ABBA blog

Along with ABBA's career as it evolved in Sweden/Scandinavia, the UK and the US, their ups and downs in Australia are also studied in my forthcoming book ABBA On Record - Packaged Promoted Reviewed. Some Australian highlights from the book are detailed below, but first an important reminder:

21 October 2023: Please pre-order ABBA On Record no later than this date if you want it personally signed by me (just place your order and you will automatically get it signed). Copies of ABBA On Record bought after this date will not be signed for as long as this edition remains in print. 21 October is also the deadline date for UK customers to buy the book at the current UK price. After that it will be Europe prices (please visit abbaonrecord.com for more details about the prices and to place your order).

ABBA's Australian career is certainly one of the most fascinating chapters in their story. The explosive, hysterical interest during the 18-month period of late 1975 to early 1977 is a story in itself. I feel that it's only now, after studying and analysing the phenomenon in-depth for ABBA On Record, that I truly understand what happened. I'm looking forward to sharing my findings with you all.

Fortunately, there was a massive amount of press coverage of ABBA in Australia at the time, which has helped me bring the story to life, but I have also been fortunate in establishing contact with RCA General Manager Morrie Smith, who signed ABBA to a long-term contract back then. During the writing of the book I have exchanged several emails with Morrie, and he has answered all my questions, for which I am very grateful indeed, not least because I have a feeling he hasn't been interviewed about ABBA very often. RCA Sydney Promotions Manager Annie Wright, who was smack in the middle of things, has also shared her memories through personal interviews; I'm especially fond of her story of taking the brand new 'Dancing Queen' single to a Sydney radio station. For me, that anecdote somehow encapsulates the height of ABBA's Australian popularity.

In the book I'm also analysing the impact that ABBA's success in Australia had on other markets, and, of course, the massive drop in interest after more than a year of record-breaking sales - and more.

Only 12 days now to pre-order ABBA On Record if you want it signed by me. Learn more and pre-order your copy at abbaonrecord.com.