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Greatest Hits in Scandinavia - November 1975

Let's Boogie - Michael B. Tretow

ABBA on German TV

Mamma Mia - the single

Fernando & Dancing Queen - the videos

ABBA in Australia - March 1976

Fernando - the single

Greatest Hits - UK

Summer 1976

Greatest Hits

The first Scandinavian version of "Greatest Hits" was released on November 17th, 1975. The gatefold cover featured painting of ABBA created by Hans Arnold and the classical picture of ABBA on the park bench. The first issue of the album did not include "Fernando" but the song was added on the later international versions of the album. The Scandinavian release of "Greatest Hits" contained 14 songs which had been successful in Sweden, Norway and Denmark between 1972 and 1975. Even some non-single hits as "Hasta Mañana" or "Another Town Another Train" were included on this compilation.

The photo sessions for the album were arranged by Bengt H. Malmqvist in the autumn of 1975. (see even: ABBA related places)

Bravo in Stockholm

In the autumn of 1975 Wolfgang Heilemann arranged en extended photo session. Many of the pictures taken during this session would be published in newspapers all over the world.

The King session

At the office

Thousands of pictures were taken at the headquarter in Baldersgatan in Stockholm.

The Moulin Rouge Session

Benny and Björn were dressed in tailcoats and top hats and the girls in Charleston costumes with corsages.

The "almost nude" sessions

The group posed wrapped in a silver folio.

The scarf-session

This classical session printed on thousands of posters all over the world was taken someday in the autumn of 1975.

The "Veckorevyn" session

This famous photo session which was published among others in the Swedish weekly "Veckorevyn" at the beginning of 1976.

The Djurgården session

Several photos were taken In the autumn of 1975 outside the restaurant "Ulla Winblad" in Djurgården in Stockholm. Pictures from this session were among others used in 1976 for back cover of the French compilation "ABBA Golden Album" and Swedish puzzle.

"The Best of ABBA" in Germany

The compilation "The Best of ABBA" was released in October 1975 in West Germany. A rare photo from the "Waterloo"- session was featured on the front cover. The LP contained 12 hits taken from the group's three first albums released between 1973 and 1975. The real rarity was the inclusion of an alternate sax remix of "Ring Ring".

Let's Boogie - Mike B. Tretow's LP

In October 1975 ABBA's engineer Mikael B. Tretow started recording sessions for his own solo album. The ABBA members and the studio musicians participated in the recording sessions where they both sang and played. The album entitled "Let's boogie" was completed in February 1976.

West Germany

ABBA were in Germany on 3-4 December for the third time this year. They recorded TV special "Silvester Tanzparty" which would be shown on the New Year's Eve evening. They performed their latest hits "I Do I Do I Do I Do I Do" and "SOS" in front of the audience in the studio.

They even participated in TV show "Disco 75" (aired on 6 December) where they performed "SOS".

The Disco photo session

The Bravo Photo Sessions

The Bravo photographer Bubbi Heilemann arranged studio for a photo session.

Hit Sound'75

ABBA's "SOS" was among international hits on an international compilation album "Hit Sound'75" released by CBS in Holland at the end of 1975.

1976

UK

ABBA went to Great Britain on January 11 and made an appearance on the most important pop show in Britain "Top of The Pops". The group performed "Mamma Mia" live.

SOS in Japan

The "Discomate" label managed to help ABBA get right to the top in Japan. In fact Discomate didn't release ABBA's records until they were already fairly well known as another company in Japan was first to have the rights. The very first ABBA single released by Discomate was "SOS" b/w "I Do I Do I Do I Do I Do" in January 1976.

The bright-yellow session

This session was taken either at the end of 1975 or at the beginning of 1976. Very nice and calm session in non-dominating yellowish colors. Alternative takes featured Agnetha and Frida with ice-cream.

ABBA in West Germany January 1976

At the end of January ABBA went to Bremen in West Germany where they recorded a TV show called simply "The best of ABBA". ABBA performed: Waterloo, Mamma Mia, Fernando as well as some songs from their LP "ABBA" like Tropical Loveland and I've Been Waiting For You.

