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The folkpark tour 1973 – Swedish folkparks

The tour

The Concerts

Unfortunately there is only rudimentary information about this tour. ‘ABBA’ toured as Björn, Benny, Agnetha & Frida. The reception of the shows apparently was good. During the tour ABBA often worked in the studio on their own music or for other Polar artists.

In the end of 1972 En hälsning till våra parkarrangörer was recorded, a single which was produced for park managers to promote ABBA and other Polar artists and their tours.

Rehearsals were done at the Ekeby school. According to the community the deal about the rehearsals actually was no costs for using the school, but a free concert for the youth in Stockholm Vallentuna. It never happened though.

Most of the venues according to the information in ABBA The Book, but ABBA did 80 concerts between June 15 and September 9, mainly on weekends with up to four venues per day. Through other sources and internet research several of the missing venues could be traced, but some still are missing.

The reviews were polite if not unduly enthusiastic, although this didn’t seem to matter much to audiences who simply couldn’t get enough of Sweden’s number one hit group. As for their own feelings, Björn and Benny in particular had seen all they needed from folkparks of the country. While Björn & Benny, Agnetha & Frida were certainly wise to build on the momentum of their new-found success, and Benny avowed that they all shared a nostalgic longing for the park circuit, the reality was that being onstage no longer held any special attraction for the male half of the group. In addition, they were obliged to spend their between-gigs weekdays producing records by dance bands, religious singers and children’s choirs, to name just a few of their chores that summer.

Bright Lights, Dark Shadows, p. 194

quoteThere are happy memories of this tour, but it was time for it to come to an end because we were all exhausted. I lost 7 kilos. When you realize that sometimes we did even three shows on the same day, it was madness.

Frida in ABBA The Book, p. 84

quoteWhen Friday comes and I have to leave her [Linda], I just sit and cry. Cramming myself into a bus and tearing away to some folkpark stage is the last thing I want. But what can I do? If I stay at home the whole show will collapse. Everybody else will be without a job.

Agnetha according to Bright Lights, Dark Shadows, p. 195

  • Set list

    Set list

    about 30-45 minutes, songs included:

    • Ring Ring (Swedish version?)
    • People Need Love
    • Nina,Pretty Ballerina
    • Love Isn’t Easy (But It Sure Is Hard Enough)
    • He Is Your Brother
    • Vart ska min kärlek föra (Agnetha)
    • Man vill yu leva lite dessemellan (Frida)
    • Omkring tiggarn från Luossa (Björn)
    • I Get Around (originally performed by The Beach Boys)
    • Nu har turen kommit till mig
      (tune: Fairfax Rag, lyrics by Bosse Carlgren, sung by all four, Benny playing ukulele)
    • Barnvisor (medley of Swedish children's songs, lyrics by Bosse Carlgren, sung by all four)
    • Ring Ring (English version as encore?)

    This list does not reflect any actual order, but the songs seem accurate according to the Youtube channel Bobby’s Brother. He refers to the current exhibition at Länsmuseet Gävleborg (May 12-September 3, 2023) and the accompanying book about the history of Gävle’s folkpark.

  • Staff

    Staff

    • Rutger Gunnarsson (bass)
    • Anders Nord (guitar)
    • Kjell Jeppson (drums)
    • Hans "Berka" Bergkvist ???

    More information about people on the official site (Story –>The people).

  • Recordings

    Recordings

  • Links & sources

    Links

 

Top of pageThe Concerts

Click on an entry to open/close a window with details.

  • 1973, June 15 – Gothenburg / Lidköping / Anderstorp

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    picture for illustration only, it doesn't show an ABBA concert

    Gothenburg, Liseberg

    Trivia

    • Begin: 19.00

    Links

    • Lisepedia – some notes and a couple of pictures about ABBA’s visits to Liseberg
    • Kamerareportage bildarkiv – lots of unpublished pictures of ABBA’s visits to Gothenburg in this database.


    1973063015b

    Lidköping, folkets park

    • details unknown


    Anderstorp

    • details unknown
  • 1973, June 16 – Kongsvinger (Norway) ? / Rättvik / Avesta

    Kongsvinger (Norway)

    • date needs a final confirmation
    • venue according to a post by a fan in a forum
    • the fan says ‘spring’
    The band was doing a matinee show before returning to do a regular dance gig later in the evening. They didn´t have a proper bandname, but named themselves by their first names; Agneta, Annifrid, Bjørn & Benny. After the show they sold copies of their latest 45; Ring ring/Åh, hvilka tider. I spent all my money on a copy, they were very nice people and they even signed it for me.

