ABBA Reunion? - Friday Night with Jonathan Ross - BBC One

[JimColyer]

It seems everyone took credit for the first rock video. It was actually ABBA who created the form. The Ring Ring, Waterloo and SOS clips are definitely recognizable as rock videos. ABBA fully defined the musical format which would prevail into the 21st century. If this is not understood in the States, it is because their videos had no forum here. In the 1970s, rock video had not yet taken over television. That happened after the rise of cable.

[Silligk]

He has a really good accent.

[Scrabbler27]

Its very rare to get 3 Abba members get together but extremely rare to get all 4 of them back together. Last reunion was in over 22 years or so. I don't think there will be another reunion for all 4 of them.

[gdwme]

@Scrabbler27 All 4 were present at the premiere of the Mamma Mia movie, in England I think. They seemed to be enjoying themselves but I agree there won't be a reunion.

[Filmzie]

looks a little like William Hurt

[MrWondermann]

well we dont need this guy, all we really need to come back and perform are the two women just because they were the ones that sing anyways,so screw this useless guy, he is full of anger and hate.

[MsIthinkthereforeIam]

@MrWondermann hahaha don't know why but i like your comment!

[jlmroundlake]

They don't have to tour, just go to the studio and make some music. That's it. I think they can or should do it.

[MillionthUsername]

I don't understand why it would have to be a full-fledged "comeback." They could easily just do a few shows and make a DVD or something. Get some good musicians backing them up and make it a special occasion. That wouldn't tear them away from their lives for very long. They can all still play and sing. It's not like they're on their death beds or anything! Benny and Frida seem up for anything. I'll bet it's Björn and/or Agnetha that would be hardest to convince. People would love it though.

[jpsmart59]

If The Beatles re-united so can Abba as I see it. It was a 25 year wait for the Beatles so Abba is overdue now.....lol

[jossehane9]

@jpsmart59 What about John?

[doormatt2000]

Your fans would love you no matter what.And I know they would sound fantastic.I missed the world tour back in the 70's so you owe me. LOL

[ARIZJOE]

Besides being a good musician, Benny is very smart.'

In one of these videos, Benny praises John Sebastian as an influence. You can see how a creative artist takes influences from omnifarious sources, and makes it his own.

In addition, although I am bilingual, it never ceases to amaze me how fluent Swedes are in English.

[supersonrise]

I'm always concerned that people want a "comeback," or a "reunion" and that might be fine, but from my perspective, not as "ABBA," the one from '72-'82. Their voices may still be perfect, songwriting talent still fertile, but THAT fabulous ship has sailed. I personally want the original image to remain unaltered. They're seniors now, paid their dues, moved on, and living their lives, nothing more to prove, owing nothing to anyone.

[razaoculta1]

@supersonrise , No, that's a load of crap what you are saying, people get old, and so do we, the fans, I love the fact that The Stones are still around, U2, AC/DC, Aretha Franklin, Willie Nelson, Steve Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, etc, it seems like you live in a fantasy world, where people never get old and wrinkly, the hell with with your original image, I would kill to see them on stage together again, just the way they are now.

[supersonrise]

@razaoculta1 Well and good that you feel that way, as it's what YOU want, not necessarily what THEY want. BTW, I was born in '47...try to do the math. I AM their age. No fantasy world here; I play ball with my high school students, yet, I pay attention to my old and wrinkly limits...all reality. I was simply agreeing with what BENNY was saying...Dude, it was just an opinion, just like yours, nothing personal.

[serundipity]

@supersonrise I agree with you, as do Benny, Bjorn and the ladies. There is nothing more ridiculous than a bunch of old people trying to pretend like they are 25. They were offered one billion US for a reunion tour and they turned it down flat. Its not possible anyway. What they did was the result of the four best musicians and composers in Sweden, in their prime, doing the absolute best that they could. Now they are forty years older, and don't have anywhere near the energy required.

[raidfaglol]

an honest man on tv, what next.

[lilay257]

I LOVE ABBA BUT REALLY HATE ANY TRIBUTES LIKE MAMMA MAI BOTH CONCERT OR MOVIE

[rchookie]

I'm sure I'f I was under 18 and with cancer, Make-A-Wish would see it happen for us!!!!

[bigFFun]

One Concert for Japan!

[noones1080]

If you wanna have ABBA again, all you need is a highly talented person to go and visit Benny.

[pierre030306]

sigh...



