Original "Venus" singer Mariska Veres dies

Antara News ^ | December 3, 2006

[bd476]

The Dutch Band, Shocking Blue was the group that made "Venus" a hit in 1970.

The singer was Shocking Blue's sultry lead singer, Mariska Veres, who passed away two days ago.

Rest in peace Mariska.

---

The Hague (ANTARA News) - Mariska Veres, singer for the Dutch group Shocking Blue who had a worldwide hit with their song "Venus" in 1970, died Saturday aged 59, Dutch media reported.

Veres died from cancer. In 1970 "Venus" reached the top of the American music charts but Shocking Blue did not have any other success that matched their big hit. The group split up in 1974.

Their song "Venus" would go on to make it to number one in the American Billboard chart two more times: in 1981 by cover band Stars on 45 and in 1986 in a version by girlband Bananarama.

In the late 1980s Shocking Blue also served as an inspiration for grunge band Nirvana who covered the band's song "Love Buzz" on their 1989 debut album Bleach. (*)

[Xenalyte]

Oh, no, what happened to Lydia?

[bd476]

null and void wrote: "Mariska's never been married and has no children. She likes cats very much. Her favorite beverage is still tea.

Translation: Crazy cat lady

Possible.

More likely :

Mariska Veres was a Crazy Conservative, gifted, successful vocalist, similar to Stevie Nicks, Grace Slick, Cher, etc. (hereinafter known as "Others") that is, Mariska Veres can be compared as similar to Others provided that Mariska Veres' Conservative trait is subtracted or otherwise removed prior to any comparisons of Mariska Veres to (the aforementioned) Others are made, of course.

/end fine print in Rider to an otherwise astute Opinion.

;-)

[bd476]

The Swedes were also good. :-)

[bd476]

Thanks. May she rest in peace and/or enjoy her new position singing in a Heavenly Choir.

[dfwgator]

Ah yes, before American Idol there was Eurovision.

[null and void]

I don't suppose you have a link where we could hear it?...

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

She looks like a prettier version of Liza Minnelli

[null and void]

[KRYTEN zaps KOCHANSKI and CAT, who both instantly turn into younger versions of themselves. They appear to be aged about six years old]

KOCHANSKI What's happened!? Kryten, why are you so big, and why do I suddenly feel like a Vimto??
CAT Waahhhh! You gotta get me back to normal!
KOCHANSKI Do something! I can't go back like this!
KRYTEN Why not? You may only be three feet tall but you're both as cute as buttons!

[KRYTEN zaps both of back to their normal age, but CAT now sports an enormous afro, and KOCHANSKI's hair falls lank and straight from a centre-parting down almost to her waist]

KOCHANSKI Eeuuur! What's happened to my hair!?
CAT And what's happened to mine!
HOLLY You look like the Turkish entry in the Eurovision song contest.
KRYTEN It seems to have restored your hair to a previous Time period to the rest of you. Compensating:

[A third zap, and KOCHANSKI suddenly finds herself wearing skin-tight, multi-coloured hipsters, a sequined boob-tube and red stilettos. CAT is also dressed in similar disco-wear, including a fearsome tanktop and startling white boots]

KRYTEN Now it's regressed your outfits to a previous time in your lives!
HOLLY And you *still* look like the Turkish entry in the Eurovision song contest.

[Always Right]

If she came along after the MTV era, she probably would of had more than one hit.

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

"Venus" was the first 45 record I ever purchased with my own money, at age 11.

RIP, Mariska.

[bd476]

dfwgator wrote: "I thought Frankie Avalon was the original 'Venus' singer. (Ok now I've really dated myself)"

Dfwgator, no, you haven't dated yourself at all.

Frankie Avalon was only nineteen years old when he sang his biggest hit and chart topper "Venus" written by Ed Marshall. "Venus" sold more than a million copies in the Spring of 1959.

In 1970, Dutch singer Mariska Veres, lead singer of Shocking Blue sang the chart-topping "Venus" written by Robbie van Leeuwen, Shocking Blue's founding member.

The lyrics and melody for Shocking Blue's "Venus" are different than "Venus" as written by Ed Marshall and sung by Frankie Avalon.

You can see and hear Shocking Blue singing "Venus" here on YouTube.

Another Shocking Blue hit song on video, filmed outdoors, and in better lighting is also on YouTube. Shocking Blue Mariska Veres sings "Mighty Joe" here.

Venus by Robbie van Leeuwen

A Goddess on a mountain top
Was burning like a silver flame
The summit of Beauty in love
And Venus was her name

Refrain:
She's got it yeah, Baby, she's got it
Well, I'm your Venus, I'm your fire
At your desire

Her weapon were her crystal eyes
Making every man mad
Black as the dark night she was
Got what no-one else had
Wa!

Refrain:
She's got it yeah, Baby, she's got it
Well, I'm your Venus, I'm your fire
At your desire

---

Venus by Ed Marshall

Hey, Venus
Oh, Venus

Venus, if you will
Please send a little girl for me to thrill
A girl who wants my kisses and my arms
A girl with all the charms of you

Venus, make her fair
A lovely girl with sunlight in her hair
And take the brightest stars up in the skies
And place them in her eyes for me..."

Oldie Lyrics

[bd476]

null and void wrote: "I don't suppose you have a link where we could hear it?..."

Of course, in fact you can listen and watch Mouth and MacNeal
on a Dutch TV show.

Have a seat on the Time Machine, buckle up and enjoy
How Do You Do?

[csvset]

Lol. I haven't heard " How Do You Do? " in a loneg time. Fwiw, I thought Venus was done earlier , in the late 60's.

[null and void]

Thanks!

[Vroomfondel]

And you *still* look like the Turkish entry in the Eurovision song contest.

Hmm. 1992  2001  2006  2003  1995  Ack! 1987  1981  1980

[bd476]

You're welcome. :-)

[Tall_Texan]

Thanks for the clip. Just as I'd never actually *seen* Shocking Blue, I'd never seen Mouth and MacNeal either - just heard the song.

I'll bet 80% of the folks watching must have thought *she* was "Mouth" LOL.

It's pretty obvious they're lip-synching in the best American Bandstand tradition...

[steve8714]

Golden Earring is timeless. I still have to open the car window and sing when "Radar Love" comes on the radio.

[Neseattle]

If you want to have the song etched in your brain, give this new remix of “How Do You Do” a listen. it’s by a German band called “Scooter” and their title is: “The Question Was What Was The Question”.... here is the live version with people in the audience who actually remember the original!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=HE7XbeRhfZI

Here is my little slide show of the song in German and English:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=96DdgpvrHEM