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ABBA Pic of the Day

30 January 2013 in Agnetha Fältskog, Anni-Frid Lyngstad | Permalink | Comments (10) | TrackBack (0)

ABBA Pic of the Day

1979 rehearsals.

28 January 2013 in Agnetha Fältskog, Anni-Frid Lyngstad | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)

"Björn and Agnetha the bridal couple of the summer" [1971]

An interview at home with Björn and Agnetha from 1971 in the Swedish weekly magazine "Allas" from 31 May. A "cute" interview, no depth at all. They both seemed so young, sweet and innocent.

They believe in love at first sight - Agnetha Fältskog and Björn Ulvaeus. They met on TV and they fell in love immediately. Now they are planning their summer wedding!
TWO PEAS IN A POD
The old saying "like to peas in a pot" still seems valid, at least if you meet Hootennany Singers' charming man Björn Ulvaeus, nowadays composer, producer, lyricist, singer and a real handy man in his four room flat together with his beloved Agnetha Fältskog and his sweet younger sister.
Hootenanny Singers, the Swedish people's favourites, constantly on "Svensktoppen" started their career when they still were in school in Västervik and their career has just kept going. After they graduated they have parted - Hansi Schwarz is studying in Lund, "Totta" Roth and his friend Carlberg in Linköping. Björn Ulvaeus, who already knew that he wanted to go into the pop music business as a producer, composer and singer, went to Stockholm. During the summers they toured like crazy throughout Sweden. The girls were screaming hysterically from joy when the four turned up on stage.

FELL FOR EACH OTHER IMMEDIATELY
And last year it happened when Björn was doing a TV-show and he found the Girl. They both fell in love immediately. Don't say that there's no such thing as love at first sight. The girl with a capital G was already famous in the pop music world, her name was Agnetha Fältskog from Jönköping and she was a successfull composer and singer.
   The more time the couple spent together they realised they had so much in common. So they decided to live together. And Björn took his younger sister with him. The result became a very happy household.
   We are just talking about this and that and I soon realise that there's a line of privacy they won't let me cross. They are both used to journalists by now and know where to draw the line. During our conversation a lot of issues comes up that they both agree completely on. World war for example, they both think it's the worst thing. So where would they like to live if they were financially independent?
   - Sweden, Björn says immediately. I couldn't stand any other climate. But here Agnetha disagrees. Agnetha says that she would like to live in Gambia, the small west African country south of Senegal with long beaches and palm trees. But it would be very hot there. The reason for Agnetha's choice is probably that she and Björn was there in November when it wasn't too hot. After May no Swede could stand the heat there.

HATE INTOLERANCE AND LIES
We talk about what they dislike about people: Björn hates intolerance and Agnetha hates lies. When it comes to music they both agree that Tjajkowskij is great and Björn adds Beethoven and Lennon/McCartney. Agnetha adds Burt Bacharach and George Harrison! But which historic person do they admire most?
- Winston Churchill, Björn says immediately.

BJÖRN - ABSENT MINDED AND SLOPPY
- Well, Björn, what are your worst qualities? I ask Björn and he thinks long and hard about it.
- It's must be being absent minded and sloppy, he says. That's probably what's most annoying to others. Agnetha, on the other, looks as if she doesn't mind running around picking up stuff after Björn. I never get to know what Agnetha's worst qualities are. What I do learn is what kind of flowers they like. Björn loves roses and Agnetha yellow fresias. When it comes to birds Björn prefers house sparrows and Agnetha the blackbird, because "it sings so beautifully". Neither of them have much time to read books but Björn's favourite author is Ray Bradbury and Dan Andersson. Agnetha loves Shakespeare - especially "Romeo and Juliet" - Daphne de Maurier and Karin Boye. And before I know it the blond beauty starts reciting a poem by Karin Boye. She does it so beautifully I almost get teary eyed.
Young Ms. Ulvaeus acts as hostess and Björn and Agnetha sit down on the floor and start playing on a strange looking instrument which they have brought from Africa.

TOURING TOGETHER THIS SUMMER - AS HUSBAND AND WIFE
It's very unusual that they both are at home at the same time. Mostly Björn is composing with his friend Benny Andersson somewhere and Agnetha is away singing. But this summer that will change. They are going to tour together and they are looking forward to it. It all seems so stable and nice Agnetha looks so much in love and Björn looks as smug as a cat.
   - We are getting married on 6 July in Verum' church in Skåne, Agnetha shouts from the closet. In April they went to London and not long ago they were in Paris. They don't spend much time at home, Agnetha loves chinese food (but Björn prefers a home cooked meal) so Björn takes her to the restaurant Hongkong and in return she goes with him to see a movie.
   Their apartment is beautifully decorated and very comfortable. A mix of memories from trips abroad and modern furniture from IKEA. A very nice and welcoming place to come home to after spending many nights in hotel rooms during their tours.
   They are a very charming and talented couple, they definitely have what it takes to become successfull in the pop music business.