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Quote of the Day

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"We will never appear on stage again. There is simply no motivation to re-group. Money is not a factor and we would like people to remember us as we were. Young, exuburent, full of energy and ambition. I remember Robert Plant saying Led Zeppelin were a cover band now because they cover all their own stuff. I think that hit the nail on the head."

- Abba's Bjorn Ulvaeus tells the Sunday Telegraph

    Posted: Jul 7, 2008 at 9:30 am / Email this  »
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    53 comments to “Quote of the Day”

    1. Hanna says – reply to this


      1

      First!

    2. hanna says – reply to this


      2

      i thought they died.

    3. emma says – reply to this


      3

      yay!

    4. Frida says – reply to this


      4

      Sweden will love ABBA forever

    5. ccxv says – reply to this


      5

      smart man! go abba!

    6. Kylie says – reply to this


      6

      FIRST!

    7. abba says – reply to this


      7

      Absolutely right! a few artists could learn a thing or two from these guys. and the greatest pop songwriters on the planet.

    8. LA Ti says – reply to this


      8

      Money is not a factor because they get all those royalties .I heard they are still sellign records from their hit CD. I would pay top dollars to see them though.Too bad! I LOVE ABBA

    9. Kim says – reply to this


      9

      And now they're live for the summer on Sirius 3!! All ABBA all the time!!

    10. FIONA says – reply to this


      10

      I LOVE ABBA!!!

      I've been an abba fan since I was 5 years old.

      Now I'm 35 and still their my favorite group—

      thanks for this update Perez–although I think Agnetha is the main factor for the group not reuniting—

    11. k]H]K says – reply to this


      11

      zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
      zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

      I luv Abba…..

      fantaztic {♥♥}}

      zzzzzzzzzzzzzz
      zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

    12. gabby says – reply to this


      12

      WHO CARES! U SUCK! YOUR MUSIC R 4 FAGS!

    13. lEVI says – reply to this


      13

      a class act - with timeless music that will live forever.

    14. mary says – reply to this


      14

      Take a Chance on Me has been running through my head for days… Abba rocks & more respect to them for not wanting a reunion tour! I think we all want to remember them as young, exuburent, full of energy and ambition. And Momma Mia with Meryl & Amanda Seyfried looks just as fun as the musical I saw in London that had the audience dancing in the aisles on a Tuesday night!

    15. RJII says – reply to this


      15

      just silly. led z, or any artist, can sing their songs when ever they feel like it. that doesn't make them a cover band.

      sounds like abba got old fat ugly and insecure to get on stage again

    16. Distu says – reply to this


      16

      "we would like people to remember us as we were. Young, exuburent, full of energy and ambition."
      If only Madonna could be as intelligent…

    17. TRUE says – reply to this


      17

      I agree completely. I thought a one-off reunion show to make up for the previous disasters was a fine for Led Zeppelin. And they did prove that they were an awesome band. However, if they go on tour without having an album of new material worthy of a tour, then Led Zep simply becomes the latest sell-out.

    18. Hmm m says – reply to this


      18

      +
      +
      The only thing ABBA reminds me of is the inside of an elevator. Bunch of puftas.
      +
      +

    19. Paw says – reply to this


      19

      Never say never. the Police say "never" for years. Just waiting for the right offer to come along.

    20. MamaS says – reply to this


      20

      Personally, I think it would be great for them to get together for a big reunion concert and donate the $$$ to charity. I'm sure there are lots of promoters willing to pay huge money, and I think they should step up and do something for their fans. Don't expect to see me there, though: I can't stand them!

    21. m says – reply to this


      21

      ABBA will always live on in our hearts.

    22. FACT says – reply to this


      22

      ABBA is the reason that Sweden has the world's highest suicide rate.

    23. Abbal says – reply to this


      23

      Best harmonies - best feel good music ever. Love ABBA. Joyous and exuberant and beautiful.

