ANNUAL1979

Björn and Agnetha are divorcing in January - Björn and Benny take a break in the Bahamas - On February 14, ABBA visit Leysin in Switerland to do a tv special - On April 23, the album 'Voulez-Vous' is released - On September 13, ABBA's world tour of America/Canada and Europe starts in Vancouver - On October 19, the European leg of the tour starts in Gothenburg, Sweden - Early November, the 5 concerts at Wembley Arena London are filmed and recorded on tape.



January:
1979-01-08  ABBA in New York performing at a Unicef Gala.
1979-01-09  'Unicef Gift Of A Song' concert in New York, held at the National Assembly Hall of The United Nations, performing 'Chiquitita'.

     

 



      


  

   
     
       
 
 

1979-01-10  ABBA in New York at the New York Plaza Hotel. Agnetha and Björn at Robert Stigwood's party for The Bee Gees.


1979-01-11  Back to Stockholm.
1979-01-15  Bjorn and Agnetha are divorcing.
1979-01-16  Release single 'Chiquitita' - 'Lovelight'.
1979-01-22  Bjorn and Benny leave for a trip to the Bahama's, writing 'Kisses Of Fire' and more songs.
1979-01-29  Bjorn and Benny still on the Bahama's.
1979-01-31  Bjorn and Benny in Miami working on the LP Voulez-Vous. Read the article about engineer Tom Dowd who was present during these sessions at the Criteria studio in Miami.

February:
1979-02-01  Backing track of 'Song X', a working title of 'Amerika', a working title of 'Voulez-Vous' finished in Miami and backing track of  'If It Wasn't For The Nights' made there?
1979-02-02  Return back to Europe.
1979-02-03  Björn and Benny back in Stockholm.
1979-02-06  Backing track 'I Can Do It', a working title of  'Does Your Mother Know'.
1979-02-07  Backing track of 'Tidernas Blasning' a working title of 'Kisses Of Fire'.
1979-02-12  Sax overdubs for 'Does Your Mother Know'.
1979-02-14  ABBA to Leysin, Switserland filming 'ABBA in Switserland'

                

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1979-02-15  During the afternoon, filming of the 'official' 'Chiquitita' video in front of the snowman by the BBC.

     

1979-02-16  Filming 'ABBA in Switserland' with 'Take A Chance On Me', 'The King Has Lost His Crown', 'What's The Name Of The Game' in the snow with skiing outfits, 'Eagle' featuring baloons', 'Mamma Mia' in the snow, 'Kisses Of Fire' (watch a short Real Media clip of Kisses Of Fire at the BBC website), 'Lovers (Live A Little Longer)' Chiquitita' (in the tent) and an early mix of 'Does Your Mother Know' (watch a Real Media clip of Does Your Mother Know at the BBC website) and Thank You For The Music 

     

     

     

     

     

    

     

     

      
      

     

      

 

          

      

1979-02-17  Ditto.
1979-02-18  Ditto.
1979-02-19? On their way back from Leysin to Stockholm, ABBA made a stop in Bremen (West-Germany) to appear on 'Musikladen' with 'Chiquitita'. ( Thank you Thomas Birkenbach for this information!)

     

     

      

March:
1979-03-01  Mixing 'Does Your Mother Know' and 'Kisses Of Fire'.
1979-03-08  Recording Spanish vocals for 'Chiquitita'.  This evening ABBA and Stig attend a dinner organized by King Carl Gustav at the Royal Palace of Stockholm.

        

               

   

                 

1979-03     . Fotoshoot of the LP cover of 'Voulez-vous and single cover 'Does Your Mother Know' at the 'Alexandra' discotheque in Stockholm.
1979-03-14  Backing track of 'As Good As New'.
1979-03-15  Backing track of 'Take Me In Your Armpit', a working title of 'I Know A Song', a working title of 'I Have A Dream'.
1979-03-19  Overdubs on 'Voulez-Vous'.
1979-03-20  Mixing 'Voulez-Vous'.
1979-03-23  Mixing 'If It Wasn't For The Nights'.
1979-03-24  This evening, Frida and her two children were confronted with an intruder who tried to get in their house.
1979-03-27  Work on 'Does Your Mother Know, string overdubs for 'I Have A Dream' and 'As Good As New'.
1979-03-29  Mixing 'As Good As New' and 'Does Your Mother Know'.

April:
1979-04       Release single 'Does Your Mother Know', 'Kisses Of Fire'. Polar Music AB press release of April 1979
1979-04-05  Filming Does Your Mother Know and Voulez-Vous videos at the Europa Film Studios in Stockholm.

        Does Your Mother Know
          Voulez Vous
1979-04-06  More filming today.
1979-04-23  Release LP 'Voulez-Vous'
1979-04-29  ABBA record a one-hour radio special for Radio 1 BBC.
1979-04-30 ABBA filmed at Polar Studio for the 100th show of ZDF "Disco".

1979-05/06  ABBA and Stig on 'Gaster Hos Hagge.'

May:
1979-05-03  Together with 500 other artists, ABBA take part in a demonstration in Stockholm to protest against the government's attemps to block the creation of an agency aimed at finding work especially for artists.
1979-05-07  Sessions start of Benny working on Finn Kalvik's album.
1979-05-09  Read the official Polar Music AB press release of May 1979
1979-05-16  Rehearsals for the upcoming tour start today at the konserthuset in Stockholm.
1979-05-17  Rehearsals for U.S. and Canadian tour.
1979-05-18  Surprise concert at 'Diskoland' in Landskrona.



    On stage in Landskrona

1979-05-19  Surprise concert at a nightclub in Norrköping with the musicians who will accompany ABBA during the tour.

1979-05-20  Rest of month rehearsals for tour.
1979-05-21  Rehearsals for the tour through Canada, the U.S. and Europe.
1979-05-22  Rehearsals for tour.
1979-05-23  Rehearsals for tour.
1979-05-24  Rehearsals for tour.
1979-05-25  Frida backing on Finn Kalvik's album and rehearsals for tour.
1979-05-27  ABBA in Madrid to record two tv-shows:  'Auplauso' and '300 Millones where they sung 'Chiquitita', 'Fernando', 'Voulez-Vous' and 'Does Your Mother Know'.

1979-05-28  ABBA in Madrid for a second day.

     

     

      

     

     

     

     

     


    

June:
1979-06-07  Recording 'Sang Till Gorel'.
1979-06-14  Working on Finn Kalvik's album.
1979-06-18  Press Release from Polar Music AB about the upcoming single 'Voulez-Vous/Angeleyes
1979-06-21  Release 12" 'Sang Till Gorel'.
1979-06-25  Backing tracks for 'Lady Bird' and 'And The Wind Cries' (only instrumental tracks).
1979-06-27  String overdubs for 'Lady Bird'.

July:
1979-07       ABBA on vacation this month. Benny, Frida and children spend their time sailing in Sweden, Björn and new girlfriend Lena are together and Agnetha is with her two children.

August:
1979-08-01  More rehearsals for the upcoming tour at the cinema studios of Europa Films in Sundbyberg, near Stockholm.

        

1979-08       Release single 'Voulez-vous' - 'Angeleyes'.
1979-08-06  ABBA's hands were cemented at the Europa Film Studios.

    

1979-08-08  Backing track of 'Rubber Ball Man', a working title of 'Under My Sun'.
1979-08-09  Backing track of 'Been And Gone And Done It, a working title of 'Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)'.
1979-08-10  Recording 'ABBA show' 24 rehearsal tracks and work on 'Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!' (A Man After Midnight)' .

Rehearsals: The Way Old Friends DoPhoto session of ABBA rehearsing.
1979-08-27  Last day of rehearsals.
1979-08-28  Work on 'Rubber Ball Man, a working title of 'Under My Sun'.
1979-08-30  String overdubs for 'Rubberball Man' , a working title of 'Under My Sun' and 'Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)'.
1979-08-31  Horn overdubs for Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight).

