DEANOS CHART NEWS - WEEK 16

Good news this week, ABBA is up!
Germany: The Definitive Collection is up 26 to #40
Australia: The Definitive Collection DVD is up 3 to #23
Netherlands: The Definitive Collection is up 12 to #39
Canada: I must have missed something as it's been back in the chart for 2 weeks now. Last report was #97 for week 12, then 139-102-95 and this week is #96 for week 95.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Dean Scapolo, Wellington, New Zealand

GERT/AGNETHA STORIES IN UK PRESS

Two stories appear today in the Sunday newspapers, with The Mail on Sunday carrying an article (with a number of inaccuracies about Agnetha) quoting Gert as well as printing a picture of him. It was the same newspaper that printed an article picturing Gert and Agnetha together at the time of the first controversy in 2000. There's also a smaller article in the Sunday Express.

The Mail on Sunday
27 April 2003

Police guard Abba's Agnetha as stalker returns to haunt her

After two years' exile, obsessed fan boasts: 'I'll find a place to live near her'.

ABBA sensation Agnetha Faltskog is living under police guard as her nightmare stalker has vowed to return to her island hideaway.

Obsessed Dutch fan Gert van der Graaf, 16 years younger than 52-year-old Agnetha and barred by law from pestering her, is openly boasting that he'll be back.

'I'm still in love with Agnetha and I will never forget her,', the fork-lift truck driver said at his home in Holland last week. 'I am trying to find somewhere to live near her'.

His words have terrified Agnetha. For that is exactly what he did when she tried to get him out of her life four years ago. He rented a ramshackle cabin near her fortified mansion on the Baltic island of Ekero and lived there, the walls and ceiling decorated with photographs of his idol.

'I am frightened for my life and the lives of my children', Agnetha revealed.

The singer, who at 17 married fellow Abba star Bjorn Ulvaeus and had two children, now aged 29 and 26, before the couple split in 1978, has long been plagued by van der Graaf.

Under Swedish law she has to annually renew the order barring him from contacting her, but in 2000 a court considered his behaviour so disturbing he was deported from Sweden for two years.

The connection between the one-time super trouper and the devoted fan is a strange one. Agnetha, who suffered stage fright, paranoia and phobias before Abba split up, admits she and van der Graaf had a two-year 'relationship', beginning in 1997.

At that point, van der Graaf had already been spying on her every move for two years. He claims they became lovers and Swedish police once described them as 'soulmates' but Agnetha has never admitted a sexual relationship.

After she told him everything was over in 1999, van der Graaf began stalking her again. Likening his behaviour to Jack Nicholson in the film The Shining, Agnetha told police: 'He's described our relationship as being like Romeo and Juliet, but it is more like Jekyll and Hyde. 'He admits he can't control his own emotions'.

She obtained the first of the court orders barring him from contacting her then later had him deported.

But the letters and calls continued. Since last October van der Graaf has been legally allowed to visit Sweden and he has been driving there regularly.

And last week he said: 'There has only been one woman in my life. I never want to hurt her'.

In another context these words would be of comfort to a troubled star. But for Agnetha they mean fear - and a police guard at her home.

written by Louisa Pritchard

Sunday Express
27 April 2003

Abba fan stalks star

ABBA singer Agnetha Faltskog is living under police guard after a stalker who has plagued her for four years vowed to return to her island hideaway.

Gert van der Graaf, 36, had been spying on Agnetha, 52, for two years before they started a 'relationship' in 1997. Agnetha never admitted a sexual relationship but said when they split: 'I'm frightened for my life and for my children'.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Paul Carter, London, UK

ANOTHER CONCERT - THIS TIME IT'S LOUISE PITRE

'Mamma Mia!''s Pitre Offers Concert
Andrew Gans - Playbill

Mamma Mia!'s Louise Pitre will perform in concert in Toronto April 24.

Pitre, who stars as Donna in the Broadway production of Mamma Mia!, will join the 60-piece Canada Pops Orchestra for its 8 PM concert. David Warrack will be the evening's musical director, which will feature a tribute to the Broadway musical, including several
Annie Get Your Gun tunes performed by the quartet Champagne. Concertgoers can expect Pitre to offer such tunes as 'Le Ciel Est Bleu' and 'Bravo! Tu As Gagne'; the latter is the French version of ABBA's 'The Winner Takes It All.'

For her performance as Donna in the Canadian, Broadway and touring companies of Mamma Mia!, Louise Pitre received the Dora Mavor Moore Award, the San Francisco Critics Circle Award, the U.S. National Broadway Award as well as a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical. Her numerous theatrical credits include Piaf; Les Misérables; The World Goes 'Round; I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change; Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living In Paris and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Her solo recordings are titled "Songs My Mother Taught Me" and "All of My Life Has Led to This."

Tickets for the April 24 concert are priced between $34 and $64 and are available by calling (416) 872-4255 or by logging on-line at www.masseyhall.com. Massey Hall is located at 178 Victoria Street in Toronto, Ontario.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Ryan Cameron, San Diego, USA

OUR HELEN IN NEW SWEDISH MOVIE!

This article was in Expressen:

Helen Sjöholm acts together with Michael Nyqvist in the new film by Pollak

Michael Nyqvist has already accepted the role. And now another big, but surprising, name agrees to star in the new feature film by Kay Pollak - Helen Sjöholm.

- It feels fantastic And I'm incredible nervous, she says.

Two weeks ago Expressen told you that Michael Nyqvist is going to do the main character in Kay Pollak's first film since "Älska mig" (Love Me) in 1986.

The film has the working title "Så som i himlen", (Like In Heaven) and is about a man who returns to his home village in Norrland. Choral music is a major part of the story.

And today Expressen reveals that the artist Helen Sjöholm is going to do her film debut in "Så som i himlen". She was in a film four years ago - in Richard Hoberts "Där regnbågen slutar" (Where The Rainbow Ends), but that was a cameo role. This is a real acting role.

- I'm always curious and want to develop and try new things, says Helen Sjöholm. To try to go in new directions.

She does not want to reveal much about the role, it's a character in the choirs in the film, and she has not yet met Michael Nyqvist. She will do that during the filming in Luleå which will take a month and starts in mid-July.

By MATS BRÅSTEDT /
Translation thanks to ABBAMAILer Linda Granqvist, Stockholm, Sweden

ABBA - THE SHOW (TRIBUTE)

ABBA - The Show

Concert tour around the country. This is the music saga of the fantastic history of ABBA, featuring musicians from the London
Symphony Orchestra, singers and musicians from Waterloo, and a local children's choir. Thousands of enthusiastic fans from the Nordic countries have already seen the show, which describes the fantastic story of ABBA from 1969 to 1981. We're following Björn, Benny, Agnetha and Frida from their first performance, continuing throughout their career. A tribute to the greatest pop group of all times!

The shows are scheduled as follows (according to www.ticnet.se):
October 26 - Malmö (Malmö Konserthus)
November 1 - Norrköping
November 2 - Linköping

Thanks to ABBAMAILers Tony Becker, Helsingborg, Sweden and Ralph H Steiner, Germany

NOW A SWEDISH CHARITY PERFORMANCE OF CHESS!

I saw on www.ticnet.se that there's a special charity performance of Chess at Cirkus, Stockholm on 8 May. All of the performers are appearing for free and the proceeds will go to Röda Korset (The Red Cross), for their relief effort in Iraq.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Paul Carter, London, UK

MORE DETAILS ON NY CHESS CHARITY PERFORMANCE

Jason Swan told us about this concert, here are some more details from Playbill

Actors’ Fund Presents Chess Concert—with Adam Pascal—Sept. 22

It will be one night in Bangkok Sept. 22 when the Actors’ Fund of America presents its third annual benefit concert.