In the interview Frida said that she enjoyed being on stage, Agnetha was more fond of being in the studio and "sometimes on stage". During the recording of the show ABBA posed for photographers. A shot from the session below was used on the cover of the German compilation LP "16 ABBA Hits".

Fernando & Dancing Queen videos & photo sessions

At the beginning of February video clips for "Fernando" and "Dancing Queen" were filmed. The director was as usual Lasse Hallström. Even a photo session was arranged during the filming of the videos, the photos would be used for promotion of the group during the first part of 1976.

The "Dancing Queen" video was filmed at the night club "Alexandra disco" in Stockholm (go.to/ABBA related places)

The photo session

The "Dancing Queen" photo session was shot at about the same time.

Australian TV in Stockholm

Björn, Benny and Frida were interviewed by the Australian TV for the programme "Countdown" shortly before the release of the single "Fernando" in Australia. The interview was made about 3 pm on Monday 2 February 1976. Frida was interrupted by alarm sirens. Such tests are made in Sweden the first Monday every month at 3 pm. 

Mamma Mia in Disco

ABBA performed "Mamma Mia" in German TV special "Disco" on 28 February 1976.

"Waterloo" - re-released in Denmark

Due to the big success of ABBA Polar re-released their second album in Denmark in 1976. The front cover was slightly changed and featured printed box with information that the LP contained a o "Honey Honey", "Hasta Mañana" and "Dance".

After Dark

Frida and Benny attended the premiere of the first Swedish own drag show performed by the group "After Dark" at the night club Alexandra.

Fernando - the single in France

France was the first land in Europe that released the single "Fernando" on 20 February 1976. The rest of the world would follow with the release in March. The selection for the B-side in France was "Dance (While the Music Still Goes On)" taken from the album "Waterloo". The single was promoted on French TV in the show "Midi-Premiere" which was recorded on 24 February 1976.

The Polar Music press release - March 1976

The press release from Polar Music that came out in March 76 informed among others about newly recorded TV shows promoting "Fernando" in Monte Carlo and Paris and ABBA fever in Australia. Three recording sessions were planned on 22-24 March and the album release in October 76. Agnetha and Anni-Frid would have time-off in March. In April ABBA would go to Spain, England and Germany for promotion. Among the news from hit charts there was information about the success of "I Do I Do" ("I Do" appeared in this version = twice) in USA, Mamma Mia in New Zealand, Germany, Australia, Switzerland, Norway and England. By that time "SOS" was #1 in Turkey, #8 in Italy. Finally it was announced that France was the first land in the world releasing the single "Fernando" (see above).

Gold records

ABBA received gold records for sales of their third studio album "ABBA" in Sweden at the beginning of 1976.

ABBA in Australia - March 1976

In March ABBA did a short promotional trip to Australia. The ABBA fever had started in Australia at the end of 1975 after several hits on Australian charts. The group participated in several press conferences. They promoted their latest compilation album "The best of ABBA" which had been released three months earlier, in December 1975.

On the way to Australia

Promotion of "The best of ABBA"

The Australian adventure

TV

ABBA recorded a 45-minute TV special during their nine-day visit in Sydney and Melbourne. The main filming was made in the TCN9 studios and the group also visited renowned Sydney beauty spots and filmed segments to be made into a show for international release. Overseas countries would see ABBA cruising up the Ilawkesbury River, taking a trip on Sydney Harbor, and visiting the koala sanctuary at Bobbin Head. While ABBA were in Australia they also appeared on the Don Lane Show and Celebrity Squares.

As an extra number ABBA performed "Dancing Queen" for the first time in the TV studio. The video was sold to many TV stations all over the world.  This version of "Dancing Queen" appeared in "Top of the Pops" show on British BBC many times.

Bandstand Special & more

ABBA were interviewed by Daryl Somers during recording of their Bandstand special for the Nine Network.

The photo session

One more photo session was taken in the studio after the performance of "So Long" at the end of the show.

