The Mo
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1979 |
| Founder | Clemens de Lange, Huub de Lange |
| Defunct | 1985 |
| Headquarters | Netherlands |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
The Mo, frequently referred to simply as Mo, was a Dutch pop ensemble recognized for their 1980s hits such as "Fred Astaire" and "Cheese." The group was associated with the new wave and electronic music scenes, noted for their innovative approach to pop.
Biography
Established in 1979 by siblings Clemens and Huub de Lange, The Mo released their debut album Mo, which featured Heili Helder as the lead vocalist and Harm Bieger on drums. This album stood out by omitting guitars entirely, instead utilizing instruments like the Wurlitzer electric piano, clavinet, and bassoon.
In February 1981, the album climbed into the top 10 charts, driven by successful singles including "Nancy" and "Fred Astaire."
Following the breakup of the original lineup in mid-1981, drummer Harm Bieger reassembled the band with five new members, among them singer Linda Bloemhard, in an effort to maintain The Mo's unique musical identity. Although their next two albums, Ha! Ha! The Sound of Laughing and Stop Staring, achieved modest commercial performance, the track "Cheese" found popularity within dance clubs.
The 1984 release "Asia" enjoyed some success but was not enough to keep the band together, which ultimately disbanded after Stop Staring was released.
In 2013, vocalist Linda Bloemhard revisited "Cheese," recording a new version alongside American producer Fernando Perdomo in Los Angeles.
Members
(1979–1981)
- Heili Helder – vocals
- Clemens de Lange – piano, keyboards, bass, synthesizer
- Huub de Lange – organ, keyboards, synthesizer
- Harm Bieger – drums
(1981–1985)
- Linda Bloemhard – vocals
- Ton van der Meer – synthesizer
- Hans Nieuwint – synthesizer
- Harm Bieger – drums
- Eddie Conard – percussion
- Willem Ennes – keyboards, producer
Discography
- Mo (1980, Backdoor)
- Ha! Ha! The Sound of Laughing (1982, Backdoor)
- Stop Staring (1984, Backdoor)