ABBA On The Web - March 2003
With the anniversary of ABBA’s fabulous 1977 European and Australian tour upon us, I thought it would be timely to take a look at a site dedicated to the Australian leg of ABBA’s phenomenally successful concert tour.
It’s called the ABBA TIME TUNNEL . The opening message tells you exactly what you’ll find within the site – “stacks of rare 70s memorabilia and amazing photos”. And it’s so true!
Upon entering the Time Tunnel, first you’ll encounter some of the wonderful ABBA merchandise that was available in Australian back in 1976 and 1977. You could take your lunch to school in your own ABBA lunchbox, pass the time putting together your ABBA jigsaw puzzle, drink from your ABBA mug, pull on your ABBA socks (proudly “all nylon!”), wear your ABBA jewellery around your neck, collect your ABBA bubble gum cards, and so much more.
Then you’ll join ABBA as they arrive at Sydney Airport for their tour, meet the Australian media at their press conference, and finally take to the stage on that memorable night in Sydney when the rain just wouldn’t let up.
Many of the photographs were taken newspaper photographers, but were not published at the time and have never been seen elsewhere. Because they were taken for newspapers, many of the photos are black and white, though several have been colourised.
A lot of the photographs have a “backstage” quality that I really like – it’s a different angle on the whole ABBA phenomenon. One of my favourite photographs is at the press conference, taken from behind ABBA and giving their view of the proceedings. Another shows the film crew for ‘ABBA – The Movie’ following ABBA as they meet the press at the airport.
A few of the photographs have been animated, which adds a sense of fun and action to the images. See Agnetha wiggle her bum! See Frida strut her stuff! And see ABBA trying to pose for dozens of photographers at the same time.
You’ll also join ABBA on one of their rare breaks on the tour, visiting the beach for a relaxing swim and working out with their bodyguards.
A separate gallery called ‘ABBA GLAM’ has a range of fun photos in some of their glam costumes from 1974. And more is promised for the future – if you love ABBA’s fabulous costumes then that will be something to look forward to.
The site has been around for a few years now, but it’s just been overhauled in February 2003. So even if you’ve visited it before, it’s time to pay another visit to the ABBA TIME TUNNEL.
