From King of Pop to Dancing Queen? ABBA is promoter's pick for London shows

Michael Jackson's death has left a gaping hole of 50 open dates at London's O2 Arena. What music act in the world could possibly fill the seats for a run of shows like that?

Promoter AEG Live is reportedly wooing '70s/'80s pop/disco legends ABBA to take over Jackson's concert dates. The report comes from the Sun in UK, and is being discredited nearly as fast as the news is spreading, but still ... what an idea!

 "There's a little foursome out in Sweden we keep talking to," The firm's chief David Campbell said to the Sun. Presumably he's not talking about their Olympic curling team.

ABBA -- Benny Andersson, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Agnetha Faltskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad -- called it quits in 1983. But can a huge payday bring them back together?

"There are millions on the table," a source tells the Sun. "But there are many hurdles to overcome."

Still, with ABBA's music still on people's minds thanks to the Broadway and Hollywood versions of the musical Mamma Mia, the timing couldn't possibly be better.

Another name in consideration to fill those dates, according to other reports: Whitney Houston, who has a new album due in September.

Who would you want to fill those 50 open dates?

Comments

[Mick in Sydney]

Would be real tough to have one artist fill out that many dates. U2, Madonna, Prince. Who knows. Maybe if we got the reanimator going and gave Bob marley the zap i bet he'd fil out the shows. How 'bout, and sean would agree with this, a quad bill of RATT, MOTLET CRUE, WHITESNAKE, and JUDAS PRIEST whoooooo metal! \m/;

[Allen Campbell]

Two words.....PINK FLOYD. Nuf said. Even though we lost Rick Wright in 07, David Gilmour, Nick Mason and Roger Waters should remember the reunion at Live 8 and do it. They would have no problems filling all 50 dates. I would even fly to London to see it.

[Avenir labs]

Wow ABBA! one Legend ABBA now taking over another legend Jackson's concert date .

[Parrface]

Interesting how comment-posters from the USA don't think Abba could sell out 50 gigs-got news for you-the rest of the world would DIE for Abba to reform to perform! I do agree tho, don't think it's gonna happen, specially since Anna is a total recluse!

[Steven Sow]

I second Dr. Dim's suggestions, especially Husker Du, being that I was only 11 when they broke up and I spent many nights in college with Zen Arcade on repeat, I would somehow find the money to fly to Europe to see them...of course if you could get Grant and Bob to make up

[Don]

Yes ABBA. But it won't happen. They hate each other too much !

[Mark in East Texas]

My initial thought is that ABBA couldn't sell out 50 dates, but if Celine Dion can do 600 dates in Vegas, anything is possible. Beware of stupid people in large groups.

[alliecat]

OH yeah! I would pay BIG $$$ to see ABBA. They have a huge worldwide fanbase, especially in Europe

[Dr. Dim]

I'm not sure there is one artist that could fill 50 dates the way Michael Jackson could. I suppose Madonna or Prince or U2 or REM would have a chance. Maybe a reunion series of shows by The Police would work.

BUT, if I were ruler of the world, which if my plans work out I will be soon, muhhahahahaha! Sorry, got lost there for a second. Where was I?

Oh, yes. If I had power over all creation, I would fill those 50 dates with concerts of all those 80s' performers that never achieved worldwide, Michael Jackson-like mega-stardom but should have.

Such as...
Robyn Hitchcock
The Replacements
Hoodoo Gurus
Naked Raygun
The Church
Husker Du
XTC
The Suburbs
The The
The Screaming Blue Messiahs

Just to name a few.

[yellojkt]

I'd say The Beatles, but it's getting increasingly difficult to reunite them.

Next best bet: A Bruce Springsteen/U2 double bill.

[80sfan]

Haven't people been trying to get ABBA to reunite for 20+ years and there has been no amount of money that would even have then consider it? Why would they now?

[DerekT]

Only one other group has a chance of bringing in the numbers like MJ and ABBA and that would be Led Zepplin. Perhaps the Stones, but they still tour so it wouldn't be such an event. Too bad John Lennon and George Harrison are gone cause the Beatles would've been the dream choice that or Elvis.

[DerekT]

ABBA would be a great choice and one that would work great if they have time to prepare. A good stage show (one that can stay standing, which could allow an awesome stage) and good music, as long as it isn't just thrown together.

[Bassnote]

If the promoter can pull it off, it will be a brilliant move. Whitney Houston would never work out because she is even more unreliable at keeping concert dates than Michael was.