ABBA has been a favorite of millions of fans since the 1970s, but the band members have not been seen together in seven years. However, BBC News reports that the group members have come together to celebrate the grand opening of the restaurant called Mamma Mia! The Party.
Only one week left till Mamma Mia The Party begins! Now you can be a part of the musical! https://t.co/WWLgtEzimE pic.twitter.com/1Xbb3sEOzr
— Visit Stockholm (@visitstockholm) January 14, 2016
The ABBA restaurant’s website aptly describes the venue.
“Everything happens on a magical evening in several acts filled with singing and dancing, daredevil stunts, Greek Gods, flirty waiters, and perhaps a zorba and an ouzo or two. No evening is like any other and no-one knows how it ends. It all depends on where Abba’s songs take us.”
The restaurant is based on the Greek taverna that was a part of the movie Mamma Mia! and is the brainchild of Bjorn Ulvaeus, one of the former members of ABBA. The other former band members were in attendance, including Benny Andersson, Agnetha Faltskog, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. Guests and fans who attended the opening of the restaurant paid 1,340 kronor ($157) for a ticket to enjoy their evening.
MAMMA MIA! ABBA get back on stage together to open new Greek restaurant in Stockholm called ‘MAMMA MIA – The Party’! pic.twitter.com/j1wubFKRHM
— Birmingham What’s On (@WhatsOnBrum) January 21, 2016
Naturally, the press that gathered for the restaurant opening asked about ABBA getting back together on stage for a proper reunion, and band members generally said that it wasn’t going to happen.
The Guardian reports that Andersson said it wasn’t likely, and Ulvaeus said they were just there to party .
However, in April 2014, the Guardian caught up with Andersson and Lyngstad to talk about the 70s. When asked about why the band doesn’t record in the studio now, Lyngstad said she would love to.
“It’s difficult to talk about this because then all the news stories will be: ‘Abba is going to record another song!’ But as long as we can sing and play, then why not? I would love to, but it’s up to Björn and Benny.’”
Andersson also said it was a good idea.
“Nothing’s planned and it would have to be something very special. But yes, why not?”
That would indeed be a treat for fans of ABBA and the new generation of fans that would come from it. But it’s hard to say, and there certainly doesn’t seem to be anything in the works. The restaurant opening in Stockholm might be the closest fans get to having the band back together again. After all, they did actually get onstage together, even if they didn’t perform.
Entertainment.ie offers eight reasons why the world needs an ABBA reunion . Their eight reasons were eight of ABBA’s greatest songs they presented in the form of ABBA’s videos. Really, there’s nothing wrong with that. Essentially, ABBA’s music speaks for itself and nothing can compare.
Fans who really want a taste of ABBA will have to settle for ABBA Mania , which is the original tribute show for ABBA that formed in 1999. The show is still going strong after 17 years, and they perform all of the old ABBA favorites. Broadway World says it has something for everyone.
“You don’t have to be a Dancing Queen or a Super Trouper to enjoy the performance but if you are, you won’t want to miss it! Join in and enjoy your favorite songs such as ‘Mamma Mia’, ‘Voulez Vous’, ‘Dancing Queen’, ‘Winner Takes It All’, ‘Super Trouper’ and so much more!”
ABBA was truly a phenomenon, and the fact that the group only stayed together for 10 years was devastating for fans. Who knows? Maybe one day they will change their minds and ABBA will record once again. Agnetha and Anni-Frid seem to be onboard — now ABBA fans just need to convince Benny and Björn.
[Photo by David Ashdown/Getty Images]