The Benny Andersson-Tim Rice-Björn Ulvaeus musical Chess, which began life as a two-LP recording in 1984, will be presented at 7:30 PM at the New Amsterdam Theatre. According to the Fund’s official website, already cast are Aida’s Adam Pascal, vocalist Josh Groban and Lara Fabian.

Chess marks the third benefit concert for the Actors’ Fund. The series began with an all-star Dreamgirls concert featuring the talents of
Lillias White, Heather Headley and Audra McDonald. Last year’s Funny Girl concert boasted a slew of Fanny Brices, including Carolee Carmello, Kristin Chenoweth, Sutton Foster, Ana Gasteyer, Whoopi Goldberg, Spencer Kayden, Jane Krakowski, Judy Kuhn, La Chanze, Ricki Lake, Andrea Martin, Idina Menzel, Julia Murney, Bebe Neuwirth and Lillias White.

Chess debuted on the London stage with a cast led by Elaine Paige, Tommy Körberg and Murray Head, while the Broadway company featured Judy Kuhn, Philip Casnoff and the late David Carroll. The score includes such tunes as “Nobody’s Side,” “One Night in Bangkok,” “Anthem,” “I Know Him So Well,” “Pity the Child” and “You and I.” The original Broadway cast recording was released on RCA Victor.

Tickets for the Chess concert are already available by calling (212) 221-7300, ext. 133. For more information, go to www.actorsfund.org.

The Actors' Fund of America, a nonprofit organization founded in 1882, provides for the social welfare of all entertainment professionals. Its headquarters and The Aurora Residence are located in New York City, and its nursing home and assisted living care facility are in Englewood, New Jersey.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Dominic 'Ice' Wallis, London, UK

CHARITY CHESS PERFORMANCE IN NEW YORK

There will be an Actor's Fund Concert of Chess on Sept. 22 at the New Amsterdam Theatre (New York, New York). Already Cast are Adam Pascal, Josh Grobin and Lara Fabian. For tickets 212-221-7300 x 133 or actorsfund.com.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Jason Swan, New York, United States of America

AGNETHA IN SE & HÖR / DANISH CONCERT NEWS

The Swedish gossip magazine 'Se & Hör' has an article on Agnetha in their current issue. Nothing much new to say, but here's the article:

Sweet music starts again

After an unhappy love affair Agnetha Fältskog breaks the silence after many years. She is both happy and bold again.

It's around two years since Agnetha Fältskog, 53, was capturing the headlines on account of her problems with a stalker from Holland.

Agnetha wanted to have the legal proceedings behind closed doors in Solna court, although the judge wouldn't grant that wish. It was with great apprehension that Agnetha spoke in public about her dealings with the man. It was about friendship and closeness which turned into terror and despair.

The man had been condemned to pay 12, 000 kronor in damages and was deported from Sweden.

After this Agnetha shied away and all was quiet from her. She still lives in her house on Ekerö and meets mainly only with her
children. Hardly ever is she seen out at a party.

Agnetha didn't need to work after ABBA. Her fortune is around 47 million kronor. The last time Agnetha released a record was in 1987, "I Stand Alone". She was also on TV around the same time. 1996 saw the biography "Som jag är" written with the journalist Brita Åhman.

A new solo record

Agnetha and Brita were friends for many years but the book came between them to the extent that today they are no longer in contact.

- All Agnetha's phobias mean that she will never come back to music, Åhman has said.

But in secret Agnetha has been working on a new record. Much of the music she has written herself, but the recording is surrounded in secrecy.

It is well-known that Agnetha has stage fright, fear of flying and agoraphobia. When she was touring with ABBA she had to drink a few glasses of champagne before going on stage.

Now it is time for a change. Agnetha's spokesman Stefan (sic) Lindé says to Aftonbladet that Agnetha loves the recording sessions. He expects that Agnetha will talk to the media about her record when it's released.


