On 6 April it will be exactly 50 years since the UK judges at the Eurovision Song Contest in Brighton famously awarded “nul points” to the platform-heeled, satin-clad entry from Sweden.
Half a century later, that score seems more than a little ironic given ABBA’s current status as one of the world’s most-loved artists – with eight consecutive No1 albums in the UK and the Hollywood-actor-packed Mamma Mia! films and West End show to prove it.
The group – made up of Agnetha Fältskog, who turns 74 this week, Björn Ulvaeus, 78, Benny Andersson, 77, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad (Frida), 78 – were introduced to the Brighton Dome stage in 1974 by the British announcer as the entry from “a country full of mountains, lakes and forests”. But few people could have anticipated what was to come in the following three minutes – and the subsequent 50 years.
“Well, actually I had a £20 bet on it, in Brighton, at 20/1,” Benny once said of their Eurovision performance.
“There were some good songs, but I did think ours was better. I was standing there, and I’m good at mental arithmetic, so I knew exactly the moment where we would win even if we got no more votes and I told the others, ‘That’s it, we’ve done it.’”
Prior to that momentous night, Benny and his then-girlfriend Frida were touring as a cabaret band with Björn and Agnetha, who were also a couple, performing covers of other artists. But, as Benny later said, they weren’t particularly happy about it.
Denne historien er fra April 08, 2024-utgaven av OK! UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra April 08, 2024-utgaven av OK! UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
THE PITFALLS OF AT-HOME REMEDIES
Some online health advice could be putting our wellbeing at risk
GREEK RETREATS
Relax and unwind at some of the Greek islands' best wellness destinations, offering sun, sea - and spas
Food from home
Romy Gill takes us on a journey through the ancestral kitchens of the Bengal and Punjab regions by sharing 70 of her beloved family recipes
DANCING QUEEN: 'You'd have to shovel me out of my Strictly chair'
Shirley Ballas loves her role as head judge on the hit BBC dance show and despite struggling with back pain, she won't be putting her feet up any time soon, she tells OK! in an exclusive interview
FAMILY TIME: 'I feel content and in a good place - I was so different before I became a mum'
Reality TV star Ferne McCann on motherhood, marriage and being inspired by her children
THE MATCHMAKER: 'I would pay to go on My Mum, Your Dad if I wasn't in a relationship'
As the hit ITV dating series where single parents get a second chance of finding love returns, host Davina McCall reveals why the show is such a success
REEL DRAMA: BRAD STEALS THE SHOW AT MAJOR MOVIE EVENT
A host of screen stars graced the red carpet for the 81st Venice International Film Festival
FAMILY MATTERS: 'PETE AND I GET ON EACH OTHER'S NERVES, BUT WE LAUGH EVERY DAY'
Presenter Abbey Clancy tells us her secret to a happy marriage and why she loves the chaos of family life
SUMMER OF LOVE: 'We just match each other perfectly'
Olympic swimmer Matthew Richards marries fiancée Emily Large in a fairytale ceremony, making it a summer that they'll never forget
LIFE, LOVE AND DUTY: QUEEN CAMILLA'S JOURNEY INTO THE SPOTLIGHT
Following another busy week of duties, it's clear Queen Camilla has taken to her role in the monarchy “like a duck to water\" says former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond