Super troupers' salute to Abba
WHEN all is said and done they just wanted to say thank you for the music…
And thousands of fans – along with stars Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan and Lulu – all paid tribute to the genius of Abba.
EXPRESS GALLERIES: ABBA: THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC CONCERT
The BBC Thank You For The Music: A Celebration Of The Music of Abba concert in Hyde Park, London, was a sell-out.
Kylie kicked off with Super Trouper and When All Is Said And Done.
Jamie Cullum, Jason Donovan, The Feeling, Chaka Khan and Elaine Paige also performed.
Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus – the songwriters and original band members with Agnetha Faltskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad – also took part in the show, broadcast live on Radio 2.
The concert was hosted by Chris Evans, wearing a glittery Bjorn-style outfit and hairstyle.
Lulu, who sang Gimme Gimme Gimme, said: “Benny and Bjorn’s songwriting skills are up there with the greatest hit songwriters of the century, like The Bee Gees, Elton, The Beatles and songs from the Motown stable.
“They’re like a really good wine, they get better with age.” Soul diva Chaka Khan sang The Winner Takes It All, and The Feeling sang Knowing Me, Knowing You. Lead vocalist Dan Gillespie Sells, said: “I’ve been an Abba fan since long before it was fashionable.”
The cast of Mamma Mia!, the West End musical based on Abba’s songs, finished with Waterloo and Dancing Queen.
Abba are hugely popular again after last year’s film of the musical, starring Meryl Streep.