I’m very happy to see that the ABBA World blog has again been nominated in ABBA Plaza’s ABBA Site Of The Year. Only the best of ABBA sites are included in the final ten nominees.
Go here to vote for the blog and your other favourite ABBA sites. Voting closes 31 December 2008.
Last night I was thrilled to attend the launch party for Christopher Patrick’s new book ABBA Let The Music Speak in Brisbane.
The book was officially launched by Judith Durham of legendary Australian group The Seekers. Judith has also endorsed the book, describing it as “quite literally awesome… a wonderful exposé.”
Chris happily signed copies of the book that people bought. Many of the people at the party bought at least one copy – some bought two or three!
Judith was also gracious enough to talk to people and sign copies of the book or other items. I was thrilled to get the chance to chat with her. I grew up with The Seekers’ music and saw several of their reunion concerts in the 1990s and early 2000s.
It was also great for me to see old friends Chris and Matti, and to meet new friends Trudy, Roxy, Sue and Darren. It was fun to share this special night with other ABBA fans.
A couple of years ago Chris asked me to look over his manuscript. Since then I’ve been looking forward to the day that the book would be out in the world, when others would be able to read Chris’s masterwork. I’m so happy that it’s now available, people around the world have already received it and will be reading it.
If you enjoy ABBA’s music, and you want to know more than facts about recording sessions and lyrical inspirations, you will want to read this book.
ABBA Let The Music Speak is now available from Chris’s website or the ABBA Fan Club Shop. Judith’s full review of the book can also be read on Chris’s site. For the latest news on the book, see Chris’s blog. Get in quick to order one of the first 100 numbered and signed copies from Chris’s website.
ABBA radio is back on Sirius Satellite Radio.
On December 12, Channel 3 becomes ABBA Radio, which will broadcast ABBA music 24/7 for one week and will feature all the hits originally performed by the group. The channel will also feature tracks from the original cast recording of the hit stage musical phenomenon, MAMMA MIA!. In addition, SIRIUS XM listeners will hear two-time Academy Award®-winning actress Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, and Colin Firth sing ABBA songs on the soundtrack to MAMMA MIA! The Movie; the film is being released on DVD and Blu-Ray Hi-Def on December 16.
On Sirius Satellite Radio:
http://www.sirius.com/abbaradio
On XM Radio:
http://www.xmradio.com/onxm/channelpage.xmc?ch=31
More news at ABBA World.
After months of uncertainty finally there is news about refunds from ABBA the Museum. This week the following email has apparently been sent to all buyers of ticket packages or gift vouchers who have not yet requested a refund:
A message to those who have bought tickets / gift vouchers for ABBA the Museum in Stockholm, but haven’t yet applied for a refund.
On November 22, Touring Exhibitions AB bought all rights to ABBAMuseum. As previously announced, the opening of the exhibition has been delayed and since we are unable at this time to announce a new date and location for the museum, we will now refund all previously purchased tickets and gift vouchers.
You don’t have to do anything – your money will be refunded to the account used when you bought your tickets. If you have any questions, please contact office@abbamuseum.com. We hope to be able to come back to you soon with an announcement regarding the location for ABBA the Museum.
Best regards
Touring Exhibitions AB
The tone of this message and the fact that all tickets are now being refunded hints that whenever the museum will be opening is a long, long time off.
Thanks to Pepe @ abba4ever forum.
UPDATE 14 December: this same statement has finally been posted on the museum’s website, backdated to 9 December.
UPDATE 16 December: ABBA the Museum set for World Tour. See comments.
After a break from their annual Summer tour in 2008 Benny Andersson Orkester (BAO) with Helen Sjöholm and Tommy Körberg will be touring Sweden in June and July 2009.
BAO will also be performing a special concert in Hampstead Heath in London on 4 July to commemorate Sweden’s taking over Presidency of the European Union. According to the ABBA Fan Club this will be a free concert.
The Swedish tour dates are:
26 June – Helsingborg, Sofiero Slott
27 June – Göteborg, Trädgårdsföreningen
28 June – Stockholm, Skansen
9 July – Borgholm, Slottsruinen
10 July – Västerås, Lögarängen
11 July – Leksand, Sammilsdalsgropen
12 July – Mariefred, Gripsholms Slott
For more information (in Swedish), see Mono Music.
For the latest news about BAO (in English), see icethesite.
ABBA Omnibus blog 