ABBA have thanked fans for their “steadfast loyalty and support” in a social media post celebrating 50 years since they won the Eurovision Song Contest with Waterloo.
The Swedish supergroup had entered Sweden’s Melodifestivalen in 1973 with Ring Ring, which secured a third-place finish, but returned the following year with the specially-written Waterloo.
Winning the selection process, the group headed to Brighton, England where they performed on April 6 alongside acts including the UK’s Olivia Newton-John and Italy’s Gigliola Cinquetti, who finished in second place with Sì.
Ultimately, ABBA came out on top with 24 points – six ahead of the runner-up on 18 – marking Sweden’s first-ever Eurovision win.
“It’s slightly dizzying and deeply humbling to think that millions of you who saw us for the first time in the Eurovision final 1974 have passed our music on not only to one generation, but to several,” Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad shared in a post on social media, reflecting on the milestone.
“We see evidence of that every time one of us visits ABBA Voyage in London and it’s because of this we can celebrate the 50th Anniversary of that event in the knowledge that our songs still resonate around the world.
“It’s difficult to comprehend that 50 years have gone by since the four of us waited backstage for the verdicts of all the juries around Europe at the Dome in Brighton. So what were our dreams during those suspenseful moments or in the chaos in the aftermath of the victory we had secured with the smallest margin in Eurovision history? Four different dreams, no doubt, but whatever they were, however grand, reality has surpassed them, that’s for sure.
“Many of you were there from the very start and have followed us ever since – for over half a century! Music you discover and learn to love when you grow up or even later in life has a way of staying with you forever. We share that experience with you and to know that our music has become a constant in your lives is a wonderful thing.
“Throughout the years we have been blessed with the outpouring of love from you, our fans. We feel it and we want you to know that hardly a day goes by when we’re not reminded of it. To say thank you for what you’re giving us without sounding trivial is not easy and this is not a moment for triviality.
“It is a happy and at the same time solemn moment and we can only hope that you understand how deeply grateful we are for a long, successful career and for your steadfast loyalty and support through the years. Thank you!”
“It is 50 years since ABBA won in Brighton with Waterloo and they are going to be celebrated big time when the contest returns to Sweden,” insiders reveal.
“The group have made it clear they have no interest in performing again but ABBA’s music will be a major part of the event with a chunk of time put aside for a tribute after all the acts have performed.
“Bringing part of their ABBA Voyage show to Sweden is really complex because the tech is very expensive and complicated, which is why they had to build an arena for it in East London.
“Organisers are racing to try and make it possible but otherwise, a selection of stars, likely all from Sweden, will be singing ABBA’s music instead.
“It will be a memorable moment.”
Tattoo singer Loreen is expected to be among the performers on the night in Malmö, with others to be announced.
It’s one of a number of ABBA celebrations taking place over the coming weeks and, coinciding with the milestone, ABBA are reissuing their second album, ‘Waterloo’, in April, with a series of vinyl editions featuring the original LP and its classic singles.
