'The Best Of ABBA' Released In Australia - November 1975 - 40 Years Ago !

Wow, has it really been 40 years since this most iconic album was released ? How the time does fly.

Released in November 1975, this is the most successful ABBA album in Australia, with sales in excess of 1,250,000 copies !

When you consider that Australia's population at the time was a mere 14 million, that is quite phenomenal.

We were proud of the fact that '1 in ever 4 households in Australia owned an ABBA album' - and rest assured, this was the album that everyone had.

The Best Of ABBA was unique to Australia and New Zealand - with other countries releasing a variation of the 14 or 15 track Greatest Hits.

'The Best Of ABBA' entered the charts on 22 December 1975. The album was released in only 2 States at the time - with the rest of the country not getting the release until February 1976.
After slowly climbing the charts for 14 weeks, it hit the number 1 spot 15 weeks after the initial release and stayed at number 1 for 16 weeks in Australia and 18 weeks in New Zealand !

Overall, it stayed in the charts for an amazing 70 weeks (yes folks, that is more than a year).

At one stage RCA Records couldn’t keep up with the demand for the albums in the country's shops, and copies had to be pressed under licence by a rival record company.

A sentimental favourite for Australians, and probably the most recognisable album cover in this country.

Wonderful memories, playing this album over and over and over :)

New ABBA Items At ABBA The Museum Shop !

Some cool new items available at ABBA The Museum Webshop:

http://www.abbathemuseum.com/en/shop-en

Above is the laptop bag which costs around $24.00 AUD

Cosmetic Purse $13.00

Apron - love this ! :) $45.00

Hoodie $96.00

Posters 50 x 70cm $22.00

Posters 35 x 50 - UV coated $32.00

Frida's Message To The Fans

 " To all the donators for Kinder in Not,

Dear all,
When I was asked what I wanted for my 70s birthday I said to everybody; nothing for myself, but if you wish to give something I would much appreciate a contribution to (Urs) Dan Daniell's and my foundation "Kinder in Not".

I have been very surprised to find that your generosity have topped my wildest imagination, and I am so grateful to all of you!

It was the best birthday gift ever and both Urs and I send our heartfelt thanks for donations which will help kids in many ways, and when we have decided which project to donate it to, we will of course let you know.

Also a warm thank you for all the lovely birthday cards and letters you've sent me.
I am so humbled and grateful!

Much love to you all,
Frida xxx "


What an awesome lady :)

Happy Birthday once again Dear Frida
xx

Happy 70th Birthday Frida From Australia ! We Love You Frida !!

Happy Birthday Dear Frida,
You have been a part of my life for 40 years - and I have adored every moment.
Life would not have been the same without you.
Wishing you a wonderful Birthday full of love, joy & laughter.
With love, Always & Forever from Australia xxxx

Wow, can you believe our gorgeous Frida turns 70 today ?

To celebrate this momentous occasion, thousands of fans have sent Birthday messages through various channels - all of which are being delivered to Frida personally.
But also as a special gift for Frida, fans around the world have made donations to her foundation 'Kinder In Not' ('Children In Need)', which was founded by Frida and her good friend Dan Daniell.

The two main avenues for messages and donations were through the ABBA Intermezzo
International Fan Club and the Frida70 campaign run by Monique Hoevens and Evelyn Nuyens.

Funds raised were an amazing 4500 euro through Intermezzo, and a whopping 7455 euro
through Frida70 !
This doesn't include other avenues that fans donated.

What a fabulous gift for Frida - and for the children. Well done to all involved !

This image shows some of the messages that have been sent to Frida from Intermezzo and below
that is Frida's personal reply.

I know one of my messages is among those in this picture :)

My two personal Birthday messages to Frida:

"Dearest Frida,

Words can never truly express the love and respect that I have had for you for the past 40 years – with ABBA, and without ABBA. I am not like some other fans so I have never written to you before – although I have wanted to, many times.

I feel blessed and privileged to have had the experience of ABBA and yourself, in my life. I was one of the lucky ones to have been there when ABBA Mania hit Australia – nothing else could ever compare.

My love has never faltered in all of these years – you entered our hearts, our minds, and our souls – and have remained there ever since.

