1979

Totally unexpected news began the year of 1979, Agnetha and Björn were seeking a divorce after eight years of marriage. Their relationship had been on rocky ground for quite sometime, although both partners were able to keep it secret. On Christmas Eve, Agnetha decided that she no longer wanted to feel the hurt of this relationship, and both partners agreed there was nothing more they could do except part. Björn moved out. ``The breakup had been coming for quite sometime. We just drifted apart, it's as simple as that. When you talk about everything and you still don't get through to one another, then it's a sign that there's really nothing left between you. I guess we would have separated whether we were pop singers or not, and we would have made the same decision, if it had meant disbanding ABBA,'' said Agnetha. By mutual agreement, Agnetha and Björn agreed to stay with ABBA. It actually was a relief for both of them and ABBA became stronger than ever. They both knew that the reports of their divorce would certainly spark rumors and speculation by the press. The following interviews were printed in one Swedish newspaper.

AGNETHA:`` Bjorn and I made the decision together and things are much better. Yes, I went through a period of unhappiness. Bjorn and I decided that together we'd consult a psychiatrist. We wanted an outside person looking at us, in case it should have been something about our relationship that we both couldn't see. It didn't help to keep us together, but it did help us. We were told that the decision that we had already made, that we couldn't go on living together, was a good one. It wasn't easy to do but I feel very strong now. Our decision is a good one because we both agreed. If one meets another person and leaves because of that, it's a different situation, a sad one. I'm in a new phase now and it's quite exciting. It's much better now, much. Bjorn is still a good friend of mine. You don't live with someone for eight years, have two children and not retain some feeling. All I can say is that music had nothing to do with the split of our marriage.''

BJORN: ``Agnetha and I are both concerned about the welfare of the children, and we'll always be good friends. Agnetha and I have each bought a house about five minutes apart because our children are of utmost importance to us. It is essential that they grow up able to see both parents when they want to. It would be hopeless to live hundreds of miles apart. Agnetha and I have no problems working together now. Before we got a divorce we found that despite our best efforts at working things out, we found ourselves growing apart and our problems increasing. But we did not give up on this marriage easily or quickly. It took two years before we agreed to end it. There is no tension, but of course there was much crying. I come to realize that Agnetha and I are totally different people. We were making our lives and the lives of everyone around us miserable. Once we made the decision to part, it eased a lot of tension in the group. The split had to come. It was the case of a parting of two egocentrics.''

Despite the above statements the press still sensationalized the divorce.

Agnetha and Björn set out to prove that ABBA were very much still a group. On January 9th, 1979, they were in New York for the televised show for UNICEF. The Gift of Song Concert was held in the General Assembly Hall of The United Nations. Estimated television viewers were around 300 million worldwide. ABBA's gift of song was Chiquitita. They donated the copyright and the proceeds of this song to UNICEF.

Following the UNICEF concert, Agnetha and Frida traveled back to Stockholm while Benny and Björn went on a vacation in Nausau, The Bahamas. During this time they wrote additional songs for the new ABBA LP. On their way back home they stopped in Miami to record the backing track to a new song, Voulez Vous.

Benny and Björn returned to Stockholm refreshed and renewed, and went directly to the studio with the girls to complete work on their new LP. The new LP, Voulez Vous, was released on May 4th. It was a departure from anything previously recorded. The new LP had more mature themes and three of its tracks ran longer. Musically ABBA were also evolving into different sounds and they were beginning to add more instrumentation to the tracks. Eventually seven of the ten tracks were released as singles. One single, Gimme, Gimme, Gimme (A Man After Midnight) was just being finished in the studio when ABBA were about to leave for their world tour at the beginning of September. This new song was to be released while they were on tour.

On September 13th, 1979 started the first leg of ABBA's tour in America. They opened in Edmonton, Canada followed by 13 other venues covering the United States and Canada. Even though not every single performance was sold out, ABBA had sold out most performances and they were met with so much enthusiasm at each performance that often an encore was necessary. The show totaled 24 songs. One of the most notable songs for Agnetha fans was I'm Still Alive. She not only wrote the lyrics but also played piano for this part of the concert. In Los Angeles, all of ABBA's children met them for a wonderful day spent at Disneyland. After their performance at the Anaheim Convention Center there was a large press conference held. Agnetha left early so she could spend time with her daughter Linda. At the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas, the audience was given a special treat when Linda joined the children's choir for the song I Have A Dream. After Las Vegas, ABBA spent another day in Los Angeles with their families, before traveling to the east coast.

While in Boston, Agnetha became quite ill with a severe cold and the last US performance in Washington D.C. had to be cancelled. She did manage to go ahead with the final two concerts in Canada. At both concerts, Agnetha received a special welcome when she appeared on stage.

On October 18th, 1979, ABBA returned to Stockholm to rest before continuing on in Europe with the final leg of the tour through Sweden, Denmark, France, Holland, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, England, Scotland and finally Ireland.

Agnetha was quoted as saying, ``I was really knocked out with the warmth and appreciation I got from all of the audiences after singing my solo number, I'm Still Alive.''

On October 26th, 1979, ABBA released ABBA Greatest Hits Vol.2. After more than 40 concerts in ten countries, ABBA were finally able to rest. Agnetha in particular was pleased to be back at home with Linda and Christian. Speculation had Agnetha leaving ABBA, but this was not what she wished, she only wanted to be near her children and not tour anymore. She still wanted to do studio albums and remain in ABBA. She did request some time away from the group in the latter part of 1980 because this was when Linda would be starting school.

A compilation of Agnetha's Swedish recordings was released in 1979, Tio År Med Agnetha.