My blog about ABBA and my ABBA collection
Saturday, 28 February 2015
ABBA "They're Here!" - 27 February 1977 Australia
'They're Here !'
How excited were we ??
On 27th February 1977, ABBA arrived in Sydney for their Australian Tour.
They checked into the Sebel Town House Hotel in Elizabeth Bay where they faced the Australian media for a Press conference. Very cringe worthy ......
There had been much outrage in the Australian press that tickets for the concerts would cost $9 or more! When tickets went on sale in October 1976, fans all over the country queued for hours to secure tickets and every single concert was sold out.
Images are from my personal collection.
How excited were we ??
On 27th February 1977, ABBA arrived in Sydney for their Australian Tour.
They checked into the Sebel Town House Hotel in Elizabeth Bay where they faced the Australian media for a Press conference. Very cringe worthy ......
There had been much outrage in the Australian press that tickets for the concerts would cost $9 or more! When tickets went on sale in October 1976, fans all over the country queued for hours to secure tickets and every single concert was sold out.
Images are from my personal collection.
Saturday, 14 February 2015
Benny Andersson On Skavlan February 2015 !
Benny Anderssdon & his son Ludvig appeared on Skavlan on 13 February 2015
Thursday, 12 February 2015
Is Frida Coming To Australia ?? Updated
Rumors abound that Frida will join other guests at Olivia Newton John's health retreat this Saturday (14th February) - could it possibly be true ????
UPDATE: The Invite Only party appears to be happening on the 21st February, not the 14th as stated in the article. Carnaval Drumming Band, The Samba Blisstas, are booked for a private function at the retreat on 21st for the 10th Anniversary Ball.
And the article does say that Olivia is hosting a Carnival celebration.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1740581822833920/
More news as it comes to hand ! :)
Article:
Olivia Newton-John flies home for special birthday at Gaia
She's had a few special anniversaries during her 43-year career, but this Saturday Olivia Newton-John will celebrate one that's especially close to her heart. Her health retreat, Gaia, turns 10 and the music legend is hosting an invite-only Carnival celebration on the retreat's idyllic Bangalow grounds.
As she prepared to fly home from Florida for the party, Newton-John told S of her love for the spiritual place she discovered in 2004 when driving through the Byron Bay hinterland with best friend Gregg Cave.
"We have always felt my mother Irene's spirit at Gaia since Gregg and I first found it. She had passed only weeks before and we believed she led us to find this incredibly special property.
"She would be so proud of us to have come this far and that we have inspired many people to lead a healthier and happy life. We still feel her in all aspects of Gaia. Her photography is everywhere there - she was a gifted photographer."
Newton-John co-owns Gaia with Cave and two other friends, Warwick Evans and Ruth Kalnin. All will be taking part in Saturday's celebrations, joining global guests rumoured to include ABBA's Anni-Frid Lyngstad and some surprise international performers.
Newton-John can't wait to be back. "I feel like I'm home at Gaia. I try to get there as often as I can - at least three times a year," she says. "A few days there feel like a week. It restores and replenishes my being.
"I love walks on Samira Lookout, the highest point on the property - and the highest point in the shire. It is very spiritual; a beautifully peaceful place to contemplate."
At 66, Newton-John still spends much of her time traveling, performing and campaigning for health causes. The cancer survivor credits the retreat, built on ancient Aboriginal sacred ground, for her continuing vitality. "Gaia's nurturing spirit and ethos always stays with me, along with what I learn from our wonderful yoga teachers, healers and therapists," she says. "I always leave inspired and stimulated with ideas from our team - especially our wonderful chefs. We now also have our own certified organic skincare range, Retreatment, which I love. It's in my suitcase now."
The four friends and directors are looking forward to sharing memories at the party. Says Gregg Cave: "Comparing ourselves now to when we first embarked on our Gaia adventure, we really were stepping in to the unknown. None of us had done anything like this before. We were relying on gut instinct and wanting to create a space we could escape to for some time out. I think it's surpassed all our expectations. Ten years on we are thrilled with the knowledge that a visit to Gaia can really be life changing for so many of our guests.
