ABBA Waterloo 40th Anniversary Starts Today !

Today, 9th February, marks the start of ABBA's historic win with Waterloo at Eurovision.

Before being able to represent Sweden at Eurovision, ABBA had to win Melodifestival in Sweden.
Which they did, on 9th February 1974.

Watch their performances (first round and winning performance), in Swedish, here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivKzYEOOYjY

Melodifestivalen 1974 was the selection for the 15th song to represent Sweden at the Eurovision Song Contest. It was the 14th time that this system of picking a song had been used. 10 songwriters were selected by SR for the competition. The final was broadcast on TV1 but was not broadcast on radio. ABBA went on to win that year's Eurovision Song Contest in Brighton, Sweden's first Eurovision win.

Results from the show:

Artist	Song	Songwriters	Points	Place
1	Lena Ericsson	En enda jord	Håkan Elmquist	185	3rd
2	Östen Warnerbring	En mysig vals	Bengt Hallberg, Östen Warnebring	10	10th
3	Göran Fristorp	Jag minns dej nog	Georg Riedel, Stig Claesson	16	7th
4	Titti Sjöblom	Fröken Ur sång	Torgny Söderberg	148	4th
5	ABBA	Waterloo	Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, Stig Anderson	302	1st
6	Lasse Berghagen	Min kärleksång till dej	Lasse Berghagen	211	2nd
7	Inger Öst	En grön dröm om dej	Bo Sylvén, Bo Carlgren, Bitte Carlgren	61	5th
8	Sylvia Vrethammar & Göran Fristorp	En dröm är en dröm	Lars Färnlöf, Lasse Bagge	31	6th
9	Lena Bergqvist	Den sista sommaren av mitt liv	Björn Isfält, Lena Bergqvist	11	9th
10	Glenmarks	I annorlunda land	Bengt-Arne Wallin, Anja-Notini-Wallin	15	8th

 

 

ABBA Fanatic - My Website

Check out my website ABBA Fanatic - now updated !

Some updates were necessary due to changes in the site format - which I am not happy about.

Other updates were necessary due to it being so long since I updated ! lol

Lots to see - but still lots more work to do :)

http://www.abbafanatic.com/

New ABBA Collection Items - From ABBA The Museum

Some great new merchandise from ABBA The Museum.
Cat Keyrings
Cat Mugs
Before ABBA CD

New ABBA Collection Item - Doodle Art Kit Complete

I am thrilled to finally have a complete Australian Doodle Art Kit in my collection.

It even comes with the original cylinder from Doodle Art (Aust) !

New ABBA Collection Items - Posters

I have been blessed to have been able to add the following posters to my collection recently.



The original cylinder for the Buzz poster !



Pix People Newsagent Street Poster

ABBA Enter Swedish Music Hall Of Fame

Legendary Swedish pop band ABBA on Thursday were among the 12 first artists to join the Swedish Music Hall of Fame, which celebrates the country's rich pop tradition.

STOCKHOLM: Legendary Swedish pop band ABBA on Thursday were among the 12 first artists to join the Swedish Music Hall of Fame, which celebrates the country's rich pop tradition.
"I think it's a nice thing to do, to create a Swedish Music Hall of Fame," 67-year-old former ABBA member Benny Andersson told AFP.
"Through the years, there were so many very influential good songwriters and artists and I think it's a good thing to make a collection of all of them."
As expected, the most famous Swedish band of all times eclipsed all other artists on the list, such as Roxette or metal band Entombed.
"We would probably be the only band that you know about. Maybe Roxette... otherwise, it's sort of a Swedish thing," Andersson said, showing pride in keeping his celebrity status 32 years after the group broke up.
"After all this time, I'm very grateful, proud and surprised," he said.
Pop pioneers ABBA sold 375 million records worldwide since its first recording in 1972.
The first 12 artists, including jazz singer Monica Zetterlund (1937-2005) and Dutch-born singer-songwriter Cornelis Vreeswijk (1937-1987), were chosen by a jury of four music experts.
The Swedish Music Hall of Fame will open to the public on March 20 in the same building as the ABBA museum, which has received more than 275,000 visitors since it opened in May 2013.
"Induction is not just recognition for the performers, but is also intended to build bridges between generations," the Swedish Hall of Fame said in a statement.

ABBA The Backstage Stories Book Pre-order

The Swedish language version of Ingmarie Hallings new book 'ABBA The Backstage Stories' is now available for pre-order from CDON:

http://cdon.se/b%c3%b6cker/palm%2c_carl_magnus/abba_the_backstage_stories_(engelsk_utg%c3%a5va)-25470093?utm_source=tradedoubler&utm_medium=cpo&utm_campaign=tradedoubler_860795

 

 

 

The English language version 'ABBA The Treasures' can apparently be pre-ordered on Amazon:

 

 

http://www.amazon.com/Abba-The-Treasures-Ingmarie-Halling/dp/1780974949

 

 



ABBA Chosen For Swedish Music Hall Of Fame

Live from the press conference at the Swedish Music Hall of Fame: ABBA has just been chosen to be a part in the hall of fame! Stay posted for more info.

http://www.aftonbladet.se/nojesbladet/musik/article18309637.ab

English Translation:

They become the first elected to the Swedish Music Hall Of Fame.Twelve artists and music creators are selected.
Everlife 's first elected .
Today selected the first musicians in the Swedish Music Hall Of Fame
The jury journalists Jan Gradvall , Kersti Adams-Ray , Amethyst Azordegan and Per Sinding - Larsen.
Those selected must have had a long career . The artists must have debuted at least 20 years earlier.
Swedish Hall of Fame is adjacent to the ABBA Museum on Djurgården in Stockholm.
First to take the step into the hall of fame is Everlife .
- You can not embark on a journey through the Swedish music history without getting off a long time at the bus stop Evert Taube says Jan Gradvall .
Hiphop scene is represented by the Latin Kings who drew on the Swedish music map.
- Today's wave of Swedish artists rapping in Swedish can be traced to the Latin Kings , said Kersti Adams-Ray .
Punks Al Green also got a spot.
- Al Green was the most important Swedish punk band and it still says Amethyst Azordegan .
Hard rockers Entombed selected also recorded. Hard rock is today's folk music, according to the jury.
- Hard rock is Swedish folk music with nitarmband instead of folk-dance , says Per Sinding - Larsen.
One of the most awaited elections is ABBA.
- For each year that passes , the stronger and more indestructible seems ABBA's catalog says Kersti Adams-Ray .

Here are all elected:

Evert Taube.

Jan Johansson.

Latin Kings.

National Theatre.

Cornelis Vreeswijk.

Stina Nordenstam.

Al Green.

Eva Dahlgren.

Entombed.

Monica Zetterlund.

Roxette.

ABBA.

 

 

ABBA Waterloo 7" Vinyl Picture Disc

Pre-order Now !
Waterloo 7" Vinyl Picture Disc - 40th Anniversary.

http://www.bengans.se/Product.aspx?skivkod=987347

 

Official ABBA Celebration In UK April 2014

Max Ström Publishing and Universal Music are delighted to break the exciting news about the upcoming ABBA The International Anniversary Party in London. We will gather more than a thousand of ABBA's most dedicated fans at the very cool Tate Modern in London on April 7 to celebrate 40 years of ABBA's global success. As you have ordered the Super Trouper Edition of ABBA The Official Photo Book, we wanted to give you the very first opportunity to buy tickets for the event. Tomorrow, Wednesday 5th February, a much broader circle of ABBA fans will be offered to buy tickets.

Hope to see you at the Party in London!
http://www.eventim.co.uk/tickets.html?fun=evdetail&doc=evdetailb&key=1139061$3711714&affiliate=CSU

Event Info

Show infoClose info

ABBA – The Official International Anniversary Party

On April 6, 1974, ABBA won the Eurovision Song Contest in Brighton. The rest is pop history…
The official international celebration of 40 years of ABBA’s global success will take place in London on April 7 2014.

Launch of ABBA The Official Photo Book, Disco, One-day only exhibition, Cash bars and lots more.

 

 

Agnetha Faltskog Wins Pop Award !!

Agnetha was nominated in 2 categories for this years Scandipop Awards:

Best Female Single - 'Dance Your Pain Away'

and

Best Female Album - 'A'

Agnetha won Best Female Album for 'A' !!

http://www.scandipop.co.uk/the-2014-scandipop-awards-the-winners/

ABBA Receive Lifetime Achievement Award

ABBA were awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Swedish Government.

Benny Andersson was the only ABBA member to attend.

The winner of the Export Prize this year was, of course, Avicii.

About the Music Export Prize

Since 1997, the Government has recognised achievements in the music industry that have put Sweden in the international spotlight during the preceding year, and thus contributed to Swedish exports.

The prizewinner is chosen by a jury that each year selects someone in the music industry who has distinguished themselves through their contribution to Swedish export success and helped put Sweden on the map. The jury chooses a winner who is seen as a good representative of Sweden. Success in several large foreign markets carries extra weight, as does proven creative entrepreneurship that has benefited both Swedish music exports and the image of Sweden. The prize may be awarded to a group.