Your generosity towards the fans is a rare and special thing – and I want you to know how deeply that is appreciated. We feel the love from you – just as I hope you feel it from us. When you stood on that balcony at the Melbourne Town Hall in 1977 in Australia with all the fans in the street, the tears in your eyes did not go unnoticed. Your emotion towards fans made us love you all the more.

You are a very special person – and you have been a major part of my life. I am so grateful for that.

So on this most special occasion, your Birthday, I wanted to say Thank You For The Music – and thank you for your heart.

Wishing you a very Happy Birthday full of love, joy and laughter.

With the greatest of affection from Australia,

Roxanne Hodgson-Dickson"

"Dearest Frida,

My family and I have been watching you and adoring you since 1975 when the first ABBA film clip appeared on Australian television. We knew we were seeing something very special – and we were definitely part of the ABBA Mania that swept through Australia.

We watched every repeat of ‘The Best Of ABBA’ TV Special in 1976  – and my little sister and myself learned every move from that show and would perform our version of the show for our older sisters and their friends all the time.

We were there for your first Australian concert in Sydney in 1977 – Mum and four daughters. We happily stood in the rain – and chanted ‘We want ABBA’. It was the most thrilling moment of our lives. We saw you fall and were horrified that this would happen on an Australian stage ! Once we got over the shock and concern for you, we were so impressed with your professionalism – to get back up and continue as if nothing had happened was simply amazing. You were brilliant ! And so stunningly beautiful J

We delighted in your personality, which shone through clearly in every performance. We adored your beautiful, perfect, amazing voice.  We thrilled at your energy, your vibrancy. You always made us smile.

And now, 40 years later, nothing has changed. We still adore you and you continue to bring joy and pleasure to our lives.

But more than that – we respect you – for your talent, your graciousness, your generosity of heart. You have given so much – and you continue to do so.

I can never fully express in words what you have meant to me personally these last 40 years. Nothing else compares to the impact that you and ABBA have had on me and my life. There are so many emotions wrapped up in the memories – I still cry now when I watch ‘ABBA The Movie’ – happiness, love, nostalgia, sadness, joy – all a part of the story.

I was blessed to have been there when you went ‘worldwide’ – and I feel blessed to be here now – to be able to finally tell you just a little of how I feel.

I want to tell you personally how wonderful you were – and still are. You are an amazing woman – and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you have given us over the years. 

Can you hear the drums ? They are our hearts – beating in time with the music - and they have never stopped, here in Australia. You touched our souls – and we have always felt that you belong to us. You became a part of us – and will stay with us forever.

Wishing you an amazing 70^th Birthday – full of love, happiness, and laughter.

With love, always & forever

Roxanne Hodgson-Dickson & Family

Australia"

Intermezzo fan messages

Frida's message:

To all the generous members of the ABBA Intermezzo Fan Club,

Dear all,
To my birthday I received a list of donators to "Kinder in Not", and was 

equally surprised and happy over your very generous gift.
It was the best birthday gift ever and both Urs and I send our heartfelt 

thanks for a donation which will help kids in many ways, and when we have 

decided which project to donate it to, we will of course let you know.
Also a warm thank you for all the lovely birthday cards and letters you've 

sent me.

Much love to you all,
Frida xxx

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

I hope to add images from the Frida70 campaign here as well very soon.

A few of my favourite Frida images from her times in Australia to celebrate 

this amazing woman on such a special Birthday ! 

Frida - Pop Princess Turns 70 - Danish Article

Swedish Anni-Frid "Frida" Lyngstad with his Danish record label executive, Jerry Ritz, from Hørsholm. Here photographed in the TV studio in Søborg in 1982. Photo: Jan Persson

From SN Denmark

http://sn.dk/Hoersholm/Popprinsessen-fylder-70/artikel/531148

Pop Princess Turns 70

Princess Anni-Frid Reuss von Plauen - or as he previously called Anni-Frid Lyngstad Synni - or most simply 'Frida', the brunette in the Swedish success group ABBA.

Her voice is known worldwide for ABBA songs as' Fernando 'and' Knowing me, Knowing You. These songs will remember most, but it's probably still very few who remember Frida's birthday. On Sunday she will be 70 years.

