While in London, — "Waterloo" was ABBA's big victory 50 years ago. At the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest, the Swedish quartet won with their energetic love song that begins, "My my, at Waterloo, Napoleon did surrender, and I have met my destiny in quite a similar way." It's been fifty years since that victory, on Saturday.
Waterloo Railway Station in London, which was also named after the 1815 battle that defeated the French leader, had a choir sing the song to commuters on Saturday. A flash mob dance and silent ABBA disco were planned by supporters in Brighton, an English seaside resort, where the 1974 competition was held, to commemorate the occasion.
With their win at Eurovision, ABBA became a pop powerhouse and the most successful band in the history of the pan-European music competition. The 68th edition of the contest will take place in May in Sweden, the band's home country. "Tattoo" by Swedish singer Loreen won last year's Eurovision, and this year's final will be held in Malmö on May 11.
The melodious disco pop of ABBA was a global hit, selling albums in the hundreds of millions. The 25-year-old theatrical musical "Mamma Mia!" has inspired two feature films.
A reunion record, "Voyage," was released in 2021 by the band members, who had not played live together for forty years. "Abba Voyage" debuted in London in 2022 and features daily concerts performed by digital "ABBA-tars" for the delight of fans.
The four band members thanked their fans on Saturday, writing that it was "slightly dizzying and deeply humbling" to know that their music has endured and "still resonate around the world.
The members of the group Agnetha Faltskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad all agreed that the music that one finds and loves as a person matures or even in old age tends to be with them forever. Knowing that our music has become an enduring part of your lives is an incredible blessing, and we're glad to have shared that experience with you
On Saturday night, a tribute performance called "A party for ABBA" was supposed to be held in Stockholm. It would feature notable Swedish musicians, a 21-piece band, and a big choir. Those in charge called it a tribute to a group that had an impact on the music industry of the Nordic nation "forever."
The Swedish state broadcaster SVT said that "April 6, 1974 is considered by some to be Sweden's national music day" and that it will be live-streaming the concert.
stay turned for development