icethesite - Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus news site

Comments

• Posted by Graeme Quinn, July 24, 2009 18:52:

  hope Annie Lennox can sing TDBYC

  
  
• Posted by colinthebruce, July 24, 2009 18:52:

  intriguing. (and in some cases predictable) AND what a great idea- Annie Lennox doing TDBYC. Would love to hear that! (oh that's right I will! I've got my tickets!) worst on the list Jason Donovan. meh.

  
  
• Posted by Michael Salkeld, July 24, 2009 20:17:

  I wonder who else they have asked,
  
  Kate Bush perhaps.

  
  
• Posted by Mark Young, July 24, 2009 20:29:

  I really hope Barbara Dickson is asked. Apart from I Know Him So Well she covered Soldiers and Benny's Millenium Hymn... Silence Of The Dawn is in her current repertoire.

  
  
• Posted by Gerard Hesen, Netherlands, July 24, 2009 21:50:

  Barbara should definately be asked and could sing 'The Day The Wall Came Tumbling Down' and 'Silence of the Dawn' and of course 'I Know Him So Well' together with Elaine. And didn't Elaine record a demo too for the once rumoured album by Elaine and Barbara with B&B-songs which unfortunately never materialised? And Kate... it would of course be wonderful if Benny could persuade her to appear for an a capella version of 'Like An Angel Passing Through My Room'...
  Other artists on my personal wish-list would most definately be Lyn Paul (of the New Seekers) who rose to fame in the musicals 'Blood Brothers' and Boy George's 'Taboo' and the Brotherhood of Man... make it so!

  
  
• Posted by Gerard Hesen, Netherlands, July 24, 2009 22:31:

  And I forgot to mention Julie Forsyth (Guys 'n Dolls/Grant & Forsyth) who recently recorded four covers of ABBA songs: 'Gimme, Gimme, Gimme', 'S.O.S.', 'The Winner Takes it All' and 'Voulez-Vous'...

  
  
• Posted by Cynthie, July 24, 2009 22:33:

  I would like to see the cast of Chess in Concert there. The UK release of the CD/DVD is the following day, September 14th

  
  
• Posted by Mark, July 25, 2009 00:36:

  Tina Arena sang a wonderful version of The Winner Takes It All and she lives in London so she should be asked!! :)

  
  
• Posted by michael, July 25, 2009 02:42:

  Who else did they ask... any chance Frida might show? How about getting Agnetha in a car and across the water on a ferry (so she doesn't have to fly)... what a perfect opportunity for a public appearance by the four.

  
  
• Posted by Alexander, July 25, 2009 09:09:

  I know very well how ridiculous a reunion is and I'm one of those who defend any rejection to do so, but why isn't it a good idea to let Agnetha appear on stage, singing, or Frida, without B&B appearing on stage - it would be original ABBA without all of them reuniting on stage. What about this???

  
  
• Posted by David, July 25, 2009 20:11:

  Does anyone know if the concert will be recorded for a CD or DVD release?

  
  
• Posted by steve, July 25, 2009 21:22:

  I know that the 4 of them will never appear on stage together again and esp. not to perform an ABBA song. However this concert in London in September would be a great opportunity to get together for one song, as an encore just the 4 of them on stage Benny with accordion and they all sing "The Way Old Friends Do". What a perfect way to say thank you fans and a warm summers evening in London,,,,perfect. But if word got out this was going to happen all the attention would be towards Frida & Agnetha and take the spot light from Bjorn & Benny.
  
  So I guess I dream on & on & on
  

  
  
• Posted by michael, July 26, 2009 04:16:

  <i>But if word got out this was going to happen all the attention would be towards Frida & Agnetha and take the spot light from Bjorn & Benny.<i>
  
  sorry to disagree on that one... all the attention would be on the fact that the four were together.
  
  you know, its time the four of them realized that when they thought they were taking 'a break' in 82, it left a lot of fans who loved their music just hanging for years just wondering when, and then if, they would ever appear together again. Stig had it right, leaving the way they did was not right, and its time they did something for their fans to smooth it over, even to stand together for a photo.

