ABBA Royal Order

  For the first time in almost 50 years, royal orders for exceptional members of the Swedish public has been awarded to all members of ABBA. 

Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Reuss have all been awarded the royal Order of Vasa as “Commander of the First Class” during a ceremony at the Royal Palace. The order has been given to all four members for their “longevity and successful engagement within the performing arts”

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ABBA: Against the Odds - new documentary

 

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The Brits thought Waterloo was beige, reveals new ABBA documentary Vicky Jessop — Tiempo de lectura: 2 minutos An exclusive look at an upcoming BBC show examines the impact ABBA’s hit single Waterloo had on the group’s lives ABBA might be one of the best-known bands in the world, but it wasn’t always that way. When the band scored one of Eurovision’s iconic moments with their hit single Waterloo in 1974, they initially faced an uphill battle in the charts – and in the public eye – to be taken seriously as a band, and not just a gimmick. An exclusive clip from the upcoming documentary ABBA: Against the Odds shows the impact that the single had on their lives. It opens with the band’s manager Stikkan Anderson signing them to Polar, a Swedish record label that had ambitions of breaking into the rest of Europe. “Stikkan believed in us from the beginning,” the group’s Björn Ulvaeus says in voiceover. “He always said, one day you’ll write a world hit.” That they did: the clip goes onto show how Waterloo rapidly conquered the European charts, scoring number ones in the UK, Belgium, Finland, Germany and more.  BBC/Rogan Productions/Alamy “When we won, it was just like pressing a button, and everything worked all over Europe,” Ulvaeus adds in a recorded interview from the time. That said, it wasn’t all an plain sailing. “In England, they thought it was quite beige,” Benny Andersson says. “Even if it the song was number one... if you’re a part of Eurovision, you’re dead afterwards.” The sentiment is echoed by Ulvaeus: “It was like an agreement amongst all DJs, amongst everyone.” Of course, ABBA did go onto conquer the charts, scoring multiple number ones and, fifty years later, opening ABBA Voyage in London. The documentary, which was produced by Rogan Productions and directed by BAFTA winner James Rogan, tells the story of ABBA’s creation. When they won the Eurovision song contest in 1974 with Waterloo, they faced an uphill battle in the global charts (and in their home country of Sweden) to be recognised as a genuine force in pop. But once they achieved success, that pressure threatened the relationships at the heart of the band. ABBA: Against the Odds will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer from 6am on the 4th May, and on BBC One at 10.40pm on the 8th May

https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/music/abba-waterloo-against-the-odds-bbc-b1154932.html
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ABBA's secret to global stardom laid bare in tell-all documentary

Nicola Methven


ABBA's secret to global stardom to be laid bare in tell-all documentary with archive footage
Global megastars ABBA topped the charts after winning Eurovision but fans will see a new side to the quartet in a brand new documentary using archived footage

In the 50 years since winning Eurovision, Abba have sold 385 million records but a new documentary lays bare their heartache as they struggled to get the recognition they deserved.

The musical establishment sneered at their frothy pop songs, the programme shows. It also tells how their quest to break America nearly broke them all and how they struggled as both of their marriages fell apart. Plus Agnetha and Bjorn were agonised at leaving their young daughter Linda behind for weeks on end as they toured.

In the film, which uses archive interviews from TV stations across Europe, viewers see how winning 1974’s Eurovision in Brighton was their ticket to global fame. But it also gave them a cheesy image they found impossible to shake. “In England, they thought it was quite beige,” Benny says.

“Even if the song was No1 in England if you’re a part of Eurovision, you’re dead afterwards.” But they didn’t give up, instead trying hard to find their identity in the wake of Eurovision-winning song Waterloo. Bjorn gives credit to their manager Stig Anderson, saying: “He always said ‘One day you’ll write a world hit’. “That meant a lot.” Mamma Mia was the song that turned things around.


Bjorn says: “With Mamma Mia we found we were a pop group. We found our identity.” He also says he and Benny were in awe of Agnetha and Frida’s voices, explaining: “Even if they sang very sad songs, they sound somehow jubilant.” But the press and musical establishment remained dismissive, with Swedish journalist Leif Schulman remembering: “You couldn’t be open about liking Abba.”

In 1975 Frida said she felt “very overwhelmed” by the criticism while Agnetha described the experience as “quite unpleasant”. In Australia however, they were hugely popular with songs like Fernando and during 1975-76 found themselves at the top of the charts for 42 weeks.

The song Knowing Me Knowing You meant that the UK could no longer be so dismissive of their skills. While still being dismissed as “simple and naive” they came up with 1976 global hit Dancing Queen, which Agnetha says gave her and Frida goosebumps as they recorded it.


