Category: ESC 1974

Thank You

ABBA has shared a letter on social media thanking their fans for their years of support. It is exactly fifty years on Saturday that the Swedish group won the Eurovision Song Contest with Waterloo.

“We are a bit taken aback by it and it moves us to think that millions of people who saw us for the first time during the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest have subsequently passed on our music not only to one generation, but to many more,” the ABBA members wrote.

Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad write that not a day goes by when they don’t think about their fans. “Many of you were there from the beginning and have followed us for more than half a century since then. Music that you discover at a young age or even hear later in life, always stays with you in a certain way. We share that experience with you.”

The Swedish band think it’s “great” to know that their music has become a constant factor in the lives of many fans. “It’s not easy to say thank you for everything you’ve given us without sounding trivial. This is no time for triviality.”

“It is a happy, yet solemn moment and we can only hope that you know how deeply grateful we are for a long, successful career and for your loyalty and support over the years. Thank you!”

Eurovision 1974

On this day in 1974, the 19th edition of the annual Eurovision Song Contest 1974 was held in Brighton, United Kingdom, and was organized by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and host broadcaster British Broadcasting Corporation(BBC). The UK agreed to host the event after Luxembourg, having won in both 1972 and 1973, declined to host it for a second successive year on the grounds of expense. The contest was held at the Brighton Dome on 6 April 1974 and was hosted by Katie Boyle for the fourth and final time (having hosted the 1960, 1963 and 1968 editions).

Seventeen countries took part in the contest, with France being absent and Greece competing for the first time this year.

The winner was Sweden with the song Waterloo, performed by ABBA, who would later go on to become one of the best-selling acts in pop music history.