  
  
• Posted by Stefan, July 26, 2009 08:45:

  I don't think B & B would mind the spotlight on Frida and Agnetha, it shouldn't be a question of attention anymore after the kind of success that ABBA has had... BUT it would indeed be a great opportunity to finally close the ABBA curtain officially, one last time, the 4 of them, to speak or sing or whatever, and then gone...
  

  
  
• Posted by Alexander, July 26, 2009 08:50:

  Dear Steve, you're absolutely right! But as far as we know this event is not only a celebration of B&B (which is, in fact) but of ABBA, so this is worth the confusion. I absolutely support any rejection to reform again for concerts, but, like in Stockholm last year, this would be the perfect (and last?) chance to say THANK YOU TO THE FANS by appearing together on stage - without reforming as such! - and surprisingly singing "The way old friends do". They would have done it in 2004 when they celebrated 5 years of Mamma Mia if not Agnetha had been afraid of flying. This is what we're dreaming and dreaming and dreaming... we are such small lights to decide such things.

  
  
• Posted by Darren, July 26, 2009 14:03:

  Elaine Paige just mentioned on her show the concert will be hosted by Chris Evans and also performing are The Feeling and Sharleen Spiteri.
  
  Hoping Benny brings Agnetha over on his yacht and Frida stops off on her way to New York ;-)I'm really looking forward to seeing Helen again with BAB/BAO.Not so keen on some of the other acts so far announced.
  

  
  
• Posted by Louise, July 26, 2009 16:13:

  I'm totally against an Abba reunion but there's only one person I'd loved to hear singing Fernando in Hyde Park and that's Frida.

  
  
• Posted by Carla, July 26, 2009 18:39:

  I´d love to hear 'I Let the music speak'...my favourite song.
  I think Agnetha and Frida would be perfect on stage with B&B. Even if they don't sing toguether. Just beeing there, to all fans who waited so many years have the chance to see them.
  I hope they understand this, and give us such a fantastic moment.

  
  
• Posted by Sara Russell, July 26, 2009 18:49:

  I think the definition of "reunion" needs to be clarified between us all. For years a reunion seems to have meant new songs, new albums and perhaps a concert tour. For me a reunion could happily take the form of standing together and waving. Benny's recent TV appearances have perplexed me - he regularly said things like "never say never" and he even indicated that ABBA were on a break!! Never heard HIM say that, it was the standard mantra of Agnetha and Frida in 1983/85. Björn has always been the one to speak on behalf of them all and say a reunion was out of the question - what motivation etc. But the definition of reunion has been muddled - what someone thinks could be a photo or appearance just all standing together, others would interpret (and I include Björn here) as a concert tour, performancs, recordings. I agree, all that's totally out of the question, and rightly so.
  
  So Benny's recent utterings give me a sense of hope and anticipation. I think it would give Björn a sense of fun to stand there with his 3 former bandmates and to announce to the audience that ABBA were splitting up - officially!. I would be happy to hear this announcement! I always felt very jealous of Take That fans. They had a press conference, the announcement came from the band themselves. They were given time to grieve. We had nothing but false promises and confusion. The two girls indicated for a while that future recordings were possible (even if we knew in our hearts it wouldn't happen) but we were kept dangling. Then after Chess, the focus changed and they had moved on.
  
  A bow, a wave, a photo and some words is what I dream about.
  
  It would also make me extremely happy to see Görel and Micke take a bow and accept our immense thanks for their part in everything.
  
  The proposed line-up so far is very predicatable. I am probably in a minority dismayed by the prospect of Annie Lennox murdering The Day Before You Came. And if Tommy K is there as part of BAO! how could he NOT perform Anthem. He has to. He absolutely has to. The song belongs to him.
  
  OK, I'm going now. I'm getting carried away.
  "Dream world, you've living in a dream world ...."

  
  
• Posted by Gary, July 26, 2009 21:00:

  How about Duffy? And Take That singing 'Does Your Mother Know?' Well, I guess we can dream....LOL !

  
  
• Posted by Ian, July 26, 2009 21:52:

  I think Benny's recent "never say never" comments only indicate that the four might get together at another private party, like they did for Görel Hanser's 50th birthday in 1999.
  