[slavicman09]

They cannot come together because both of them cheated on their wifes. They had the greatest women in the world for wifes and they still cheated on them. ABBA should finally come out and tell us the truth!

[Theclowcard]

@slavicman09: They cannot reunite as ABBA because they are now grannies. Another musician of the group (Bjorn) has lost some of his memories of ABBA fame. Agnetha ( the blonde one) can no longer speak English as well as she did before. Anni-Frida ( the brunette one) currently lives in Switzerland and has grandchildren. It is not as if they do not want to get back together. They CANNOT show the audiences what they want to see anymore. Therefore, they'd better keep those lively images for us.

[slavicman09]

I guarentee you if they got back on stage together right now, theyre concert would be sold out

[Theclowcard]

@slavicman09: The only problem is that both Angetha and Anni-frida ( two main singers of ABBA) are no longer interested in music/singing even when Bjorn and Benny ( two musicians) accept that offer . Their voices were probably damaged due to ageing . All of them are probably 60 years-old at the moment.

[shadowofanight]

@Theclowcard Actually, Agnetha revealed in an interview just days ago she would like to do something with ABBA in the future. I recall an interview with Frida a few months ago, where she also said she would like to sing with Agnetha again. And from this video, Benny says 'You can never say never, can you?'. And their voices are still pretty damn good, if you listen to Frida's 'The Sun Will Shine Again' or 'Morning has broken'. Fingers crossed for a reunion!

[cornelius386]

@slavicman09 It's a fact that Benny left Frida for his current wife but I've never heard the claim made in a documentary or book about ABBA that Bjorn had an affair. He said that he met his current wife about a week after the divorce. Agnetha once said that she was shocked at how quickly Bjorn found someone new. That's all I know.

[1agnethafan]

@cornelius386 - she also said that she cried when Bjorn got married and that he didn't want to try to save their marriage. :((

[vato61783]

@slavicman09 Yes. Tragic. There is a saying thats sad and true. 'Show me a beautiful woman and I'll show you a man who's tired of fucking her.

[EricandDish]

Benny Andersson has one of the five greatest beards in music history (the other four are The Bee Gees' Barry Gibb, Kenny Rogers, and ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill).

[Bjorn9284]

now, the girl's, that's a different story, I could see them getting together for a tender song, or some sweet new pop tune, but not under Abba.

[royraaijmakers]

i already saw this video twice, but clicked it again hoping he was going to give an other answer........................­.....

[Bjorn9284]

@royraaijmakers aww poor Abba. y wont folk's leave em alone lol. Their riding the crest of their passed youth. I'm sure we wouldn't like to see Marilyn Monroe in a remake of Seven Year Itch, at the tender young age of what would she be now? 81!! LOL Go get em Abba!

[Ozen1963]

the two girls said only last week they are talking about singing again together -,make you wonder if the lads would do the same, or write a song for them mmmm

[merlinforever]

my favorite member of Abba.. inspired me to learn piano..32 years ago.. Thanks Benny

[eatingplans]

Forever i dont care what anyone says but there music as relevant and pure soulful music as it was i would sit them next to The Beatles, there music as a band was brilliant BIG UP SCANDINAVIA!

[shadowofanight]

OK, so ABBA probably won't ever reunite...:(

Who wants to help me build a time machine? I was born a good 11 years after they split up. :(

[Curious142]

Just remember ABBA magic the way it was. It can't be recreated now. Play your ABBA cd's and watch your ABBA videos and be happy. They were offered a billion dollars to get back together and they all turned it down (Bjorn confirmed that). So, they're not only great musicians and singers, they're very intelligent too.

[deloufu]

@Curious142 I agree with what you have said 110%. Just in case for those who weren't paying attention, Benny brought up a very good point by saying it wouldn't be the same I don't about everybody else on this post but let's be honest here. One it wouldn't be the same would agree that's a fair statement?

[dougalina123]

Oh, Benny!!! We would LOVE to have the four of you back together...just one more time! I think we would all totally understand that you'd have a completely different sound...maybe some new material and some new renditions of old favorites!

PLEASE CONSIDER IT!!!!

[ClassicTVMan81]

@dougalina123

Don't get your hopes up. Both the B's say they will never get back together with the A's. One of the reasons being: they do not want to see themselves as doing covers rather than their own stuff, like Led Zeppelin recently did when they reformed. Both B's say they want their fans to remember the group the way they used to be, between 1973-1983.

[TheDougoliver]

Benny Anderson é um musico espetacular , mas, onde diabos , ele estava com a cabeça pra deixar aqueles moleque fazerem cover do ABBa?