Since 2006, the jury has also chosen a Special Prize winner on the basis, not least, of having made a long - standing contribution to Swedish music exports or having spread Swedish music abroad, thus promoting a positive image of Sweden.

New ABBA Collection Item - Cassette Case

I LOVE these Australian Cassette Cases !
This one would have to be my favourite though - can't beat an image of ABBA in Australia - and in front of the Opera House in Sydney is just fabulous ! :)
We sure had some great memorabilia here in Australia.

 

ABBA The Museum Choir Update

Our ABBA The Museum/The Choir is finally put together, and it sounds fantastic! – But we are still looking for our missing international member. Could it be you that we are looking for? Or maybe a friend of yours? Don't forget to register o...n our website before the 7th of february!

The winner of the auditions to the "Missing Member" gets to perform with the ABBA The Museum/The Choir in Stockholm 4-6th of April. He or she will receive a free travel to/from Stockholm, as well as a stay at the four-star boutique hotel Melody Hotel, located in the same building as ABBA The Museum. As icing on the cake the "Missing Member" will be coached remotely by Choir Director Karin Bäckström! Read more and apply here http://www.abbathemuseum.com/en/thechoir

Thank you for the music!

 

https://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/AbbaTheMuseum

Watch a short clip of the choir here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0BIUrX90Yo&list=PLOljPiNfQ36P7JRqmxCGrBxS8siucv2EC&index=24


 

 

 

 

The Little White Piano by Bjorn Ulvaeus - New Cover & Competition !

The Little White Piano is a children’s book, for children from 7 years of age, written by Björn Ulvaeus and beautifully illustrated by Maja Lindberg. This charming and enthralling book tells the story of the piano which many of ABBA’s greatest hits were composed on. The story begins as a beautiful vase is brought to an old cottage, at Viggsö, in the Swedish archipelago. The vase starts to talk to the other furnitures in the cottage and soon starts to wonder why the piano, half-hidden in a corner, is so quiet. This prompts the old folding table to tell the tragic tale of the pretty little piano. A white mouse, never far from its beloved piano, reflects the instrument’s joy and sadness as the story progresses. And what fairytale doesn’t have a happy ending?
The book is perfect as a memorable gift. The book is available in several languages; English, German, Russian, Finnish and Swedish.
Only sold here at ABBA The museum and at our webshop.

http://www.abbathemuseum.com/en/shop-en

We have a "The Little White Piano" giveaway! Björn Ulvaeus has signed a few editions of his new children's book "The Little White Piano", and of course we want our most dedicated fans to have them!

The book is available in five languages and we have one copy of the book as well as one signed A3 poster in each language to give away. Today we start with the english book. To win simply write why you love ABBA in the comments field below!

https://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/photo.php?fbid=533827196730535&set=a.305998706180053.72299.247052962074628&type=1&theater

The winner will be picked out randomly and then messaged. The giveaway goes on for 24 hours. You can also buy the unsigned book at ABBA The Museum in Stockholm and in our webshop http://www.abbathemuseum.com/se/shop Good luck! #abbathemuseum #giveaway

 

 

 

 

New ABBA The Museum Shop Items - Keyrings

Grab yourself a couple of these fabulous cat keyrings from ABBA The Museum Shop now !
Only around $13.00AU each and postage is very reasonable.
Designed by Owe Sandstrom for the Museum along with the gorgeous mugs.

http://www.abbathemuseum.com/en/shop-en

ABBA The Museum Photo Exhibition Sweden

New photo exhibition at Arlanda Airport, our official airport. If you are lucky to travel to Stockholm Arlanda with Finnair, KLM, Air France, British Airways, Air Berlin you will have the opportunity to see our new mini exhibition ABBA The Museum at Terminal 2. It is about ABBA on tour and their breakthrough with Waterloo in Brighton, 1974. Keep your eyes open, there will be possibilities to win tickets to the museum on Arlanda Airport.

