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Thousands catch Abba fever in London's Hyde Park

Published: 14 Sep 09 08:52 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/22058/20090914/

A crowd of more than 40,000 turned out London’s Hyde Park on Sunday night to celebrate the music of legendary Swedish pop act Abba.

The performance, dubbed “Thank You for the Music: a celebration of the music of Abba” and broadcast live on the BBC, included appearances by original Abba-members Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, as well as a number of other high profile stars, including Kylie Minogue, Chaka Khan.

“That was a dream fulfilled,” Minogue told the crowd after her performance of Super Trouper and When All Is Said And Done, according to the TT news agency.

The concert was arranged by the BBC as a tribute to continuing influence of Abba’s music in England.

“Thank you for singing so beautifully,” Ulvaeus told the crowd, adding that he never could have imagined that the Abba’s 1974 Eurovision Song Contest victory would have led to such success.

The show concluded with songs featuring the full West End cast of the hit musical Mamma Mia!, which includes a soundtrack featuring a number of Abba favourites.

Abba songs hit the top of the UK singles charts nine times, and the band’s greatest hits album, Abba Gold, has sold nearly 5 million copies in Britain, remaining a top seller since its release in 1992.

“I think that English people thing we’re from England. They know all the lyrics, all the songs. It’s unbelievable,” said Andersson, who performed with his Swedish folk music band Orsa Spelmän.

David Landes (news@thelocal.se/+46 8 656 6513)

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04:53 September 15, 2009 by davidmc
I have all of ABBA's CDs, their DVD, ABBA The Movie, The Winner Takes It All DVD, and the Three Hours of Freda DVD. I also have a Beatles collection and lots of other 'stuff'. ABBA music always makes me feel good when life gets me down.
14:14 September 15, 2009 by Golden-1960
ABBA is able to make this 49 year old man feel young again. I listen to them, or think about them every day. Individually, the 4 main members of the group are not particularily special, but together, they exceed the sum of their parts.

Sweden should be proud to produce such a wonderful music group who has contributed much to the world. I argue that ABBA has done more to improve the world than any other music group in the history of the world.
16:20 September 17, 2009 by Sir Wobbly Camel
Anyone seen a second hand jump-suit lying around?

A real came-toe shower...

http://www.theage.com.au/national/sos-over-abba-jumpsuit-sold-at-garage-sale-20090917-ftl9.html
21:51 September 22, 2009 by abbamad
I was there what a fabulous concert, incredible atmosphere.Fans are begging the bbc to release this on dvd.

Good luck to Bjorn and Benny for their 'Kristina' concert in New York this week.
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