[Ilpoxi]

If Agnetha wanted a reunion it would be happen! She's the key person. Frida admits longing for a reunion.

People should encourage Agnetha to propose to Benny the reunion. It's said that Benny's fortune is over 100M pounds. Agnetha's only 5M! There would be a good way for Agnetha to earn a bit more ;)

[Charmredux]

He's such an amazing musician, all four of them are... But they've given so much of their lives for Abba, I think it's now time for us to accept they don't want, and will not make a comeback.

They've enriched the music world in many respects, so why can't we just be satisfied with the fantastic work they have already delivered and enjoy it for what it is? (this coming from a 18 year-old, by the way)

[primerib01]

Benny is a smart man. His statement is balanced and sensible.

And what does Micheal Jackson have to do with anything regarding ABBA?

Oh yeah, HE DIED. Which is what will happen to one ABBA member at some point in the (Distant) future which essentially is the end of ABBA.

So yeah, this is a potent issue for the ABBA community. We want these living gods/creators to be immortal and always keen to create. If not today, maybe tomorrow, or the next day. Love to ABBA

[signals3]

If ABBA reformed and it was not beyond perfect it would tarnish their image. People would remember the imperfect reunion and not the perfect past.

[davidatcuwclubnet]

@signals3 you are spot on; protect the true quality of ABBA's music. Would be nice if all four stood next to each other on stage to themselves, even if they mimed through a couple of their best songs.

[TheVamization]

he has that typical swedish accent! :D

[leonvolskis]

You 'owe' us one...you're wealthy beyond all comprehension BECAUSE of your FANS. We've been 'thanking for for the music' all these years, it's about time you 'thank' US. How many of us have boring/routine 9-to-5 jobs where we 'have' to do 'something' that maybe we're a bit uncomfortable about. Don't want to tour...fine...but do ONE show with a full orchestra. No one will give a damn about the gray hairs & wrinkles.  What are you AFRAID of??? None of your fans believe you will disappoint...

[impassable]

I am a bit surprised that there is no studio album being made, that said Im not surprised they don't want to do a concert, some of ABBA's concert appeal was the Frida/Agnetha eye candy and I think they are afraid that would be gone

[primerib01]

@impassable cool point buddy. but Agnetha& Frida still are eye candy to me.

I think they should do a clown movie, monty python like, spoof. Include the kids, grandkids,backing musicians, and some fans, and go nuts. Maybe pick on the fans for being so stupidly loyal. They could lighten up and not be so stuffy & distant..

[iemgr2002]

Pleease, one more time, before our generation dies, please

[markserjeant]

@iemgr2002 , That's very funny.

[limtorsk]

If Benny want to record a abba song I think that the girls will be there for some last song´s  !! Why not !

[abbafanmalta]

what abba need to sing again is like a commission from unicef or other international body, maybe UNFCC or climate change body or something of unviesal appeal and they give abba the job for a new couple of songs or CD with a video.... we will settle for that and they MUST give us something back now... all the world will listen to their cause... come on benny and bjorn, agnetha and annafrid... come on...

[georgeliviu35]

@abbafanmalta

I don't understand what u have in mind when u say "they MUST give us something back now".Are u idiot or what?

Do u realy think that u can force someone to create something?Hysterical people like u scarred Agnetha and forced her to run away from public.Before anything they are people with private life and they choose what is to be done.And I really think that a comeback at this age will be disapointing for everyone...

[abbafanmalta]

come on... take in on the chin.. at this time and age one can record a song even if hte singers never meet with the composers through the miracles of IT and recording studios which coudl be anywhere... just like Madonna did three years ago... If you listen to 'story of a heart' you will notice that the magic is still there and the singing of agnetha and anna-frid is still strong... so....

[brendentwenty]

as much as i love abba, this is kinda depressing to watch..its SO clear he wants a reunion...hes still doing the same songs but u can tell he misses the magic that once was...its sad because the girls deny ever reuniting again, and in this day and age, stars fade away too soon...its only a matter of time before we have bury these great great icons of the music world. i wish they'd kiss and make up already! ^_^

[cochranexyz]

He is right.

[deloufu]

I agree

[TheScotty9646]

Come on ABBA let bygone be bygone, time to move on, life is like a roller coaster, stop going on about the past and give us a concert. You been on your break 27 years and in that time you promise a new album and a concert. Stop this nonesense and get it sorted before you get too old.

