Hi everyone
As you can see, I have some wonderful news to share!
Here’s the story so far …
A few months ago Görel Hanser forwarded a wonderful email from Frida to me, passing on her thanks and compliments for my book, ABBA: Let The Music Speak, which Görel had sent to her on my behalf. It was such a buzz to know that Frida had read it and appreciated its contents, and it made me wonder whether or not I would ever learn of any other ABBA member’s thoughts on it.
I was thrilled that former ABBA photographer Anders Hanser was able to personally deliver Benny a copy of the book on his birthday in December 2008, and he obliged again when he caught up with Bjorn in January ’09.
Ingmarie Halling, one of the producers of ABBAWORLD, first wrote to me in July 2009, asking about my book and how she would like to have it included in the ABBAWORLD Exhibition merchandise range. This was in response to Frida’s generous comments. Since then, I’ve been working towards this being approved. Having learned it requires Benny’s authorisation, I have had to be patient, as Benny has understandably been busy with many projects and has not had the time to read it.
As an Australian author of a world-first book on ABBA’s music, I knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I had to grasp. I’m delighted to say the dream of having my book displayed at an ABBA touring exhibition in my home country has now become a reality. I’ve just received word that Benny has given his approval, and my book will be included in the ABBAWORLD merchandise range.
I hope the book will stay in the exhibition beyond Melbourne, so that ABBA fans who have found the postage costs too prohibitive from Australia will be able to access the book as the ABBAWORLD tour continues around the world.
It’s early days, and I will have to plead my case again when the Exhibition moves to its next destination. This is a leap of faith on the part of the producers and merchandise people, who are willing to give it a go. There are no guarantees that there will be enough people interested to want to read about the hows and whys of ABBA’s amazing musical legacy, but it’s a milestone for me. My hope is that there will be some fans who’ll appreciate the surprise of seeing a ‘serious’ piece of merchandise in amongst all the fun stuff. 
Looking forward to catching up with old friends in Melbourne for this special ABBA event!
Cheers,
Chris Patrick