After 10 days in Australia ABBA were back in Stockholm on 14 March.

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Photo sessions in Stockholm

This photo session was taken at the end of March in Stockholm, partly at the group's office and partly outside the Grand Hotel in the part of the city called Östermalm. Frida wore T-shirt with text "Singapore 1976" which had been purchased in Singapore while the group changed plane on the way from Australia to Sweden.

Fernando - the single in Australia

The single "Fernando" saw its release in Australia on 18 March 1976. It entered the Australian chart on #16 and stayed there for 33 weeks reaching # 1.

The blue session

The beginning of 1976 saw ABBA in new blue outfits. Lots of photo sessions were taken during this period of time but the most known is the one below which was taken someday in the spring of 1976.

This original jacket which belonged to Frida can be seen on the ABBA mini exhibition at the Music Museum in Stockholm

Pop Power - ABBA

A new compilation was released in the series "Pop Power" in West Germany. The compilation was entitled "The fantastic ABBA" and it featured a mix of 12 songs. Among the tracks on this LP there were: "Sitting in the Palmtree", "What About Livingstone", "My Mama Said" and "Gonna Sing You My Lovesong". The cover picture had been taken in January 76 during recording of the TV show for "The best of ABBA" for German TV.

Fernando - the single

"Fernando" became one of the biggest ABBA hits ever. "Hey Hey Helen" was chosen in most countries for the B-side of the single. The single was released in Sweden in March 1976 and in April it reached #2 on "Topplistan". In the United Kingdom "Fernando" entered the chart on March 27 where it stayed for 15 weeks reaching the top on May 8th (4 weeks).

In West Germany "Fernando" b/w "Tropical Loveland" entered the hit single list on 29 March and on 8 May it became no 1 for 7 weeks. The single stayed on the German chart for 26 weeks.  "Fernando" was number 1 hit in Austria, Belgium, France, Holland, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa and Switzerland. In Finland and Norway the single reached #2 and in Italy #6.

In Mexico "Fernando" b/w "Mamma Mia" entered the hit chart in May 76 and it reached #1 staying there for 5 weeks. In Spain "Fernando" b/w "Intermezzo No. 1" reached #3.

At the same time the group was working in studio with the new album. Three new songs: "Knowing Me Knowing You", "That's Me" and "Why Did It Have To Be Me" had been completed in March and April.

Promo poster

The promo poster was printed in Sweden by the company "Scandecor" in Uppsala.

Greatest Hits - UK

On 26 March the album "Greatest Hits" was released in the UK. The album was issued in two slightly different versions. Both included their current hit "Fernando" but the song was not planned for release on this album from the very beginning as nobody knew that it would be a smash hit in the UK. That's why the title "Fernando" did not appear in the track listing on the cover of the first pressing of the album. A special sticker telling that the album included "extra track - the hit single Fernando" was taped on all covers

It was ABBA's third UK album which contained 5 previously unreleased in Great Britain songs. "Greatest Hits" entered the British chart on 10 April and stayed there for... 130 weeks (2,5 years). The highest position was no 1 for the first time on May 8 for 9 weeks and the second time on October 16 for 2 more weeks. Great Britain belonged to ABBA....

Greatest Hits in Denmark

The 1976 issue of "Greatest Hits" in Denmark featured "Fernando" as opening track and the song title stood in the track listing. A special sticker on the cover informed that this edition of the album contained ABBA's latest single.

Greatest Hits in other countries (Mexico, France, Spain, France, Argentina)

The compilation "Greatest Hits" including Fernando - one of ABBA's greatest hits ever - was released all over the world. The well-known "bench" photo session was used on most of the covers but even the painting of Hans Arnold featured on the Scandinavian releases was used on some issues mostly in Spanish language territories. The Mexican version of "Greatest Hits" did not contain the group's smash hit "SOS" which was replaced by "Fernando".

The Italian release of the album featured slightly different track listing comparing to the UK and US editions. "Fernando" appeared as the third track on the side A. The cover was not gatefold but the cover picture was the same as on most international editions of the album.

