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Bjorn and Frida Open ABBA World in London

Björn Ulvaeus and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, one half the most successful group of all time, were both in attendance at the opening night of ABBA World -- a new interactive museum -- at London's Earls Court on Tuesday (Jan. 26).

The new 25-room exhibit features the Swedish pop group's flamboyant stage costumes, gold discs, never-seen-before film footage, and recreations of dressing rooms and studios. However the biggest draw is perhaps the karaoke singing booths, dance mats, quiz machines and hologram videos -- all of which visitors get to play with, to be a 'part' of ABBA -- all decorated with disco balls and smatterings of glitter.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Lyngstad said thank you to the team who helped create their first official exhibit, revealing, "I and Bjorn sang a song together down there! It was not like it was before but it was a lot of fun."

The pair, part of the Eurovision Song Contest winning group in 1974, were also presented with a new set of gold discs at Earls Court, to represent 375m album sales worldwide -- the biggest disc ever made, declared Lucian Grainge, the chief executive of Universal Music Group as he handed it over.

Bjorn raised a laugh from the room, which included Roxy Music's Phil Manzanera, Boy George and Celebrity Big Brother evictees Stephen Baldwin and Sisqo, saying, "Can anyone imagine 375m albums in front of them? It hasn't gone to my head at all!"

He also said, "We feel like pioneers again, like with Mamma Mia! and I'll bet other acts follow us."

Organisers confirmed plans for a second ABBA World, this time in Australia -- the second biggest market for ABBA fans, after the UK.

ABBA World runs at London's Earls Court from Wednesday (Jan. 27).

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Phil

As a great ABBA fan myself, it has always been a wish that the group would once again perform together or create something. Despite many attempts to get the four to do "one last" performance together, nothing has ever been managed.
Agnetha (Anna) has always been the one to resist this, even when the other three members have met up at various events. She (Anna) has always insisted that it would take "something pretty special" for this to happen.
Despite the fact that the four are now in their 60's, I just wonder, IF, with a lot of encouragement, Anna could be persuaded, together with the rest of the group, to create something "Very Special" for the benefit of the inhabitants of Haiti and for the proceeds and earnings to be donated to the rebuilding of that country after what the United Nations has called the worst disaster ever to happen!
They already hold a unique place in history for what they have already achieved. They would surely make history and be remembered for ever by the people of Haiti and perhaps even lift the country out of poverty and one of the three poorest countries in the world today.

January 27 2010 at 6:27 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Phil

As a great ABBA fan myself, it has always been a wish that the group would once again perform together or create something. Despite many attempts to get the four to do "one last" performance together, nothing has ever been managed.
Agnetha (Anna) has always been the one to resist this, even when the other three members have met up at various events. She (Anna) has always insisted that it would take "something pretty special" for this to happen.
Despite the fact that the four are now in their 60's, I just wonder, IF, with a lot of encouragement, Anna could be persuaded, together with the rest of the group, to create something "Very Special" for the benefit of the inhabitants of Haiti and for the proceeds and earnings to be donated to the rebuilding of that country after what the United Nations has called the worst disaster ever to happen!
They already hold a unique place in history for what they have already achieved. They would surely make history and be remembered for ever by the people of Haiti and perhaps even lift the country out of poverty and one of the three poorest countries in the world today.

January 27 2010 at 6:27 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
sheila hay

how long to go round exhibition?could make a whole day of it around timings.
many thanks sheila.

January 27 2010 at 5:34 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to sheila hay's comment
Chris

Went there on Saturday and it took me about 2 hours to go round it at a leisurely pace. However I didn't get up on stage to 'sing with Abba' or queue for a photo against an Abba back drop, so if I had done everyhting I would suggest maybe 3 hours(ish) maybe a bit more?

Hope this helps

Chris

January 27 2010 at 6:33 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
sheila hay

how long to go round exhibition?could make a whole day of it around timings.
many thanks sheila.

January 27 2010 at 5:34 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to sheila hay's comment
Chris

Went there on Saturday and it took me about 2 hours to go round it at a leisurely pace. However I didn't get up on stage to 'sing with Abba' or queue for a photo against an Abba back drop, so if I had done everyhting I would suggest maybe 3 hours(ish) maybe a bit more?

Hope this helps

Chris

January 27 2010 at 6:33 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
sheila hay

How long would it take to go round exhibition? as possibly could arrange somethig around it to make a full day out.
Many thanks sheilaq

January 27 2010 at 5:33 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
sheila hay

How long would it take to go round exhibition? as possibly could arrange somethig around it to make a full day out.
Many thanks sheilaq

January 27 2010 at 5:33 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
john farnworth

how long does abba world run for and what is the admission price?

January 27 2010 at 2:02 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
john farnworth

how long does abba world run for and what is the admission price?

January 27 2010 at 2:02 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply