IT has been almost a decade since four ABBA fans from Melbourne decided to don their own lycra suits and platform boots and revive the days of Bjorn, Benny, Frida and Agnetha.
And with ABBA fever still well and truly alive, the foursome's tribute act BABBA is attracting more and more fans each year.
According to BABBA's OLIVIA REZZARA , the group's success relies on a number of key factors.
``I think with ABBA music it is just so timeless,'' Rezzara said.
``It caters for everyone from little kids to parents and great grandparents.
``Plus, we're all great friends.
It's like a second family and I think that's why it's been so successful for so long.
'' BABBA was formed in 1994 by Rezzara along with fellow ABBA fans MICHAEL INGVARSON, JAMES MCDONALD and DEBORAH COTTON .
Before joining BABBA, they honed their performance skills in theatre and cabaret shows.
A longtime fan of ABBA's music, it was Rezzara's idea to create an ABBA tribute band.
She said that her decision to become a singer was largely due to the i luence that ABBA had on her.
``I grew up on ABBA music.
``I think I ended up being a singer because ABBA was a great i luence when I was younger - you know the old hairbrush-superstar thing when you're younger.
'' But punters can expect much more than hairbrushes in the BABBA stage show.
The production is a full blown recreation of the ABBA phenomenon, right down to the Swedish accents.
``We go out of our way to replicate the ABBA sound and we try and look like them as much as we can.
``We put on the accent and the ABBA costumes and we try to make it tongue-in-cheek, but we respect their music and try to sing as similar to ABBA as we can.
'' The show features all of ABBA's biggest hits including Mamma Mia, Dancing Queen, S.O.S, Ring Ring Ring as well as lesser known hits to satisfy even the biggest of fans.
Since formation, BABBA has shared the stage with some of the biggest names in the music business including RAY CHARLES, KYLIE MINOGUE, JOHN FARNHAM, DARYL BRAITHWAITE and JOHN PAUL YOUNG .
It has performed for fans across Australia, New Zealand and Asia and last year it performed before an audience of 30,000 at the closing of the WORLD MASTERS GAMES.
Following a string of sell out shows, BABBA will return to the Hunter and appear at WEST LEAGUES CLUB on September 17, SOLDIERS POINT BOWLING CLUB on September 18, HEXHAM BOWLING CLUB on September 19, PANTHERS PORT MACQUARIE on September 20, MAITLAND CITY BOWLING CLUB on September 26, BELMONT 16FT SAILING CLUB on September 27 and PHOENIX SPORTS CLUB on September 28.
Tickets are on sale from the venues.
|