There's some interesting concerts taking place in August in Denmark -
details at: www.dr.dk/slotskoncerter/

Among the music being performed are songs from 'Chess' and 'ABBA-The Concert', and the artists include several with ABBA connections, Tommy Körberg, Karin Glenmark as well as Stig Rossen (of Danish Chess recording fame), Sanne Salomonsen (of ABBA - The Tribute) as well as Sebastian who by the looks of it could be the same one who once performed a duet with Frida on TV.

The dates are:
16, 17 August, Ledreborg Slotspark
23 August, Århus, Mindeparken

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Paul Carter, London, UK

HEP STARS BOOK DELAYED

I'm afraid there's some bad news on Carl Magnus Palm's forthcoming book on The Hep Stars: release of the Swedish edition has been postponed for a year, so it probably won't be out until spring (in the northern hemishpere) 2004.

Premium Publishing apparently has other books that they want to release before it. No news on the hoped-for English edition.

Thanks to ABBAMAIL's Ian Cole, Sydney Australia

BENNY'S "RAP" SONG MAKES UK PRESS!

The news of the Benny/Per Myrberg collaboration appeared in the UK press - Daily Star 22 April 2003

ABBA legend Benny Andersson has thanked the music - by making a Swedish rap record.

The songwriter - who co-wrote all of the Seventies supergroup's hits with Bjorn Ulvaeus - has ventured into the world of Eminem and Dr Dre.

He's teamed up with a singer called Per Myrberg and produced a track based on the songs of Swedish poet and folk artist Evert Taube.

Per reveals: "It's a new idea and I even get to rap on the disc. I'd never done it before. At the start it was hard for me to rap, but once I got into it, it was fun".

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Paul Carter, London, UK

NEW ALCAZAR ALBUM TO FEATURE "FUNKY FEET"

The new Alcazar album is due out in Sweden on 12 May. This will be with the new member Magnus Carlsson. The album is called "Alcazarized"

The Pet Shop Boys have given a song to the group. It will be on the album and is called "Love Life". Neil and Chris did not produce the song.

The first single from the album "Not A Sinner Nor A Saint" (entry for the Swedish heats of Eurovision) hit the number 1 spot in Sweden.

The first international single has not been revealed yet.

The full tracklisting for the album just got announced on the Alcazar official website, and believe it or not, there's actually a Benny & Bjorn penned song on it!! In this case, it's "Funky Feet"

The tracklist for "Alcazarized" is as follows:

I love the DJ
(M.Lundh/G.Samuelson/Q.Starkie)

Celebrate the night
(A.Wollbeck/M.Lindblom/A.Lundstedt)

Ménage a trois
(M.Lundh/L.Robbins/G.Samuelson/Q.Starkie)

Dancefloor docusoap
(A.Bard/A.Hansson/J.Strandkvist/F.Jacobson/B.Edwards/N.Rodgers)

Not a sinner nor a saint
(B.Ljunggren/L.Ahlin/T.Lydell)

Funky feet
(B.Andersson/B.Ulvaeus)

I go shopping
(A.Bard/A.Hansson/J.Strandkvist/F.Jacobson/B.Edwards/N.Rodgers)

Last days of disco
(Orup/J.Kinde/S.Olsson)

Chemistry
(A.Wollbeck/M.Lindblom/Aleena)

Love life
(N.Tennant/C.Lowe)

Wonderland
(Orup/J.Kinde/S.Olsson)

Singing to heaven
(A.Bard/A.Hansson/J.Strandkvist)

Here I am
(J.Röhr/M.Sandén)

Someday
(Orup/J.Kinde/S.Olsson)

Special thanks to ABBAMAILers Grant Whittingham, Ryan Cameron and Gustav Sandberg.

BUSY TIME FOR BENNY

The article also has pictures of Benny with his accordian and a picture of him with Bernard Löhr in the studio.
----------

Now it's a busy time for Benny Andersson again.

Aftonbladet went to meet the composer in the studio.

Now it's the time for Benny Anderssons Orkester to play again. A new CD and a new tour are being planned. And a little Taube. Aftonbladet met Sweden's most successful composer in his studio.

All of a sudden appears a naked girl. Nobody cares (this will be explained later in the article! - Paul's note). Benny Andersson listens over and over to something in the background. Guitar, a bass, a voice and - nothing happens when the naked girl emerges.

Mixing Myberg's CD.

Benny Andersson, Martin Östergren and Bernard Löhr are completing the mixing of a new CD where Per Myrberg interprets the songs of Evert Taube. Myrberg exquisitely sings about the naked girl in the song "Fritiof i Arkadien" where the naked American girl springs smoothly from the lyrics, but it isn't the lyrics and Myrberg's singing that captivate the producer Andersson.

It's something about the composition, with Jojje Wadenius' guitar or Backa-Hans' bass.

Benny listens and makes his choice. Everything isn't quite right, but the music is living.

It is the same kind of spontaniety and swing that makes Benny Anderssons Orkester so loved. The Orkester plays on two songs on the Taube record, which is released in May, arranged by Martin Östergren. - We are on two tracks: "Vals ombord" and "Den glade bagaren", says Benny Andersson. Benny plays also accordion on the CD.

Writing new music

Otherwise he has been writing new music for an album for Benny Anderssons Orkester.

- There is about three quarters written. I hope we can record in it the autumn.

Are you planning the same mixture as on the first?

- Yes, but it would be good to try something new that I've never done before. Perhaps Helen and Kalle can sing together, an Italian aria or maybe country or old rock'n'roll.

Will you play for dancing in the summer?

- Yes, we have a big tour of 3 days. 8 August at Skansen and the 10 in Göteborg at Trädgårdsföreningen. And between the two we will play somewhere along the way between Stockholm and Göteborg.

Roy Andersson's "Sånger från andra våningen" which was shown on SVT yesterday was one of the film's to receive music written by Benny Andersson. He has also composed for Marie-Louise Ekman.

Do you get lots of enquiries about film music?

- Yes, I do. But I am not so interested. It is an intricate job and a weighty task to write film music - but not so heavy for music. It takes a long time to write music, but another to sustain it (?). It's better to write music for music's sake.

- On one hand it was good to learn to write music of a certain type for Roy's film, which is very special. "Sånger från andra våningen" is a film I don't think about (?), but Roy loves it.

Benny Andersson is also spending much time on other things. ABBA's music is played on the musical stage all around the world. And it is also used in films from time to time. Now it's in "Johnny English" where Rowan Atkinson mimes to "Does Your Mother Know".

Sent a video

- They sent us a little video to us to see if they could have the rights. We could say either yes or no, but Rowan Atkinson is fun. For the most part we don't mind ABBA songs in films.

The musical "Mamma Mia" shows that the songs are still alive, even without the ABBA-sound?

- Yes, it's flattering, says Benny Andersson. But it depends also that the show is also good. I have said a hundred times: Catherine Johnson's script means a lot for "Mamma Mia".

A big success

But first of all, once Per Myrberg's Taube CD comes out in May, we wait next for the new record with Benny Anderssons Orkester. The debut became a great success.

- Yes, we sold 110,000 copies, says Benny. That's great for an accordion player.

written by Jens Peterson

Thanks to ABBAMAILers Paul Carter, London, UK

MAMMA MIA! RELOCATION

In today's Sunday Times Culture Magazine is the resurrection of the story that surfaced sometime last year about the relocation of Mamma Mia! from The Prince Edward Theatre.

In an article featuring Sir Cameron Mackintosh's plans for reviving the West End, and in particular providing a suitable venue in the London theatre market for transfers from fringe theatres or their regional equivalents, the transfer of Mamma Mia! to the Prince of Wales theatre is mentioned.