     

     

     many thanks to JOÃO for the support


    19730616a

    Rättvik, Parken

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 21.00


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    Avesta, Parken

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 24.00
  • 1973, June 17 – Regna / Högsjö / Årjäng / Åmortfors

    Regna, Hembygdsgården

    Facts & trivia

    • Audience: up to 3,000 (compared to average audiences at Regna of 400-500)
    • Begin: around 13.00?
    • ABBA was booked for just 2,400 crowns for this concert in 1972 already. According to the information in Folkbladet in June 2013 (see link below) Stig Anderson tried to get out of this contract later because fees increased to at least 15,000 crowns after ABBA performed Ring, Ring at Melodifestivalen 1973.

    Links


    Högsjö

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 16.00

    Links

    • Mikory’s ABBA-blogABBA live in Högsby 17 June 1973 - 40 years ago, several pictures [mislabelled as
      Högsby?]


    Årjäng

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 21.00


    19730617d

    Åmortfors

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 23.00
  • 1973, June 22 – Lappvattnet / Lycksele

    Lappvattnet

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 22.00


    Lycksele, Fäbovallen

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 01.00
  • 1973, June 23 – Kornsjö / Överkalix / Tärendö

    Kornsjö

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 13.30
    •  

    many thanks to JOÃO for the support


    Överkalix

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 21.30


    Tärendö

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 24.00
  • 1973, June 30 – Östervåla / Gävle

    Östervåla

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 22.00


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    Gävle

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 24.00

    More information

    • May 2023 exhibition at Länsmuseet Gävleborg with an accompanying book about the history of Gävle’s folkpark: Vi lever – 50 år på Folkparken (includes some ABBA concert pictures)
  • 1973, July 1 – Söderbykarl / Stockholm

    Söderbykarl

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 17.00


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    Stockholm, Kungsträdgarden

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 19.30 “Sommar i Centrum”
  • 1973, July 3 – Visby

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    Visby, Murgrönan

    Facts & trivia

    • concert in front of the town wall
    • Begin: 22.00

     

      1973Visby31973Visby4

     

    Pictures provided by Tobias Grönberg
  • 1973, July 4 – Gamleby

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    Gamleby Folkparken

    Facts & trivia

    • Audience: 3,500
    • Begin: unknown
  • 1973, July 5 – Simonstorp

    Simonstorp

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 22.00
  • 1973, July 6 – Oskarshamn

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    Oskarshamn, Folkets Park

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 23.00
    • Agnetha’s & Björn’s daughter Linda was christianed in Västervik that day
  • 1973, July 7 – Södertälje / Mariefred

    Södertälje

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 22.00


    Mariefred

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 23.00
  • 1973, July 8 – Grängesberg / Dala-Floda

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    Grängesberg

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 19.30


    Dala-Floda

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 22.00
  • 1973, July 13 – Köping / Stockholm

    Köping

    Facts & trivia

    • no details known

    Stockholm, Dyschan club

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 00.30
  • 1973, July 14 – Säter / Borlänge

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    Säter, Säterdalens Folkets park

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 21.30


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    Borlänge

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 23.30
  • 1973, July 15 – Storön Sveg / Mora

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    Storön Sveg – Folkparken

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 19.30
    • the fee was 2,057 SEK
    information and pictures provided by Logpunkarna från Linsellsjön


    Mora

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 23.00
  • 1973, July 20 – Sunnemo

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    Sunnemo, Folkets Park

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 23.00
    • Audience: unknown (capacity once was up to 5,000)
  • 1973, July 21 – Lysvik / Sysslebäck

    Lysvik

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 21.30


    Sysslebäck

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 00.00
  • 1973, July 22 – Kungsbacka / Vegby / Upplands Väsby

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    Kungsbacka

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 18.00


    Vegby

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 21.00


    Upplands Väsby, Bonnlunda (?)

    Links

  • 1973, July 27 – Hammarstrand

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    picture for illustration only, it doesn't show the ABBA concert

    Hammarstrand, Qul i backen

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 20:00
    • Venue is called Trätojordsbacken today.
  • 1973, July 28 – Viskan / Noraström

    Noraström

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 21.30 (?)


    Viskan, Folkets park

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 23.00

     

    Thanks to Mike from the Trinkelbonker blog.
  • 1973, July 29 – Östersund / Svenstavik

    Östersund, Jamtli museum

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 19.30
    Apparently there was a bombscare at the Östersund venue (Jamtli) as the leader of the party Centerpartiet Thorbjörn Fälldin held a speech there in front of 4,000 people. Not sure of the details but my guess is that Björn, Benny, Agnetha & Frida had already left by then for the second booking that night in Svenstavik.
    Many thanks to Mike from the Trinkelbonker blog.