Vogue in France re-issued "Greatest Hits" in 1976. The new version of the album included "Fernando" listing and the cover was partly re-done but the same "cat-and-dog" photo was used even here. "Mamma Mia" was omitted on the French MC edition of the album.

The Spanish release of the greatest hits compilation received the Spanish title "Grandes Exitos" and it featured the Hans Arnold picture cover as the Scandinavian releases of the album.

The Argentinian release of "Greatest Hits" featured the painting of Hans Arnold but the cover of the album was not gatefold and the lay-out was slightly changed. The titles of the songs had been translated to Spanish. The album contained the latest ABBA hit "Fernando".

"Greatest Hits" released in Asia and Israel featured different cover and different track listings. On the cover of the Korean release of the album there was stated that the album contained the hit singles: Fernando, Hasta Manana and Hey, Hey Helen. The latter was the closing track on the side B.

The note book

After the tremendous success of "Greatest Hits" in the UK and other countries a special note book was released. The book featured notes and lyrics to 15 songs from the album featuring the latest single hit "Fernando" which by that time had been added to all new pressings of "Greatest Hits".

The best of ABBA including Fernando

Even the second pressing of the LP "The best of ABBA" in West Germany was updated with ABBA's latest chart hit "Fernando". The track listing was different to the first edition of the album.

Top of the Pops

ABBA performed "Fernando" in the BBC special "Top of the Pops" which was aired on 8 April 1976.

One more award for ABBA - this time from Music Week

The blue-red session

Photo sessions taken at the Polar headquarter in Stockholm at the beginning of 1976.

16 ABBA Hits

The compilation "16 ABBA Hits" was a special club release in West Germany issued by Polydor. It featured songs recorded between 1973 and 1975 and "Fernando".

The best of ABBA in Holland

"The best of ABBA" including Fernando was released in Holland in May 1976.

Mamma Mia - Swedish version

The Polar singer Birgitta Wollgård re-recorded "Mamma Mia" in Swedish in two versions both with the original soundtrack used by ABBA in 1975 and the own soundtrack recorded by her band. The single was released in May 1976. The song entered the Swedish hit list "Svensktoppen" in June where it reached #5.

"Fernando" in German

Polar Music tried to promote Swedish singer Lena Andersson in West Germany already in 1975 when her first German language single with two ABBA songs "SOS"/"Hasta Manana" featuring the original ABBA backing tracks. The second attempt to promote Lena in German was a German language version of "Fernando". Even this release had the backing track originally recorded by ABBA. After the tremendous chart success of the ABBA single "Fernando" all over the world Stikkan Anderson hoped that this release would give a kick for Lena's career in West Germany. But the single which was released in May 1976 did not enter the chart in West Germany.

The ABBA EP in Brazil

The EP featuring "Fernando" and "Mamma Mia" on side A and "Honey Honey" and "Hasta Mañana" on side B was released in Brazil in 1976. The cover featured ABBA picture taken in the summer 1973.

Lasse's wedding & more

On June 11th Frida and Benny attended the wedding of the Swedish pop star Lars Berghagen at the Tyresö church south of Stockholm. Frida alone attended even a premiere of a opera at the Drottningholm Theatre outside Stockholm.

Dancing Queen - on the Royal Gala

The Royal Gala was held for the King of Sweden and Sylvia Sommerlath who would marry the Swedish King the day after (on June 19th). ABBA was the only pop act performing in the show in the Opera house in Stockholm. They sang "Dancing Queen" which would be their next single in a couple of weeks, the first SP from their forthcoming album.

See even: ABBA related/Opera House in Stockholm

After the show the King and Sylvia went to the Drottningholm Palace outside Stockholm to celebrate with family and friends. ABBA and other artists stayed at the Opera spending some hours at one of the most luxury restaurant in Stockholm "The Opera Cellar".

The Australian TV team came to Stockholm in the summer and made a special about ABBA. The group was interviewed on the boat in the Stockholm harbour. Even the manager Stig Anderson was interviewed in the programme. The songs included in this show had been taken from the German show "The best of ABBA" filmed at the beginning of 1976. The TV special got the title "ABBA in Sweden" and it was broadcasted in Australia in the autumn 1976.

The Best of ABBA - West Germany

After the great success of "Fernando", Polydor in West Germany re-released the compilation "The Best of ABBA" with partly new, more "shiny" cover (the photo was though the same as on the first version of the album). The track listing was partly changed and it included even "Fernando".

ABBA on Spanish TV - summer 1976

go.to/Gracias Por La Musica

In the studio

The group worked in the studio until July 20th, 1976 with the tracks for the new album. The tracks completed by that time were "Why Did It Have To Be Me", "Money Money Money", "Dum Dum Diddle", "When I Kissed the Teacher" and "Tiger". After the holidays. at the end of August, the group went back to the studio and recorded one more track finally entitled "My Love My Life".

When I Kissed The Teacher - the video

A promotional video for the song "When I Kissed the Teacher" from the upcoming album "Arrival" was filmed at one of the schools in Stockholm. The teacher was played by the Swedish actor Magnus Härenstam. (go.to/ABBA related). One of the fans was so happy to meet her idols during the filming of the video.

In the late summer of 1976 ABBA made a series of commercials for the National corporation producing hi-fi and other electronic equipment. The song "Fernando" was redone and performed with new lyrics. 

There is so much more to National
So much more than just
The many, many things we make for you
There is so much more to National
And we feel a part of you
And all the many things you do
And as years go by
We’ll still be there to work and care
And see you make it through
There are many things we share with you
Together you
And National
We grow closer like the sand and seas
Like flowers and trees
And National
And you’ll find us there wherever you
Choose to wander
Together we can make the future shine
Slightly ahead of our time
It’s National...

Totally 5 short films were made in Stockholm with the ABBA members singing and talking about National and their products.

Summer 1976

Agnetha, Björn, Frida and Benny with their children and Stikkan with his family spent a lot of time on their island Viggsö in the Stockholm archipelago. Some occassional visits were paid by the press and TV and that's why there are quite a lot of pictures available from this period.

Swedish TV was preparing during the summer 1976 the first big special about the group which would be aired in Sweden in the following autumn (go.to/Arrival Special).

Fernando und 11 weitere ABBA-Hits

The compilation album + MC entitled "Fernando und 11 weitere ABBA-Hits" was released in West Germany in 1976. It is probably one of the rarest and most interesting compilation releases as it features many hard-to-find ABBA tracks performed both by the group and other artists. All songs are in German. ABBA performed: Waterloo, Ring Ring and Wer in Wartesaal der Liebe steht (Another Town Another Train). The Polar singer Lena Andersson appeared on the album with her versions of Fernando, Heute treffen sich die Leute (Nina, Pretty Ballerina), SOS and Hasta Mañana. Another artists who played and sang ABBA songs on this album were Arthur Greenslade and the group "Milan, Paul & Ela".

ABBA in Australasia

During the period 1975-1977 ABBA was the biggest pop act in Australia and they became bigger and bigger even in Asia. ABBA did no live performances in Asia until 1980 when they toured in Japan. ABBA's studio albums and compilations were released in different territories in Asia and one of the most interesting compilation albums was "Greatest Hits including Fernando" which was issued in two versions by Polydor in Malaysia, Hong Kong and Singapore. The layout was done in a nice Asian character style. The first version was released in 1976 after the huge success of "Fernando" all over the world. The compilation contained 12 tracks released on ABBA's three first albums (i.e. Ring Ring, Waterloo & ABBA). The second release of the Malaysian "Greatest Hits incl. Fernando" took place in 1977 and it featured completely different track listing (go.to/ABBA 1977).

Greatest Hits - USA

The album "Greatest Hits" was released in USA on August 24, 1976. The album stayed for 63 weeks in the Top 200 reaching #48 in November 76. A funny mistake was made on the MC release of the album where the wrong "B" was reverted.