September:
1979-09     .Photo shoot single cover 'Gimme!, Gimme!, Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)' and LP cover 'Greatest Hits Vol. 2'
1979-09-05  Mixing 'Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) Also filming of the promotion clip of 'Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! ( A Man After Midnight)' and the Spanish 'Estoy Soñando' during this session in the studio.

               

1979-09-06  Preparations for U.S. tour.
1979-09-07  Benny and Frida leave for Canada to have a few days off before the tour starts..
1979-09-08  Preparations for U.S. tour.
1979-09-09  Preparations for U.S. tour.
1979-09-10  Björn, Agnetha together with the whole crew leave for Vancouver via London.
1979-09-11  Preparations.
1979-09-12  Dress rehearsals.  Todays rehearsals end at 11.30 p.m.

       Rehearsals in Edmonton

1979-09-13  Concert in Edmonton, Edmonton Sports Arena at 8 p.m.  ABBA give a press conference after the concert followed by a big party.

1979-09-14  A day off. Björn reads a review of the first concert.


1979-09-15  Concert in Vancouver, P.N.E. at 8 p.m. (Canada).  There is a party afterwards to celebrate Ola Bunkert's 33rd birthday. ABBA stay at the Westin Bayshore hotel.

          

1979-09-16 The four ABBA members and daughter Linda enjoy themselves by the pool.

                          

1979-09-17  Agnetha prefers to travel by car to Seattle, while the rest take the private jet.  Concert in Seattle, Seattle Arena (USA.)

Frida wearing a Seattle Seahawk football shirt

1979-09-18  Agnetha arrives in Portland by car.  During the afternoon, there's time to relax by the hotel pool  Concert in Portland, Portland Opera House  (USA).

  
Two photos of the concert in Portland were used for a stamp that was issued in Sweden in 1983


1979-09-19  All members fly to San Fransisco by plane. Concert in Concord, Concord Palvillion (USA). The boys meet journalists after the concert.  After this, they immediately board the plane and fly to LA.

1979-09-20  A day off.

          Meeting Japenese press in LA

1979-09-21  ABBA and their children in Disneyland.



1979-09-21  Concert in LA Anaheim, Anaheim Convention Centre .

          


ABBA in Anaheim

1979-09-22  ABBA leave for San Diego during the afternoon.  Concert at San Diego Sports Arena. ABBA go back to LA after the concert.



    Concert in San Diego

1979-09-23  Concert in Tempe, The Active Centre.
1979-09-24  Concert in Las Vegas, Performing Arts Centre/Aladdin Hotel with daughter Linda singing together with the choir 'I Have A Dream'.


1979-09-25  A day off with family and close friends.
1979-09-26  ABBA leave for Omaha in the morning at 9.00. Concert in Omaha, Civic Auditorium.
1979-09-27  Concert in Minneapolis/St. Paul, St. Paul Civic . ABBA is filmed backstage tonight for the 'ABBA in concert' video.
1979-09-29  Concert in Milwaukee, Auditorium (USA)   This complete concert recorded by a fan, is available on bootleg.
1979-09-30  Concert in Chicago, Auditorium Theatre. Read this fan review.


ABBA in Chicago

     

     

    



October:
1979-10       .Release single 'Gimme!, Gimme!, Gimme! ( A Man After Midnight)' - 'The King Has Lost His Crown.
1979-10-02  Concert in New York, Radio City Music Hall. The Pope John Paul II is also in town at the Yankee stadium.  Also today, the mixing of  'Estoy Soñando' . Read this fan review.

    

1979-10-03  ABBA fly by plane to Boston while the crew travel with the bus.  It was a horrific flight and Agnetha was terrified.  The group land in Manchester and travel the rest of the route by van.   The concert in Boston at the Music Hall start with a 2-hour delay due to the bad weather conditions.

    

1979-10-04  Agnetha is ill today.  That is why tonight's concert in Washington D.C. at the Constitution Hall was cancelled.
1979-10-05  While Agnetha recovers, the rest of the group meet president Carter's daughter Ami at the White House.
1979-10-06  Concert in Montreal, Forum (Canada) with a weak Agnetha.
1979-10-07  Concert in Toronto, Maple Leaf Gardens (Canada).
1979-10-08  Back to Sweden.
1979-10-09  Back in Stockholm.