  I'm not surprised at the list of participants announced so far. They might not be "A listers", but they are names that are known and popular to the British public at large.
  
  A list stars aren't gonna do something like this (unless it's something like Live 8 or a disaster relief gig) and they're not gonna have a bunch of Swedish singers that most Brits outside ABBA fans circles have never heard of. I'm actually surprised that Helen and BAB *are* included, but I guess that's part of Benny's new global push for the band, and he seems to be running this show.

  
  
• Posted by phil, July 26, 2009 22:10:

  Tommy has also sung a rather lovely version of The Winner Takes it All on several occasions in the past--it would make a nice change to hear a man sing it.
  I wonder if Jason Donovan will be there in his Priscilla Queen of the Desert capacity--does he perform an Abba track in the stage show does anyone know?
  Wouldn't it be fun if they persuaded Julie Walters to reprise her scene stealing movie version of Take a Chance on Me?
  Bet Lulu sings Gimme Gimme Gimme.
  I know it will never happen, but my dream finale would be an encore of Fernando, begun by Helen, and with Agnetha and Frida emerging from the wings on the line 'Now we're old and grey, Fernando....I think you would hear the cheer from the moon!
  
  

  
  
• Posted by Richard, July 27, 2009 00:53:

  I'd love to see Kylie Minogue performing again "Dancing Queen" in the concert. It would be nice, she did a great work with "DQ" at Sidney 2000.

  
  
• Posted by Ian, July 27, 2009 09:56:

  @Phil: there are no ABBA songs and only 1 ABBA reference in the stage version of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Most of those gags about "no more f***ing ABBA" and the rest have been changed to Kylie.

  
  
• Posted by steve, July 27, 2009 20:14:

  Richard the great work your mentioned of Kylie doing DQ was in fact mined, when you see her perform it live afraid not so great. But I'm not a great fan of her live performances.

  
  
• Posted by Darren, July 27, 2009 20:41:

  When Benny was on tracks of my years on the Ken Bruce show the concert was mentioned and Benny stressed that it isn't just the music of ABBA and will also feature Bennys folk music/band and also songs from Chess and Kristina.One of the trailers on Radio 2 does mention this fact but it is being advertised as an ABBA tribute concert as opposed to a Benny and Bjorn tribute concert.I'm looking forward to hearing the Kristina songs.

  
  
• Posted by Clair , July 28, 2009 12:47:

  Booked as soon as I heard about this in the hope that Elaine would be there - now very excited and happy! Beverley Craven did a lovely version of Winner Takes It All years agoi - would be great to see her there as well

  
  
• Posted by Phil, July 28, 2009 23:45:

  If Helen sings "You Have To Be There" live in Hyde Park I'm going to bawl my eyes out. (I was bad enough when she sang "Hasta Manana" on Hampstead Heath).
  
  Oh what a year it's been! Roll on 13th Sept....and I still can't stop playing BAB CD nearly a month after release.
  
  I'm a very happy bunny. Phil xxxxx
  
  PS - I wonder if Frida WILL show up? I wouldn't be surprised, she's very proud of her ABBA past...

  
  
• Posted by Sapphie, July 29, 2009 11:15:

  One of our regional (SW England) newspapers had an advert last weekend for one of those package trips to London. The offer included return coach, overnight stay at a hotel, attendance at the concert etc.
  
  Although there was an ABBA logo, the advert contained a photo of B&B (not A&F) and the text said that it was a celebration of the music of B&B, from classic ABBA songs to their 'more recent offerings of musical theatre and folk'.

  
  
• Posted by stuart, July 30, 2009 13:05:

  I Agree wth what Sara has said and I think the line-up sounds quiet dodgy...lulu & Jason Donovan,please.I don't know what some of these artists could do to the Abba songs,we've all seen time and time again they cannot be improved,and only in the rarest of instances to they add anything new to the original.
  Helen and Tommy's versions on Hampstead Heath were the versions nearest to giving the songs the effect they demand and I can only assume that's down to the swedish accent.I would love this concert to include some of the big B&B acts that have kept us supplied with their compositions since 1982..Gemini,josefin,Kalle etc.It would be great for Elaine & Barbara to perform "I Know Him So Well" but what about the artists with original B&B songs in their own reptoires,like,as previously mentioned Barbara's version of "The Day The Wall Came Tumbling Down".
  I would love to see B.A.Robertson do "I Am The Seeker".I Know the lyric was credited to others but taht would be worth the trip to london alone.
  Thank god B.A.O are going to perform as this once again will be their show.
  
