'70s Pop Group ABBA Refuses 1 Billion Dollar Reuinon Offer (Yes, with a 'B...')

FARK News Tip Service VIA CNN International ^ | April 13, 2002 | Showbuzz Column Staff

[codebreaker]

Members of the '70's Swedish Band Abba say they won't get back together--not even for 1 Billion dollars.

An American-British consortium offered them that amount to reunite for 100 concerts, but they refused.

'It is a hell of a lot of money to say no to, but we decided it wasn't for us.' Benny Andersson tells the Swedish tabloid Aftenbladet.

ABBA disbanded 17 years ago, but their hit songs are curently experiencing an international revival.

Part of the credit goes to the teen group A-Teens, whose covers of 'Gimme, Gimme, Gimme and 'Mamma Mia' have risen up the charts.

And the musical 'Mamma Mia,' based on ABBA songs, has become a hit in London --sending sales of the album 'ABBA Gold' soaring.

[diotima]

hehehehe.

[-YYZ-]

Not my taste personally, but you can't argue with success. My mom really enjoyed the musical "Mama Mia" she saw recently in Toronto.

Heck, even I have caught myself humming along with a couple of their tunes.

[general_re]

You've never met my wife's family.

[RightWhale]

I can get along with anyone for two years, for $250M

Then you can sing with that redhead. :)

[codebreaker]

The outfits are awe inspiring..

[mamelukesabre]

You're right. Could 100 concerts really create that much increased demand for ABBA albums that they could recoup the difference there? It sure seems far fetched. It seems to me that the costs of putting on 100 concerts of that size plus the one billion promised to the band could leave them in the hole by a quarter billion dollars.

Lets say that every one of those fans that goes to an ABBA concert buys one ABBA album, and for every fan that goes to a concert, there is one that does not go to a concert, but buys an album anyway. That would be 20 million albums sold, correct? If an album goes for 20 bucks and half of that is profit, they would generate 200 million in profit.

Well, that almost brings them up to zero. But I seriously doubt they actually earn a 50% profit on albums. Apparently, they are expecting far more than 20 million additional albums sold as a result of ABBA going back on tour.

Concert Tshirts! Maybe there is a lot more to be made there than people realize. Concession stands too. And rights to use ABBA songs in commercials and Movie soundtracks.

[codebreaker]

Me too, for 1 million a concert, I could sit in a locked room with Rosie O' Donnell every night...

[Pagey]

"...their taxes would be 65% of earnings"???
That is horrific to even imagine.The fact of the matter also is,nowadays MANY so-called 'Bands' can't make it through 25-30 shows w/out 'mental breakdowns' or 'Lip Syncing','Tape Loops' et al anyway.When is the last time a Rap or Hip-Hop Artist played even 50(much less 100) shows in a year?Probably Never. ABBA the Band who 'Just Said No' and good for them too! "Just because you CAN do something, doesn't mean you SHOULD".This is a perfect example of that saying.LOL

[codebreaker]

[codebreaker]

The Producers is charging $250 on Broadway..

[general_re]

Well, I'm not going to see that either ;)

Seriously, for all seats? Even the crappy ones in the back of the theater?

[Pagey]

Me too, for 1 million a concert, I could sit in a locked room with Rosie O' Donnell every night...

I shouldn't even have to ponder things like this-O.K. 2 hours in a 'Large Backstage Room', some concerts are 2 1/2 hrs.---- O.K.--- for $1,000,000 "EVEN I" could sit in a room w/ Rosie O'Donnell.Of Course My "Rider" would include plenty of Bourbon and Cigarettes,Heck,I can tolerate anyone for 2 hours,but could she tolerate me and my attitude running smack at her for 2 1/2 hours......That's a funny thought!

[codebreaker]

No, standing room only is $100.

Although the big stars have left so the lines aren't there anymore..

[codebreaker]

I would need more than bourbon and cigs..maybe painkillers! (for the headaches)

[USMMA_83]

Me too! Love ABBA!!

[Chemist_Geek]

Not my taste personally, but you can't argue with success.

Vapor Trails, on 14 May 2002... Apologies for intruding on an ABBA thread with that, but your nick reminded me...

[Revolting cat!]

Isn't there an imitation ABBA touring group named BUBBA or something similar, that charges $200,000 to sing a bunch of trite banalities, and that has just been turned down by the English Commons? Here's an idea: give the billion to the BUBBA group to go away, heh?!