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It’s Official: ABBA Won’t Perform at O2 Arena
3-Jul-2009
Written by: John Winn
Benny Andersson nixes idea of Jackson-themed reunion show.
The tabloids may be pushing the idea, but Benny Andersson is still saying "inte!" to performing at the O2 Arena in lieu of Michael Jackson.
"No one has ever asked us," Andersson said about the possibility of filling in Jackson's sold out dates at the London arena. "And if they asked us they would have had 'no' as an answer."
Speculation has been swirling around a possible replacement for the "Thriller" singer following his death a week ago.
Among the contenders: Led Zeppelin, the Jackson 5, and many others.
On Thursday, AEG Live's David Campbell spoke to UK tabloid the Sun, raising the possibility of drafting ABBA to do a one-time reunion show in honor of Jackson.
"There's a little foursome in Sweden we've been talkin to," he said, referring obliquely to the "Dancing Queen" band.
But, so far, the proposal hasn't been confirmed by the band.
However, Andersson sympathizes with Campbell's plight. "All of a sudden, they have 50 nights and they are just empty, you know," Andersson said during a promotional tour in London for his solo album, "Story of a Heart." "I don't envy the situation of the management down there. I understand that they need to do something. But we are not the answer.
However, if Andersson and band members Ulvaeus, Agnetha and Annifrid change their mind, Campbell has left the door open.
"There are millions on the table," a source close to Campbell told the Sun. "But there are obstacles to overcome."
With AEG in danger of plunging into debt, the company has made no secret of its aggressive intentions to rebook the 2009-10 dates formerly held by the "This Is It" tour. On Friday, AEG approached Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant and John Paul Jones to team with ABBA for a series of shows. So far, Plant and Jones have not returned AEG's calls either, but if they do step in, in ABBA's stead, it would be only the second time the rock group has played at the O2 Arena.
In 2007, the band reunited for a one time concert. Tickets for the show quickly sold out--proving their ability to draw fans even 19 years after they broke up in 1988.
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