Frida was born November 15, 1945 in the small town Ballangen in Norway. She was the result of a romantic affair between a young German sergeant Alfred Hasse, who came to Ballangen in 1943 during World War II and a handsome young Norwegian girl Synni Lyngstad. After the war left Alfred Hasse Norway and went back to Germany before his daughter was born.

When Frida was 18 months old, she moved with her mother and grandmother to Torshäll in Sweden. A few months after the family arrived in Sweden, died Frida's mother and her grandmother became responsible for her.

Already 11 years old debuted Frida as a singer at an event to benefit the Red Cross. Two years after she was 13 years old engaged as a singer in a local dance band and went on for the next eight years as a singer in various dance bands.

The date '3 September 1967 "was of great importance for tomorrow fødselars career. It was the day when Sweden went from driving on the left to driving on the right. All drivers were advised to stay at home, which meant that many watched TV that night, where Frida television debut in the popular entertainment program "Hyland hörna '.

Then it went in quick succession. She toured with various soloists and jazz pianist Charlie Norman. There were send for her and in 1969 she put up by Melodifestivalen (Swedish Eurovision) which was later to have such an impact on her career with the song "Härlig är spring earth 'that were placed in fourth place.

1969 was also the year where she met Benny Andersson, and they formed shortly after the couple. Frida's seventh single for EMI called 'Peter Pan' and was recorded in September 1969. Set in ABBA's tortuous path to later fame, an interesting case because the fact was the first song by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus wrote.

There should, however, go a few years before Frida was the big breakthrough Sven peak, the Swedish newspapers wrote: "1971 Fridas years!" - Without knowing what future awaited the next world champion.

Although I came the first time on Anni-Frida "Frida" Lyng finery name when I year later in 1972 started at EMI, which had the rights to the then small Swedish record label Polar. The first time I met Frida was when she and the quartet with the long name "Björn, Benny and Agnetha, Frida 'stood for Melodifestivalen with the song' Ring Ring '. In order to break through internationally the name of the group the following year changed to ABBA when they won the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Waterloo'.

For fifteen years I had pleasure to work closely Frida, both in the ABBA-time and subsequently with her solo release. I saw at close quarters the development and growing popularity, from coming to Denmark for the first time. We had arranged that they should sign the records in a record store on Stroget, where despite the announcement did not come an eye to meeting ABBA. It culminated with the top spot on the charts and sold-out concerts.

Frida earned a lot of money and a standard question for her from the press were:- How is it to be rich?She replied with a twinkle in his eye:- This means not that great, because you've only got the use of a washing machine.Frida, who resides in Zermatt in Switzerland, has been married three times and is the widow of Prince RUZZO Reuss von Plauen, who she was married to in Hørsholm Church August 26, 1992.Why Hørsholm Church I asked her, and she replied:- My mother had told us that it was so romantic out on a small island, and so it was there!It took place in secret. In addition to the bridal couple and the priest was only the groom's mother present. They got only seven years together, after which he died of cancer in 1999. Today she forms pair with a wealthy Englishman Henry Smith.Fridas latest musical proposal is back from 1996 in purely Swedish album 'Djupa andetag'. She is active in the music business anymore. Today she spends its time and money on environmental and humanitarian work.

Congratulations Frida.

Frida 70th - German Article: With 70 Years, Since Life Begins

From Badische Zeitung - Germany
Published in the print edition

http://www.badische-zeitung.de/panorama/mit-70-jahren-da-faengt-das-leben-an--113664530.html