1979-10-15  Preparations for the European tour.
1979-10-16  Preparations for European tour.
1979-10-17  Preparations the for European tour.
1979-10-18  ABBA travel to Gothenburg.
1979-10-19  Concert in Gothenburg, Scandinavium (Sweden).

   


ABBA on stage in Gothenborg

1979-10-20  Concert in Stockholm, Isstadion (Sweden).  Recordings of several songs are available on bootleg.

1979-10-21  Concert in Copenhagen, Falkoner Theatre (Denmark).

ABBA in Copenhagen

  

    

  

1979-10-23  Concert in Paris, Pavillion de Paris (France).  Recordings of several songs are available on bootleg.
1979-10-24  Arrival at Zestienhoven airport Rotterdam. Concert at Ahoy Sportpaleis (Holland).  Björn is interviewed by Toppop's Ad Visser about the Chiquitita single Read this excellent review by Mike. A. Aarts from The Netherlands.  He was among the thousands of fans who saw this concert.


Arrival at Zestienhoven (Rotterdam)

 

      

      

 Björn and Ad Visser 1 Björn and Ad Visser 2

    


    

        

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ABBA in Ahoy, Rotterdam
1979-10-25  Concert in Dortmund, Westfallenhalle (West-Germany). ABBA enjoy themselves in a local bar until 4 am.
1979-10-26  Arrival at Munich airport at 1.45 p.m.
1979-10-27  Between 12 and 1 p.m., ABBA talk with their fans by phone.  Lena accompanies Björn until the end of the tour.  Concert in Munich, Olympiahalle (West-Germany) at 8. p.m.  While Björn and Lena spend time together the rest have dinner at an Italian restaurant.
1979-10-28  Concert in Zurich, Hallenstadion (Switserland).
1979-10-29  Concert in Vienna, Stadthalle (Austria) and release LP 'Greatest Hits Vol.2' today.
1979-10-30  Concert in Stuttgart, Sporthalle Boeblingen (West-Germany) with Frida's father Alfred Haase among the audience.  

ABBA on stage before a German speaking audience

November:
1979-11-01  Concert in Bremen, Stadthalle (West-Germany). ABBA stay at the Park Hotel.

    
On stage in Germany
            

1979-11-02  Concert in Frankfurt, Festhalle (West-Germany).

1979-11-03  Concert in Brussels, Forest National (Belgium). Read this fan report.
1979-11-04  Flight to London  Linda and Christian are with their parents..
1979-11-05  Concert in London, Wembley Arena (England) All concerts here were filmed and taped.
1979-11-06  Concert in London, Wembley Arena (England).
1979-11-07  Concert in London, Wembley Arena (England). The reviews of this concerts are negative. Read this fan report.

Wembley concert, November 7

1979-11-08  Concert in London, Wembley. Tonight's 'The Way Old Friends Do' used for Super trouper?

The Way Old Friends Do at Wembley
1979-11-09  Concert in London, Wembley Arena.

          

     

    

     

1979-11-10  Concert in London, Wembley Arena (England) Read this fan report
1979-11-11  Concert in Stafford, Bingley Hall (England)
1979-11-12  Concert in Stafford, Bingley Hall (Engand).
1979-11-13  Concert in Glasgow, Apolla Hall (Schotland). Read this fan report.
1979-11-14  Agnetha flies ahead of the rest of the group to Dublin. Agnetha and Björn tried not to travel together.
1979-11-15  Concert in Dublin, R.D.S. Main Hall (Ireland).
1979-11-16  Back to Stockholm.
1979-11-22  Mixing 'Take A Chance On Me' (live version).

December:
1979-12      Release single 'I Have A Dream' - 'Take A Chance On Me' (live).
1979-12-22  Frida performs 'Stilla Nacht' with Benny on keyboards on radio programme 'Uppesittarkväll'.
1979-12-24  Broadcasting of Live material on a one-hour radio show for BBC.  Available on a great Dutch bootleg 'The Lost Live Album'.