ABBA In Australia 7 March 1977 - Relaxing In Melbourne - 40 Years Ago Today !

Today, 6 March 1977, ABBA get a day to relax although poor Bjorn was still unwell so did not get to enjoy a day out on the water with the others.

Quite interesting I think, that Bjorn was the one to fall sick, since he is the one who was always pushing about touring, and performing on shows etc. A bit too much for him perhaps ?

For all details and some great pics and articles, follow this link to my blog post from 2016:

http://abbafanatic.blogspot.com.au/2016/03/abba-in-melbourne-australia-7th-march.html 

I Am An A - Live Melbourne 1977:

Lyrics:

[Frida:] I am Frida. hello.
I'm the star of the show.
[Agnetha:] That's what she thinks, anyway.
[Frida:] And I like to perform.
Benny says I am warm.
[Benny:] Well hot is the least you can say.
[Frida:] Independant and free,
And ambitious, that's me.
Fighting for fame and success.
And I'm tough too, you see.
[Benny:] No she's not. Just ask me.
[Frida:] Singing and dancing is what I like best.

[Agnetha and Frida:] I am an A.
[Benny and Bjorn:] I'm a B.
[Agnetha and Frida:] He is okay.
[Agnetha and Frida:] So is she.
[ABBA:] Singing together in harmony.
[Agnetha and Frida:] He is a B.
[Benny and Bjorn:] She's a bird.
[Agnetha and Frida:] Did you mean me ?
[Benny and Bjorn:] Yes, you heard.
[ABBA:] We are a simple, four-letter word:
A-B-B-A.

[Bjorn:] I am Bjorn. I'm the guy
Who is careful and shy.
Don't like to spend every dime.
But I love my guitar,
And I drive in my car.
[Agnetha:] Scares me to death every time.
[Bjorn:] And I don't like to shave.
[Agnetha:] You should live in a cave.
[Bjorn:] No, I feel more at home on the stage.
When I sing and I play
With my group, it's okay.
[Benny, Angetha and Frida:] Your group?! You're kidding! Or is it your age?

[Agnetha and Frida:] I am an A.
[Benny and Bjorn:] I'm a B.
[Agnetha and Frida:] He is okay.
[Agnetha and Frida:] So is she.
[ABBA:] Singing together in harmony.
[Agnetha and Frida:] He is a B.
[Benny and Bjorn:] She's a bird.
[Agnetha and Frida:] Did you mean me?
[Benny and Bjorn:] Yes, you heard.
[ABBA:] We are a simple, four-letter word:
A-B-B-A.

Two and two together make four.
Every song opens a door.
[Agnetha:] I am an A.
[Bjorn:] I am a B.
[Benny:] I am a B.
[Frida:] I am an A.

[Agnetha:] I'm Agnetha. hello.
I'm the young one, you know.
[Frida:] She never lets me forget.
[Agnetha:] I am gentle and mild.
Underneath it, I'm wild.
[Bjorn:] Craziest woman I've met.
[Agnetha:] I'm romantic, they say,
But it's not quite that way.
I'm down to earth, yes indeed.
And I like early nights, so I turn off the lights.
[Bjorn:] And I never get any chances to read.

[Agnetha and Frida:] I am an A.
[Benny and Bjorn:] I'm a B.
[Agnetha and Frida:] He is okay.
[Agnetha and Frida:] So is she.
[ABBA:] Singing together in harmony.
[Agnetha and Frida:] He is a B.
[Benny and Bjorn:] She's a bird.
[Agnetha and Frida:] Did you mean me ?
[Benny and Bjorn:] Yes, you heard.
[ABBA:] We are a simple, four-letter word:
A-B-B-A.

[Benny:] I am Benny, at last.
And I'm living quite fast.
I like to travel and see.
I can play day and night,
If the feeling's alright.
[Frida:] And that's sometimes a problem for me.
I can play "in the mood".
I like wine. I like food.
[Bjorn:] Now, that's something He just can't deny.
[Benny:] But I'm the talented one
With a place in the sun - right ?
[Bjorn, Agnetha and Frida:] When he's not bragging
He's quite a nice guy.

[Agnetha and Frida:] I am an A.
[Benny and Bjorn:] I'm a B.
[Agnetha and Frida:] He is okay.
[Agnetha and Frida:] So is she.
[ABBA:] Singing together in harmony.
[Agnetha and Frida:] I am an A.
[Benny and Bjorn:] I'm a B.
[Agnetha and Frida:] He is okay.
[Agnetha and Frida:] So is she.
[ABBA:] Singing together in harmony.
[Agnetha and Frida:] He is a B.
[Benny and Bjorn:] She's a bird.
[Agnetha and Frida:] Do you mean me ?.
[Benny and Bjorn:] Yes, you heard.
[ABBA:] We are a simple, four-letter word:
A-B-B-A.

ABBA In Australia 6 March 1977 - Live In Melbourne - 40 Years Ago Today !

Today 6 March 1977, ABBA performed their 2nd & 3rd Melbourne shows - an afternoon show and an evening show !

They must have been exhausted after this.

