ABBA Australian Promotional Tour March 1976 - Relaxing Weekend !

During ABBA's promotional tour in Australia in 1976, they were filming for scenes that would be shown in the international version of 'The Best Of ABBA'

Although ABBA had a relaxing weekend, there were cameras present at all times to film the needed scenery - the international show would be showing off Australian fauna and flora.

They were treated to a cruise on the Hawkesbury River, north of Sydney, where they stopped at a cove on the river and experienced a typical Aussie BBQ, and were given Boomerang lessons. This trip included a visit to the Koala Sanctuary at Bobbin Head.

They also went for a cruise on Sydney Harbour and visited Taronga Park Zoo on Sydney's North Shore.

'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 :)

Agnetha Faltskog Australia 1976 - Beautiful Photos

Beautiful alternate shots to the one we are used to seeing.
Agnetha in 1976 - during their promotional tour in Australia - and even wearing the Channel 9 tag where the Bandstand Special was filmed 'The Best Of ABBA'.
Plus a few old favourites of them all :)

ABBA In Sweden With Molly Meldrum - July 1976

During July in 1976

An Australian film crew is in Sweden with Molly Meldrum to interview ABBA for the TV Special "ABBA In Sweden". This special also features the Musikladen Special 'The Best Of ABBA'.

The ABBA Logo officially has the backwards B - created by Rune Soderqvist - although if you notice in this photo shoot from February 1976, Benny already had ideas !

The backwards B logo is first used on the Dancing Queen single.

ABBA - The Story Of Musikladen Box Set 1972-1976

This is the latest addition to my collection - The Story Of Musikladen Box Set No. 1  1972-1976.

Released in Germany.

This fabulous box set contains 10 DVD's with all epoisodes from 1972 to 1976 including the amazing ABBA Special "The Best Of ABBA".

DVD number 10 has the complete German Special 'The Best Of ABBA' ... the sound and quality are great - much better than any bootlegs getting around.

Unfortunately, after a very short release time this month, this set is now no longer available due to a pending lawsuit with a record company .... apparently they didn't have full rights to release this material ... there are many artists featured so it could be in relation to any of the, including ABBA no doubt. 

Full details including the tracklist for all 10 dvd's can be found here:

https://www.discogs.com/Various-The-Story-Of-Musikladen-No-1-1972-1976/release/3523363

There were 2 other volumes released also - and withdrawn from market at the same time.