  

  
  
• Posted by steve, July 30, 2009 21:20:

  Lets not forget that we will have 2 original ABBA members on stage in Hyde Park.
  
  We will not have Agnetha & Frida to sing the songs, but Bjorn could do: "Does Your Mother Know" "2 For the Price Of 1", "Why Did It Have To Me" "Honey Honey (both with Helen) & "Rock Me"
  
  Later Guys
  Steve
  Dublin
  
  

  
  
• Posted by John, July 31, 2009 09:16:

  I think Lulu is quite a good choice. She's a long established and respected name in the business and is closer to A-list than perhaps some think. Ditto Annie Lennox. I could do without Jason Donovan and Mamma Mia cast. I have my own ridiculously, impossibly unlikely fantasy performers who I'd love to appear but let's face it Pink Floyd are never going to do "Pity The Child" and "Hell would freeze over" before the Eagles would turn up to do "Eagle". :D How about Therion's great version of "Summer Night City"?

  
  
• Posted by Sapphie, July 31, 2009 09:32:

  Is Time/I am the Seeker available as MP3 or other download from anywhere?

  
  
• Posted by Mark Young, August 02, 2009 17:19:

  I forgot about another B/B song that I have heard Barbara Dickson singing....Someone Else's Story from Chess. The best version of the song I have heard. Was in concert a number of years ago. Pity it was added long after she did cast album .

  
  
• Posted by Mike New, August 05, 2009 20:25:

  What a shame no Russell or Helen. As I could not get to New York this was going to be one of the highlights for me and one of the reasons I booked a ticket.
  Anyway it will be a good night and Benny and Bjorn are usually a good double act when they are together.

  
  
• Posted by Darren, August 05, 2009 20:47:

  I'm gutted over Helen not appearing....trying not to think of who might perform songs from Kristina but at least Benny will be there.
  

  
  
• Posted by Sara Russell, August 05, 2009 22:03:

  Nooooooooooooooooooo!
  
  No Helen? This has seriously dented my enthusiasm for this concert now. No-one else could do Du Maste Finnas justice, no-one else could do Someone Else's Story justice (that is of course if they were on the playlist!).
  
  Radio 2 bosses no doubt forcing the likes of Jason Donovan and others onto the show. Mamma Mia! cast?! No thanks! Can't see how it can be pulled back without Helen. We're only talking a few songs surely: Someone Else's Story, You & I with Tommy, Du Maste Finnas, You are My Man and the latest now known in the UK so how can they not include it? Story of a Heart.
  
  Gutted.

  
  
• Posted by Gerard Hesen, Netherlands, August 05, 2009 22:13:

  Very disappointing news about Helen and Russell not performing at the tribute. The newly confirmed names sound totally uninteresting to me, never heard of them...

  
  
• Posted by Gary, August 05, 2009 22:42:

  Very disappointing news re. Helen and Russell, but I am sure on the day it will be enjoyable enough....we have to hope that more great singers will come on board....I will be there, come what may...
  
  Gary

  
  
• Posted by Michael Salkeld, August 06, 2009 01:41:

  I think the cast of Mamma mia are pretty good actualy.

  
  
• Posted by John, August 06, 2009 09:08:

  Seems pretty pointless now. This show should have been a chance to show off Kristina to the British public.

  
  
• Posted by Darren, August 06, 2009 10:13:

  Seeing as Benny and Bjorn and possibly Frida are heading to New York around the same time as Kristina is performed there it would been nice to have Helen and Russell just perform a couple of songs from Kristina.Elaine Paige said when she played 'Du maste finas'on her show that she "would like to get her pipes around that one".
  There is a bizarre logo now on the Radio 2 website showing a cartoon style ABBA..Bjorn wih green hair and Frida with pink to advertise the concert.
  
