ABBA’s Bjorn Ulvaeus Surprises ‘Mamma Mia!’ Audience On 50th Anniversary Of ‘Waterloo’ Win
07.04.2024 - 14:39
/ deadline.com
ABBA fans the world over yesterday celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Swedish supergroup’s Eurovision victory in 1974, and one crowd were treated to a surprise appearance by band member Bjorn Ulvaeus.
It was the group’s Eurovision triumph 50 years ago with their song Waterloo that kickstarted their phenomenal success, an event marked by ABBA fans all across the world on Saturday with special events. The BBC, who hosted the event back in 1974 when it all began, gave over their BBC Two Channel to “ABBA Night”, including a new documentary charting the band’s fortunes over the last five decades.
On stage in London, the cast celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Mamma Mia! musical, and then had one more treat for the audience – with the appearance of Bjorn Ulvaeus – one quarter of ABBA, and one half of the band’s songwriting duo (along with Benny Andersson).
When Ulvaeus took to the stage at London’s Novello Theatre, introduced by producer Judi Cramer, he was typically understated. In a TikTok video posted by theatre-goer Kelly Allen, he is seen telling the audience:
“About this time in the evening, exactly 50 years ago, I was standing on another stage here in the UK. It was the second time I entered the stage that night because me and my three bandmates had been called back to perform our song a second time. Because the juries of the Eurovision Final had delivered their verdicts. Nul points from the UK!
“Despite that, we won, and by the thinnest margin in the history of Eurovision… On a night like this, it’s strange to think that, if we hadn’t won… I most probably wouldn’t be standing here today… so I’ve got to thank Waterloo for. But, in this room, I can admit that when I relax at home, put on some music, it is not