"We feel blessed that as four people from very different walks of life, we have remained strong in our commitment to creating the best Gaia possible and also having fun along the way."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Check out the retreat here:
http://www.gaiaretreat.com.au/
http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/celebrity/olivia-newtonjohn-flies-home-for-special-birthday-at-gaia-20150214-13by2g.html
UPDATE: The Invite Only party appears to be happening on the 21st February, not the 14th as stated in the article. Carnaval Drumming Band, The Samba Blisstas, are booked for a private function at the retreat on 21st for the 10th Anniversary Ball.
And the article does say that Olivia is hosting a Carnival celebration.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1740581822833920/
More news as it comes to hand ! :)
Article:
Olivia Newton-John flies home for special birthday at Gaia
She's had a few special anniversaries during her 43-year career, but this Saturday Olivia Newton-John will celebrate one that's especially close to her heart. Her health retreat, Gaia, turns 10 and the music legend is hosting an invite-only Carnival celebration on the retreat's idyllic Bangalow grounds.
As she prepared to fly home from Florida for the party, Newton-John told S of her love for the spiritual place she discovered in 2004 when driving through the Byron Bay hinterland with best friend Gregg Cave.
"We have always felt my mother Irene's spirit at Gaia since Gregg and I first found it. She had passed only weeks before and we believed she led us to find this incredibly special property.
"She would be so proud of us to have come this far and that we have inspired many people to lead a healthier and happy life. We still feel her in all aspects of Gaia. Her photography is everywhere there - she was a gifted photographer."
Newton-John can't wait to be back. "I feel like I'm home at Gaia. I try to get there as often as I can - at least three times a year," she says. "A few days there feel like a week. It restores and replenishes my being.
"I love walks on Samira Lookout, the highest point on the property - and the highest point in the shire. It is very spiritual; a beautifully peaceful place to contemplate."
At 66, Newton-John still spends much of her time traveling, performing and campaigning for health causes. The cancer survivor credits the retreat, built on ancient Aboriginal sacred ground, for her continuing vitality. "Gaia's nurturing spirit and ethos always stays with me, along with what I learn from our wonderful yoga teachers, healers and therapists," she says. "I always leave inspired and stimulated with ideas from our team - especially our wonderful chefs. We now also have our own certified organic skincare range, Retreatment, which I love. It's in my suitcase now."
The four friends and directors are looking forward to sharing memories at the party. Says Gregg Cave: "Comparing ourselves now to when we first embarked on our Gaia adventure, we really were stepping in to the unknown. None of us had done anything like this before. We were relying on gut instinct and wanting to create a space we could escape to for some time out. I think it's surpassed all our expectations. Ten years on we are thrilled with the knowledge that a visit to Gaia can really be life changing for so many of our guests.
"We feel blessed that as four people from very different walks of life, we have remained strong in our commitment to creating the best Gaia possible and also having fun along the way."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Check out the retreat here:
http://www.gaiaretreat.com.au/
http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/celebrity/olivia-newtonjohn-flies-home-for-special-birthday-at-gaia-20150214-13by2g.html
Wednesday, 11 February 2015
Australia To Compete At The Eurovision Song Contest 2015 !!
Australia to compete in the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest !
Geneva, Switzerland -
Yes, you read that right! After a prominent place in the interval act of last year’s Eurovision Song Contest, Australia will compete in the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest, to take place on 19, 21 and 23rd of May in Vienna, Austria. Just for once, and for many good reasons!
This year, the Eurovision Song Contest celebrates its 60th anniversary. To give the anniversary celebrations an extra dimension and to walk the talk on this year’s theme Building Bridges, the EBU and host broadcaster ORF invited Australia to compete in the Grand Final of the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest. This brings the total amount of represented countries to 40.
The contest’s governing body, the Reference Group, and the EBU’s Television Committee accepted the proposal.
“It’s a daring and at the same time incredibly exciting move. It is our way of saying; let’s celebrate this party together!” says Jon Ola Sand, Executive Supervisor of the contest on behalf of the EBU.