But in other ways the cracks were already starting to show. In an interview Bjorn confesses that being in a band with his wife wasn’t always an easy ride. “Having to be together all the time can cause problems,” he admits. He and Agnetha had had a baby girl the year before Eurovision in 1973, and it was becoming hard to leave her behind in Sweden while they went away on tour.

“Everything happened at the same time,” Agnetha says in the film. Agnetha also says the endless speculation that she and Frida didn’t get on was untrue and hurtful. “So much has been written that Frida and I were not friends, it’s not very fair to do that,” she says. In 1978 Benny and Frida finally tied the knot after an engagement of more than seven years but Agnetha and Bjorn’s marriage was failing, despite the birth of their second child.


Bjorn says: “The marriage didn’t work. But we still worked very well together... so we decided to split up the marriage but not split up the band.” Agnetha says she thinks the decision was “very brave of us”. Another attempt to crack the US in 1978 ended with a terrifying flight in bad weather, which shook Agnetha so badly she became physically ill.

“After that, I got sick,” she says. “I said ‘I can’t do this’.” With Benny also finding that the touring sapped his ability to feel creative and write songs, Bjorn said it was time to give up on trying to be as popular in the US as they were in the rest of the world. Back in the UK, they were welcomed with open arms and the band finally started to feel the love.

When Abba kicked off a run of 38 concerts at Wembley, there was a clamour to get hold of tickets. Bjorn says their confidence grew. “I ran into Pete Townshend,” he recalls. “He said ‘do you know SOS is the best pop song ever written?’ I was so proud.” In 1980 they drew even more acclaim for The Winner Takes It All, which became one of the most celebrated break-up songs of all time.

Bjorn hints they put their own emotions into it and Agnetha says: “I tried to put my life experience and my feelings, everything in the song.” By the time Super Trouper came along later in 1980, to huge acclaim, they were being asked more about their difficult path to superstardom.

One interviewer asked: “You must be rich but are you happy?” and Frida admitted: “Sometimes, sometimes not.” But when it comes to being in the band, they drew strength from each other. Frida poignantly sums up their decade of domination, saying: “It wasn’t just the music, it was also love.

“It was a life lived together, somehow, all four of us.”

Abba: Against the Odds, BBC1, Saturday 4 May

https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/abbas-secret-global-stardom-laid-32672433

ABBA - Lois

 News2024 - Lois Jeans relanza la camiseta que ABBA usó hace 50 años

Lois Jeans relaunches T-shirt that ABBA wore exactly 50 years ago

Lois Jeans relanza la camiseta que ABBA usó hace 50 años

Lois Laverne

A medida que se acerca el Festival de la Canción de Eurovisión 2024, los fanáticos de ABBA y los amantes de la moda vintage pueden darse el gusto. Lois Jeans relata su icónica camiseta, que usó la legendaria banda sueca en la década de 1970. La camiseta en cuestión, un ejemplar de color blanco cristalino decorado con el logo de Lois Jeans, ocupa un lugar especial en la historia de la cultura pop. La camiseta fue usada por tres miembros de ABBA una semana antes de participar en el Festival de la Canción de Eurovisión. En ese momento, la banda ya era popular en Suecia y otros países europeos, pero poco después se abrió paso completamente a nivel internacional, gracias en parte a su histórica victoria en Eurovisión con este éxito Waterloo.

La camiseta no es sólo una nostálgica retroceso. . También es una representación del icónico setenta estilo en ese momento. La banda vestía la camisa completa con jeans acampanados y chaquetas vaqueras. Detalles de estilo divertidos: Anni-Frid Lyngstad enrolló sus jeans a uno pantalones capri y combinó el look con alpargatas. Björn Ulvaeus terminó su conjunto con zuecos.

Festival de la Canción de Eurovisión 2024

No hay mejor momento que ahora para volver a soltar la camiseta. No sólo han pasado exactamente cincuenta años desde que ABBA despegó con la victoria en Eurovisión, sino que el concurso de canto también está de regreso en su país natal este año. El Festival de la Canción de Eurovisión 2024 se llevará a cabo en Malmö, Suecia, del martes 7 de mayo al sábado 11 de mayo. Al lado del traje azul con hombros puntiagudos Joost Klein, vamos a hacer esto Camiseta probablemente en algún lugar durante el concurso de canto.

https://www.vogue.nl/fashion/fashion-nieuws/lois-jeans-abba-tshirt

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ABBA World

 

News 2024- Malmo abba world

Ahora se abre ABBA World en Malmö

El lunes se estrena ABBA World, donde diferentes partes del universo Abba colaboran en una experiencia de dos niveles.