  The guests asked are usually the ones who perform during the switch on of Blackpool illuminations also for radio 2....
  

  
  
• Posted by bedicou, August 06, 2009 12:44:

  Helen Sjoholm will be sorely missed, indeed, after her wonderful performance last month in Hampstead Heath.

  
  
• Posted by Ian, August 06, 2009 13:43:

  The new logo thing is "nice", isn't it?

  
  
• Posted by Ice, August 06, 2009 14:09:

  That makes at least two of us that think that, Ian.

  
  
• Posted by Sarah, August 06, 2009 14:16:

  me three!

  
  
• Posted by phil, August 06, 2009 16:46:

  Nooooooo. This is an absolute disaster. Helen is the best live singer in the world today, for my money. I would ask for a refund if I didn't know full well that they won't be giving any.
  Please tell me BAO will still be there with Tommy. If not, this is shaping up to be some sort of ghastly open-air karaoke hen night.

  
  
• Posted by Sara Russell, August 06, 2009 17:24:

  You know how you wake up in the morning and you feel fine and then you remember something bad and your heart just sinks? That's how I felt this morning on remembering that Helen wasn't taking part!
  
  Once again this isn't aimed at us - it's aimed at the masses. They don't even know who Helen is and unfortunately for them they are seriously missing out. I had hoped, like John, that this would be a real opportunity to show some of Kristina to the British public - just 2 or 3 songs. Good practice for New York surely?
  
  I can't bear to think of a B&amp;B tribute descending into naffness!

  
  
• Posted by Steve, August 06, 2009 19:07:

  Oh My God.. just found out the news NO HELEN !!!
  As everyone has said this is a disaster, was really looking forward to hear her do so many songs esp. her Money Money Money version is unbelievable.
  
  Which also makes me think on just how Bjorn & Benny will be involved on actually been on stage, I can't remember that last time I saw Bjorn playing guitar on stage (with U2 in Stockholm 1992 ??)
  
  Maybe they too will be too busy involved with Kristina to have an active role in this London concert. Just show up on the day.
  
  Yes Sara I agree it is shaping up into naffness, but hey how often does the opportunity arrive to sing "Fernando" with many 1,000's of ABBA fans with BBC Prom orchestra, on a summer's evening in London.
  
  I believe on Saturday sept 12th it is a Barry Manilow concert with BBC Proms, and the man himself will be on stage.
  
  Any ways roll on September
  
  Steve
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
• Posted by Lee Gale, August 06, 2009 20:50:

  I think this is going to be awful! I'm so gutted Helen won't be appearing. They may as well have Bjorn Again performing the way it's going!!!
  
  Helen - "You HAVE to be there"!!!
  
  

  
  
• Posted by Phil, August 06, 2009 20:50:

  OK Guys, I've wiped me eyes and stopped sobbing after hearing the news that Helen & Russell won't be appearing. I agree with those people who have serious doubts about the "stars" who have been confirmed for this concert actually doing justice to the B&B classics (Lulu can't sing to save her life and Jason Donovan well, enough said).
  
  Here's what we do: We make the most of this opportunity to hear our heroes' work resounding across London and we sing our hearts and souls out and then we'll drown 'em out anyway!!
  
  Sound like a plan?
  
  Phil x

  
  
• Posted by carla, August 06, 2009 21:51:

  I don´t believe this...Helen is not there...
  Just one question:'The cast of Mamma Mia are confirmed'. Who are the cast? Anyone knows??
  
  

  
  
• Posted by Sheila Higgins, August 07, 2009 10:38:

  My daughter Louisa is the biggest Abba fan ever , She has down's syndrome and is recovering from breaking 2 bones in the leg. September 13th is her 18th birthday and we will be at "Thank you for the Music" It would really make it a very special day if her name could be mentioned, she has been so brave please help if you can.
  Sheila

  
  
• Posted by martin, August 07, 2009 11:10:

  Hope louisa enjoys - I imagine it will be full of fun and a good chance to sing and boogoe despite some favourite singers that some of us were hoping for.

