Welcome to the where William will takes us through the incredible career of ABBA.
In The 1980s ABBA Hits William introduced us to some of the groups continuing success
Welcome to the final part of the ABBA Series.. in reality there was a very short period of time when the group were active and producing hits. It just goes to show what an impact they made on our lives that we still dance, sing along to and romance to ABBA. Currently we are able to enjoy the films that feature their music, such as Mama Mia and its sequel as well as the stage productions.
At ABBA’s peak, they explored other markets for their music, and in 1980 they recorded a compilation of Spanish-language tracks called “Gracias Por La Música.” The album became a major success, and along with the Spanish version of “Chiquitita”, sealing their breakthrough in Latin America.
“The Visitors,” ABBA’s eighth and final studio album, showed a songwriting maturity and depth of feeling distinctly lacking from their earlier recordings but still placing the band squarely in the pop genre, with catchy tunes and harmonies.
“The winner takes it all ” was the first single from the group’s “Super Trouper” album in 1980. Fältskog stated that though “The Winner Takes It All” is her favorite ABBA song and that it has an excellent set of lyrics, the story is not about her and Ulvaeus: there were no winners in their divorce. In a 1999 poll for Channel 5, “The Winner Takes It All” was voted Britain’s favorite ABBA song. This feat was replicated in a 2010 poll for ITV. In a 2006 poll for a Channel Five program, “The Winner Takes It All” was voted “Britain’s Favorite Break-Up Song.” ABBA
“Super Trouper” is the title track from their 1980 studio album of the same name. The name “Super Trouper” referred to the spotlights used in stadium concerts. “Super Trouper” became ABBA’s ninth (and final) #1 in the UK. This distinction placed ABBA fourth for the most UK chart-toppers in history (behind The Beatles, Elvis Presley, and Cliff Richard); a position the group would keep for almost 20 years until Madonna scored her tenth UK #1 with “Music” in 2000. The track was also the third biggest selling single in the UK for 1980. Uploaded ABBA
“One of us” was one of the last songs recorded for ABBA’s 1981 album “The Visitors.” It was one of many tracks that explored the darker territory of Björn Ulvaeus & Benny Andersson’s songwriting, as the two men’s divorces were beginning to influence their musical output. This was ABBA’s last major hit, and their last # 1 single in many countries. ABBA
“Thank you for the music” was originally featured on the group’s fifth studio album “ABBA: The Album”(1977), and was released as a single in November 1983, to promote the compilation album of the same name. This song was intended to form part of a “mini-musical” called “The Girl with the Golden Hair” and was included in ABBA’s 1977 tour. ABBA
After ABBA disbanded in December 1982, Andersson and Ulvaeus achieved success writing music for the stage,while Lyngstad and Fältskog pursued solo careers with mixed success. ABBA’s music declined in popularity until the purchase of ABBA’s catalogue and record company Polar by Polygram in 1989 enabled the groundwork to be laid for an international re-issue of all their original material and a new Greatest Hits (ABBA Gold) collection in September 1992 which became a worldwide smash.
Several films, notably “Muriel’s Wedding” (1994) and “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” (1994), further revived public interest in the group and the spawning of several tribute bands. In 1999, ABBA’s music was adapted into the successful musical “Mamma Mia!” that toured worldwide. A film of the same name, released in 2008, became the highest-grossing film in the United Kingdom that year. A sequel was filmed for release in 2018 which has also proven to be a smash hit.
ABBA were honoured at the 50th anniversary celebration of the Eurovision Song Contest in 2005, when their hit “Waterloo” was chosen as the best song in the competition’s history. The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010. In 2015, their song “Dancing Queen” was inducted into the Recording Academy’s Grammy Hall of Fame.
Additional sources: Wikipedia ABBA
ABBA’s Music: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK
Next week William introduces us to American Soprano Leontyne Price
William Price King is an American jazz singer, crooner, and composer.
His interest in music began at an early age when he studied piano and clarinet in high school. At Morehouse College in Atlanta where he grew up, he sang in the Glee Club and studied classical music. After graduation he went off to the Yale School of Music where he earned a Masters degree. From there he journeyed to New York where he created a jazz trio ‘Au Naturel’ which performed in some of the hottest venues in Manhattan including gigs on Broadway and the famous ‘Rainbow Room.’ These gigs opened doors for performances in Montreal and a European tour.
While touring Europe he met a lovely French lady, Jeanne Maïstre, who, a year later became his wife. King left the group ‘Au Naturel’ and settled in the south of France where he started a new life on the French Riviera, opening his own music school – the “Price King Ecole Internationale de Chant.” He has had the pleasure over the years of seeing many of his students excel as singers on a professional level, and some going on to become national celebrities. He continues to coach young singers today, in his spare time.
Blog– IMPROVISATION – William Price King on Tumblr – Buy William’s music: William Price King iTunes – Facebook – William Price King – Twitter – @wpkofficial
Regular Venue – Cave Wilson
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