    19730729

    Svenstavik, Galhammarudden

    Facts & trivia

    • Audience: 4,000
    • Begin: 22.00
    • the fee was 3,000 kronor in total (the usual fee for a concert act)
    • ABBA changed costumes in their bus
    • set list was 45 minutes
    • concert was part of the annual festival Svensta marknad at Galhammarudden

    quote...we did not even have a stage. They stood on a flatbed truck and there they stood and played.

    Former park manager Ulf Horn, 2014

    quoteI'll never forget it. It was the end of July 1973, they came driving in a Mercedes bus and I was there and greeted them welcome. We offered them coffee and sandwiches before the show and they ate and were so grateful for it.

    Former park manager Ulf Horn, 2016

    quoteIt was about as it always used to be on Galhammarudden at the time. There were many people, and many were certainly attracted by the new group [...].

    Former park manager Ulf Horn, 2016

    quote[After their gig] They sat in the bus and I remember that there was a long queue of people who wanted autographs. Agnetha was sitting in the passenger seat and signed through an open window. When it was
    finished, they went away with their Mercedes bus. Wherever they went then I do not know, but probably on a new gig somewhere in the North.

    Former park manager Ulf Horn, 2016

    quoteIt was me and Ulf who took care of the bookings and advertising, and [...] it was me who absolutely insisted that we would have hit them. “Nah, fuck this, we should not have”, said Ulf. But I stood my ground and said they were the best performers this year.

    Former co-manager Gunnar Eriksson, 2016

    Links

  • 1973, August 3 – Alstermo / Kalmar

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    Alstermo, Hasselbacken

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 21.00


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    Kalmar, Folkets Park

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 23.30
  • 1973, August 4 – Mariestad / Falköping

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    Mariestad, Karlsholme Folkets Park

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 21.15


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    Falköping, Folkets Park

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 23.30
  • 1973, August 5 – Lerdala / Trädet

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    Lerdala, Gröna Lund

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 16.30

    Links


    Trädet

     Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 19.00
  • 1973, August 11 – Tranemo / Kiruna

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    Tranemo, Parkudden

    Facts & triva

    • ABBA played “on a flatbed truck from Jabo”.
    • Begin: 17.00

    Links


    Kiruna

    Facts & trivia

    • no details known
  • 1973, August 12 – Skellefteå

    19730812
    (The picture shows ABBA during rehearsals in 1975.)

    Skellefteå, Bursiljum Folkparken

    Facts & trivia

    • Audience: 1,700-1,800 (?)
    • Begin: 20.00 (?)

    Links

  • 1973, August 14 – Söderhamn

    Söderhamn

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 21.00
  • 1973, August 17 – Nykroppa

    Nykroppa

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 22.30
  • 1973, August 18 – Hofors

    Hofors

    Facts & trivia

    • no details known
  • 1973, August 20 – Stockholm

    19730820

    Stockholm, Malmen Club

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 24.00
  • 1973, August 24 – Österbybruk

    Österbybruk

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 22.30
  • 1973, August 25 – Örebro / Kristinehamn

    Örebro

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 21.30


    Kristinehamn

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 24.00
  • 1973, August 26 – Karlstad

    Karlstad

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 15.00
  • 1973, August 31 – Mysen (Norway)

    19730831

    Mysen (Norway) – Momarkedet festival

    60th anniversary of the Norwegian Red Cross

    Facts & trivia

    • performance of Ring Ring (English version?) in front of a live audience

    Recordings

    • apparently their was no broadcast on TV and there is no recording in the archives
      it is unknown, if it was recorded for TV at all

    Links

  • 1973, September 1 – Karlskoga / Vretstorp

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    Karlskoga

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 21.00

    Links

    • ABBA Intermezzo Magazine #86 – Several pictures (mislabelled as June 17?)


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    Vretstorp, Folkets Park

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 23.00
    • Audience: 1,889
  • 1973, September 2 – Nääs / Gothenburg

    Nääs, Plockmarknad

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 16.00
    • Lions Club Floda-Grabo


    Gothenburg, Restaurant Lobo

    Facts & trivia

    • no details known
  • 1973, September 7 – Sölvesborg

    Sölvesborg

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 20.30
  • 1973, September 8 – Kristianstad

    Kristianstad

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 21.00
  • 1973, September 9 – Malmö

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    Malmö, Folkets park

    Facts & trivia

    • Begin: 20.00
    • Fees: 3,000 kronor

 

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