The Summer Media Circus of 1980: Patty Brard Leaves Luv'

Shock in Luv' Land

Forty-five years ago, exactly, the July 10, 1980, edition of the Dutch most-read newspaper, De Telegraaf, featured an article announcing that Patty Brard was obliged to be on sick leave for a month. Luv’s remarkable run, marked by a string of hits between February 1978 and June 1980, came to a sudden halt, forcing the cancellation of all their projects for several weeks.

De Telegraaf - July 10, 1980: Luv' star Patty Brard cracked under pressure

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At the time, the trio's latest single, "One More Little Kissy", was still on the record charts. A real media circus followed in the Dutch and Flemish press.

This unexpected news marked a challenging period in Luv's history, as it had a significant impact on the Netherlands' most famous girl group.

Het Parool - July 14th, 1980

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This incident came as a complete surprise to everyone, especially since the trio had maintained an impeccable public image. Since their debut in 1978, the Luv' ladies had enjoyed a string of hits not only in their home country but also internationally. They collected gold and platinum records, travelled across Europe in their private jet, appeared frequently on television, toured the club circuit, and graced the covers of magazines.

In May 1980, Luv' embarked on a memorable promotional tour in Mexico. Highlights of this trip included receiving gold records (including one for "Si, Que Si," the Spanish version of "Ooh, Yes I Do"), holding a press conference, participating in photo shoots, and taping TV shows. Just before this Mexican adventure, Patty met Carlo Nasi, a Los Angeles-based Italian record producer and music publisher, who was an heir to the FIAT empire. It was love at first sight. At that time, Patty was in the process of divorcing Dutch TV star Ron Brandsteder.

Rapidly, the enfant terrible of Luv' became less motivated to fulfill her commitments with the group due to the hectic schedule and the newfound romance. Tensions began to arise among the trio's members. In an interview published in Hitkrant magazine in early June 1980, Patty expressed her feelings, stating, "It's too much. I'm in love with a man who lives far away from me. It's hard to combine that with Luv'. Someday I'll have to make a choice."

Meanwhile, Luv' had ambitious plans for their future. They were scheduled to perform in the USSR, participate in the Yamaha Music Festival in Japan, and star in a TV series. These opportunities could have led to significant breakthroughs in new markets.

In his biography "The Story of Luv'," published in May 2015 and banned a month later due to photo copyright issues, Peter Boonstra recounted the moment Patty fell ill.

The Luv' singer wanted to purchase a house to live with her new partner, which required additional funds. On July 7, 1980, she asked her lawyer to arrange a loan with InterLUV' BV, the group's limited company owned by songwriters and producers Hans van Hemert and Piet Souer, manager Pim ter Linde, and the members of Luv'.

Pim ter Linde was surprised when he received a call from a lawyer with an unusual request from her client. This led to arguments and frustrations. On July 9, 1980, Patty visited a doctor, who diagnosed her with stress and advised her to take a month of sick leave. Unexpectedly, she left the Netherlands and travelled to Los Angeles, where Carlo lived.

Dutch authors Michel van Egmond and Antoinnette Scheulderman also mentioned this particular story in their 2020 bestselling book "Patty: de negen levens van Patty Brard".

Below is an excerpt from Patty's bio that highlights this dramatic moment in the diva's life.

As tensions mounted and an extension to a multi-million-guilder contract was about to be signed at Carrere's Paris office, Patty unexpectedly vanished. Her disappearance baffled everyone, including Henk van der Meyden, editor-in-chief of Privé magazine.

Antoinnette: Where were you?

Patty: In Los Angeles. Carlo and I started in Hidden Hills, then moved to Pacific Palisades, nestled between Malibu and Santa Monica. I remember when Carlo suggested living in Los Angeles; I thought, "Yes, why not?" My sister remarked, "You're going to do your shopping in paper bags." She found it romantic and so typically American, and I did too. Each time I carried those brown bags, I felt like I was living the dream. I even went shopping at night—it was thrilling. I regularly went to Gelson's in Santa Monica, where the stars shopped. It felt like a charmed life, and I thought I had the world at my feet. Poor Carlo, on the other hand, couldn't always handle it. I was a handful! I spent nights dancing with charming Frenchmen in underground clubs while he stayed home, engrossed in Winston Churchill's memoirs.

Antoinnette: Meanwhile, the entire Netherlands was in chaos: where was Patty Brard? Did you realize this?

Patty: When we visited Carlo's family in Europe, the butler brought us Dutch newspapers at breakfast, and that's when it hit me. I was reading about how I allegedly took advantage of him while I was simply enjoying lunch with Carlo in Monaco. Freddy Heineken brought one of those papers in and exclaimed, "I've found her! I've found her!"

Antoinette: It was reported that you had a nervous breakdown.

Patty: That was related to the legal situation. I was overwhelmed by the pressure in the group and was advised to exaggerate things. Saying I didn't want to work wasn't a valid excuse. The only way to evade penalties and claims was to claim psychological suffering.

Antoinnette: Hans van Hemert was furious when you left.

Patty: He's still upset, and I can understand why. The stakes were incredibly high. Hans had negotiated a 2 million royalty contract with Carrere, but it only applied to the original lineup of the group. Once I exited, that contract fell through. Anger was abundant.

Despite Patty's departure, Marga Scheide and José Hoebee tried to remain professional. In late July 1980, they participated in a sports event called "Wielrennen tegen Luv'" (Cycling against Luv') as part of the Hitkrant's Zomerspelen (a summer multi-sport competition featuring Dutch celebrities sponsored by teen magazine Hitkrant). 

Click on the images to enlarge them:

Hitkrant - July 26, 1980: Hard times for Luv'

As the days without Patty went by, the press kept on publishing articles about this showbiz saga of the summer. At first, the journalists didn't know where the larger-than-life Luv' lady was hiding. They later found out that she had stayed at Carlo's house in California. Pim ter Linde continued to inform the media. According to him, the girl group was taking a break, and he hoped Patty would return. 

De Telegraaf - July 17, 1980: Luv's Patty disappeared

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Leeuwarder Courant - July 18, 1980: Luv's manager confirms: Patty has to rest, and the pop group is not breaking up

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De Telegraaf - July 28, 1980: Will Patty be back in Luv'?

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Joepie, August 3, 1980: Travel mystery surrounding Luv's Patty

Hitkrant - August 14, 1980: Patty escaped to the US

In August 1980, Patty was supposed to be back. Instead, her lawyer announced that she was still sick and not ready to join Luv' again. 

De Telegraaf - August 16, 1980: Patty out of Luv'

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De Telegraaf - August 16, 1980: Tension surrounding Luv' hits a high point

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Hitkrant - August 21st, 1980

Pim ter Linde and Hans van Hemert were working behind the scenes to find a quick solution. A replacement had to be found, as several legal obligations were looming. One thing was clear: Luv' had to keep performing—with or without Patty. In Zevenhuizen, the owner of a nightclub threatened legal action if the group failed to appear on August 22, 1980. If they didn’t perform, Luv' risked a penalty of 50,000 Dutch guilders. To avoid the fine, a new member had to be brought in. But that's another story. At one point, the venue operator even considered replacing Luv' with their rivals, the sister duo Maywood.

Leekster Courant - August 7, 1980: Zevenhuizen feestweek featuring Golden Earring and Luv'

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Leekster Courant - August 14, 1980: Top artists (including Golden Earring, Luv' and Herman Brood) to perform in Zevenhuizen

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De Telegraaf - August 19, 1980: Hans van Hemert: "We are looking for a new girl" / Luv' stop their performances

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Leeuwarder Courant - August 20, 1980: Luv' goes on with or without Patty Brard

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Nieuwsblad van het Noorden - August 20, 1980: Club owner demands compensation from Luv'

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Nieuwsblad van het Noorden - August 21, 1980: Producer Van Hemert: Luv' goes on

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De Telegraaf - August 21, 1980: Club owner threatens legal action against Luv' manager

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Leekster courant - August 21, 1980: Maywood replace Luv' in Zevenhuizen

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Nieuwsblad van het Noorden - August 22, 1980: Luv' with replacement to perform in Zevenhuizen

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Bibliography:

• The Story of Luv' by Peter Boonstra, 2015

• Patty: de negen levens van Patty Brard by Michel van Egmond and Antoinnette Scheulderman, Publisher: Inside, 2020

Source: Delpher.nl, Luv' blog archives...