Fortunately, we had the opportunity to do something about it. To me, the songs will always remain timeless until the bitter end. We recorded and released ‘Cassandra’ as a single. It became a hit record, which led us to the other songs. We all chose songs to create this ABBA project — with a very satisfying result, I must say. We never regretted any of it. Of course, it is an honor to be able to record ABBA songs."

José: "I always liked ABBA very much, but at that time, I didn’t have time to be a fan of anyone. I didn’t have any albums or anything. With Luv', we went to one of their concerts when they were in the Netherlands, but we didn’t meet them. For Herinnering, we didn’t only pick these songs, but we also collaborated with good lyricists and professionals."

Bonnie: "Will Hoebee was a producer who managed to assemble the best people around him. Look, when José and I enter a studio, we are supposed to sing well because that is why we are there. But in the end, you are talking about a product, and that is the responsibility of the producer. We recorded this album at Wisseloord Studios in Hilversum, with the best sound engineer you can imagine, Pieter Boer. Will immediately picked Harry van Hoof as the orchestrator, and wonderful musicians like Lex Bolderdijk, and Hans Vermeulen was part of the backing vocalists. You couldn’t even imagine! That was Will’s strength, and that is what made him such a good producer. On top of that, these were all people who loved music, not necessarily for commercial reasons."

José: "It was certainly not a cheap production, and you can hear that. Halfway through the 1980s, everything in pop music came from synthesizers, but on our album, you can clearly hear real instruments. It was a friendly group of real professionals, and there was never any stress during the recordings. When we were recording, there was no one there except Will and co-producer Albert Hol, our fantastic engineer Pieter, and arranger Harry. That always went very smoothly. Of course, Bonnie is a very good singer — we never had any problems."

Bonnie: "José sang most of Agnetha’s parts."

José: "Because I have a louder, higher voice, I sang the higher parts on the album, but I actually prefer Frida’s voice. I like Frida better anyway. She has a warmer voice, but Agnetha is also a very good singer, of course."

RCA Records put out "Herinnering" in October 1985.

Posters distributed in Dutch record shops to promote Herinnering (source: Danny Bink)

Ad to promote Herinnering published in Algemeen Dagblad on October 18, 1985

Click here to watch it online

In addition to the earlier hits "Cassandra" and "Zoals Vrienden Doen," the LP featured a third single, released in October 1985: "Waarom," a cover of ABBA’s "Move On," which climbed to number 35 on the Nationale Hitparade in late December 1985, where it stayed for six weeks. TV personality Ron Brandsteder wrote the Dutch lyrics for "Waarom", which explored the theme of hatred between human beings. He also contributed to the recording as a narrator.

Here’s what Ron told Stany Van Wymeersch about his collaboration with the singers:

"In 1985, I was already friends with Bonnie and José. In those years, I was already a fan of ABBA's music. In the meantime, I had fathered my son, Rick, and then you look at life differently. You become more open to the important things around you, and your responsibilities make you more serious. Perhaps that is why my lyrical contribution to the song ‘Waarom’ was a bit more ideological. I am still very proud of my contribution. By adding beautiful Dutch lyrics to ABBA’s music, it resulted in a wonderful album, sung by perhaps the best pop singers in the Netherlands."

Renaissance

"Herinnering" gained a cult following over the years among the Dutch and Flemish fan community of ABBA. In 2013, Bonnie gave an interview in the autumn issue of "ABBA Intermezzo," the International ABBA Fan Club Magazine, where she discussed her collaboration with José on "Herinnering."

Stany van Wijmeersch interviewed José about her ABBA-related projects, including Herinnering, for the September 2015 issue of The Official International ABBA Fan Club Magazine.

On November 23, 2020, Omroep Helmond Radio DJ Anton van Stekelenborg-Poirters promoted the 2020 edition of "Herinnering" during his Maandag Middag Matinee show. He asked José about her favorite song from the album. She replied, "I like 'Zonder Hem' because of my current situation," referring to her status as a widow. She also mentioned, "'Is't Zo Bedoeld' is a classic song for me."

"Zonder Hem," the Dutch cover version of ABBA's "Soldiers," featured lyrics written by Edward Reekers, who sadly passed away on October 7, 2025, in Soest after a battle with metastatic lung cancer.

Edward Reekers was a Dutch singer, director, and voice actor, best known as the lead vocalist of the progressive rock band Kayak. He sang their biggest hit, "Ruthless Queen," in 1979. Born in Hengelo in 1957, he joined Kayak in 1978 and became a prominent figure in the Dutch progressive rock scene. He also collaborated with projects such as Ayreon and Magoria.

In addition to his music career, Reekers worked extensively as a voice actor and dubbing director for the Dutch versions of major films, including Harry Potter and various Disney productions. He released four solo albums, with his last being "The Liberty Project" in 2023.

Edward Reekers' funeral announcement card:

The 2020 edition of Herrinering generated publicity in the media:

• Eindhovens Dagblad: https://bit.ly/3flzNIr - posted on November 18, 2020

• Algemeen Dagblad: https://bit.ly/3lSloWA - posted on November 20, 2020

• BN DeStem: https://bit.ly/3kOOW6r - posted on November 20, 2020

• ABBA Intermezzo magazine (Autumn 2020 - 30th anniversary issue):

• December 2020 issue of the Official International ABBA Fan Club magazine:

• German webpage ABBA.de, including a positive review about the re-release of 'Herinnering' on November 23, 2020. Click here to read it.

