ABBA: "it's getting harder to come with new ideas"
Half a year ago ABBA were in hot water. The couples' private problems were published in the tabloids and rumours came from Sweden suggesting that ABBA would quit. The supergroup would never perform again, and the long awaited album still wasn't released. Björn and Benny's lack of inspiration was named as the main reason. After the release of their latest album 'The Visitors', Veronica had a phonecall with Björn in Stockholm.
Veronica:
The release of the new lp lasted longer than you had in mind.
Björn: Yes, that is correct. We started writing in February and from
that time on we did nothing but recording new songs. That went on 'till
15 November. The delay had nothing to do with the lack of inspiration,
because that is only 5 percent of the whole production. 95 percent is
just hard work day-in-day-out. As songwriters we are very critical. A
lot of songs end up in the wastebasket, because we refuse to copy old
ABBA hits. In my opinion, this album is the best product we have ever
made. The time we needed to finish it appeared to be longer than we thought.
It is getting more and more difficult to come with new ideas if you have
made so much music like we have".
There's the rumour
that ABBA would only record in the studio and that there won't be any
tours anymore...
Björn: "The group has been misinterpreted a lot by the
press. When we say that we don't have any firm plans for a tour at the
moment, that doesn't mean that we will not perform live anymore. Journalists
tend to mix rumours and draw their own conclusions. I have to disappoint
Dutch ABBA fans, but as soon we feel the urge to go on tour again, we
will surely do that".
Are Agnetha and Frida
going to record solo-albums?
Björn: Yes, there are plans. We are discussing it and at the beginning
of next year we will know more. Than we hope to come with more detailed
ideas".
Do you and Benny have
any plans to write and produce for other artists?
Björn: "Yes, although it's too early to say something about
it. In January this too will have more shape. I won't name any artists,
but we have an idea in which direction we are looking".
When we talked with
you in Rotterdam, right after the concert, you said that one of your greatest
desires were to conquer China, Russia and South-America. Has anything
happened meanwhile?
Björn: "Chiquitita was a smash hit in South-America. Incredible!
We were popular in no time. About Russia I can tell you that we sell lots
of records there. I recently spoke with a journalist from 'The New China',
a Chinese paper, and he said that ABBA records are available in China
too. However, fans can hardly get their hands on a copy, so what happens?
The records land on the black market where they are sold for a lot of
money. The limited distribution of the records give us an incorrect image
about ABBA's popularity behind the iron curtain".
Have you reckoned with
the American market during the making of The Visitors?
Björn: " No, that would be a stupid thing to do. We make music
like we want to and what we think is good music. We can only hope that
Americans have a place in their hearts for ABBA".
Do you regret that
ABBA never really conquered America, while you made several efforts by
touring the country?
Björn: "ABBA have sold a lot of records there".
But you never reached
that status of 'superstars' like you did in Europe.
Björn: "That indeed is true, but what do you think is the advantage
of having a superstar status, really? I can easily walk though New York
without being recognized on the street".
English translation of a Dutch article published in Veronica tv-guide, December 1981
 |