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Benny Andersson |
Abba’s Benny to play gig on the bandstand
Supertrouper to perform sounds of Sweden in free outdoor summer concert on the Heath
WITH more than 370 million records sold and a legion of dedicated fans, Swedish pop legends Abba could have the pick of any venue on the planet if they were ever to announce a reunion tour.
But for Benny Andersson, one of the band’s masterminds, a modest place on Hampstead Heath is clearly worth taking a chance on.
Andersson, who co-wrote classics such as Waterloo, Dancing Queen and Super Trooper for the foursome and worked as a producer on the hit musical Mamma Mia told the New Journal yesterday (Wednesday) he is ready to make a debut appearance on the Parliament Hill bandstand.
Never mind stadiums and music halls, he will perform at a spot that normally plays home to a lone bagpiper on weekday mornings and is more regularly used as shelter to schoolchildren during wet lunch breaks.
The coup of a booking was clinched by events manager Paul Maskell and will form the culmination of a week-long celebration across
London of all things Swedish planned for July, celebrating the country’s taking on a six-month presidency of the European Union.
Benny, who along with Agnetha, Björn, and Anni-Frid won the 1974 Eurovision song contest, said: “I have heard Hampstead Heath is beautiful and I look forward to performing there.”
The bandstand’s summer programme includes gigs by children’s entertainers such as The Absent Minded Professor, Clown Jenny and The Balloonatic.
Local acts performing include country swing artist Ginny Brown and pub-funk group the Dan Keys band.
Sweden’s ambassador to the UK Staffan Carlsson said: “Benny is very excited to be playing. The Swedish have a long tradition of dancing outdoors and the music we dance to is perfect for this.
“We long for the light and long to go outside after all those dark winter months, so we thought a little free outdoor concert would be a great idea.”
But visitors should not expect Benny to don white flares and platform boots as was his wont in the 1970s: instead his orchestra will showcase classic Swedish music.
Mr Carlsson added: “He is going to play for at least two hours and it will be Swedish folk music with an Abba sound incorporated into it. He is quintessentially Swedish.”
Pupils at nearby Parliament Hill and William Ellis schools said yesterday they were thrilled to hear the news.
Grace Campbell, 15, said: “Abba are still massive. I have some of their music and I’ll come and see Benny.”
William Ellis pupil Trajan Wilson said: “We meet here at our lunch breaks, and if you are going up the Heath, you always tell your friends to come to the bandstand. Fair play to Benny for coming.”
Mr Maskell said the appearance of the superstar was part of a long tradition of top acts coming to the Heath.
He said: “In the 1960s, Pink Floyd and Jefferson Airplane played on the Heath. We are very pleased to welcome him here.”
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YOUR COMMENTS:
I am absolutely delighted that the BAO will be performing in the UK. I discovered the BAO in Sweden and simply love their music. I just hope that Helen Sjoholm will be with them, who I reckon as one of the greatest female vocalists in the world. This should be a great day.
Nicholas Lee |
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