The Little Guide to Abba, is precisely that – a little guide to some things about the ABBA pop group. It’s a gifty hardback, and it’s got quotes from the group, fun facts, stats and more.
Of course, Abba became a global phenomenon in 1974 when they won the Eurovision Song Contest, that lead to millions of copies of their albums and singles being sold around the world.
The book is released in time for the release of their first new music in decades, and a virtual live event. It is arranged into the following sections: Becoming Abba, Arrival, Super Trouper, So Long, The Voyage Continues and Thank You For the Music.
I must admit, I was expecting something with a bit more substance, but there are still loads of great info in this small book, including these quotes and fun facts:
‘For one song we asked our wives to come in for backing vocals and all of sudden, wow. They sound good, we don’t!’ Benny, interview with Adrian Lobb, The Big Issue, 2017
Abba is also the name of a famous fish-canning company in Sweden. The band had to get permission from the Abba Seafood Company to use it.
‘When I was eight, my pals and I went up to my bedroom, put on our party frocks and mimed to Abba records using broom handles as microphones.’ Kylie Minogue
Abba have sold more records than Bruce Springsteen, Metallica and Fleetwood Mac.
The TikTok #DancingQueenChallenge had more than 160m views in 2021.
Definitely a book for Abba fans, but not for anyone else.
Reviewer: Karen McMillan
Allen & Unwin
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