Abba at Joy 94.9 FM this afternoon- while the Heat is on.

One of the great things about living in Melbourne is a reqular

Radio show called Cafe Latte

with a fantastic host

Alan Ross- it airs at 3 Pm each week on sundays- and although I cannot always tune in- Anyone can listen via Joy's weblink. I must say I enjoyed today's show so much.

It was great to see Boney M finally placed in the icon gallery-

Yet the most pleasure was found in today's show as Alan Ross had a great idea to have

an Abba Vs The Beatles phone-in poll.

What a great idea!

...and the winner who took it all was Abba- in the end. However as we know the swedes themselves would not have agreed to

this comparison- in fact if you view this wonderful recent interview I found with Bjorn (below)- it was Paul & John who

inspired and started Bjorn and Benny on the road to amazing success. This also tells us how Bjorn has always been

a fan of Karen Carpenter! artists who in the 70's were one of the main rivals to Abba-

Enjoy some chat & sites of Stockholm city in this french programme---

Puzzle #8 : Abba @Stockholm! by Off

A Happy New Year Everyone! - What lies waiting down the line, at the end of 2020!

DR Tv in Denmark reports on an Abba Scoop for Mamma Mia at the Danish Premier!

Over in Copenhagen, Denmark where a danish language version of 'Mamma Mia'

has started The first pics of this Event, held on 15th Ocober 2010 are out. Now Abba today very rarely make appearences all 4-of them together, its become the norm. Yet 2-members normally pop up together

for Abba events from time to time, but never before have just formally married couple

Agnetha & Bjorn stepped out.

It's nice to see these two arm in arm supporting each other in the name of their

old 70's pop band.

Check out this great DR news item of the Opening night-

DR tv News

+ Agnetha, is lookin at fantastic as ever...

Melodifestivalen 1974- All the songs

- its great to see what kind of Swedish talents ABBA were up against- Watch out for a young

Anders glenmark at the end!

ABBA in Melodifestivalen entries from 1968- 1981

Many swedish stars have entered Melodifestivalen many times with dreams of

making it to the Eurovision glory, names like Magnus Carlsson ( who we are hoping will be back in 2011-see interview below) & Nanne Gronvall, to name a couple.

ABBA made the biggest impact back in 74 with 'waterloo' as we know so well however this journey along the melodifestival path was also a long one, and even continued after that Brighton win in 1974. In fact as songwriters or solo singers they competed in Melodifestivalen a total of 7 times, twice a song was not selected or choosen- giving a total of 9 entries from back in 1968.

Here is the History year-by-year.

1968- Agnetha a new star in Sweden submitted the song 'Forsonade'

wrote by Agnetha.

It failed to be selected for Melodifestivalen- is found on her debut album.

1969- Benny (& Lasse Berghagen) wrote the tune 'Hej clown'

sung by Jan Malmsjö, a famous actor-The tune tied for 1st place, then following a re-vote

Benny's song came just second to Tommy Korberg.

1969- Anni-Frid Lyngstad sung the same year 'Harlig ar var jord' following her Tv breakthough 2 years previous this jazzy standard finished in joint 4th place. This was Frida's only solo Mf appearence.

1970- Sweden did'nt take part in Eurovision

1971- Bjorn & Benny began writing pop hits together now so submitted a tune 'Det kan lngen Doktor hjalpa' a folk band Family Four, had been choosen already by SVT as the artist to sing in ESC.

However this was not one of the 5 songs choosen as part of Melodifestival show- The song was released as a Bjorn & Benny single- with Agnetha & Frida on backing vocals. This track shows an early Abba sound now coming together.

1972- A Polar Lable artist Lena Andersson sung the next Bjorn & Benny song 'Säg Det Med En Sång' she came 3rd- and this gave her a big hit single in Sweden. And has remained a popular Melodifestivalen classic of 70's.

1973- Following the debut single 'People need love' released in 72-ABBA arrived in Melodifestivalen yet stil know as their individual names. The song was 'Ring Ring' due

to a jury of experts the song came only 3rd! 'Ring, Ring' was clearly the public's favourite and launched Abba's career & debut album.

1974- Abba won Melodifestivalen with 302 points ahead of Lasse Berghagen (211) & Lena Ericsson (185) ..the rest really became international history.

Yet this was not the end for Bjorn & Benny at Melodifestivalen- next year they came back.

1975- 'Bang en Boomerang' became a hit track on Abba's third LP it was infact wrote for Svenne & Lotta in Melodifestivalen 1975 it came 3rd. While Lasse Berghagen took top honours at last. (click on song to view MF 75 performance)

...it seemed as if the four swedes would not come back to Melodifestivalen after 1975. There was a long gap and ABBA's huge international career kept them busy, then in 1981 -Agnetha suddenly put her songwriting talents out there for the Mf final.

