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 :)
Repeat post from 2016 with a couple of extra items added 😄
ON THIS DAY
– 4th March 1977
ABBA Live In
Australia !
R.A.S
Showground Sydney – 8.30pm
Sound
Rehearsal 2.00pm – make sure they got all the water out !
On Friday 4th
March 1977 ABBA performed their second concert in Sydney.
This concert
was not part of the original schedule and was added in later due to the
overwhelming numbers - too many for one concert.
In reality,
they could have held at least 5 concerts in Sydney and still all shows would
have been sold out. Just as with the UK, demand far exceeded what was available.
My Mum was
always sorry that we didn’t go to the second show – I think even now she hasn’t
gotten over that. But in 1977, I think $90 for two concerts (tickets for the
Sydney shows were $9.00 each) was a bit of a stretch for a woman on her own
with 4 daughters under the age of 15.
It truly
would have been amazing to see ABBA twice. – but I know that just being able to
see ABBA once was a major blessing.
I was always
just a tad jealous though of those that were watching ABBA on Friday night while I was sitting at
home. It’s all the family could think about on the Friday night – what we were
missing – it was kind of sad knowing that this was the last time ABBA would be
this close to us. But it wasn’t even just that – it was also knowing that this
audience had great weather for their show ! Double whammy lol.
There were
no issues at all on the Friday night, as far as I am aware, and ABBA performed
the complete set list, including So Long, to another 30,000 people chanting ‘We
want ABBA’.
I am sure ABBA
would have breathed a sigh of relief after Thursday night’s experience – and no
doubt they were not the only ones.
There was
more emphasis on crowd control for this concert – with more security to ensure
no one was crushed or trampled in the initial rush for seats.
The previous
evening’s events had shocked everyone – who would expect ABBA fans to behave
hysterically ? lol
But the
organisers learned fast, and it all went more smoothly on Friday night.
Right up to
the fireworks display at the end of the show !
This night
stays in my heart, along with Thursday night, but for totally different
reasons.
I am
surprised that an audience recording for this night has never surfaced.
Especially as we have recordings from every other show in Australia – even Sydney
on Thursday night, with the awful wind and rain.
It would be
amazing to find a recording for Friday night – it surely has to be out there
somewhere !
When the
concert finished on Friday night, the crew had to immediately breakdown the
sound, lighting and stage equipment and get it on its way to Melbourne for
setup the following day. ABBA would be performing there on 5th.
Equipment
was sent by road in IPEC trucks and by airfreight – with film equipment being
sent with the crew on a following charter flight – which left Sydney at 4am. Film
equipment consisted of 40 pieces weighing in at about 900 kilos.
What huge
days for the crew on this tour – no wonder they didn’t want to travel all the
way to Brisbane as well – would have been too much with the schedule they had.
Here is a beautiful raw and Live performance of 'I Wonder' by Frida in Sydney 1977. This recording is from 3rd March concert.
It's 40 years now since Carlton’s then
General Manager Keith “Caper” McKenzie somehow found a way to get the
better halves of Swedish supergroup ABBA decked out in dark Navy Blue
guernseys.
That happened on the morning of Saturday,
March 5, 1977, when Frida and Agnetha Faltskog and Frida Lyngstad,
together with their husbands Bjorn and Benny, lobbed at Tullamarine
Airport to fulfil their obligations in two shows at the Sidney Myer
Music Bowl as part of the band’s Australian musical tour.
In a previous interview with this
reporter, McKenzie, now 95, vividly recalled the chain of events which
led to Agnetha and Frida sporting the famous playing tops, in one of the
all-time great club marketing triumphs.
“When we knew they were about to land at
Tullamarine I told our marketing bloke Michael Whitewood, ‘Grab a couple
of guernseys, get up to the airport and take them out to
ABBA’,” McKenzie said.
“The band later headed out to Western
Australia to play four shows wearing the jumpers. I don’t know what
guernsey numbers they got, but it was a real coup.”
McKenzie remembered meeting with the
members of ABBA, then in town for three shows at the Sidney Myer Music
Bowl. At that time they were holed up at the Old Melbourne Motor Inn on
nearby Flemington Road, during which time they were also accorded a
civic reception at the Melbourne Town Hall.
The Carlton Football Club was the least
of ABBA’s concerns, on what was an exhilarating if hazardous ’77 tour.