• December 30, 2020, issue of Privé magazine:

• March 2021 issue of Frits, a magazine about Eindhoven and the surrounding area:

On October 1, 2022, José attended the International ABBA Day in Roosendaal, Netherlands, which attracted hundreds of fans from around the world. She was present for an hour at the invitation of Franklin van Liempt and participated in an autograph session, signing copies of the 2020 reissue of her "Herinnering."

José Hoebee & Franklin van Liempt at the International ABBA Day 2022

Release and reissue

"Herinnering" was initially released on vinyl and cassette. In the 2000s, the now-defunct Dutch website Fonos.nl sold unofficial digitized and restored copies on CD in collaboration with the ABBA Fan Club Shop. After José made a solo comeback in late 2003, there were rumors within the fan community about a potential CD edition, but nothing came of it. When Bonnie and José briefly reunited in 2013, they planned to reissue the album on CD, but that project was also canceled.

Shortly afterward, Karin Angeleyes launched a Facebook page to advocate for the re-release of "Herinnering." In early 2020, Franklin van Liempt initiated a crowdfunding campaign for a reissue of the album on CD and DVD through the Voordekunst.nl site. The target was reached in just four days. The new edition was officially released on November 20, 2020, via CD-Licious, with the support of the ABBA Fan Club Shop. The CD included four bonus tracks, while the DVD featured the TV special “Bonnie & José in Zweden,” along with three bonus videos.

Commercial response and chart performance

Herinnering entered the Dutch Nationale Hitparade Elpee Top 75 at No. 73 on January 25, 1986, where it remained for just one week. Although it was not a commercial success, the album later achieved iconic status among admirers of the duo and within the ABBA fan community.

Tracklisting

Front cover

Photo by Govert de Roos

1/ Herinnering by Bonnie & José

Original release in October 1985 by RCA Records BV.

Music by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus

A side:

1. Zoals Vrienden Doen (The Way Old Friends Do) -3:12 / Dutch lyrics by Benny Neyman

2. De Flierefluiter (The Piper) - 3:24 / Dutch Lyrics by Harm Bremer

3. Waarom (Move On) - 4:34 / Featuring Ron Brandsteder /Dutch lyrics by R. Brandsteder / additional music by Stig Anderson

4. Is 't Zo Bedoeld (I Let The Music Speak) - 5:23 / Dutch lyrics by Hans Vermeulen

5. Chiquitita - 5:22 / Dutch lyrics by Harm Bremer

6. Ligt Dat Nou Aan Jou Of Aan Mij (Why Did It Have To Be Me) - 3:24 / Dutch lyrics by Joost Timp

B side:

7. Herinnering (Andante, Andante) - 4:32 / Dutch lyrics by Harm Bremer

8. Zonder Hem (Soldiers) - 4:35 / Dutch lyrics by Edward Reekers

9. Cassandra - 4:55 / Dutch lyrics by Benny Neyman

10. Weet Wel Wat Je Doet (Lovers) - 3:24 / Dutch lyrics by Simon Been

11. Een Man (One Man One Woman) - 4:44 / Dutch lyrics by Hans Vermeulen

12. Vriendschap (Arrival) - 3:00 / Dutch lyrics by Pieter Boer

Credits

Lead vocals - Bonnie St Claire and José Hoebee

Arranged by Harry van Hoof

Bass Guitar – Jan Vermeulen

Choir – Edward Reekers, Hans Vermeulen, Hilde Vermeulen, Jody Pijper

Drum – Max Werner

Grand Piano, Synthesizer – Hans Jansen, Harry van Hoof

Guitar – Lex Bolderdijk

Liner Notes – Skip Voogd

Photography – Govert de Roos

Producers – Albert Hol, Will Hoebee

Saxophone – Gerbrand Westveen

Sound Technician – Pieter Boer

Recorded and engineered at Wisseloord Studios, Hilversum, the Netherlands

Management – Double Entertainment

Design – Spiral Studio

Back cover

A side

B side

2/ Herinnering (2020 edition)

Released by CD-Licious on November 20, 2020

• CD Tracklist:

12 original songs from the Herinnering album

Bonus tracks:

13. Hart Voor Een Kind (Live) (I Have A Dream) - 4:15

14. Vandaag Of Morgen (The Sun Will Be There Again) Dutch Lyrics by Benny Neyman - 3:15

15. De Postkoets - Lyrics by Ferry van Delden - 2:53

16. 'N Engel Als Jij (Engel Wie Du) - Dutch Lyrics by T. Peters - 3:47

• DVD Tracklist:

TV Special "Bonnie & José in Zweden"

Original broadcast on May 27, 1986, on NCRV

Chiquitita

Herinnering

Ligt Dat Aan Jou Of Aan Mij

Zoals Vrienden Doen

De Flierefluiter

Bonus videos:

Cassandra

Waarom (with Ron Brandsteder)

Hart Voor Een Kind (Live)

Back cover of the CD/DVD

Additional Credits:

Mastered by MPB

Producers – Ad Bouman (track 15), Albert Hol (tracks: 1-12), Will Hoebee (tracks: 1-12, 14, 16)

Reissue Producer – Franklin van Liempt

Video Editor [DVD] – New Sense Media

With kind permission from Sony Music Entertainment Netherlands B.V., Universal Music B.V., and KRO-NCRV

Source: Luv' & José weblogs archives, Marco Rens, Stany Van Wymeersch, Discogs.com, DutchCharts.nl, Facebook, YouTube