"Mackintosh is in a position to play the property magnate. His plans For the Prince of Wales, for instance, to which he will transfer the ABBA musical Mamma Mia! In the autumn to make way for a new blockbuster at the Prince Edward, also involves decanting offices down to the Strand theatre, which starts its refit immediately afterwards."

There is an artists impression of how the Prince of Wales theatre will look after its refit and it is bedecked with Mamma Mia! hoardings and livery.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Dominic 'Ice' Wallis, London, UK

MORE FROM EXPRESSEN ON GERT

Expressen's news is rather more new. They tracked Gert down to a village in the Netherlands. This is my translation:

I Love Her Still

Agnetha Fältskog's obsessed fan can't forget her. For a week he was in Sweden and stayed only a few hundred meters from her farm. Now he's planning to move back.

"I love her still. I'm not going to forget." he said to Expressen.

Yesterday Expressen told that Dutchman Gert van der Graaf is the subject of a new criminal enquiry. It is feared that the man is back in Sweden to continue his love terror against Agnetha Fältskog. The police are concerned enough that they are keeping her farm on Ekerö under surveillance.

Expressen made contact with Gert van der Graaf, 37, in his house in the Dutch village of Steenwijksmoer. He said he was in Sweden for a week despite the visiting ban.

"I was in the area and I believe that I have seen her. I stayed around 800 metres from her farm."

Looking for a house in Sweden.

He is still obsessed and thinks he could begin a new relationship. "I believe that in time she will begin to want me too". Now he is thinking about going back to Sweden. "I have begun to look for a house."

Gert van der Graaf saw Agnetha Fältskog for the first time when he was 8 years old. That was when ABBA won the Eurovision Song Contest with Waterloo and Gert van der Graaf was enchanted by the blonde singer. Since then she has been the only woman in his life.

He has collected everything that has been put out about Fältskog. As an adult he began to travel to Sweden in the hope of meeting his idol. It became a three times a year journey.

His Happiest Time

In 1997 he bought a house only a few hundred metres from her farm in Ekerö outside Stockholm. During one of her walks in the surround area he bumped into her and after a time began a relationship. The relationship lasted two years. That was Gert van der Graaf's happiest time.

In 1999 Agnetha Fältskog ended it definitively. According to the police interview she had then realised he was mentally unstable. But for Gert van der Graaf it was not over. He began to send a multitude of letters, rang round the clock and pursued Agnetha when she took her walks. During the search of his home masses of pictures and documents about Agnetha's life were found. He slept with a picture of her in his bed.

Sentenced to be deported

By the Spring of 2000 Agnetha had had enough and had the police investigate him. She had begun to fear for her and her children's lives. He was sentenced to be deported for two years and banned from contact with her. Despite the judgement Gert van der Graaf says he is still in love with her.

"She is a wonderful woman. I love her with my entire body and soul."

He hasn't found another. "I can't meet another girl. I can't lie and say I love her a lot and that there isn't anyone else. Then I'd be lying. That would be bad."

"She will not be scared again"

His Dutch house is full of pictures of Agnetha Fältskog. When he isn't working as a warehouseman he is caring for the memories of their relationship (???). "I have many pictures and mementoes from the time in Sweden".

Gert van der Graaf hasn't given up thinking they can begin a relationship again. "Everything has become so broken down. I would like to meet her and talk with her about everything that's happened."

But he knows that Agnetha Fältskog is afraid.

"I have to be careful and respect her wishes. I do not want her to believe that I will try to own her again (not sure about he last couple of words). I don't want her to be scared again".

Thanks to ABBAMAILers Paul Carter and Cliff Docherty, London UK

AFTONBLADET ON GERT THE STALKER

Agentha's Terror Continues

Obsessed fan returns to Sweden after being deported

Agnetha Fältskog's persecution leaves her without peace. (I really can't get this sentence. Is it: For some weeks since the police report the word famous singer has been filled with admiration - this doesn't make sense!)