    24. Red says – reply to this


      24

      What a class act! Of course, all the royalties from Mamma Mia, Chess, all the albums, etc., don't hurt! And didn't the dark-haired singer marry a prince from some tiny country in Europe and end up living in a castle? I read somewhere the blond singer had some mental health issues, though, and had a stalker? Did anyone else hear of that? Anyhow, saw Mamma Mia recently and the songs are just as much fun as when they first came out. You realize what good song writers these guys really were when you hear the songs 30 years later & they're just as joyous.

    25. Marsh says – reply to this


      25

      ABBA had their time in the spotlight as laughable as it was. Still, there is real insight in what was said here.

    26. Eddie says – reply to this


      26

      word, bjorn. word.

    27. Shawn says – reply to this


      27

      Perez……is that you on the far left??

    28. Amy says – reply to this


      28

      They're doing the right thing. If they reunited, they'd only be able to do the old chestnuts. People are so brain dead (thanks to American Idol, etc) that noone would be interested in listening to new songs or songs they hadn't heard before. You can thank dumb music consumers for that. Keep on watching American Idol - you'll get the junk you deserve.

    29. DJohR says – reply to this


      29

      Well said! As much as I still love ABBA, they really deserve to remembered at the height of their powers. They went out on a night note, let's leave them there.

    30. ameen says – reply to this


      30

      wooah.. dude u have good music and a great legacey blah blah… but leave zeppelin out of this!! they will kick ur swedish arses all over the world!!!

    31. ABBAP says – reply to this


      31

      GOOD NEWS,THEN MABYE WE WONT HAVE TO HEAR YR PATHETIC CROONING EVER AGAIN.
      HOW DARE YOU PUT YRSELF IN THE SAME SENTENCE WITH ZEPPELIN.
      YOU GUYS ARE NOT EVEN ANYWHERES NEAR THEM ON TALENT SCALE.MABYE TALENTED ENOUGH TO WIPE THEIR ASSES BUT I DOUBT IT.
      GET YR ASSES BACK IN YR HOLE IN THE GROUND ABBA!!!

    32. fiera says – reply to this


      32

      No matter what your age, if you still put out great music and are full of energy, why quit?? Of course the fans are always going to want to hear the classics too.

    33. D says – reply to this


      33

      First off: Björn only said what Plant said about his own group. There's no attack here.
      And they've all moved on as people. Other projects and other goals. I know Annifrid at one point said that she's not even able to sing half of the songs anymore, not keeping her vocal abilities in shape. They split cuz they didn't find it fun anymore.
      I bet Plant and the other renunions are mainly about missing being a band and being a musician again. Just missing what they like the most. I don't think money's the main factor even if it might be a big part of it. The fans obviosly being another part.
      For ABBA to get up on stage 25 years after they split probably sounding bad wouldn't gain anyone.

    34. FIONA says – reply to this


      34

      Re: Red –

      yes –Agnetha's stalker was actually her Ex-husband he was a Dr.–pretty scary!

    35. Misso says – reply to this


      35

      That is refreshing to hear. My friend saw Van Halen here in STL and said that
      DLR forgot the words to most of the songs.When I asked her how the concert went, she said,
      "Yeah. They Are Old"
      thanks ABBA

    36. Yuck says – reply to this


      36

      OMG they are SOOOO Vain!!!! So theyre saying because they've grown up and grown older they will never, ever, ever play as a group again?? OMG That is sooooooo vain!!! We've all aged!!! Its like they think theyre the ONLY ones that grow up. All of their fans grew up, but no, that doesnt matter, what matters is THEY grew up and God FORBID anyone should SEE that!! Oh how HIDEOUS!! Did you SEE them?? They GREW UP and kept having BIRTHDAYS~! They should just be put out to pasture, its all over now. :roll:



    37. 37

      ABBA forever!!! That is such a perfect quote for any musicians over the age of 55. You can not turn back time and eventually it becomes embarrassing to watch them perform.

    38. D says – reply to this


      38

      Re: Yuck –
      Ok, this comment doesn't make any sense at all. Do you think they don't wanna perform due to the fact that they look older? Out of vanity?
      They don't want to perform just cause they don't feel like it would be any good artistically or musically. So why should they get up on stage and trash 25-30 year old songs? They know their limits and they have their pride. Nothing wrong with that.

