I created this blog to help share ABBA information with other fans and to show off my new collection items :)
Please note: Collection item photos are from my own personal collection. These are not stock photos. If you wish to use any of my photos elsewhere, please have the courtesy to ask first - Thank you :)
Simon Cowell ‘signs ABBA stars Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus for X Factor’
SIMON Cowell has secured ABBA's Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus to perform on The X Factor.
The music mogul, 59, has nabbed the Dancing Queen hitmakers for the Mamma Mia inspired week on the ITV talent competition.
The BBC were tipped to secure the Swedish duo for an upcoming project, which has since been dropped.
But with the BBC shelving the Swedish power group, Simon took the opportunity to sign Bjorn, 73, and Benny, 71, for his own programme, according to the Daily Star.
A source said: "Abba are one of the world’s greatest bands and it
will certainly give the show a big lift having Benny and Bjorn on
board."
The pair are tipped to give The X Factor contestants a masterclass.
The hopefuls will get the chance to perform one of ABBA's greatest hits on the show.
Bjorn will also be hitting the stage and performing on the live shows in forthcoming weeks.
However, it has yet to be confirmed when exactly the duo - who made
up ABBA with Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad - will make their
appearance.
Limited Edition 7" White Vinyl Released 7th December 2018 Happy New Year / Felicidad Limited to 3000 Some sites have it available for pre-order now - don't miss out !! Links below.
From Universal:
"ABBA’s legions of devoted fans will be delighted at the announcement of a collector’s edition, 7-inch vinyl single of their 1980 track from the Super Trouper album, ‘Happy New Year.’ The single will be limited to 3000 copies worldwide.
Released on 7 December by Polar/USM to mark the build-up to New Year
2019, the single will be pressed on white vinyl with unique artwork, and
backed by the Spanish language version of the song, ‘Felicidad.’ To
make it even more of an attractive item for ABBA collectors, a limited
edition of the single is to be pressed to mark each new year on
different coloured vinyl.
‘Happy New Year’ was written by ABBA’s Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus duringa
working holiday in Barbados. According to some fan sites, it had the
working title ‘Daddy Don’t Get Drunk On Christmas Day.’ The track first
appeared when the Super Trouper album was released as the group’s seventh studio album in November 1980.
With lead vocals by Agnetha Fältskog, the track was released as a
single in a few countries at the time, notably Holland, Brazil and
Portugal, but went on to greater chart activity in later years. The song
became a top five hit in the group’s native Sweden in 2008 and again
the following year, when it also reached the top five in Norway.
2010 saw ‘Happy New Year’ in the Swedish top ten once again, and in
the era of streaming, like many other festive and holiday-themed
standards, it reappears regularly on many charts around the world. In
1999, it attracted a cover by the Stockholm-based ABBA tribute quartet
A*Teens, which also peaked at No. 4 in Sweden and reached No. 12 in
Denmark.
Benny Andersson revisited the melody for his September 2018 album Piano, performing
the track as a slow piano solo. The album topped the Swedish chart for
four weeks, and reached the top 20 in the UK, Norway and Australia."
ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus has said “here we go again” to plans for a Mamma Mia! themed restaurant in London, after he ditched a failed bid to open it in Waterloo.
The Swedish songwriter and singer today revealed he intends
to launch an immersive attraction — called Mamma Mia! The Party — at the
O2 complex in Greenwich.
When it opens in “late spring” next year, up to 500 guests a
night will dine on Mediterranean food in a mock Greek taverna while
singers blast out ABBA songs around them and perform a “spin-off” story
from the hit musical and movie Mamma Mia! At the end of the evening,
tables will be cleared away to make way for a vast Seventies-style disco
dance floor.
The announcement comes less than four months after the 73-year-old was forced to abandon his original plans to create the venue in Coin Street, close to the station that shares a name with one of ABBA’s biggest hits.
Residents had launched a spirited “No Thank You For The Music” campaign
in opposition, claiming their lives would be blighted by rowdy ABBA fans
emerging from the restaurant in the early hours.
