ABBA blog

I am still working on my forthcoming book ABBA On Record - Packaged Promoted Reviewed, and as yet I have no exact publication date to share. I am, however, pleased to report that the recording sessions-style chapter about ABBA's Voyage album is almost finished and coming together nicely.

But that's just one section of the book. A while ago I blogged about some of the highlights in ABBA On Record, and I'd now like to share a few more of my favourites.

● The stories behind CBS UK's television commercials for Greatest Hits, Arrival and ABBA - The Album, as told by the man who produced them.

● The real story behind the ban on miming to records on UK shows such as Top Of The Pops, which meant that ABBA stayed away from UK television appearances for two and a half years.

● Detailed insights on ABBA's promotional trip to the United States in 1976 and the problems they faced in that territory.

● An extensive depiction of the Royal Gala for the King and future Queen of Sweden in June 1976, where ABBA performed Dancing Queen.

● A background story on ABBA's album designer Rune Söderqvist and the experience and sense of aesthetics that he brought with him when he started working with ABBA.

● ABBA's promotion of the Arrival album in London, as told by those who were there.

● The history of John Spalding, Stig's partner in negotiating record contracts with Polar's licensees, explaining how their partnership worked and exactly why Stig was so keen to work with him.

● A controversy concerning the flexi disc Live 77, based on hitherto unearthed documentation.

It has taken a long time to piece all that together, but it's worth the effort: my understanding of ABBA's career has increased manifold while working on the book, and I believe yours will too.

Learn more about ABBA On Record and pre-order your copy.