    39. yees! says – reply to this


      39

      that's how it is bjorn

    40. Ramra says – reply to this


      40

      I can understand where they're coming from. I saw them in 79 (Oh happy day!) and it just wouldn't be the same now. They did turn down $1 billion dollars to reform. I would have re-mortgaged my flat to follow them around the world too.



    41. 41

      good for them. more performers need to know when to bow out gracefully.

    42. Richi says – reply to this


      42

      Isn't that Greg Kinnear on the far left?

    43. Abba1 says – reply to this


      43

      ABBA are amazing, I've been a fan since I was a baby, I'm now 19 and still adore them…however as much as I would love to have the opportunity to see them perform, I agree with Bjorn, ABBA were pure magic 25 years ago, it would not be the same for the fans to see four elderly people on stage singing the songs that are associated with young, good looking people.

    44. Huh says – reply to this


      44

      Being the 2nd GNP of Sweden for a long time, why should they? Didn't the German brunnette marry a prince lol

    45. Tania says – reply to this


      45

      I've always loved ABBA! My friends tease me mercilessly for it, but I don't care - they are GREAT!!

    46. Korri says – reply to this


      46

      I love ABBA soooo much. I named my puppy ABBA.

    47. SALLY says – reply to this


      47

      WHO CARES! EXACTLY. NOW THEY CAN GO BACK TO THEIR RETIREMENT HOMES.

    48. thisb says – reply to this


      48

      I thought there was only three of them anyway — didn't one get his throat cut in a freak accident with a glass door?

    49. ,ncs says – reply to this


      49

      who's abba?

    50. Ferna says – reply to this


      50

      The one that died was their drummer I think…not one of the four.
      I don't understand why anyone would want them to tour when they hated touring in the first place. Now a new album of stylish songs and ballads would be great to hear. I don't think touring is realistic but definately recording something new.

    51. Jules says – reply to this


      51

      That is a bunch of BS.

      Bjorn and Benny are the ones that milk the ABBA cow the most. As writers of their songs they sell their rights to anyone and everyone - ABBA Gold, ABBA Gold II, Mamma Mia the musical, Mamma Mia the motion picture, Muriel's Wedding soundtrack, Priscilla Queen of Desert soundtrack, etc, etc.

      They sooooo would regroup for not even that much, but it is the girls that don't want it (mostly Agnetha - probably does not want to be close to her ex-husband) and they know they cannot be ABBA without a member.

    52. D says – reply to this


      52

      Re: Jules –
      I think there's a difference between letting the songright go to different movies and stuff and not going on tour. What would they gain by being total asses and deny every movie the songs they feel they need? Or the record companies (that need all the help they can get these days) to put out a collection. (There's been a few too many of those though I have to agree. Abba Gold, More Gold, Forever Gold, Definitive Collection, Number Ones, 14 Hits, Thank You For The Music Box Set, The Complete Recordings Box Set, Deluxe Editions.) Or let someone sample them like Madonna or The Fugees.
      They all have more money then they could possibly ever need. They were even heavily critisized for that very reason in the late 70's by the strong leftwing movement i Sweden. "Music should be about art - not money" But they were all business from the start with the help of Stickan Andersson.
      They didn't even like touring in their heyday. It kills the creativity, Björn said at some point. They like MAKING the music, creating it. Sure they enjoyed it, but prefered the studio.
      I think they all see ABBA as a big important fantastic, BUT CLOSED, chapter of their lives. They're all proud af it and don't want to spoil it.

    53. betty says – reply to this


      53

      What Bjorn said is cool, but moot.

      Yeah, what other people have said is right. It's Agnetha. She is agoraphobic now. I saw an interview with her on PBS a few years ago, and she was pretty candid about it. She even freaks when her family leaves their house's grounds. Poor thing, it's really sad.

      I realize this post is old and no one will really read it…just wanted to clear it up.