Agnetha, in a later interview with Brita Ahman, described the tour as
“the most incredible of all the things that I experienced with ABBA . . .
there was fever, there was hysteria, there were ovations (and) there
were sweaty, obsessed crowds”.
“Sometimes it was awful,” she conceded.
“I felt as if they would get hold of me and I’d never get away again. It
was as if I was going to be crushed. On occasions they would grab hold
of us in the most unpleasant ways and there were times when we cried
once we were inside the car.
“No one who has experienced facing a
screaming, boiling, hysterical crowd could avoid feeling shivers up and
down their spine. It’s a thin line between ecstatic celebration and
menace. It can turn around in a flash.
“I don’t think anyone could stay the same
after such an encounter. It affects your personality. It remoulds you
and can be the source of phobias. Naturally, it depends on how sensitive
you are. Nonetheless I never felt that my life was in danger in
Australia. Enthusiasm and warmth were always present too.”
Frida and Agnetha are seen sporting their
Carlton guernseys in ABBA - The Movie, which takes in the ’77 tour.
Clearly, the top agreed with Agnetha, who two years later donned it
again for the “Chiquitita” clip, which was apparently filmed in the
lobby of the Central Hotel in Leysin, Switzerland, on February 15 in the
Carlton premiership year of 1979.
On December 22 of that year, ABBA’s
Chiquitita opened BBC2 UK’s "Christmas Snowtime Special", which also
featured the likes of Bonnie Tyler (“It's a Heartache”), Leo Sayer
(“When I Need You “), The Raes (“Gonna Burn my Boogie Shoes”) and The
Jacksons (“Destiny”).
In the Chiquitita clip, Agnetha can be
seen sporting the famous CFC monogram across her front. The clip later
appeared on Australia television on a program hosted by Dame Edna
Everage. In introducing the clip, the Dame, with typical humility,
refers to ABBA as “a little group I prophesised would go a very long way
indeed - a little cluster of scrumptious Swedes . . . I could really
eat them up”.
The Club would dearly love to make
contact with Agnetha to determine whether she and Frida still have their
precious Carlton guernseys in their keep and what numbers might be on
their backs.
So, the tease has commenced for the 40th Anniversary of ABBA The Movie / ABBA The Album with these images being shared on instagram by Polar Music International @abbaofficial.
I love this game of getting little bits of information at a time :)
I cannot wait to see everything they are going to do for this amazing Anniversary- and no doubt there will be a Live album which is what I want most ! :D
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:
[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.
After facing the Australian Press full on at the Press Conference at the Sebel Townhouse, ABBA still had more of them to deal with on the steps of the Sydney Opera House.
It's quite astonishing really - there were so many reporters & cameras at the Opera House, but it is almost impossible to find any articles about it in newspapers at the time. How very strange, at a time when the media were as obsessed with ABBA as the rest of us. Why no coverage ?
In ABBA The Movie, the silly reporter is seen trying to talk to the ABBA members while they were at the Opera House - the funny thing is, ABBA were not yet aware that this reporter was an actor !
At that time my household consisted of my Mum (Lynette), two
older sisters (Donna - 12 and Shirelle - 11), a younger sister (Belinda - 4)
and myself (Roxanne - 6). We lived on the Central Coast in New South Wales.
There was always music playing in our house. Mum was very
much into music - she had a wonderful variety of records which we could put on
the record player at any time. She also bought us our own records – and never
complained about us playing them over and over – she liked the 70’s music as
much as we did. If it wasn’t records, it was the radio – and we watched every
music program on TV.
From the time I was a toddler I loved music – and always had
my favourite songs. Music was an emotional experience for me. The songs I loved
as a child still touch my heart when I hear them now. I became quite attached
to songs when I was little – but not necessarily to the artists – until ABBA.
Our first experience of ABBA was seeing the ‘Mamma Mia’ film
clip on TV. It was after dinner and as was common, we were all sitting together
in the lounge room watching a music program. There was silence in the room as
we watched in fascination. But as soon as the song finished, the discussion
started. I remember everyone talking about this new group who were different to
every other group at the time. I remember talking about the outfits the girls
were wearing – and the blonde one’s figure when she turned side on. I remember
the conversation about the choreography – whether it was deliberate or
accidental that the girl’s did the same movements. I do recall that only one of
my older sister’s thought it was accidental. I remember the speculation about
who they were – and hoping to see the clip again soon.
I remember that from that moment, I was smitten.
