ABBA fans celebrate 50 years since ‘Waterloo’ victory
LONDON — ABBA fans around the world are celebrating 50 years since the iconic band won the Eurovision Song Contest with their hit song “Waterloo.”
The Swedish quartet triumphed at the 1974 competition with the peppy love song that propelled them to international fame. To mark the anniversary, fans gathered at London’s Waterloo railway station, where a choir performed a rendition of the famous tune.
In Brighton, where the Eurovision contest was held in 1974, fans staged a flashmob dance and a silent ABBA disco in honor of the band’s victory.
ABBA’s Eurovision win marked the beginning of their pop juggernaut status, making them the most successful band to emerge from the competition. The band’s melodic disco pop music has sold millions of records worldwide, inspiring the creation of the stage musical “Mamma Mia!” and two subsequent movies.
Although ABBA members have not performed together live in four decades, they released a comeback album titled “Voyage” in 2021. Fans can now enjoy a concert featuring digital “ABBA-tars” at the hit show “Abba Voyage” in London.
In a message to fans, the band members expressed gratitude for the timeless impact of their music on listeners across generations. A tribute concert titled “A party for ABBA” was scheduled to take place in Stockholm, featuring prominent Swedish artists and a 21-person band with a large choir.
Swedish public broadcaster SVT planned to broadcast the concert live on television and streaming services, acknowledging the significant cultural impact ABBA has had on the Nordic country’s music scene.