1981- Agnetha Faltskog wrote "Men natten ar var" (lyrics by Ingela Forsman) a new artist Kicki Moberg sung the song. It came in 5th place with 28 points (out of 5 songs)

This year was strangely the same year Benny Andersson chose to Produced a new Norwegian folk singer/songwriter Finn Kalvik who was selected for

Eurovision 1981 for Norway. Finn's own song 'Aldri i Livet' (Here in my heart) came last

in Dublin! with nul points, although Agnetha & Frida sang the back-up vocals on his studio version of the single and album released.

So that's the Abba long journey with Melodifestivalen. That had rejected tunes and last placing

even after Brighton..if you want to hear more Abba JUST tune into 'Cafe Latte' today on

Joy 94.9 fm

Alan Ross will be doing a 2 hr special on the swedes on Sunday 29th 3pm (EST Melb time)

Måns Zelmerlöw does his version of 'A View to a kill' (Duran Duran) 85 classic

What an absolute treat as Måns does an opening number

singing Duran Duran's hit 'A View to a Kill' with the

back-drop

of all the stars from 'Andra Chance' competion in

their various

duels. We luv it! - more of this for next weeks final please..

Check out the stairwell -that the fiddlers walk down during

the duel with Neo - could this be the stairs at Gripsholm Castle

where Abba took

for the photos for the Waterloo Album cover sessions (back shot)

- Yes, We Luv this- Måns is schlager-tastic!

Kerry Ellis -'You Have To Be There' from Kristina The Musical

Bjorn and Benny in New York this week put

on a musical Presention of the musical 'Kristina' now

finally translated into english.

Two music concerts at Carnegie Hall on September 23

and 24, Following this there will be a Cast Recording

CD released of the music.

The show is very different from ABBA or Mamma

Mia, yet it looks set to be another success story

for Bjorn & Benny on Broadway.

This progression of the guys Musical career reminds

me of Abba's own career. How the likes of 'Waterloo' &

'Ring Ring' in 1973 brought us joy and fun song lyrics.

Who would have imagined by 1981 these swedish

songwriters would have us in tears, hearing songs from

the album 'The Visitors'. That time may have come around

again, we danced to Mamma Mia - now with

Kristina an epic emotional saga of emigrants

going over to the New World of America in the

1800's. Is it time to shed a tear or two?

'You Have to Be There'

is from the show when Kristina for the first time

is found questioning if God will be there for her following

her life's tragedy.

Kelly Ellis did an amazing version of this in Hyde Park

during the Abba Tribute Concert..will it even gain her a

new part on Broadway? Hope so..

Lets wait and see.

Agnetha's JUMPSUIT DRAMA Down-under in Melbourne ! ('The Age' News today)

Victoria Police have issued an SOS and are currently on the hunt for the white jumpsuit originally worn by Agnetha Faltskog during their 1977 Australian Tour.

The jumpsuit, which Agnetha wore on Arrival cover, and is seen in the opening scene of ABBA The Movie. The jumpsuit has Agnetha's name on the back, and is believed to have been stolen from a Healesville house then sold on at a garage sale.

The famous jumpsuit was gifted to a Qantas flight attendant in 1977 as Agnetha was on the long journey home from Abba'a Australian Tour. This year the flight attendant leased out her home with this treasure stored in the shed at the house.

The tenants are now being interviewed by Police, a Victoria Police spokeswoman said. Police would like to speak to anyone who may have attended a garage sale at the Don Road House in May this year.

What about Frida's jumpsuit, is no one bothered about that one ? At least Frida's had the nice ties at the bottom made for her boots- it was always the blond one though ! Stay tuned for more jumpsuit News....

Healesville, Melbourne -Victoria, Australia

Kylie & Benny at ABBA Tribute Concert

.....FROM AUSTRALIA to SWEDEN

With Love.
(via Hyde Park)

Here it is, Kylie's Dream come true-
An Emotional Performance

'When all is said and done' was recorded on ABBA's final Album release
'The Visitors' in 1981. That must be just the best version since!

Abba Vs Brotherhood of Man -Angelo Vs Fernando- Go Head to Head in 1976!!

This is a TRASHY UK Ch 4 Program from bout' 2000 called 'I Love 1976 ABBA'- its
real funny towards the end, when they talk on the 70's Abba vs Brotherhood of
Man debate..& Bjorn asks did they really win? Oh......... hmm
then a classic Frida'
quote at the end (edited) be sure to see it all! And below just more of the same, this
time we find
fun with some ole gambla Svenska footage as well as -Abba at Melbourne Town Hall
all fantastic stuff on a ' Top 10 HITS' Program (just a shame Waterman had to butt in!)

FLASHBACK Agnetha 'The Last Time' she was in UK a Fantastc interview with Wogan 1987

Its been fantastic seeing and hearing lots from Benny Andersson in London last week with his band.
He did Jonathan Ross TV Show, + check out below the interview on BBC R4 'Front Row'
It does not happen too often when any members of Abba ventures overseas to do Solo promo
Here is the Last Time' Agnetha was in London, a fantastic quality clip from BBC's Wogan show when
Agnetha was promoting her
'I stand alone' album in the UK

Kristina - The Musical it is finally coming 'Home' to NYC ! September 2009 Concert...