For two weeks only, 'ABBA World' is opening its doors in the Host City for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, Malmö.

Placed in the central parts of Malmö, ABBA World will be open for visitors for two weeks only at Södergatan 28 between 29th of April and 12th of May (source: instagram eurovisionstarscom)

abba world Site: https://abbaworld.unitedtickets.se/timeslot/abba-world

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Calling all ABBA fans around the world - for two weeks only, ABBA World opens its doors in this year’s Eurovision city, Malmö! Opening its doors on the 29th of April, ABBA World invites both new and old fans to explore parts of ABBA The Museum, ABBA Voyage, Mamma Mia!, Mamma Mia! The Party and Polar Music International all at once.

 Spread across two floors, this mini-exhibition and pop up experience will create a space for ABBA fans across the globe to meet, share and create memories together showcasing both the past and present of ABBA. Placed in the central parts of Malmö, ABBA World will be open for visitors for two weeks only at Södergatan 28 between 29th of April and 12th of May source: instagram eurovisionstarscom

(source: instagram eurovisionstarscom)

photos: https://www.sydsvenskan.se/2024-04-27/nu-oppnar-abbas-varld-i-malmo-folj-med-pa-en-smygtitt

 

For two weeks only, 'ABBA World' is opening its doors in the Host City for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, 50 years after ABBA’s international breakthrough at the Eurovision Song Contest, when the band won for Sweden with Waterloo, the foursome want to celebrate this milestone together with everyone that's heading to Malmö for the Contest in 2024

For the very first time, fans will now be able to enjoy all aspects of the ABBA experience during the two weeks that the Eurovision Song Contest will be in town, in Malmö in the south of Sweden.

Opening its doors on Monday 29 April, ABBA World invites fans both old and new to explore parts of ABBA The Museum, ABBA Voyage, Mamma Mia!, Mamma Mia! The Party and Polar Music International all at once.

Spread across two floors, this mini-exhibition and pop-up experience will create a space for ABBA fans across the globe to meet, share and create memories together, while showcasing both the past and present of ABBA.

Placed in the central parts of Malmö, ABBA World will be open for visitors for two weeks only at Södergatan 28, between Monday 29 April and Sunday 12 May.

The 5 elements included in ABBA World will be:

ABBA The Museum

ABBA The Museum is no ordinary museum. It’s not just about the original costumes, gold records and other wonderful items – it’s about you! Feel what it’s like to be onstage with ABBA, to sing in the Polar Studio or try your knowledge in an ABBA quiz. Walk In. Dance Out.

ABBA Voyage

ABBA Voyage opened in May 2022 at the purpose-built ABBA Arena, located at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London. Blending cutting edge technology, spectacular lighting and some of the most beloved songs ever written, ABBA take to the stage as digital avatars, backed by today’s finest musicians.

The ABBA Voyage experience opened in May 2022

Mamma Mia!

Since opening in London’s West End, the exhilarating smash-hit musical Mamma Mia! has become a global phenomenon and been turned into two record-breaking films – Mamma Mia! The Movie and its sequel Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. Whatever age you are, you can’t help but have the time of your life at Mamma Mia!.

Mamma Mia! The Party

In 2016, Mamma Mia! The Party had its world premiere in Stockholm. Some years later, it opened in London and in September 2024 it’s time for Rotterdam. With over a million guests already having been enchanted by sold-out party nights, immerse yourself in an evening of singing, dancing and dining, all set to the tunes of ABBA.

Polar Music International

With over 60 years in the music business, Polar Music acts as the guardian of ABBA’s catalogue. ABBA’s music is enjoyed around the clock, all over the world. Not a bad result for a tiny label that started out with a group of Swedish folk musicians in the early 1960s!

Tickets go on sale on Friday 22 March at 10:00 CET. And if you'd like to receive more information on joining in on the celebration of Waterloo in Malmö this spring, ABBA World has its own mailing list that fans can sign up to.

https://eurovision.tv/story/abba-world-malmo-eurovision

Bjorn instagram stories

actualizada

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eIEWC8Krnk

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ABBA Voyage - Las Vegas

 

ABBA land 'multi-million-dollar' deal to bring avatar show to Las Vegas

ABBA are reportedly poised to ink a multi-million-dollar deal to bring 'ABBA Voyage' to Las Vegas.

The Swedish pop icons are said to be working with Resorts World to bring their hugely popular avatar show that currently takes place at the custom-built ABBA Arena in London to Sin City.

A source told the Daily Star newspaper: "ABBA has been secretly in talks for a while about getting a deal in Vegas.

"The music of Abba is well liked in the US.

"And the unique selling point of avatars makes it more than an ABBA show as the spectacular is something that could well wow audiences."

It's not the first time there has been talks of the show heading to Vegas, as back in 2021, the 'Dancing Queen' hitmakers were the subject of a fierce bidding war between venues for a potential 2024 avatar residency.

The group - comprising Benny Andersson, 77, Agnetha Faltskog, 73, Bjorn Ulvaeus, 78, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, also 78 - had MGM Resorts, Caesars Palace and Resorts World locked in a battle to host the 'Waterloo' hitmakers' digital avatar show named after the record on The Strip.

And it appears Resorts World have won the bidding war.

It has even been claimed the 'Money, Money, Money' hitmakers could rake in close to £1 billion if they agree to a deal.

A source told The Sun newspaper's Bizarre column at the time: “There is a huge appetite for Abba’s new show 'Voyage' in Las Vegas.

"MGM Resorts, Caesars Palace and Resorts World are desperate to secure it and have been locked in a bidding war over it.

“Abba’s appeal is global and it would be a huge showcase to have this new avatar technology on the Vegas Strip.

“Talks are in the early stages between promoters and the big three casinos here for ­entertainment.

“The word is that the major decision, aside from the money deal, is about the best fit for the sound facility and creating an intimate crowd.

“The dream would be for the show to move to the States after its London run and in Vegas, it’s believed it could make almost £1billion.

“Plans at the moment are ­centred around a suggested 2024 opening which would coincide with the 50th anniversary of their 'Eurovision' win and the release of chart-topper 'Waterloo'."

Bjorn previously insisted this type of concert means the run could go on forever.

He said: “Abbatars never tire. They can do 10 shows a day. No private jets. No riders. No worries about voices."

The ‘Thank You For The Music’ hitmakers teamed up with an 850-strong team from Industrial Light and Magic - the company founded by ‘Star Wars’ creator George Lucas – to create digital versions of themselves for the concert, using months of motion-capture and performance techniques.

The concert experience opened on May 27, 2022, at the ABBA Arena, which is a state-of-the-art 3,000 capacity arena located at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London.

https://www.music-news.com/news/UK/172301/ABBA-land-multi-million-dollar-deal-to-bring-avatar-show-to-Las-Vegas

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more: https://retropopmagazine.com/abba-voyage-set-for-las-vegas-debut-with-multi-million-dollar-deal/

ABBA Voyage ‘set for Las Vegas debut with multi-million dollar deal’ - RETROPOP

Connor Gotto — Tiempo de lectura: 3 minutos

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ABBA Voyage ‘set for Las Vegas debut with multi-million dollar deal’

ABBA are reportedly on the verge of signing a multi-million deal to take ‘ABBA Voyage’ to Las Vegas. 

According to sources, the Swedish supergroup is working with Resorts World to bring the avatar show to Sin City, as it continues to wow crowds in London.

 “ABBA has been secretly in talks for a while about getting a deal in Vegas,” insiders tell the Daily Star. “The music of ABBA is well liked in the US.

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“And the unique selling point of avatars makes it more than an ABBA show as the spectacular is something that could well wow audiences.”

It was previously reported that the group – who this year celebrate 50 years since their Eurovision win with Waterloo – were in discussion with MGM Resorts, Caesars Palace and Resorts World to bring the show to the US, where it would be the first of its kind. 

Having opened in May 2022, performances of the show – which sees the Swedish supergroup recreated as digital avatars – currently take place exclusively at the ABBA Arena in Stratford, east London. 

The venue is purpose built for the show, which offers a 360-degree immersive experience, and speaking to RETROPOP following its launch producer Ludvig Andersson suggested the band was working on creating similar arenas around the world. 

“The biggest dream is to stay in London and we build another one somewhere else,” he said. “Where that would be – I’d like to go places that are maybe not the obvious ones. It would be nice to take it to places that aren’t always visited by the big bands. 

“The dream would be to have one somewhere in South America, one somewhere in Southeast Asia, one in North America. Who knows? But that’s the plan and we’re working on that already.”

‘ABBA Voyage’ currently features 20 songs, including global chart hits and fan favourites, which the group performed on a soundstage wearing motion capture suits to recreate their movements. 

Recalling the sessions, Ludvig confirmed additional performances were filmed, meaning the setlist can be changed and adapted as time passes. 

“We did more songs than we knew we were going to use,” he teases. “So there is more material. 

“If this keeps running and people keep wanting to come and see it, we are intending to change a song out or update the show – because that’s also fun to do.”

