MARGA SCHEIDE

 

Marga Scheide was born on February 15th, 1954 in Amsterdam and worked as photo model for several years. In 1976, she became a Luv' singer with Patty Brard and José Hoebee. In 1978, Luv' recorded the theme song from the VPRO series "It is again so late!". They scored two number-one hits "You're the Greatest Lover" and "Trojan Horse" the same year. In 1979, the group received a Conamus Export Prize for being Holland's best export act. Their music was popular is countries like Germany, France and Switzerland.

 

In 1980, Ria Thielsch replaced Patty Brard. In 1981, the group broke up. José, Marga and Ria took part in a celebrity multi-sport event (Hitkrant Summer Games) the same year. They gave a farewell performance on the TV show "Holland Music Country". Between 1982 and 1986, Marga released solo records. In 1988, Luv's original line-up reunited on a TV charity show hosted by Mies Bouwman. Then Marga relaunched Luv' with two other singers (Diana van Berlo and Michelle Gold).

 

In 1990, British girl Michelle Gold left the female trio and was replaced by Carina Lemoine. The new Luv' was active until 1992. In 1993, the original trio and record producer Hans van Hemert gave an interview on the VARA TV program "The Temptation". Patty, José and Marga performed on the popular TV program "State Lottery Show" and gave a memorable performance at the It Club in Amsterdam. Luv' also went on a promo tour through other European countries. The original Luv' trio remained active until 1996.

 

Luv' reunited once again in 2005 to celebrate the 40th business anniversary of Hans van Hemert. In May 2006, Luv' was one of the "super surprise acts" during three concerts of De Toppers at the Amsterdam ArenA. RTL 5 aired "Back In Luv" (a reality program about their comeback). Luv' was still popular and performed regularly in the Netherlands. In 2006, Marga took part in the first season of celebrity figure skating program "Stars Dancing on the Ice" on SBS 6 and finished ninth. She was the oldest female competitor. In 2011, she participated in the cooking program "Come Dine With Me" on SBS 6. Patty, José and Marga decided to disband later. Since 1999, Marga has a second home in Ibiza and still lives in Naarden, North Holland. Luv's last live performance took place at Dance Valley Festival in 2012. Perry of Moov.nl talked to the friendly and smiling Marga Scheide in a restaurant in Hilversum for an interview for the internet site.

 

001.Did you play music before live performances?

       No, we talked before our shows. We did it for 36 years and it became a routine. One day before the gig, we made sure

       that we had everything in mind. The technicians cared about the sound on the day we had to perform. We didn't need

       sound checks. We always sang the same songs. However we didn't do it with autopilot. Every performance was different.

002.How important is music in your private life?

       Very important. It would be hard to spend holidays without music. Everywhere I go there's music. Even if I don't play an

       instrument. In the past, I wanted to take guitar lessons. But I didn't have the patience to do it.

003.What is your favourite sport? Do you still practise sport?

       I only watch very important football matches on TV like the UEFA European Championship and the FIFA World Cup.

       When I play tennis against Michiel (Gunning, Marga's partner), it's hard to win, haha. It's because he used to be a tennis

       coach. He gives me advice so I can improve my technique.

004.Before your singing career you were photo model for six years. What do you think about these years?

       My work as a photo model was a good way to make money. I also took part in beauty pageants: Miss Holland (1972,

       1973 and 1977), Miss Young International 1973 and Miss Europe 1975. I liked to travel a lot because of these

       competitions. I went to America, Japan and many other countries. I had the opportunity to discover the world. I was very

       proud of my participation in Miss Young International 1973 in Japan. Everybody wanted to pose with me for photos.

       Even if they didn't know who I really was, haha.

005.You were a Luv' singer for 36 years. How important was Luv' for your career?

       Yes it's true, 36 years. Sometimes there were years when we didn't perform. Luv' has been very important in my career.

       We were number one in Mexico and in Germany we were very successful. Germany is a bigger country and more people

       live there. You can make more money there than in the Netherlands. In 1976 when we started I knew less things than

       now. I made contributions to the concept of Luv'. Every week we met at the office to test new ideas. In 1988 I wanted to

       go on with Luv'. José had a child and Patty had other projects. Two singers were recruited to be part of a new trio. But I

       missed the original line-up very much.

006.If you had to name a Luv' track and a solo song you are the most proud of, which ones would they be?

       As far as Luv' is concerned, I would choose "You're the Greatest Lover" from 1978. Because of the interaction with the

       audience. The aim of the track was to put the public's hands up in the air. And that's what happened. It was nice to see it.

       As for my solo career, I would choose "Love Symphony" from 1983. The track was released with a white sleeve in the

       USA. People thought I was a black singer. The song aired on Black radio stations. When the record entered the charts,

       they wanted to shoot a music video. It was the end of the success of the song in America. They found out I was white. At

       the time white artists could not be broadcast on Black networks. Actually I could have been more successful with this

       track. "Love Symphony" was produced by Jacques Zwart (Marga's partner who died in 2003). In addition to his

       production work, Jacques was also arranger, lyricist and singer of the group "Het". He worked with Luv' and other bands.

       That's how we met.

007.In 2006 you took part in the Dutch TV program "Stars Dancing on the Ice"? Did you ice-skate before this talent

       show?

       I did not ice-skate at all. When the producers of the show met me for the first time, I told them I didn't want to

       participate. Finally they convinced me and I appreciated my participation in the program. I had no regrets. My skating

       partner was the Czech David Szurman who was very nice. It was hard to learn ice-skating but it was also hard for David

       to adapt to someone who could not skate. He was very patient with me. We're still in touch when he comes to Holland.

       When the weather is right in the Netherlands, I tend to ice-skate. It's because of my participation in the TV program. I

       attended shows of Holiday On Ice to see David's performances. I didn't appreciate the fact that former ice skaters took

       part in the competition. That's how ex-skater Hein Vergeer won the contest. It's not fair towards other competitors who

       were less experienced.

008.In 2011, you competed in the Dutch cooking program "Come Dine With Me". How did it happen?

       I watched the first season on TV. Then the producers asked me for the second season. Every week there were four

       candidates who had to compete for four days. Every day one of them was the host and the other candidates had to rate

       the meal and the atmosphere. One episode featured Dutch celebrities. I think I'm a good cook. But the atmosphere is also

       important to me. I think it was nice to participate. My favourite dish (that I eat daily) is Sashimi. It's a Japanese dish

       made of raw fish with salmon and tuna accompanied by soy sauce and wasabi.

009.What can we expect from you in the future from a showbiz perspective?
       I officially stopped my activities in showbiz in 2012. In 2016 Luv' will celebrate their 40th anniversary. It should be nice

       to celebrate it. Maybe fans will organize something. But nothing has been decided.

 

Photographer: Jennifer Bostelaar

 

Interview: Perry Krootjes