  
  
• Posted by stuart, August 07, 2009 13:33:

  Oh guys how gutting for you all and if Elaine is allowed to "get her pipes" around "Du Maste Finnas",well,oh dear. I'm almost glad I can't make it though, it would have been great to meet up with some of you. I'm sure you'll all have agreat time if Hampstead was anything to go by and I hope its a nice sunny evening.
  Just a thought..why not get all the performers that did the ABBAMANIA tv thing together again..You'd have Culture Club,Madness..oh yeah and Martine and Denise!!Of all the artists radio 2 plays I'm amazed this is the best they can do,
  it's not a tribute its "ABBA-The Pantomime"!
  I thought this was a great occassion and even Ms Faltskog might grace us with an appearance but I'm now certain she'll be staying home with a bottle of red and a copy of Mamma Mia on dvd!!

  
  
• Posted by Chrissy, August 07, 2009 13:45:

  No Helen, I also can't believe it.
  
  Have seen her for the first time ever in Stockholm, the 28th of June. How brilliant that was.
  
  There will be photos and a report about that BAO event in the intermezzo Abba Fan Magazine.
  
  By the way: There were two nice chaps from Putney, London with us in the front row on that lovely sunny sunday in Stockholm. Are you anywhere out there?
  Will we meet again in the front row in Hyde park?
  
  And yes Phil, good idea to drown 'em out with our own singing. Bring your fisherman's friends, mints, lemon and honey lozenges or whatever it takes to strengthen your voices....
  
  love
  Chrissy from Frankfurt

  
  
• Posted by Terry Malloy, August 07, 2009 15:07:

  Yeah,..the acts are not great..

  
  
• Posted by Terry Malloy, August 07, 2009 15:09:

  continuing..lol!! Acts not great, but a great opportunity like others have said, to sing our hearts out! So lets do that!!!
  I am seeing Kristina on 24th in NYC ..so one of the lucky oners there..anyone eklse going?
  I love the new ABBA logo too!!
  Hugs,
  Terry xx

  
  
• Posted by Sarah, August 07, 2009 16:15:

  We haven't had confirmation of the line-up yet - it might be great! (I mean, nice) And anyway who cares?! Bjorn and Benny will be there and... who knows.... 'IT' could happen... x

  
  
• Posted by Phil, August 07, 2009 16:15:

  Hi again,
  
  The more I think about it, the more gutted I am about this Hyde Park thing. What is the point of this without Helen? She is the vocalist who has been interpreting Benny's music for the last few years, seems ridiculous to have a show like this without her.
  
  Being of a certain age (lol) I tend to listen to Radio 2 on my way to work and would have thought that they could get together a better line-up than currently seems to be the case. I hope they manage to get something sorted before Sept 13th or the event should be re-named
  "Thank You for Murdering the Music - An Insult to Bjorn & Benny"
  
  I have 3 tickets, but I'm not sure I even want to go now.......
  
  By the way Terry, have a great time in NYC, wish I could be there too!
  
  Phil

  
  
• Posted by menneke, August 07, 2009 20:36:

  LULU? Jason Donavan? They are has beens. This is going to be a disaster

  
  
• Posted by stuart, August 07, 2009 21:01:

  Sorry guys if anyone thought I was annoying..you wouldn't be the first!!
  Seriously though I'm only not going cause I have to work and Hampstead Heath was fantastic so whoever walks on stage It won't spoil the night.
  I would have loved to met up with Terry and co and I hope Louisa has a fabulous night...I'll be looking after other people with broken legs!!

  
  
• Posted by Vicki, August 08, 2009 00:16:

  I am gutted to hear that Helen won't be performing - do you think they'd change their minds with a nice petition? Nobody else should be allowed to introduce Kristina to Britain, it is her role. BAO songs just won't be the same without her either. Please reconsider Helen, Benny, Bjorn, whoever made that decision.

  
  
• Posted by Vicki, August 08, 2009 01:29:

  I am gutted to hear that Helen won't be performing - do you think they'd change their minds with a nice petition? Nobody else should be allowed to introduce Kristina to Britain, it is her role. BAO songs just won't be the same without her either. Please reconsider Helen, Benny, Bjorn, whoever made that decision.

