ABBA legend Björn Ulvaeus, 80, has admitted he is unsure if the band’s smash hit virtual concert Voyage will continue in the event of the death of one of the foursome. The group, which also comprises Agnetha Fältskog, 75, Benny Andersson, 78, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, 79, reunited for the first time in almost 40 years to record the 2021 album Voyage before launching the show in London in 2022. It sees “ABBAtars” of the group perform their hits, including their Eurovision Song Contest winning track Waterloo. Now in its third year, it has been seen by over three million people to date, but despite its success, Bjorn is uncertain of the show’s future.
Asked on Times Radio if the virtual concerts will continue if a member of the group dies, he said: “That’s a question I’ve never had before… I honestly don’t know, hadn’t thought about that. It’s good you raise that question – I’ll talk to the others about that as we need to decide beforehand between us if it’s OK for all four of us to go on after we’re gone.”
The show features a 10-piece live band performing alongside the virtual group in a purpose-built arena in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London.
In May this year, the production was tweaked to extend the running time by adding extra songs. The 90-minute show was extended to 100 minutes with the addition of hits Super Trouper, The Name Of The Game, and Money, Money, Money.
They also added Take A Chance On Me, which alternates with Super Trouper. However, to accommodate the changes, they dropped one song, When All Is Said and Done.
Both Benny and Anni-Frid attended the third anniversary show on May 27, which marked the first time people had seen or heard the new version.
ABBA first came to prominence when they won the Eurovision Song Contest with their hit Waterloo in Brighton in 1974, making them the first ever Swedish winners of the contest.
Following their win, they went on to have nine UK number ones and 19 top 10 hits. Their biggest success in the UK was Dancing Queen in 1976, which spent six weeks at number one. T
Prior to Voyage, their songs had also inspired the smash hit musical Mamma Mia!, which began in London in 1999, before becoming a worldwide sensation.
It has since spawned two movies, 2008’s Mamma Mia! and 2018’s Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.