With 70 years, since life beginsAbba singer Anni-Frid Lyngstad had retired to Switzerland - now they speculation is rife about the Swedish cult band could come together again.
The Popquartett Abba was a legend, the "Abbamania" rampant on. Songs like "Dancing Queen" are loved not only by the generation that in 1974 the huge international success of the band with "Waterloo" at the Grand Prix d'euros Vision (now Euro Vision Song Contest) has experienced. A large part of today's youth is forfeited the often deep melancholy, but at the same time energetic and life-affirming works by Abba. This can be seen from the number of users of the streaming service Spotify.
Just in time for the 70th birthday of singer Anni Frid Lyngstad temporary about a kind of reunification of the quartet is in Sweden now speculated, perhaps even on birthday with a serenade in Switzerland? Thither Anni Frid Lyngstad had retired 30 years ago. "How and where she celebrates her milestone birthday on Sunday, Annie wants to keep a secret like," says Görel Hanser, the Abba-manager and long-time friend of all band members. "She is concerned at present well. She now lives the life they want to live," said Hanser. You enjoy the solitude, under which they have always suffered earlier.
Lyngstad is the daughter of a German Wehrmacht soldier and a Norwegian mother, the "German children" were in their home for the occupation, they were in the public eye a shame. "I was fortunately so small that I did not notice it," Lyngstad says today. Her mother in contrast, experienced the hostility with full force. She died young in 1947. Lyngstad went with her grandmother to Sweden, where both wanted to start a new life. Your father has taken until 1977, when she was already famous Lyngstad. The magazine Bravo had tracked him, Lyngstad was hitherto assumed that he was dead. At 16, she took Swedish citizenship. The Norwegians they claim today still gladly as their national figurehead.
As 1972 began her big time with Abba, she was divorced and had two children. 380 million sound recordings sold the tape. "We were two couples. We were in love," she told the magazine now Damernas Värld. "I think somehow people could identify with us." The idyll was broken by her divorce from bandmate Benny Andersson, who today lives in Stockholm and very active acts. The second pair Abba, Bjorn Ulvaeus and Agnetha Fältskog, let divorced 1980th The last joint appearance took place 1982nd Lyngstad married, moved to Switzerland. Died in 1998 her daughter in a car accident a year later her husband to cancer. Lyngstad withdrew even more. "I wrote a lot, I wrote the grief of the soul," she says today. They also went "climbing, hiking, skiing, everything gives me peace of mind". They had grown up in the mountains, probably why he liked her so in the Alps, in nature. "The circle is complete", says Lyngstad on Swedish television SVT.
Meanwhile, it appears not only common in the public, it also occurs again - so far only at charity events - writes songs and designing exclusive ski fashion. And the first time she let even hinted that she was against a temporary Auflaben the band Abba not averse. "As long as we can all sing and play - why I would not like to do, but that need to Björn and Benny decide," she said. Also Agnetha had previously responded favorably to it. Björn, who rejected the earlier categorically, has now also let soften. "It would then be but a very special occasion," he says of the newspaper Aftonbladet. Since then, speculation in Sweden, whether Lyngstads 70th birthday could be such an Occasion - for a birthday song, and more.

ABBA Singer Frida Is Still Sexy And Happy With 70 - Italian Article

Anni-Frid Lyngstad Synni also still looks great with 70 years

Südtirol News

http://www.suedtirolnews.it/d/artikel/2015/11/13/abba-saengerin-frida-ist-mit-70-noch-sexy-und-gluecklich.html#.VkXeXL9nZEN 

Rough English translation of the article:

