MEMORIES OF THE CONCERT IN CHICAGO
I first became aware that ABBA would be touring the U.S. when I got my copy of Voulez-Vous. The fan club flyer in the album jacket stated that the North American Tour would begin September 15, 1979. I forget how I found out that their Chicago stop would bring them to the Auditorium Theater, but once I did, I called the box office many times a day until I found out what I needed: when tickets would go on sale.
On that date, my father dropped
me off at 6am in front of the Sears store where I waited for the Ticket-Tron
to open. I went at such an early hour afraid that I'd be lost in the mass
of people. I was the only person "in line". I patiently waited
with my walkman on ears until the store opened at 9am. Needless to say
I acquired many strange looks from employees heading to work. My mom and
brother joined me around 8am. We were still alone. At 9am the doors opened
and I raced to the ticket window. I was first. The agent connected with
the box office for
sales, and secured for me 4 second row center tickets. The tickets cost
US$9.50 each. What a bargain! I was in heaven!
On the night of the concert, my parents, my brother, and I went a little early to buy souveniers. The doors to the Auditorium had not opened yet. The line stretched down Congress Ave. around the corner and down Michigan Ave. for many blocks. Where were all these people when I was at Sears? But, I digress......One guy that caught my attention was looking for 2 tickets for himself and his girlfriend. He was about 6'5 tall, thin, long black hair, and very distraught. The line started moving, and I lost sight of him as we entered. I hoped he would somehow be successful.
As we entered, we quickly
found the souvenier tables, bought tour programs, the disco visor, a tour
poster, t-shirt, and proceeded to our
wonderful seats. I held my camera close to my side. Before long, the lights
went down, and the Auditorium was filled with Benny's piano
overture leading into "Voulez-Vous". The curtain went up and
there before me was Agnetha and Frida, arms extended, all smiles, and
the
audience went wild.
Some of the highlights: Benny and "Intermezzo #1", hair shaggily tossed from side to side; Agnetha and "I'm Still Alive"--amazing; Frida dressed in a Chicago Blackhawks jersey teasing Björn as well as the audience; Tomas Ledin's solo--I've loved him ever since; the ABBA logo appearing from behind the mountains and flickering on and off during "Take A Chance on Me"; "Summer Night City" and "DQ" because the crowd got on their feet, singing and dancing wildly all around me; ABBA standing center stage with Benny on his accordion singing "TWOFD" for the first time to my ears; and "Waterloo" finale, ABBA standing 10 ft. in front of me, staring straight into my camera as my flash bulb clicked away.
It was at that point that
I turned away from the action on the stage for just one second to catch
a glimpse of the crowd that now was on their
feet, dancing in the aisles. I wanted to get a sense of what I was experiencing.
Even the balconies were on their feet, rocking the theater
with thunderous applause. They were having the time of their lives. It
was then that I noticed by a door to my left about 20 rows back, the
tall, thin man with long hair from outside the theater. He and his girlfriend
had gotten themselves in somehow. And were they going crazy. I'll never
forget the image of his long hair tossed in a frenzy as he danced. I'll
never forget the smile on his face.
After many failed attempts by the Chicago audience to get ABBA back on stage after "Waterloo", the theater finally emptied out. I told my parents that I had to go to the backstage door to meet them. They followed me out and around the corner to the door along with many other fans. I stood outside for maybe 1/2 hour before my parents hauled me away, kicking and screaming. "It's a school night, you know", is what they told me. I've still never forgiven them :-) My only consolation was that I was able to get some great photos of ABBA from the second row, and that I have a live recording of the event.
So, those are my highlights of the Chicago concert. Every time I write this account, it's like I'm right back there. 13 years old, 10 ft. from my idols, and out of my mind with happiness. I can't say I've experienced such pure joy in all of my life (except maybe when I saw "Kristina Från Duvemåla for the first time and cried my eyes out)..
If you've read this far, hope you enjoyed it.
Peg Hughes
Chicago, USA
Posted on ABBAMAIL, September 13, 2001
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