Björn Ulvaeus : "we will never reform ABBA"

France-Soir

interview by Ingrid Bernard AND Emilie Cuisinier 30/10/10 at 05.01

At the Crillon hotel Paris that Björn received us in a sumptuous black suit .

far from the Abba frenzy of platform shoes ...

but not without emotion , he remembers some souvenirs.

Björn Ulvaeus was in paris for the Première of Mamma Mia

© Sipa

France-Soir. what do you think of the french version of Mamma Mia ?

Björn Ulvaeus. french is a very beautiful language for singing. the story line is the same everywhere,the difference,is the way the comedians play. the french version is very realistic because the french way is to play very seriously.

F.-S. how do you explain the success of ABBA, still today ?

B. U. i wonder how it can be, how millions around the world know our songs. i can't explain.it's a

miracle. i hear all the time people saying that their children listen to Abba. we won a new audience .mothers made their children love them who at their turn made them love to their offspring.

F.-S. did you imagine in the heydays touching several generations ?

B. U. in the 1970s, we were labelled a hit machine. so that it was easy for us. but in fact it was very hard each time . we have never had a magic formula. we just did what we could.

F.-S. what is your best memory from all your carrier ?

B. U. there's plenty. the eurovision in brighton is perhaps the one in 1974. it change everything. we were known only in Scandinavia. the day after, the world was ours...

F.-S. you never made a solo carrier contrarily to the others,.why?

B. U. i had never been a stage monster.i was member of a groups and felt conforteable.my wish was before singing , writing and producing. our last concert was in tokyo and i said to myself : «this is it,it's the end. » some people need the stage, i don't.

F.-S. in 2001, producer offered 1 billion dollars to reform the groupe. why didn't you accept ?

B. U. first , people remember us as ABBA , four young people ambitious and full of energy.now, we'll look like a tired copy of the groupe.

second,the project was for one year.one hundred concerts, tons of promotion. i was thinking it will take ten years of my life. Anyway,it's a définitive decision, we will never reform Abba again.

F.-S.what artist are you fan today ?

B. U. I love Lady Gaga. she has irresistible melodies.

F.-S.do you think she will be like you and stay popular for such long time ?

B. U. yes, she's got talent for ,the time to grow up and explore differents universes.

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