ABBA singer Frida is still sexy and happy with 70

Despite many vicissitudes has Abba singer Anni-Frid Lyngstad Synni - short Frida - can never be beaten. From her self-confidence she has until today lost none. And a new challenge found. On November 15, Frida celebrates her 70th birthday.
Frida has to be an exceptionally strong woman. Otherwise, the Abba singer would not have survived the many dramas of their lives so without prejudice. Her mother died early, her father did not know her first. She is twice divorced, widowed and has lost her daughter in a car accident. Nevertheless, it is not only happy in their choice-home, Switzerland. She feels even more attractive as a Senior.
"I think I look good - I am satisfied with myself," says the star of the legendary Swedish pop group of the magazine "Damernas Värld" the end of April. "Most sexy is a person, if they feel comfortable with yourself." Countless men around the globe had the willowy brunette adored in the '70s when she rocked back on platform shoes to "Mamma Mia" and "Dancing Queen" in the clock.
She was then assigned to their bandmates Benny Andersson. The second musician pair Björn Ulvaeus and Agnetha Fältskog both 1974 came to world fame when Abba with the song "Waterloo" won the Grand Prix. "We were very nervous," Frida the BBC in 2014 says about the famous appearance.
"We were two couples, we were in love," she says in retrospect. "I think in a way people could identify with us." However, the infatuation held at two pairs not last forever. After their marriage in 1978, Frida and Benny in 1981 separated again. For the singer thus already the second marriage went on the rocks. While still a teenager, she had married the Swede Ragnar Fredriksson, get with him two children - a boy and a girl. The daughter died as a young woman in a car accident.
To cope with the blows of fate, Frida writes a lot, "even if I have not published much," she says in the talk show "Skavlan" in September 2014. From the beginning, it Lyngstad not easy as a child of a Norwegian and a German soldier was born in 1945 in a mining settlement near the town of Narvik. "Tyskerbarn" call the Norwegian crew such children back then.
That her father lives, and that this is the German Alfred Haase, Frida learned only when she was famous with Abba. The youth magazine "Bravo" brought together the two. "His name is Haase, he knew of nothing," the magazine writes about his article.
As much as German as Norwegians would perhaps wish, one of the famous Abba members to belong to their compatriots: It is neither the one nor the other, but Swedish. After she moved with her grandmother as a little girl to Sweden, she took as a teenager to Swedish citizenship. Not even marriage with the German Heinrich Ruzzo Reuss von Plauen did not alter Prince, lived with Frida until his death in 1999 in Switzerland.
There is the singer who has become by marrying the princess, remained as a widow. "I feel at home there, I live there for 30 years," she says to Swedish television. "I was born in the mountains. (...) It is as if the circle would close. I'll be back in nature, in which I was born."
Out of love for her adopted country she works for the 150th anniversary of the first ascent of the Matterhorn in 2015 to a musical tribute. Otherwise, Frida, who also celebrated solo success in the 70s and 80s, rather than singing busy with other projects: For a designer she has designed a ski suit.

ABBA's Mamma Mia Hits Number 1 In Australia Today In 1975 ! 40th Anniversary !

On 3rd November 1975, 'Mamma Mia' - or 'Mama Mia' as on the Aussie single - hit number 1 in Australia - replacing 'I Do I Do I Do' in the top position.

This single would stay at number 1 in Australia for 10 weeks - before being replaced by 'SOS'.

But this song would not even have been released as a single if it had not been for Molly Meldrum, RCA and the Australian public.

Mamma Mia was the last track recorded for the album 'ABBA' and was never intended for a single release.

However, a promo clip of the song was sent to Australia along with others ( I Do I Do I Do, SOS) - and something about it caught Molly Meldrum's attention. He played it as a 'bonus clip' on one episode of 'Countdown', and soon fans were bombarding record stores with requests for the new song.

ABBA's Australian record company, RCA, asked that Mamma Mia be released as a single, but Polar Music refused. Molly kept showing the clip - almost in defiance - and eventually the pressure from the fans and the record company paid off !

Thankfully, Stig Anderson finally agreed to release Mamma Mia as a single - but in Australia only.

After this success in Australia, Epic Records in the United Kingdom took notice of ABBA for the first time since Eurovision and 'Waterloo'.

From then on, Epic began to heavily promote ABBA's singles with the immediate result of 'SOS' reaching the Top 10 in the important British market, their first hit since 'Waterloo'. 'Mamma Mia' soon followed reaching number one on the British charts in early 1976, where it stayed at number 1 for 2 weeks.

The B-side for the Australian release of 'Mamma Mia' was 'Hey, Hey Helen'. In most other countries the B-Side was the instrumental 'Intermezzo Number 1'. ABBA's British label Epic selected 'Tropical Loveland' as the B-side for the UK release.
'Mamma Mia' knocked 'Bohemian Rhapsody' from the number 1 spot in UK.

'Mamma Mia' reached number 1 in Australia, UK, Germany, Ireland & Switzerland - number 2 in Belgium, New Zealand & Norway - along with making it to the top 10 in many other countries.
It even made it onto the US Billboard top 40.
It was even released in Madagascar ! :D

This is the song that opened up the world to ABBA - and it all started right here, in Australia !

If this song had never been released as a single, I wonder what the stage musical would have been called ? Hmmm ......

The clip that won us over:

'Mamma Mia' performed in Australia 1976 on 'The Best Of ABBA' Bandstand Special:

Some great picture covers from around the world: