Mouth and McNeal

Yes, I might have mentioned them before: one of my favourite Dutch pop duo's from the seventies: a quick peek at the production process of their record company.



posted by beeld en geluid

The complete song Hello-A



Mouth & MacNeal was a pop duo from The Netherlands. They were formed in 1971 when producer Hans van Hemert brought together the solo talents of Big Mouth (born Willem Duyn, March 31, 1937) and Maggie MacNeal (born Sjoukje van't Spijker, May 5, 1950) together. Big Mouth had previously sung in a number of 1960's bands, including Speedway. In contrast, MacNeal had had an unsuccessful career as a solo artist.
The duo released their first single almost immediately. This first single, 'Hey You Love', reached #5 in the Dutch Top 40 while the next two singles 'How Do You Do' and 'Hello-A' both reached #1. In 1972 Mouth & MacNeal reached the top of the charts all over Europe, with their fame (especially in Germany) reaching almost hysterical proportions. "How Do You Do" was made popular in the United States by legendary radio personality Jim Connors. The song eventually reached #8 in the U.S. in July 1972. This propelled their 1972 US album How Do You Do into the Billboard 200 (US #77). More hit singles followed in 1973, and in 1974 Mouth & MacNeal represented the Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest placing 3rd, behind ABBA and Gigliola Cinquetti with their song "I See a Star", which went on to be a #1 hit in Ireland.



In December 1974, shortly after their success with "I See a Star", Mouth and MacNeal suddenly parted ways. Big Mouth and his wife Ingrid Kup continued and formed the act Big Mouth & Little Eve, whereas Maggie MacNeal went back to solo performing.



"Big Mouth" Willem Duyn died from a heart attack in his hometown of Roswinkel on December 4, 2004 at the age of 67.