Sidney Myer Music Bowl – 2.30pm
King’s Domain, Linlithgow Avenue, Melbourne

Tickets: $12.50 Reserved Seating – 2000 tickets
$9.00 Lawn Area

Sound Rehearsal: 12.00pm

Show 1: 2.30pm
Show 2: 8.30pm

14,500 tickets sold to each event.

For all the details & pics check out this link to my blog post from 2016:

http://abbafanatic.blogspot.com.au/2016/03/abba-live-in-melbourne-6th-march-1977.html 

I've Been Waiting For You - Live Melbourne 1977:

Some of the 20,000 fans trying to see and hear ABBA from *outside* the Music Bowl in Melbourne.

ABBA In Australia 7th March 1977 - Relaxing In Melbourne !

ON THIS Day – 7^th March 1977

ABBA Live In Australia !

But sorry, not today.

Today is a day of rest for ABBA before heading to Adelaide for their first and only concert there tomorrow night.

Unlike the move from Sydney to Melbourne, the crew will need this day to get everything to Adelaide and set up that custom made hydraulic stage which wasn’t required in Melbourne.

A lot of work ahead for them.

But this gave the ABBA members a chance to have a nice relaxing day out on the water – their favourite past time.

Unfortunately, Bjorn was still a bit under the weather – yes, pun intended – and he opted to stay at the hotel while Agnetha, Frida and Benny spent a nice leisurely 5 hours cruising on Port Phillip Bay.

Covering 1,950 square kilometres, Port Phillip is the entrance to Australia's busiest port and is one of Victoria's most popular recreational destinations.

Although Port Phillip is commonly referred to as 'the Bay' or 'Port Phillip Bay', Port Phillip is actually not a bay at all. It's a local port area that is actually made up of over 16 bays.

The cabin cruiser they spent the afternoon on was a charter boat that belonged to a Melbourne family and was called Killara II.

They boarded Killara II at Station Pier on Port Phillip at around 12pm and set off for the afternoon. They spent a little time ashore on a lonely stretch of beach where some of their sound crew went swimming – and returned to Station Pier at 5pm.

A lovely day was had by all – and I am sure Bjorn was grateful for the down time.

It obviously did him a world of good because Adelaide could possibly be the first venue to get the complete setlist !

It is of course possible that all songs were performed in Sydney on 4^th March – but there is no way to confirm that.

So enjoy this day off in the concert itinerary, and I’ll see you in Adelaide tomorrow !

The crew intinerary - they still had to work :)

ABBA In Australia 6 March 1977 - Two Melbourne Concerts !

ON THIS Day – 6th March 1977

ABBA Live In Australia !

Sidney Myer Music Bowl – 2.30pm
King’s Domain, Linlithgow Avenue, Melbourne

Tickets: $12.50 Reserved Seating – 2000 tickets
$9.00 Lawn Area

Sound Rehearsal: 12.00pm

Show 1: 2.30pm
Show 2: 8.30pm

14,500 tickets sold to each event.

ABBA's Itinerarary:

Sunday March 6th

Concerts Two performances

Venue Sidney Myer Music Bowl

Kings Domain, Melbourne

Sound rehearsal: 12 noon

Depart hotel 11.30 a.m.

Show time (no. 1) 2.30 p.m.

Return to hotel 5.00 p.m. (if required)

Depart hotel 7.00 p.m.

Show time (no. 2) 8.30 p.m.

Return to hotel When ready

On Sunday 6th March 1977 ABBA performed the second of their 3 concerts in Melbourne at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl – a day concert starting at 2.30pm.

They then returned again at 8.30pm that night for their last show in Melbourne.
Performing 2 shows in a day would have taken quite a lot of effort I’m sure – and ABBA did this 3 times while they were in Australia - once in Melbourne and twice in Perth.

And yet, not once did they appear less than fabulous when performing – the performances were always energetic, fun and full of joy. They gave it all their when they were on that stage, no matter what.
It would have been an amazing thing to have seen ABBA in concert during a day show. Totally different experience to a night show I would think.

I think I would prefer the night one though – there is something quite special about sitting in darkness and watching that beautifully lit stage.

As with the previous concert here, both shows were sold out – and there were still just as many people outside the fence during the shows. Melbourne was certainly making the most of this opportunity.

Bjorn was still not well during these performances and it is likely that some songs were omitted as with the night before – but there is no way to know for sure what may have been left out. There is no known full recording from the 2.30 show – and no confirmed recording for the evening show.

From the recordings I do have, I have chosen ‘I Am An A’ for the audio to accompany this ‘On This Day’ post, as I think it’s time to introduce the members of ABBA, in their own words.

One thing I really love about the day show in particular, is the beautiful photos – the few I have added below show just how stunning the colours all looked without those bright lights kind of blurring them all together.

Unfortunately there is not a lot to add for the concerts performed on 6th March as there were no major articles written or photos published. Gosh, all over you like a rash one day – ignoring you the next ! lol
This is where it would be wonderful if someone who attended either of these concerts – or any others – could share their experiences. Help give a more rounded view of these shows.

The 8.30pm show would be the last concert for Melbourne, but ABBA would remain in Melbourne on Monday 7th March – and enjoy some rest and relaxation before heading to their next destination, Adelaide.

Unfortunately, Bjorn was too sick to enjoy the day out with the others and opted to stay at the hotel to rest.

Stay tuned for more !