We just couldn’t get enough of ABBA – and were thrilled
every time a new song was shown – which as most Australians will remember, was
quite a few in the following months. We were very surprised to find out they
were from Sweden – and that English was not their first language. We delighted
in the fact that they were two couples. Needless to say, everything about ABBA
was fascinating to us.
By the time ABBA were coming to Australia for the TV Special
in 1976, I can say in all honesty that I was obsessed. Mum had already bought the LP’s which we
played constantly – and we already knew the lyrics. ‘The Best Of ABBA’
Bandstand Special was the most enthralling show I had ever seen – knowing that
ABBA were actually in Australia was beyond exciting and the show itself was
magical.
With every repeat of the program on TV, my younger sister and I
learned more and more of the choreography and staging of the show. By the end
of 1976, Belinda and I were putting on ABBA shows for Donna and Shirelle and their friends – at their request usually !
It was during this time that Mum bought me the Bugs Bunny amplifier with carrot
microphone for performing these shows. Thus started my love of karaoke !
It was not long after the Bandstand Special that Donna and
Shirelle took Belinda and I to an under 18’s disco at the newly constructed
Shopping Centre in our town. At the disco, the DJ played ‘Ring Ring’ – to which
Belinda and I did the appropriate choreography of course. The DJ was apparently
very pleased and amused by this and told us to come up on the stage where he
presented us both with a copy of the ‘Dancing Queen’ single which had just been
released in Australia. Thrilled does not cover how I felt – not only did we
receive recognition for our little show, but we were given an amazing gift – a
new ABBA record – with a picture cover ! The first picture cover single to be
released in Australia. It was so beautiful – and a moment in time that I will
never forget. I still have my single – with my name clearly written in the
frame area around the ABBA image. Ah, life was good.
The production of ABBA memorabilia in Australia went into
overdrive in 1976, as did the collecting. I find it hard to put into words just
how wonderful it was to be able to get so many things with so many new images
of ABBA. Before the memorabilia, all we had was LP’s, a couple of picture cover
singles, and the photos printed in magazines and newspapers. Now we had
everything you could imagine. The bubblegum cards were by far my favourite – so
many pictures of ABBA – including images of them performing in some unknown far
away place. I thought the pictures were so exotic - how I wished to see those
performances ! Not to mention the fact that on the reverse, the cards made two
amazing posters – both from their trip to Australia – there was nothing better
than those cards to me. The fold –out poster books were also a delight – beautiful
pictures and such large posters ! Those poster books were duly cut up and
pasted all over my bedroom walls of course – as everyone was probably doing back
then - and I think many of us still cringe at that particular memory.
Mum was obviously quite indulgent with this love of ABBA –
the piles of bubblegum cards alone that I carried with me through the years
were an indication of that. I do remember Mum wearing her ABBA T-shirt though –
I think it definitely helped that she loved them too.
But there was something even bigger than all of this to come – with the
announcement of an Australian Concert Tour in 1977. I am not sure who was more
excited – Mum, or us kids !
There was never any question about us going to the concert. To
not go would have been unthinkable – no matter the cost or effort involved for
my Mum. The moment those tickets went on sale in October 1976, Mum was on the
phone ordering 5 tickets. And the countdown to March 1977 began.
ABBA in person – no words to describe the feeling at the
thought of that.
None of us had any idea of what we were about to experience
– could never have imagined what it would be like. We had never been to a Live
concert before – not us kids anyway – and Australia had never staged anything
of this scale before. We were about to be a part of the most astounding and
crazy Tour to ever happen in this country !
There were many preparations required for the trip to Sydney
for the concert. Travelling by train from the Central Coast to Sydney in 1977
was an experience in itself – and as the train schedule was quite different
back then, it meant staying in Sydney overnight as there were no trains late at
night to get back home. Luckily we had an Aunty who lived in Sydney and plans
were made to go there after the show.
Mum knew in advance that we would have to be at the
Showground in Sydney very early in the morning to ensure a good spot in the
line. So, a full day outside the venue plus an overnight stay with four young
daughters meant packing a suitcase with clothes and food. The night before,
everything was ready. Bag packed, alarms set, taxi ordered for the morning –
and everyone to bed early – although I doubt some of us got much sleep – more
exciting than Christmas !
We were up at 4am on the morning of the concert – and on our
way to see ABBA.