  
  
• Posted by Bud, August 08, 2009 15:12:

  A little off the subject, but with the mention of Silence of the Dawn as a Benny Andersson song, where can I hear it online?
  Thanks.

  
  
• Posted by Jill, August 08, 2009 21:32:

  Just to add my small protest - soooo unhappy that Helen is not now appearing. Was looking forward to seeing Russell Watson too. Am thinkin if I'd known this before I bought the ticket I now wouln't be bothering.
  Hope it is a fantastic show. miracles do happen folks!
  See you there!

  
  
• Posted by Amanda G, August 09, 2009 16:36:

  Sooooooooooo disappointed about Russell not appearing. Going to lie down now to cry some more....

  
  
• Posted by Michael Salkeld, August 09, 2009 21:23:

  I think most people would find some of the comments on here a bit strange , Lulu cant sing for example ,
  And what exactly is wrong with Elaine Page.

  
  
• Posted by phil, August 09, 2009 21:39:

  Anyone else wondering if the Kylie Radio 2 Elaine Paige 'ident' followed by EP playing Kylie and Dannii's version of The Winner Takes It All today was an indication of a possible surprise 'turn' on 13th September? Kylie and Jason performing Why Did It Have To Be Me would be quite a coup......although I have feeling Kylie is on tour at the moment....

  
  
• Posted by ANNA, August 10, 2009 17:11:

  I also hope the cast from Chess 2008 is present. At least some of the main ones (like Josh Groban and Kerry Ellis)

  
  
• Posted by Sarah, August 11, 2009 14:44:

  More details:
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2009/08_august/11/abba.shtml

  
  
• Posted by phil, August 11, 2009 16:30:

  Just seen in The Stage that other acts lined up include Jodie Prenger (on One of Us), Siobahn McCarthy (reprising the original stage version of I Know Him So Well with Elaine Paige), Kerry Ellis and Marti Pellow (presumably some Chess numbers) and, most intriguingly, Chaka Khan singing The Winner Takes It All. Anyone who has heard Chaka jazz classics such as Don't Go To Strangers will be dying to hear how she interprets this song. Oh yes--as predicted--Lulu is singing Gimme Gimme Gimme. My next prediction is that Steps will reform for the event and 'murder' Dancing Queen...

  
  
• Posted by Jan, August 12, 2009 00:59:

  Well I am totally devasted that Josh Groban isn't singing Anthem.He was the ONLY performer in Chess the Concert at the Royal Albert Hall last year that got a standing ovation and that was for Anthem.Seems even stranger as Chess the Concert is going to be various cinemas, the week before and its being released on DVD here in the UK the day after this concert. Strange thinking.!!

  
  
• Posted by Mark Young, August 16, 2009 09:59:

  TO BUD!!!
  The Silence Of The dawn sung by Barbara Dickson has just been posted on Youtube!!

  
  
• Posted by Marc L, August 21, 2009 12:35:

  This is as close to an ABBA reunion as poss these days + everyone should be positive + thankful it's happening...don't matter who sings the songs, thay are all doing it for (ABBA) Benny + Bjorn...and u never know...if Frida appears and even sung 1 song, I would blow up by the end of it lol...Agnetha? u never know......
  I along with other great friends will just be thankful to be there amongst the glitter + the glamour + the camp!!! Cheers 111

  
  
• Posted by Izzy, August 21, 2009 17:31:

  Kerry Ellis! :)

  
  
• Posted by Alex Cockell, August 23, 2009 17:03:

  Is the gig being recorded for DVD release as well as OB'd by R2?
  

  
  
• Posted by g, August 23, 2009 22:42:

  i think that it shd be a good nite i cant see ms faltskog apearing fear of flying etc frida on the other hand is a posibility so wotever hapens there wil be benny and bjorn that is 2 guys who have written many top hits more than lennon mc cartney

  
  
• Posted by Calum, August 26, 2009 17:53:

  Kylie now appearing!
  
  http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a173930/kylie-to-perform-at-abba-tribute.html
  
  Apparently...