ABBA in London, November 6, 1982
6th November 1982, wow nineteen years ago and along with Sara Russell who reminisced 5th November and Abba's arrival at the Belfrey Club, the 6th brings back some very fond memories indeed!
ABBA made a special appearance on Noel Edmond's Late Late Breakfast Show held at the BBC in London. I arrived at the gates of the television centre and went through to meet John Spalding (Bocu Music) in the foyer who was watching the football match on TV. Benny then came in enquiring how Arsenal were doing ( he wore the teams shirt for a TV appearance earlier in the day). " looks like Arsenal are loosing" I said to Benny, what an openingline I thought!! I was then escorted through the corridor to meet Bjorn briefly. The rehearsals were about to start and Frida and Agnetha came out of their dressing room to run through the programme and the format with Noel Edmonds and also Bjorn and Benny.
The BBC wanted to create a party atmosphere as we were all given hats and streamers as the video to The Day Before You Came was played and Abba came on to sit on the couch and run through their favourite Abba songs. Agnetha chose Fernando, Frida Dancing Queen, Benny went for Chiquitita and Bjorn chose the Winner Takes It All. After this they all sang Thank You For The Music as the programme came to a close. I went backstage and chatted to Frida who was supporting a new hairdo! Everyone was made to line up in pairs as the doors were opened to the outside and the awaiting cars. Pandemonium set in as fans crowded around the entrance. Agnetha got into a car with Carol Broughton (Bocu) and Bjorn and Benny went to the front car. Frida became trapped and I must admit I did fear for her safety for whilst everyone wanted photos and autographs there was no order about it and she struggled to make it to the car which she did eventually.
So there you have it November 1982, and Abba were still as hot as ever
onthe UK music scene although the peak chart position of TDBYC was only
32,the Singles Collection - the first 10 years hit the number one spot!
Posted on ABBAMAIL on November 6, 2001 by Vaughan Davies - Channel Islands UK
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