Michael Ebeid, Managing Director of broadcaster SBS, says: "We are very excited to have secured this historic opportunity for Australia to be represented on the world’s biggest stage at the 60th anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest and are honoured that the European Broadcasting Union has supported us to achieve this ambition. SBS has been broadcasting Eurovision for over 30 years and we have seen how Australians’ love of the song contest has grown during those years."
ORF Director General Dr. Alexander Wrabetz says: "The song contest has developed in its history to become the biggest TV entertainment event in the world. With the participation of Australia, together with our partners at the EBU and SBS, we have succeeded to lift it to a new global level and to build another bridge for the 60th anniversary. A bridge that spans the globe, starting from the heart of Europe."
Australia will be allowed to vote in both Semi-Finals, as well as the Grand Final. Along a professional jury, possibilities are currently being explored to allow the public to have a 50 percent stake in the Australian vote via televoting.
http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=australia_to_participate_in_the_2015_eurovision_song_contest
The contest’s governing body, the Reference Group, and the EBU’s Television Committee accepted the proposal.
“It’s a daring and at the same time incredibly exciting move. It is our way of saying; let’s celebrate this party together!” says Jon Ola Sand, Executive Supervisor of the contest on behalf of the EBU.
Michael Ebeid, Managing Director of broadcaster SBS, says: "We are very excited to have secured this historic opportunity for Australia to be represented on the world’s biggest stage at the 60th anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest and are honoured that the European Broadcasting Union has supported us to achieve this ambition. SBS has been broadcasting Eurovision for over 30 years and we have seen how Australians’ love of the song contest has grown during those years."
ORF Director General Dr. Alexander Wrabetz says: "The song contest has developed in its history to become the biggest TV entertainment event in the world. With the participation of Australia, together with our partners at the EBU and SBS, we have succeeded to lift it to a new global level and to build another bridge for the 60th anniversary. A bridge that spans the globe, starting from the heart of Europe."
Australia will be allowed to vote in both Semi-Finals, as well as the Grand Final. Along a professional jury, possibilities are currently being explored to allow the public to have a 50 percent stake in the Australian vote via televoting.
http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=australia_to_participate_in_the_2015_eurovision_song_contest
Tuesday, 10 February 2015
Frida On Stage To Present Award - Stockholm 2015 !
Anni-Frid Lyngstad handed out the award at the gala.
One of those ABBA shock!
Frida at the QX Gala in Stockholm 9 February 2015.
Anni-Frid Lyngstad shocked everyone when she got up on stage to award a prize for "Best gay / bi / trans".
- All of us have a value and is unique, she said at the scene.
It became a true ABBA shock when it was time to award the prize for "Best gay / bi / trans". Sissela Kyle came on stage and said mysteriously:
- Now all wondering - who are here to share the prize. If you listen carefully ...
Suddenly, you hear a voice singing the song "Fernando". Onto the scene slid Anni-Frid Lyngstad of ABBA. When the singer proved to the audience burst out in complete euphoria. It was to say the least love in the room that Lyngstad was received by, she was mildly taken by the response.
- What a terrific host, said Lyngstad.
When she would award the prize as she held an impassioned for the equal value.
- Yes I sing all about liberty - "freedom". It must be part of every human right to live in peace, said Lyngstad when the applause and cheers lay for several minutes.
She continued:
- All of us have a value and is unique.
Something Lyngstad thought ought to get people to distance themselves from ideologies and streams of thought that makes a difference to people.
Glädjejublen continued after Lyngstads speech. Then she shared the prize for "Best gay / bi / trans".
- She is rappens Tarantino. A 176 centimeters tall power pussy, said Lyngstad.
The award went to rapper Silvana Imam who made an inflammatory speech against racism.
- But we LGBTQ people and heterosexual people driving a common struggle. And it's racism. OUT WITH racists
The crowd's cheers were not long in coming.
http://www.expressen.se/noje/anni-frid-lyngstad-delade-ut-pris-pa-galan/
Frida's Arrival ! :)
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