In 1977, Australia’s population was 14.1 million people – 160,000 of those people saw ABBA perform Live – and around 60,000 of those people would see ABBA in Sydney. Tickets for the concerts had gone on sale the previous October on a first in first served basis – tickets sold out very quickly.
There had never been a concert tour
undertaking such as this in Australia before ABBA.
A tour party of 117 people
including a 17 piece Australian orchestra and a movie crew – 28 tonnes of sound
equipment, 30 tonnes of lighting and a custom built hydraulic stage used to
raise and lower the orchestra – a unique feature. Jands in Australia provided much of this equipment and built the custom stage.
All being carted around the country
in IPEC semi-trailers. It took 40 crew to set up and dismantle this equipment.
The setup for Sydney began on 28 February with the first sound rehearsal at 2pm on 1 March.
On this day, 2nd March, there would be a full sound and string rehearsal.
Just a little note of interest - the musical director for the orchestra during this tour was none other than our very own Graeme Lyall from the Don Lane Show !
Just a little note of interest - the musical director for the orchestra during this tour was none other than our very own Graeme Lyall from the Don Lane Show !
Awesome info! So exciting to think it was happening on this day 40 years ago! Look at that stage!
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