Ulvaeus said today: “We have long admired the O2 and the huge
entertainment success it has become under the ownership and management
of AEG.
“We believe bringing Mamma Mia! The Party to the O2 will add
to this already vibrant cultural destination and provide the perfect
location for our exciting new show.”
John Langford, vice president and general manager of the O2, said:
“To be hosting Mamma Mia! The Party at the O2 is a real honour. It
perfectly complements the outstanding live performances, events and
entertainment all available under our world-famous roof.”
The plan marks the latest commercial venture involving the music of ABBA, who won the Eurovision Song Contest
in 1974. A sequel to the movie Mamma Mia! — Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again
— opened last month and has taken roughly $350 million (£270 million)
at the box office.
Opening in Spring 2019 - tickets go on sale in Autumn 2018.
Follow updates and buy tickets on the Official site here:
Thank You For The Music An All-Star Tribute ABBA TV Special
Airdate: 18 December 2018 !!
It's going to be amazing !
Not only do we get to see the ABBAtars for the very first time - before they tour them in 2019 - but we also hear ABBA's 2 brand new songs !! Wow, how exciting is this ??? The international ABBA tribute TV broadcast will be produced/directed by
Swedish director Johan Renck, creative music video director for
Madonna, Beyonce and Kylie Minogue among
others.
Executive producer is Simon Fuller, creator of the TV concept
‘Idol’ and manager to the Spice Girls.
Es Devlin is onboard as set
designer, known for her works with Adele, Beyonce, Lady Gaga and Olympic
Games ceremonies.
The TV Show of the Millenium. "This is going to be Worldwide" !! 😀😍
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again World Premiere London 16 July 2018
The stars were out in force for the glittering premiere of Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.
First to arrive on the blue carpet at London's Hammersmith Apollo was leading actress Lily James.
29-year-old
Lily posed up a storm in her stunning fairy tale floorlength gown, that
featured a quirky split to reveal her satin tie shoes.
The
Downton Abbey star, who plays a young Meryl Streep in the sequel,
embraced her natural beauty with subtle make-up while allowing her long
tousled locks to flow loose around her shoulders.
Lily appeared delighted to run into co-star Amanda Seyfried, as they held hands in front of the photograpers.
Amanda was looking super chic in a black suit adorned with floral detailing.
32-year-old Amanda, who is reprising her role as Sophie in the sequel,
gave a revealing glimpse of her black lingerie as she opted to go
shirtless under her buttoned-up jacket.
While Meryl Streep also made a welcome appearance at the London bash on Monday night.
There had been rumours the Oscar-winning actress wouldn't appear in the sequel as she was absent from the trailer.
But arrived at the Apollo to support the movie, defiantly crashing with the blue carpet in a floaty navy midi dress.
Music icon Cher, 72, got one of the biggest cheers of the night as
she wowed on the red carpet wearing a striking all black ensemble.
The singing legend appeared to be getting on famously with Lily and Amanda as the trio cracked jokes while they posed for pics.
Christine Baranski, who plays Tanya in the film, was one of the next to arrive in a simple but elegant black sequined dress.
Leading men Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnan and Stellan Skarsgård soon
followed looking suited and booted as they posed for their camera with
their wives.
The actors return for the all singing- all dancing musical where they play Meryl Streep character Donna's former love interests.
Thandie Newton was also in attendance with husband Ol Parker who directed the movie.
The
actress, who wearing a quirky white midi dress, and partner Ol - were
joined by their two daughters Ripley, 18, and Nico, 14, who looked just
like their famous mum.
The sequel to the hugely successful first movie, released in 2008,
will be both a prequel and sequel - with the story set five years after
the last film's finale and including flashbacks to 1979.
Audiences
will see how Meryl Streep's character Donna came to be on the island of
Kalokairi and trying to determine who fathered her daughter Sophie.
While in the present, Donna's best pals Tanya (Christine Baranski) and
Rosie (Julie Walters) will help Sophie find out more about her mum's
past including how she fronted The Dynamos and came to meet the men in
her life.
