1978

After much financial and performance success during 1977, ABBA tried to relax for most of 1978, which proved to be nearly impossible. Agnetha said, ``We really need a rest this year. There is a limit to what we can take in the way of touring, and just grab ourselves some relaxation and some family life will be pure heaven.''

January 13th, 1978, ABBA-The Album was released worldwide. It was met with criticism, but proved to be a success. The first single, Take A Chance On Me, was released on January 27th along with a video to accompany it. Take A Chance On Me was an immediate worldwide hit. During this down time, Benny and Björn were busy working on the next ABBA LP. Agnetha was busy with her children and Frida just relaxed. ABBA did attend the Cannes Film Festival in France for the opening of ABBA- The Movie. On February 16, 1978 ABBA-The Movie's international premiere was shown in the West End of London at the Warner Cinema. ABBA were present for this as well as being presented other awards for their recent record successes in England. During a press conference about ABBA-The Movie and their personal views, Agnetha said, `` I really liked the idea from the beginning, and now I've seen the film for the first time, I can see I was right. I'm very pleased with the result. I really do appreciate the scenes with the children. Having children of your own makes such scenes really funny.''

On March 10th, 1978, ABBA-The Album was certified gold in America. This was good news for Stig Anderson as he was planning a promotional tour for ABBA in America. May was to be declared ABBA month in the United States. During March, ABBA's official fan magazine in England ran a series of interviews about ABBA. It helped fans who wanted insight into ABBA's personal lives. Among many topics Agnetha was quoted as saying on travel, ``I don't like flying. I always get frightened and I wouldn't fly at all if I didn't have to.'' On touring, ``Maybe I shouldn't really say so, but I hate it. All of the traveling, living out of suitcases and so on. I don't even enjoy the concerts themselves, because there are always too many things to worry about that could go wrong. There is an enormous pressure and frankly I sometimes find it very hard to take.''

In April, ABBA traveled to France for the opening of ABBA-The Movie. The end of April found them traveling to Los Angeles for the promotion of ABBA month. Ten days ABBA found themselves totally dedicating themselves to promotion in the US. Stig, The Scotti Brothers, and Atlantic Records (ABBA's American record company), had come up with a spectacular promotional campaign that would ensure 100% exposure. Everything from advertisements, talk shows, radio interviews and even a huge billboard overlooking the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles. They were also here to be on Olivia Newton John's TV Special. Olivia had been a fellow contestant in the Eurovision Contest of 1974. Olivia also had achieved international success and was a big star in her own right. Before returning to Stockholm they also traveled to Germany.

In Stockholm the renovation of Polar Studios had been completed. ABBA had built a studio that was modern and had no equal anywhere in the world. May also was the month of discussion about another upcoming world tour possibly taking place during the spring and summer of 1979.

By June, Benny and Björn had completed six songs for the next album. During this month ABBA finally were able to get some much deserved rest and time with their family and friends. August found ABBA back at work in the studio. Also during August, Agnetha's own song-writing talents were honored by The Swedish Society of Popular Music. She was given an award for past solo compositions.

An unexpected release of the single Summer Night City brought media attention. Never before had a song been released so far ahead of it being on the next album. Critics again did not like this song, saying that ABBA had finally succumbed to ``disco muzak''. Once again the record-buying public loved the song. ABBA did a promotional video, using Stockholm by day and night as a background.

On October 6th 1978, Benny and Frida were married in Lidingö, Stockholm. The celebration was kept secret much to the consternation of the press.

The remainder of the year found ABBA once more on the road in France, America, and Japan. In London it was announced that ABBA would participate in a charity concert for the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) spotlighting 1979 as the Year Of The Child.