[woutch]

I wouldn't want concerts. That wasn't what ABBA was all about. It was the recordings and the music. I want a new album and a few personal appearances or videos.  Never a concert.

[ccapi68]

BENNY IS A GREAT MUSICAN.

[Reeeutermo]

He makes me proud to be swedish. It's as simple as that!

[TUUK2006]

@Reeeutermo You should be proud. Swedes are awesome.

[1agnethafan]

@Reeeutermo - Get a grip people. They wrote music for abba they didn't discover the cure for cancer.

[robnrick1]

@Reeeutermo Lyka till.....ha en bra dag!!! ABBA ar bast! :)

[bladesmark1]

@Reeeutermo And them (ABBA) makes me feel so privilaged to have been around when they were dominating the charts also Sweden has the pleasure of producing yet another brilliant band in Roxette.

[Villeneuve27]

@Reeeutermo he is an excellent ambassador for Sweden

[TheBargar]

@Reeeutermo I would just like to say to Sweden. "Thank you for the music " I still listen to ABBA and i never get tired of their music. 

[JadeBadClips]

Remember when I used to hate them as a child cause my mum would always play there songs and I knew them in and out in swedish. but fell in love with the music again when I saw mamma mia♥

[BlindZenDriver]

Amazing. You're basically restating what Benny says himself. Does it make you feel clever?

[BlindZenDriver]

Well since you were pretty much restating what Benny said AND tried to make it look like you had an original thought I'd say the joke is on you. Or "lol" as you put it :-)

[viciousv422]

...a little harsh, no?

[X7393]

They should come back try to inspire the younger generation..This generation is lost. its also the same with 2 unlimited Reunion for the entire world..!..Stop making us wait 15 years!

[producermattpop]

Is the full interview on Youtube somewhere? Can't find it.

[NMPgroup]

aww ILOVE YOU BENNY

LOVE ABBA

[Clavinovaman]

You have to remember that 10 years is a long time to be doing the same thing. I know that I dont do now what I did 10 years ago, and if i was asked to go back to what I was doing 10 years ago, the answer would be "NO".

Having said that, each member of ABBA was a completely different person in 1972 than in 1982 - both creatively and privately.

But I don't think anyone expects them to get back together as a recording group, but perhaps a couple of television concerts would be an opportunity.

[kekler101]

He gives good reasons for him not wanting to do the reunion but he left out that he's worth HUNDREDS of millions of dollars and doesn't NEED to do anything anymore lol

[Gissedk]

I would ofcourse have loved to see them perform - but as he said it would proberly not be the same... ! However I think it was very small for them, not to show at the 50th year of eurovision - where Waterloo was voted best song of the eurovision - Just show up and get the adward and say thanks to the show who started it all for them... they didnt have to perform.

[zedbra]

That's the third time in interviews I've heard Benny make it clear how much he doesn't want Abba back together again. He seems so convinced it would be a bad thing. I think it would be great if they would just do some televised concerts at least, performing the old well-known songs.

[Ilpoxi]

But if you listen their "newer" pop songs you can have a glimpse of their style from Josefin Nilsson's Shapes album (1993) and for example the single Heaven and Hell (/watch?v=1Y0UY-HT7hA).

Sounds too systematic and forced.

[Forsure3333]

I've just listened to 20 seconds of the song Heaven and Hell, and I already had enough!

[Teinyhr]

Well he did say "you can never say never, can you?" Just saying that means he doesn't consider it impossible, but highly unlikely. If they ever get back together it would be some huge charity concert, I'd guess.

[Jamiestest]

well that just SUCKS I LOVED ABBA..... The ORIGNAL ABBA that is.. xoxo Jamie

[48whiskey]

Remember Benny is playing with his band Hamstead Heath and with Bjorn for radio 2. I think in September.

[XYChromosome]

I agree with Jako32. It would be easy for him to answer the question sounding all pretentious but he didn't. I still disagree with him since I think they could maybe not exactly pull a Spice Girls but still perform to the best of their ability. And, really, with a band like ABBA, the fans will slurp up anything they can get (see: "Mamma Mia" (2008)).

[xxxrocket]

god dammit! i got so excited too

[Jako32]

at least he was cool and not being a douche about the question being asked!

[clashloverben]

yaaay

[crazzer123]

Their wont be a reunion

[StusMauler]

noobs!!!

[245thegreat]

noobs? grow up half heart waster

[StusMauler]

noobs!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[damstudios]

funny stuff