A classic track 'Stanna' from swedish Kristina- set to 'Day Before You came'- visuals clever 

Kristina- The Musical concert will take place in September at Carnegie Hall starring Helen Sjoholm (Kristina).
The amazing New Musical was an outstanding success in Sweden in the late 90's and since then been frozen
in time, just like the very story it portrays the swedish immigrates are now going to a new home in New York City.
You can check out this great fly-on-the wall clip of a meeting at Mono Music in Stockhom.
At the end a wonderful jam session + a verse of the song 'Home'

PAST & PRESENT Benny & Bjorn in 1970 ( before Abba) from 'Lycka' LP

Kara Gamla Sol. (Side 1-4. on Lycka album)

Some Wonderful old Pic's of Benny- this song has lasted so well, I think compared to Benny's BOA stuff
today-its just as great from 1970- almost 40 years on still writing those classics.

Benny Andersson's 'Give me my Song' performed Live!

Give me my song  ( B.Andersson-Y.Eggehorn)

From 2004, I had not heard this track before, I was thinking it was from the english version of B&B's Kristina -Musical. 

It is actually "Saknadens Rum" and "Karlekens Tid" medley called 'Give Me My Song' with a little luck the tune could be featured in BOA Live concert on Hampstead Heath London in two weeks? Watch the clip til the end and see Benny in the crowd.

its CAROLA as she Votes for her Abba Song on the long drive home from Moscow!

courtesy of Abba the Official Site

ABBA's New Song 'Second Best to None' sung by Benny's staff of His Rival Hotel- Stockholm

How amazing is this tune! Bjorn & Benny have stopped dead any plans and Hollywood pressure, to do a Mamma Mia Movie follow-up.

Yet B&B show us they still have many more wonderful pop melodies in them ! So Benny has given this

great new tune to his staff down at the Rival Hotel that he owns. To think this could have easily been another Abba 

chart-topper ! I can almost imagine or hear Frida doing a lead vocal on the verses.

ABBA's Bjorn & Benny Exclusive Interview with BBC this week

5 minute interview 

courtesy of Universal Pictures & BBC.

SCHLAGER HERO 4 Agnetha Fältskog: ABBA

My My does'nt time fly ! its 35 years today 

6 th April 1974 that ABBA won Eurovision 

Contest 

1974 in Brighton. As a further tribute I have picked Agnetha

as the new Schlager Hero. Certainly in the 60's her early Swedish career (before Abba)

was very much an old-style Schlager Singer of that time. More than any other Abba 

member in 1968 she even submitted the own song "Försonade" for 

Melodifestivalen, however it was not selected for the final. The track became track 5 on

her debut album "Agnetha Faltskog" in Sweden. She then waited til 1981 to enter her songwriting talents again in Melodifestivalen

with a song called  Men Natten Är Vår" ("But The Night is Ours") This was a slow ballad with

lyrics by Ingela Forsman and was sung by Kicki Moberg.This was the first lyrics 

entered in Mf by Ingela Forsman, she went on to write many more

as well as   'Så vill stjärnorna' And 'Med hjärtat fyllt av ljus'

in 2009. Agnetha is a real schlager hero

indeed.

Here is Agnetha with her Mf entry 'FÖRSONADE' plus her 

1975 hit "Tack För En Underbar Vanlig Dag" with subtites. 

And above a recent birthday photo of her with Billy Paul

at his concert in Stockholm.

FLASHBACK From Agnetha following her appearence last week; This Fab 80's ballad is perfect tune to sum up any Abba revival "Never Again"

The ABBA History Book on the shelf, really did repeat itself ! As the girls Except a 'Lifetime Achievement' ROCKBjornen !!

Agnetha Faltskog (58 ) & Anni-Frid Lyngstad Reuss( 63 ) very rarely make any public appearences, so the girls who sung 'Waterloo' back in 1974.
Shocked the swedish public by taking to the stage to except ABBA's Lifetime achivement Rockbjornen ( Rockbears-Swedish Grammis ) This kind of award is so often excepted by Bjorn & Benny now-a-days.

This amazing event missed alot of international News reports and a few Abba fan site gave a full report. Yet a detailed 'english' report from Aftonbladet can be found HERE PLUS a swedish Agnetha Radio interview with many recent pics HERE

What the Abba girls gave was so much more than an acceptance speech, LIVE on stage a 10-minute interview followed. This most interesting chat from the girls revealed, they were always good Friends never enemies. In the bands hey-day although they lived the high life travelling and on tour they always returned home to domestic washing up and cooking.

Frida really put Agnetha on the spot a bit, when she said 'I always wanted to ask you if we could make an album together !' They both laughed & Agnetha explained it was difficult to be motivated today to make music when they have private lives now far removed from the music scene. Agnetha did reveal she still writes songs herself, and listens to Laleh & Robyn at home, Frida added she has been a big Robyn fan for a while !!

Yes, this History book on the shelf will always be repeating itself - Thankfully