We arrived at the Sydney Showground at around 7am and
already the line was quite long. It was obvious some people had camped
overnight. Everyone was calm, friendly, orderly. We took our position in the
line and there we sat all day – enjoying the novelty of this whole thing.
As the day passed, the crowd swelled to huge proportions.
The thrill of the wait was almost too much to bear – the buzz in the air was
electric.
As it drew nearer to the time for the roller doors to open
into the showground, people started to ready themselves. Everyone was standing
now, and moving forward towards the doors – we were not too far back from those
doors now. Still, everything was calm and orderly – with the excitement
building more every second.
However, just before 5pm, bus loads of people arrived and
were let out of the buses right at the doors at the front of the line. Those
who had been camped and waiting in line all day were suddenly not so calm
anymore.
The crowd surged towards the doors. The excitement became
panic for those at the front – as they were now being crushed against the
roller doors. People started calling out for everyone to stop pushing – there
were many children among the crowd ! But it was too late – the push from behind
was constant.
Mum , Donna and Shirelle did what they could to protect
myself and Belinda from the crushing crowd. They made a kind of circle around
us, holding people back. Mum showed no fear, nor did Donna or Shirelle, so we
felt no fear. We simply felt the adrenalin building in anticipation of getting into
the Showground – hopefully getting good seats – and of seeing ABBA. I can feel
it now !
By the time those roller doors started to open, you could
barely breathe – it was all too much for some. Mum recognised what was going
happen as the doors went up. There was too much pressure from behind and if you
were not fast enough, you would be knocked down.So she told us “When the doors go up,
RUN!”
And that is what we did.
Mum and Shirelle had Belinda between them, and Donna took my
hand. As Donna ran, my feet did not touch the ground. We then all had to stop
again to go through the turnstiles where we handed in our tickets – then we
were running again – me flying along behind Donna.
We reached the lawn seating area and continued to run – all
the way to the front rows. We made it into the second row ! But we were there
alone – the other 3 hadn’t caught up yet. So Donna laid along the seats to save
them – no one else was getting those seats !
Not too long later Mum, Shirelle and Belinda joined us and
we settled in for the next 3 or so hours – happily eating the food Mum had
packed, and staring at that huge stage. Were ABBA really going to be right
there in front of us ?
It finally started to get dark – and the wind and rain
started – it poured down.
Did we care ? Absolutely not – it was time !!
Lights flashed on the stage – music boomed out of the
massive speakers either side of the stage – and suddenly, there was ABBA, right
in front of us ! Pure magic.
I think I was lost in a trance from that moment – and Mum
herself says she felt the beaming smile on her face immediately – and it never
left her face for the whole show.
I remember standing on the seats so we could see over the
adults standing in front of us. Mum decided that was not good enough so moved us
all around to the front row where we stood right behind the line of Police who
were supposed to be guarding the stage but couldn’t take their eyes off ABBA. I
was standing on the beloved suitcase to try to see over the Police – and a
Police Officer lifted Belinda on to his shoulders for the rest of the show. She
had the best view !
We saw Frida fall–
face down flat on the stage – and were horrified at how much rain was pouring
in on that stage and the equipment. We saw Frida raise herself up on to one knee
and spread her arms sideways as if to say “I’m ok”. What a magnificent woman –
so professional.
That rain ! It did stop for a short time – and everyone got
covered in bugs – including ABBA – then it started again. We didn’t care.
The music was so loud – ABBA were so wonderful. Nothing
could have spoiled it for us.
After the show, we arrived at my Aunty’s, soaking wet but
still buzzing from the whole experience. She was terribly worried about us
being wet and cold – and was trying to stop us from talking and get into a warm
bath. But we were still too hyped and couldn’t have cared less about a bath. My
Mum told her, “We don’t care about being wet – we just saw ABBA ! We would have
stood up to our waists in mud to see ABBA.”
To this day, we still feel the same.
There is no doubt that ABBA mania existed in Australia in
the 70’s – it was certainly alive and well in my own family. Over the years,
the mania has settled – but the love affair has never ended.
All these years later I am an ABBA collector because I still
get that thrill from seeing items with ABBA on them – and to be surrounded by
ABBA gives me pleasure on an emotional level. Listening to and watching ABBA
evokes something much deeper – that deep emotional connection created way back
in 1975.
My name is Roxanne Dickson, nee Hodgson, I am 48 years old,
I am Australian, and I am an ABBA Fanatic.