 

http://www.abbathemuseum.com/en/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABBA Waterloo Deluxe Edition Release Date

 

ABBA Waterloo Deluxe Edition

Waterloo Deluxe Edition Celebrates The 40th Anniversary Of ABBA’s Eurovision Victory!
The ABBA Deluxe Edition series, which began in 2006 with the release of the Arrival album, now reaches its eighth album. And what would be more natural in this 40th Anniversary year, celebrating ABBA’s victory in Eurovision Song Contest with ‘Waterloo’, than to release a Deluxe Edition of the album of the same name. On this Waterloo Deluxe Edition the original album has been expanded with 8 bonus tracks, plus a DVD of rare and previously unreleased television material. Waterloo Deluxe Edition will be released April 7, 2014.
The first disc in the 2-disc package is a CD, which features the original album plus 8 bonus tracks. The bonus selections feature all the various versions of ‘Waterloo’ – the Swedish, French and German versions, as well as an alternate mix of the English version – plus the Swedish version of ‘Honey, Honey’; the remix of ‘Ring Ring’ that was first released on the American version of the Waterloo album; the single remix of ‘Ring Ring’ released as the follow-up to ‘Waterloo’ in the UK; and the Spanish version of ‘Hasta Mañana’.
The DVD features no less than 13 TV selections, most of which are previously unreleased. Naturally, ABBA’s performances of ‘Waterloo’ in the Eurovision Song Contest and the Swedish selection, Melodifestivalen are featured on the DVD. In both instances, the first performance as well as the winner performance has been included. There is also the rare performance of ‘Waterloo’ intended for Eurovision preview programmes; the equally rare performance of the German-language version of ‘Waterloo’; ABBA’s three appearances on Top Of The Pops, performing ‘Waterloo’; an interview with Frida and ABBA manager Stig Anderson on Eurovision night; plus three performances of ‘Honey, Honey’ from German and Austrian television.
The package also includes a 20-page illustrated booklet featuring an extensive essay on the making of the album, with brand new insights from Björn and Benny.
Be a part of the celebrations of one of the most famous moments in ABBA history!

WATERLOO – DELUXE EDITION
Disc 01, CD:
01. Waterloo
02. Sitting In The Palmtree
03. King Kong Song
04. Hasta Mañana
05. My Mama Said
06. Dance (While The Music Still Goes On)
07. Honey, Honey
08. Watch Out
09. What About Livingstone
10. Gonna Sing You My Lovesong
11. Suzy-Hang-Around
Bonus tracks:
12. Ring Ring (US Remix 1974)
13. Waterloo (Swedish Version)
14. Honey, Honey (Swedish Version)
15. Waterloo (German Version)
16. Hasta Mañana (Spanish Version)
17. Waterloo (French Version)
18. Ring Ring (1974 Remix, Single Version)
19. Waterloo (Alternate mix)
Disc 02, DVD:
01. Waterloo (Eurovision Song Contest performance I, BBC)
02. Waterloo (Melodifestivalen performance I, SVT)
03. Waterloo (Melodifestivalen performance II, SVT)
04. Waterloo (Eurovision Song Contest preview performance, SVT)
05. Waterloo (Eurovision Song Contest, performance II, BBC)
06. Interview with Frida and Stig after the Eurovision victory (Rapport, SVT)
07. Waterloo (Top Of The Pops performance I, BBC)
08. Honey, Honey (Disco, ZDF)
09. Waterloo (Top Of The Pops performance II, BBC)
10. Honey, Honey (Spotlight, ORF)
11. Waterloo (German version) (Musik aus Studio B, NDR)
12. Honey, Honey (Ein Kessel Buntes, Fernsehen der DDR)
13. Waterloo (Top Of The Pops performance III, BBC)
14. International Sleeve Gallery

http://www.abbasite.com/banners2/waterloo-deluxe-edition/

 

ABBA Waterloo Deluxe Edition For 40th Anniversary

ABBA’S 40TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATED IN STYLE
The year 2014 marks the 40th Anniversary of ABBA’s spectacular win at the Eurovision Song Contest in Brighton, England. Their entry, ’Waterloo’, is the most successful Eurovision winner of all time, and led to the group’s international breakthrough. Soon after the victory on April 6, 1974, ’Waterloo’ topped the single charts all over Europe, also reaching the Top Ten in the United States and Australia.
Although Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid “Frida” Lyngstad had been releasing records as a group before, they only began using the name ABBA during the ‘Waterloo’ era. The four members went their separate ways in 1982, but today interest in their music is perhaps stronger than ever. ABBA’s world sales are 380 million, and the compilation album ABBA Gold has sold 29 million copies. The musical Mamma Mia!, based on ABBA’s songs, is a smash hit, and has been seen by 54 million people.
Polar Music International will commemorate the 40th Anniversary of ‘Waterloo’ during the course of 2014, with several exciting releases and activities. Stockholm’s ABBA The Museum will also be celebrating this defining moment in the career of one of the world’s biggest bands with a number of fun and entertaining events.
Be prepared for a fabulous ABBA year!

https://www.facebook.com/#!/ABBA
http://www.abbasite.com/

The 40th Anniversary Waterloo Deluxe Edition being prepared for release: