Brighton Dome: "Today we unveiled a plaque to commemorate 50 years since ABBA’s historic Eurovision win on the Concert Hall stage!
The sun held out and we heard from our Chief Executive, Andrew Comben, and Brighton & Hove mayor, Jackie O’Quinn, who did the honours.
One of our incredible in-house artists, @erinenfys , also sang a beautiful rendition of Thank You For The Music – you’d never have known they jumped in last minute to perform for us all!
Fantastic to be joined by local and national press including @bbcbreakfast and BBC South East, as well as an epic, four hour-long live radio coverage stint from @bbcsussex ; joined by special guests throughout the morning including Dan from @brightongmc , who will be performing Sat 6 Apr on the Concert Hall stage at GOLD, a dazzling ABBA-filled evening of live music with Eurovision royalty.".
In pictures: Abba's Eurovision win commemorated 50 years on with plaque unveiling
The plaque being unveiled at the Dome (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)
Crowds packed the pavement to mark the 50th anniversary of Abba's historic Eurovision win.
Mayor of Brighton Jackie O'Quinn unveiled a blue plaque outside the Dome in Church Street this afternoon to mark the big day.
Abba fans came from across the country - with two superfans travelling from Belgium - to cement the venue's place in pop history.
The Argus: Mayor of Brighton Jackie O'Quinn after the plaque was unveiled
Mayor of Brighton Jackie O'Quinn after the plaque was unveiled (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)
The Swedish group won the contest at the Dome on April 6, 1974, with their hit Waterloo.
Councillor O'Quinn said: "Hosting the contest was seen as an enormous boon for the city.
"There were tense moments in the Abba rehearsals which didn't run smoothly but according to Bjorn, a Dome engineer saved the day."
The Argus: Abba at the Brighton Dome
Abba at the Brighton Dome (Image: PA)
The band appeared eighth in the contest line-up and made a lasting impression on the jury.
The song scored 24 points and marked the first Eurovision win for a Scandinavian country.
The Argus: Abba fans taking a picture of the plaque outside the Dome
Abba fans taking a picture of the plaque outside the Dome (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)
Cllr O'Quinn watched as the blue curtains were pulled back to reveal the plaque shortly after noon.
It says: "Abba launched their career winning the 19th Eurovision Song Contest for Sweden at Brighton Dome on 6th April 1974."
The Argus: Frank and Sandra waving the scarf ahead of the big reveal
Frank and Sandra waving the scarf ahead of the big reveal (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)
Belgian Abba superfans Sandra Vanoost and Frank Van Hecke brought a commemorative scarf to the unveiling.
Brighton Dome chief executive Andrew Comben was on the stage outside the venue to celebrate the occasion.
He said: "It's really exciting and a moment to celebrate in Brighton's history and Brighton Dome's history, and in Abba's history.
To have that all come together is fantastic and have the blue plaque acknowledging this is fantastic."
The Argus: Brighton Dome CEO Andrew Comben speaking at the unveiling
Brighton Dome CEO Andrew Comben speaking at the unveiling (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)
The unveiling comes after the recent reopening of Brighton Dome’s Grade I and Grade II listed Corn Exchange and Studio Theatre following a major six-year refurbishment.
Inside the Dome, an interactive digital timeline will allow visitors to explore Brighton Dome’s rich heritage, including the Abba win, and a new dressing room has been named Waterloo.
The Argus: Crowds packed the pavement to watch the reveal
Crowds packed the pavement to watch the reveal (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)
An exhibition at the neighbouring Brighton Museum is bringing together artefacts and people who remember the contest.
The Abba: One Week In Brighton exhibition runs until August 4.
On Saturday, exactly 50 years on from Abba's win, Sweden's 1999 Eurovision winner Charlotte Perrelli will sing Abba hits throughout the night at the Dome.
Billy Stainthorpe remembers driving Abba in his taxi after Eurovision success in 1974
A taxi driver has been recollecting the private rendition Abba gave him of Waterloo after winning the Eurovision Song Contest 50 years ago.
The Swedish supergroup stormed to victory at Brighton Dome on 6 April 1974.
Cab driver Billy Stainthorpe drove them back from Brighton to London and they all sang along when the song came on the radio.
Mr Stainthorpe said: "They all seemed happy, all singing, and the lady with the blonde hair (Agnetha) sat next to me."
Abba won Eurovision at Brighton Dome on 6 April 1974
Mr Stainthorpe said: "When we stopped for refreshments there were a few people who recognised them. And then there were a few more people looking in the cab.
"Björn asked me to go in and have a coffee and a sandwich before I came back to Brighton.
"He gave me £30 - so it was well worth it."
Mr Stainthorpe's daughter Nicky, then aged seven, waved the band off on their journey.
She said: "We were obsessed with the women really because they were so glamorous, so pretty.
"I just remember us being completely in awe."
A blue plaque to Abba was reinstated outside Brighton Dome on Thursday
These recollections form part of an exhibition at Brighton Museum - Abba: One Week In Brighton - which runs until August.
There is a series of events taking place in the city to mark 50 years since Abba's Eurovision victory.
A blue plaque, originally presented by the BBC in 2017, was reinstated outside Brighton Dome on Thursday.
Events will culminate on Saturday with a concert at The Dome featuring five previous Eurovision winners singing Abba's greatest hits.
