Not sure if it's validation that I'm seeking per se....
It's just one of those things, when you can see the 'value' in something and it's beyond your comprehension that others don't see it too.
It's a complete mystery to me what it is about ABBA that is so abhorrent to American music fans who otherwise have discerning ...not sure if 'taste' is the right word.....
I look at everything about ABBA, what incredibly talented and dedicated craftsmen they were, how prolific and unique they were, there was nobody else like them although many have tried. Even the British tried to copy their template with their contribution to Eurovision in 1976 called the Brotherhoood of Man with the horribly treacley "Kisses For Me".... They actually won that year with that song
^^This was an example of bad music
The Women of ABBA, Agnetha and Frida were ridiculously good vocalists. The group sold and had number 1s every where on the globe. Everywhere, of course, but the States (Dancing Queen was their only number one).
Some have blamed it on ABBA's resistance to traveling and touring, especially the US. In a documentary, an American promoter said he tried to convince ABBA's manager that, to be big in the States, get a number one album, you have to tour.
Stig Anderson replied, first we have a number one....then we tour. A difference in perspective.
(They were successful
everywhere, I'm not sure they felt they needed to validate themselves to the US)
Their Idols were Lennon, McCartney and Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, they were fascinated with the production. What inspired them was studio work. They had done a lot of touring already in the bands they were in before they became ABBA. They were already successful performers.
Personally, I think the core difference is that ABBA's music lacks that 'blues' quality to their music.
Rock and Roll is primarily an American invention, bourn out of blues, jazz and country. That was where the spark was lit. The emotion was from the point of the down trodden. When the British Invasion happened that brought bands such as the Animals, the Who, even the Beatles, embraced and enhanced Blues development. Clapton, McCartney, Burden, Lennon, Plant, Page, Beck.... all bluesmen, but from England. So that's why there has always been a kinship and respect in Rock and Roll between the UK and the US.
ABBA on the other hand, in Sweden, did not have the 'blues evolution' that occurred in the UK. They were in the land of the ooom pah pah's, accordians and yodeling. Their cultural/musical background was generally upbeat and Germanic. If you listen to their catalog, in most of their songs, even their sad ones, there is a lack of a "Blues" influence. I'm not sure if I'm saying it right.
It is that difference, their musical grounding absent the Blues influence, which is the difference IMO .....
I don't know, the UK loves ABBA, somewhere in that kinship, musically, there is a separation. How can two countries with such similar tastes differ so much when it comes to ABBA? The UK
ABBA and the US
Them .... completely opposite
(Of course I over generalize to make a point,
not all of the US/UK Love/Hate ABBA
They have passed Sgt Peppers.... I still can't believe that
, but it is a testament to the longevity and popularity of these songs, almost 40 yrs ago.
I mean this is the Beatles, in the UK
.... Even I never thought this might occur. It is a monumental achievement.