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Orders of knighthood are awarded - Abba among the honored

 https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/riddarordnar-delas-ut-abba-bland-de-arade

Orders of knighthood are awarded - Abba among the honored

After a hiatus of around 50 years, Sweden begins to award awards such as the Vasa Order and the Sword Order again.

The orders should go to people who have made very special efforts.

Those named today include all the members of ABBA

The ceremony will take place on May 31.

Después de una pausa de unos 50 años, Suecia comienza a otorgar premios como la Orden Vasa y la Orden de la Espada nuevamente.

Las órdenes deben ir a personas que han hecho esfuerzos muy especiales. La lista incluye a todos los miembros de ABBA...

La entrega de la orden tendrá lugar en una ceremonia en Kungl. El castillo el 31 de mayo.

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A special honour for ABBA from the King of Sweden

By Lydia Starbuck  22nd March 2024

King Carl XVI Gustaf has given a special honour to the four stars of Sweden’s music scene, ABBA.

by TaboolaSponsored 

The pop legends have become members of the Order of Vasa, one of the most prestigious orders of chivalry in Sweden. It’s the first time that new members have been created for half a century.

Benny Andersson, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Agnetha Faltskog and Anni-Frid Reuss all become members of the Order for outstanding contributions to Swedish and international music.

They are made Commanders First Class of the Order.

The appointments are made by the King of Sweden on the advice of the country’s government.

King Carl XVI Gustaf hasn’t appointed anyone to the country’s orders of chivalry since the very start of his reign. In 2022, the Swedish government decided that appointments would begin again to recognise those who have contributed to Sweden.

Now, months after the king’s Golden Jubilee, appointments are being made again. There are four orders in Sweden – the Order of the Seraphim, the Royal Order of the Sword and the Royal Order of the Polar Star as well as the Royal Order of Vasa.

ABBA have long links with Sweden’s royal family and famously performed Dancing Queen as the country celebrated the marriage of King Carl XVI Gustaf to Queen Silvia in 1976.

https://royalcentral.co.uk/europe/sweden/a-special-honour-for-abba-from-the-king-of-sweden-197719/

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kungahuset

https://www.instagram.com/p/C4xtGs2q19X

more: https://www.kungahuset.se/arkiv/pressmeddelanden/2024-03-21-h.m.-konungen-har-beslutat-om-ordensforlaningar-for-exceptionella-insatser

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El grupo ABBA será condecorado por el rey de Suecia

Monarquía Confidencial — Tiempo de lectura: 1 minuto

Monarquía Confidencial

Suecia

El grupo ABBA será condecorado por el rey de Suecia

Recibirán la Gran Orden Vasa por su enorme aportación al país con su música desde hace 50 años

El rey Carlos Gustavo de Suecia en una foto de archivo.

24/03/24 | 0:00 | Tiempo de lectura: 1 min.

Anuncio de la condecoración en la págna web de la Casa Real sueca.

Carlos XIV Gustavo de Suecia condecorará a los cuatro integrantes del grupo musical ABBA con la Gran Orden Vasa. Así lo anuncia en su página web donde especifica su condecoración gracias a su enorme aportación a Suecia con su música durante 50 años. 

En este sentido, el mismo rey les impondrá la Gran Orden el próximo 31 de mayo. Cabe destacar, que la reina Silvia es fiel seguidora del grupo musical sueco y aprovechando su 80 cumpleaños el pasado mes de diciembre, se celebró un concierto en la escuela de música independiente Lilla Akademien. 

Los niños interpretaron "Dancing Queen", de ABBA, y después cantaron el "Cumpleaños feliz"a la reina Silvia antes de que ésta fuera a agradecerles todo su trabajo.

Gran Orden Vasa

La Orden de Vasa se instituyó el 26 de mayo de 1772 por Gustavo III de Suecia, día de su coronación. Tenía por objeto de recompensar los servicios civiles a los artistas. Se compone de tres clases: seis grandes cruces, ocho comendadores y cincuenta caballeros, sin contar los extranjeros.

Tiene Cruz de cuatro aspas simétricas esmaltadas con ocho puntas. Sobre la cruz se alza la corona real, mientras que entre las aspas podemos ver otras cuatro coronas más pequeñas. Al centro medallón con el emblema de la dinastía Vasa, rodeado por un anillo de esmalte rojo inscrito que tiene en caracteres dorados’ GUST . D. III INST. MDCCLXXII ‘(Gustaf III instituyó en 1772); el reverso idéntico al anverso.

https://monarquia.elconfidencialdigital.com/articulo/suecia/grupo-abba-sera-condecorado-rey-suecia/20240324000000120438.html