Björn Again: Difference between revisions
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Björn Again has also occasionally [[cover version|cover]]ed songs by other artists. When [[Erasure]] produced an EP of ABBA covers called ''[[Abba-esque]]'', Björn Again responded with an EP of covers of Erasure songs done in the style of ABBA, called ''Erasure-ish''. The EP included the song 'A Little Respect' that achieved Number 25 on the UK charts in September 1992.<ref>http://www.everyhit.com/</ref> In August 2009 the band covered [[Metallica]]'s '[[Enter Sandman]]' during their set at the [[Sonisphere Festival]] in tribute to the headlining act. |
Björn Again has also occasionally [[cover version|cover]]ed songs by other artists. When [[Erasure]] produced an EP of ABBA covers called ''[[Abba-esque]]'', Björn Again responded with an EP of covers of Erasure songs done in the style of ABBA, called ''Erasure-ish''. The EP included the song 'A Little Respect' that achieved Number 25 on the UK charts in September 1992.<ref>http://www.everyhit.com/</ref> In August 2009 the band covered [[Metallica]]'s '[[Enter Sandman]]' during their set at the [[Sonisphere Festival]] in tribute to the headlining act.(cite web |url= http://www.easier.com/view/Lifestyle/Entertainment/Going_Out/article-263079.html |title= Success for Sonisphere Festival Knebworth |author= easier.com) |
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Björn Again has performed at many of the large rock festivals worldwide including Reading and Glastonbury,<ref>[http://www.efestivals.co.uk/festivals/glastonbury/1999/review-bjornagain1.shtml Bjorn Again - review by : Mark Champken - Glastonbury Festival 1999<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> plus has sold out shows at The Royal Albert Hall and Wembley Arena in London, The State Theatre in Sydney, the SECC in Glasgow Scotland, and Irving Plaza in New York. The band is also in high demand for private shows - having played at parties for top UK golfer [[Colin Montgomerie]], [[Microsoft]]'s [[Bill Gates]], comedian [[Rowan Atkinson]] (Mr Bean), and at [[Russell Crowe]]'s Wedding in Australia in 2003 making some headlines. |
Björn Again has performed at many of the large rock festivals worldwide including Reading and Glastonbury,<ref>[http://www.efestivals.co.uk/festivals/glastonbury/1999/review-bjornagain1.shtml Bjorn Again - review by : Mark Champken - Glastonbury Festival 1999<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> plus has sold out shows at The Royal Albert Hall and Wembley Arena in London, The State Theatre in Sydney, the SECC in Glasgow Scotland, and Irving Plaza in New York. The band is also in high demand for private shows - having played at parties for top UK golfer [[Colin Montgomerie]], [[Microsoft]]'s [[Bill Gates]], comedian [[Rowan Atkinson]] (Mr Bean), and at [[Russell Crowe]]'s Wedding in Australia in 2003 making some headlines. |
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Revision as of 10:08, 10 August 2009
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (December 2007) |
Björn Again |
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Björn Again is a satirical show which parodies ABBA, and takes its name from Björn Ulvaeus, a member of ABBA, and a pun on the phrase "born again".
This show has become so successful that as of 2007 there are five Björn Agains performing in various parts of the world.Its twenty-year existence exceeds that of the original ABBA.
Character of the Show
Björn Again is light-hearted in its approach to portraying ABBA.[1] While keeping somewhat faithful to the songs, the rest of the performance is delivered in the style of a send-up or parody. The cast talk among themselves and to the audience in faux-Swedish 'Swenglish' accents, and have been given stage names that playfully and humourously resemble the names of the original band members: Agnetha Falstart, Benny Anderwear, Frida Longstokin, and Björn Volvo-us. Björn Again also has a bass guitarist Rutger Sonofagunn and the drummer Ola Drumkitt (from long-time ABBA session musicians Rutger Gunnarsson and Ola Brunkert).
History
Björn Again was created in 1988 by Australian Rod Stephen [2][3] who not only oversees all of Björn Again's key touring activities in the Northern Hemisphere but also occasionally plays Bass and sings on stage.[4] After the first Björn Again show at a small pub in Melbourne called "The Tote" on May 6th 1989 the show's popularity increased quickly, which took it Australia-wide then overseas to international acclaim. Björn Again is now regarded as the most successful show of its type ever and one of Australia's most successful musical exports. [citation needed]
Björn Again has also occasionally covered songs by other artists. When Erasure produced an EP of ABBA covers called Abba-esque, Björn Again responded with an EP of covers of Erasure songs done in the style of ABBA, called Erasure-ish. The EP included the song 'A Little Respect' that achieved Number 25 on the UK charts in September 1992.[5] In August 2009 the band covered Metallica's 'Enter Sandman' during their set at the Sonisphere Festival in tribute to the headlining act.(cite web |url= http://www.easier.com/view/Lifestyle/Entertainment/Going_Out/article-263079.html |title= Success for Sonisphere Festival Knebworth |author= easier.com)
Björn Again has performed at many of the large rock festivals worldwide including Reading and Glastonbury,[6] plus has sold out shows at The Royal Albert Hall and Wembley Arena in London, The State Theatre in Sydney, the SECC in Glasgow Scotland, and Irving Plaza in New York. The band is also in high demand for private shows - having played at parties for top UK golfer Colin Montgomerie, Microsoft's Bill Gates, comedian Rowan Atkinson (Mr Bean), and at Russell Crowe's Wedding in Australia in 2003 making some headlines.
To date the various franchises of Björn Again have performed around 4,000 shows in more than 50 countries, and there seems to be little sign that the band's popularity is diminishing.
In 1996, three of the original Australian group members Janette Stuart (Agnetha). Peter Ryan (Benny),and Gavin Charles (Björn) left the band and returned to Australia permanently, but they were quickly replaced to continue the success. Now there are several Björn Again groups across the globe to cater to the demand.
Vladimir Putin is said to be a fan of Björn Again and reportedly requested a performance at the resort on Valdai Lake.[7] However, Mr Putin's representatives deny that he was a visitor at Björn Again's secret gig at the resort.[8]
Past Members
A few of the past members have had successful careers of their own outside of Bjorn Again, including TJ Davis who played "Frida" had a hit in 2001 with "Wonderful Life", and Aileen McLaughlin who plays "Agnetha" has toured as a backing vocalist with several artists such as Tom Jones, Lisa Stansfield, and Jason Donovan. Joanne Rowden who plays "Frida" has had a good career in acting starring in "Coronation Street" in 2000 and other TV roles.
References
- ^ BBC Leicester Music - Bjorn Again at DeMontfort Hall Reviewed
- ^ A&E Editor Matt Russell (22 October 2002). "Concert Preview: '70s pop culture will be Björn Again". Western Herald, Western Michigan University.
{{cite web}}:|author=has generic name (help) - ^ ABC Television Interview transcript (10 May 2004). "Bjorn Again". George Negus Tonight.
- ^ Bjorn Again - Harrogate International Centre
- ^ http://www.everyhit.com/
- ^ Bjorn Again - review by : Mark Champken - Glastonbury Festival 1999
- ^ The Daily Telegraph
- ^ [1](In Russian)