ABBA’s Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson reveals even MORE music could be released for their reunion
IT’S the reunion no one ever thought would take place.
But in their first interview since ABBA revealed they had recorded two new tracks, songwriters Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson have told how they are leaving the door open to release even more music.
In a shock news announcement on Friday, the pair said they had entered the studio to create their first new music in 35 years.
And asked if there will be more songs from the pop superpowers, Bjorn smiled: “Who knows? Just never a tour.”
During their incredible decade-long career, the group, which also includes Agnetha Faltskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, scored an incredible nine No1 singles and nine No1 albums in the UK.
But asked if they are concerned about reaching the top spot with comeback single I Still Have Faith In You, Bjorn insisted: “We don’t worry about that. We’re just having fun.” It sounds like chart success is is not something they have any qualms about, as even they aren’t sure how good the music is.
Speaking on Tuesday as their 1986 musical Chess reopened at the London Coliseum in the West End, Benny said: “We never said we wouldn’t reunite in the studio — we said we wouldn’t reunite on tour and we have this digital tour and thought it would be nice to have a couple of new songs in there.
“We said, ‘Let’s try and see what happens and if we don’t think it’s good enough we won’t release it and if we think it is good enough we will.’ We still don’t know if they are good — but we didn’t know that when we released the other tracks either.
“One of the songs is like we would have written it for today. The other, we could have written in 1972. So I don’t know, we’ll see. I mean, they’re not finished yet.”
The group kept their reunion secret for months and will premiere the first song in a BBC special this December, possibly sparking a new burst of Abba-mania and sparkly Seventies-style outfits.
But the famously private stars said there was no problem keeping schtum about their covert recording sessions. Asked if it was tough not to reveal the news, Benny added: “No, not hard. We just did not tell anyone.”
I know exactly how they kept it under wraps. When I emailed their manager last December to ask about rumours they were heading back into the studio, he said: “There are no plans.”
An extraordinary change of heart, then. Maybe I inspired them. Ahem.
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ARIANA GRANDE has named her fourth album Sweetener. Speaking about the record, which is due out this summer, she explained: “It’s kind of about bringing light to a situation or to someone’s life.”
Nightmare for Mariah
MARIAH Carey was commended last month as she went public about her bipolar disorder.
But she spoke out only for fear her condition would be revealed in her court battle with ex-manager Stella Bulochnikov, who is suing her.
Mariah now worries some of her most-guarded secrets may be exposed. A source close to the star said: “She parted ways with Stella, and feels she’s spreading stories as payback.
One tale emerged in the US claiming Mariah was hospitalised in 2016 as she believed Michael Jackson, Prince and Whitney Houston were coming over for dinner.
“Mariah is anxious about what else could be said about her. Now she is leaning on her ex- husband Nick Cannon for support.”
The singer has enough on her plate without this.
DMA'S HAVE ROCK DNA
O2 Forum, Kentish Town
IN my line of work, you get used to hearing “these guys are the next big thing”, but rarely does a live band justify the hype.
After Liam Gallagher offered DMA’S a support slot at his Finsbury Park gigs this summer, and their second album For You hitting No7, in the midweek charts, I headed to London’s O2 Forum Kentish Town to see the Aussie rockers.
And they really can walk the walk. The three-piece from Sydney are in the middle of a month-long UK tour with their anthemic Britpop drawing inevitable Oasis comparisons.
Indeed, they swagger on to the stage looking every bit part of the Madchester scene – baseball caps, sports gear and a presence that holds the room. There’s no gentle warm- up as the lads fire straight Feels Like 37 before the new record’s title track For Now.
As the set continues, they find their rhythm and become increasingly animated. Sing-along fan favourite Delete is an real highlight, as are encores In The Moment and Lay Down.
And sharing a beer with frontman Thomas O'Dell after the show, I’m pleased to report the rock ’n’ roll approach continues off stage as well, filling a musical void vacant since the Nineties. Exciting stuff.
★★★★
Cliff's calendar
NOT even the woes of his ongoing court fight can come between Sir Cliff Richard and his calendar photoshoots.
Best pal DJ Mike Read has confirmed the veteran singer is currently “oiling down his body” for the 2019 edition.
Fans had been worried Sir Cliff was too preoccupied with his bitter legal battle with the BBC to bring one out next year.
Mike said: “I got an email last week – he seems fairly confident but he won’t get all that time back and it’s been a real strain. He’ll probably be oiling down his body as we speak for the Christmas calendar and a new album soon I think.”
Last month, Sir Cliff broke down in court after he described the effect of having a police raid on his home covered on live TV by the BBC.
He was not arrested or charged.
MILEY WON'T STOP
HER days of twerking with foam fingers and straddling giant hot dog props may be long gone.
But Miley Cyrus shows her cheeky side in these shots to launch her new collaboration with trainer brand Converse.
The singer squeezed into hotpants for a hippy-style snap to celebrate her venture into fashion design, and kicked back in a crazy-print trackie top and leggings.
No more trouble in paradise
CAROLINE Flack and Andrew Brady’s barney has blown over as quickly as it erupted.
The newly engaged couple were back looking smitten yesterday as they walked hand-in-hand in Greece.
MOST READ IN BIZARRE
It came just a day after The Sun revealed their spat in Santorini which saw Caroline storm off in a taxi while the Apprentice star hit the bar.
The source said: “There was plenty of arm-waving and cross words.”
They had gone to the island to celebrate their engagement last week. If they end up divorcing, I doubt it’ll be down to boredom.
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- TAYLOR Swift is laughing all the way to the bank ahead of her Reputation tour starting. Just days before she heads out on the road, she has sold her Beverly Hills mini-estate for £2.9million, at a £330,000 profit. She bought the 1.4-acre property in 2011 but is now looking for a new home in England, close to boyfriend Joe Alwyn.
- HE is the Hollywood hardman who has spent years playing tough characters but Vin Diesel admitted even he was nervous starring alongside Dame Helen Mirren in last year’s Fast & Furious 8. He said: “She’s very intimidating, despite her 5ft 2in″ frame. For a tough New Yorker like myself, I was intimidated. And I don’t get intimidated easily.”
- CHRISTINA Aguilera has been teasing her music comeback on Instagram all week and now a new collaboration has been revealed. She has already worked with Demi Lovato and US sources have claimed she has a “very tribal-like” song with Kanye West on her next album, too. Probably not the best week for that news to come out.
- REALITY fave Jack Quickenden has confirmed The Sun’s story that he has split from fiancée Danielle Fogarty but insists they may get back together. Speaking on ITV’s LORRAINE, he said: “Right now we’re having a bit of time apart . . . I’ve so much respect for Dan and her family but for me, it’s about taking time out and seeing what happens.”