For the 50th anniversary of the ESC triumph
ABBA footage that was thought to be lost has emerged
(from right): Björn Ulvaeus, Agnetha Fältskog, Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Benny Andersson aka ABBA.
© imago/TT
50 years ago the band ABBA won the ESC. In honor of this triumphal procession, images that were considered lost have now been unearthed.
This April marks the 50th anniversary of the Swedish band ABBA’s sensational victory at the Eurovision Song Contest. When Agnetha Fältskog (73), Björn Ulvaeus (78), Benny Andersson (77) and Anni-Frid Lyngstad (78) presented their hit “Waterloo” in Brighton, England, in 1974, it marked the initial spark of their subsequent global career. On the occasion of the milestone anniversary With this triumph, the BBC has now apparently achieved a coup: As the Daily Mail reports, old video footage from 1974 that was previously considered lost was unearthed.
In honor of the band there will be a themed program on the British station at the beginning of April. According to the report, viewers will then see video material that dates back around 50 years and has not been broadcast since: ABBA’s performance of the song “So Long” on the British show “Top of the Pops”.
The story of this particular recording: The recordings had disappeared without a trace in the BBC archive. However, a spectator from back then has now been found who made a video recording of the performance 50 years ago. It is said that the video material in question has been extensively restored and will soon find its way back onto television.
No ABBA appearance at the ESC
On May 11, 2024, the ESC will take place in ABBA’s home country – singer Loreen (40) triumphed in Liverpool last year. Although the timing seems perfect in the anniversary year, ABBA says they will not be performing in Malmö.
Benny Andersson had already categorically ruled this out in May of last year. At that time he said in an interview with the BBC broadcast “Newsnight”: “I don’t want to. And if I don’t want to, the others won’t do it either. It’s the same for all four of us – someone says ‘No’ – it’s a no.” Björn Ulvaeus added: “We can celebrate 50 years of ABBA without being on stage.”
This year, the duo Marcus & Martinus will compete for hosts Sweden with the song “Unforgettable”. Germany is sending singer Isaak (29) into the race with his song “Always on the Run”.