THE
UNEXPECTED PROBLEM AND A SECRET
I
confess that, until the book was published, I hadn’t
given any thought to the ‘supposed’ parallels
between some of the stories and ABBA music. Naturally with
Red being a double for Anni-Frid Lyngstad, or whatever her
name now is, we were well aware of their music and as those
who have read the book will know, we did have a signature
tune, adopted from one of their songs.
Looking
back from the future I can imagine that in a strange way,
their road was as rocky as that of the Ducks, just not quite
so dangerous. We had many enemies and after doing a bit
of reading I suspect that ABBA also had people lining up
to do them damage, only in their case it was economical.
They made the mistake of becoming too popular, this would
have scared the US and Brit music industry - how dare
a bunch of backwoods Swedes take a large slice of the pot.
I would imagine that there was quite a conspiracy to keep
ABBA from the charts.
I believe being ABBA might, at times, have become a bit
scary. We of the Sea Eagles were lucky, they kept us well
hidden, so there was no hoard of devoted fans (that can
easily turn nasty) dogging our every steps.
Even here they did make life a bit tricky for me. In the
book I said a couple of things about Sweden during the time
I was there when still a serving naval officer. The results
haunt me to this day, it was so funny that I even reproduced
part of it in a short article in other website. I
think I'm being stalked by a Swedish hit man
As
to the group itself ... tricky? It’s not my place
to comment on individuals, no doubt many others have analysed
the poor devils to death over the years, all I will say
is that, for those unused to it, becoming wealthy can be
a big problem but I think they handled it quite well. However,
as often happens, when you are no longer hungry the incentive
to work rather evaporates, especially if you can’t
do the things that give you pleasure - and I believe
this is where the problem started.
ABBA
moved on with their music, it became more mature, deeper
with less glitz and more insight; it spoke to an audience
that was not that of ABBA. The audience that made them famous
was young; the new music was for the mature. The group didn’t
need to change, because they didn’t have to work,
so it all ended. Some say that it was because of the marriage
break-ups, who knows, but I don’t think that was the
main reason. They just got very tired because the music
they wanted to produce and perform was now years ahead of
their traditional followers. I can also see a heap of shadowy
people lurking in the wings rubbing their hands with glee
at the group’s demise and doing all it can to hasten
the final scene.
As
to Red and Frida, this is another tricky area and I can
only give my opinion, which, in the big picture of things,
is less than important. I only knew Red so she is the only
one I can comment on.
She was many people within herself, appearing confident,
yet retaining something that, at times, displayed vulnerability.
Strong character, strong willed a loyal companion of much
humour. We voyaged countless miles together in fair weather
and storm and she never faltered. I have visited her grave
and know that ‘she died young’. It was all so terrible and
pointless, what stupid creatures we humans are. Every day
I miss her, yet in a way, she is still here telling me what
to do, I guess that’s what happens when the love is real,
it just can’t ever end.
Frida
I know nothing about and that’s how it should be,
she is not Anna and Anna isn’t her, looks are one
thing, personality and character are another. The one gift
that Frida has given me is that through her I can get some
idea of how Anna would have looked today and I’m not
disappointed.
THE
SECRET
Actually
it’s not much of a secret, just an explanation that
I saw no reason to voice but now will as it might shut a
few people up.
A few emails and letters have suggested that I might have
unconsciously switched my affection from Anna to Frida.
Their reason is that I said I would like to have dinner
with Frida and over a bottle or two of wine, tell her about
Red. Well, they couldn’t be more off the mark.
When Red was very ill (she did have TB) she made me promise
that if she passed before I did, I would seek out Frida
and over dinner, tell her the ‘Red’ story. I
have no idea why she wanted this, as the name of Frida could
sent her into a rage (jealousy your name is woman) but she
thought it important and years ago I gave up trying to understand
women. Perhaps she was giving herself a chuckle knowing
that it was an impossible task, it’s the sort of thing
she liked to do ... she was quite evil.
A
copy of the book was sent to Frida Lyngstad and, when it
appeared I was running out of time, both Sally and Helen
wrote to her ... but they never received even a stock letter
answer, which does seem a bit rude.
In a way I did twice get close to Frida, the first time
being back in 1977. Along with the Ducks I was trying to
make an unobtrusive departure from Sydney Harbour. We were
slightly thwarted because the place was packed with small
craft some of which were the dam press. I only later discovered
that the group were out for a sail during their national
tour, dragging a lot of hype with them. It's a good job
we didn't know as Red was aboard and the terms fuse and
dynamite spring to mind.
Many moons passed before the second 'almost' encounter which
was either 03 or 04 (the years have become confused), It
was during my first attempt to find Anna and I was in Stockholm.
I had long run out of money and was sleeping in doorways
and alleys. Plus pneumonia was in the first stages and I
had been mugged in Germany leaving a rather bruised and
cut face, so I would have looked pretty grim. Anyway, I
saw a crowd and wondered what was going on, so wandered
over, but not too close. The car that turned up was delivering
Frida to some music awards, hence the noisy crowd. I did
start towards her but there were security guys by the dozen
and after my first step, they started to take an unwanted
interest, so I, very sadly, beat a hasty retreat. So, that
was it ... the last chance was gone.
So,
now you know.
As
a normal human being with normal weaknesses, I do use ABBA
DVDs to remind me of Anna - perhaps that’s wrong,
but I never confuse the two and I think it’s also
more to remember back to those wonderful days, than for
any other reason. Harry
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