By Mia O'Hare
ABBA has sent a rare message to their fans as they mark the 50th anniversary of their Eurovision Song Contest victory.
The Swedish pop supergroup – made up of Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, Agnetha Faltskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad – won the singing competition with their hit song Waterloo. They celebrated their victory on April 6 1974 at Brighton Dome’s Concert Hall. On the anniversary, ABBA thanked fans for their “steadfast loyalty and support”.
Several pianos across Europe will simultaneously play a piece by Andersson, which is designed to make it appear as if he is playing live. It is taking place in major cities including London’s Waterloo station, Berlin, Warsaw and Stockholm. Every hour the instruments will play a short piece pre-recorded in unison that will “be experienced as if Benny were there and playing live”.
In their message to fans, ABBA said: “It’s slightly dizzying and deeply humbling to think that millions of you who saw us for the first time in the Eurovision final 1974 have passed our music on not only to one generation, but to several. We see evidence of that every time one of us visits Abba Voyage in London, and it’s because of this we can celebrate the 50th anniversary of that event in the knowledge that our songs still resonate around the world.”
The group said they find it “difficult to comprehend” that 50 years has passed since their success in Brighton. They added: “So what were our dreams during those suspenseful moments or in the chaos in the aftermath of the victory we had secured with the smallest margin in Eurovision history? Four different dreams, no doubt, but whatever they were, however grand, reality has surpassed them, that’s for sure.
“Many of you were there from the very start and have followed us ever since – for over half a century! Music you discover and learn to love when you grow up or even later in life has a way of staying with you forever. We share that experience with you and to know that our music has become a constant in your lives is a wonderful thing.”
The statement also said: “Throughout the years we have been blessed with the outpouring of love from you, our fans. We feel it and we want to know that hardly a day goes by when we’re not reminded of it. To say thank you for what you’re giving us without sounding trivial is not easy and this is not a moment of triviality. It is a happy and, at the same time, solemn moment and we can only hope that you understand how deeply grateful we are for a long, successful career and for your steadfast loyalty and support through the years. Thank you!”
ABBA has released their 1974 album Waterloo as a limited edition box set in celebration of milestone. A plaque was also unveiled outside Brighton Dome earlier in the week to mark the incredible anniversary. They went on to have huge success thanks to their chart-topping singles and albums.
The group split in 1982 after 10 years together. However, they reunited and released their first new music in almost 40 years with their ninth studio album Voyage in 2021. In 2022, the band launched ABBA Voyage, a virtual concert in which life-size avatars of the band as they looked in 1979 perform in a purpose-built arena in east London. This year’s Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Sweden, yet Benny told BBC Newsnight there is “no way” ABBA will reunite or walk on stage together during the event.
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