In 2000 the man was deported and forbidden to make contact on the grounds of Harassing Agnetha Fältskog. But the terror continues. Since the deportation was imposed in October 2000 the now 37 year old man has visited Sweden on the small chance of a visit.

"I know for certain that he has been in Sweden after his deportation order was lifted in the autumn", said Henrik Söderman, prosecutor and responsible for the criminal enquiry.

Fell in love when ABBA sang Waterloo.

Söderman extended the man's ban on approaching her in connection with a police investigation at the end of March.

"It means that on the whole he cannot have any contact with Agnetha. Despite this several times he has written letters and sometimes rang" says Henrik Söderman.

The 37 year old Dutchman has been fixated with Agnetha Fältskog since ABBA won the Eurovision Song Contest with the song Waterloo.

"I fell in love with her when I was 8 years old", the man said during police questioning.

Harassed the star all day long.

The man bought a summer house near Agnetha's luxury home on Ekerö outside Stockholm in 1997 and began a relationship.

When Agnetha Fältskog wanted to break with the man after two years he refused to accept that she didn't love him. Then the harassment began. He called the worldstar's home round the clock, looked inside her mailbox and waited for her near the house on Ekerö.

Feared for her life

"I feared for mine and my children's lives", said Agnetha Fältskog during the court proceedings against the man in 2000.

Agnetha Fältskog's agent, Staffan Lindé, knows the man's earlier terror well. However he doesn't know if the 37 year old is to be found in Sweden. He cannot either comment about the guard on Agnetha's house has been strengthened after the last letter.

"What I know is that nothing new has happened but I haven't spoken to Agnetha herself about this" he said.

Thanks to ABBAMAILers Paul Carter & Cliff Docherty, London, UK

CRAZY GERT IS BACK TERRORISING AGNETHA

Here is an article from Expresen today translated by ABBAMAILers Robin Andersson and Gustav Sandberg, Stockholm, Sweden

---------------

Terror against Abba-Agnetha

The 37 year old admirers obsessed hunting of Agnetha Fältskog has begun again. It's now feared that Gert van der Graaf is back in Sweden. The recording worldstar's yard is being under strict police guarding since some week.

The Dutch man Gert van der Graaf, 37, was in 2000 sentenced to deportation and visiting ban, after having harassed Agnetha Fältskog. Now topical of a new crime investigation. He has begun with the obsessed harassment of his big idol again. Last time she reported to the police was on 26th of March.

- The man is suspected to have infringed the visting ban at several occasions, says prosecutor Henrik Söderman to Expressen-

Tragical loveterror

Agnetha Fältskog has become upset by the man's advances, which the police calls "tragical loveterror".
Now it's feared that he is in Sweden again. Since October 2002 has Gert van der Graaf had the opportunity to come here. The police have been informed to strictly guard her yard.

- All police got the information two weeks ago, says a police spokesman

The man has been enchanted by Agnetha Fältskog since 1974 when ABBA won the Eurovision songcontest with Waterloo. Being an adult he became determined to start a relationship with Agnetha. Some thirty times he visited Sweden to get in touch with the shy worldstar. 1997 he bought a cottage just beside her enourmous yard at Ekerö, outside Stockholm. Soon after that they started a relationship.

- It was very intense "congratulatory call" from him, so at last I felt that I couldn't stand up to, I wanted to get to know him

- We begun a relationship, even though I understood he was an odd person, Agnetha has said.

The relationship lasted two years, apart from some short breaks. But in 1999 Agnetha had enough and broke it off with Gert.
Then the extreme loveterror began.

- I have been "freedom-stripped" (?) for over a year. He has watched me everywhere, stood waiting at my approach, rummaged in my letterbox. The crime investigation that has now commenced against Gert is direct against that he has broken the visting ban.

In which way has he broken the visiting ban?

- He has kept writing letters. According to the persisting visiting ban he isn't allowed to any form of contact, says prosecutor Henrik Söderman. Agnetha Fältskog's agent Staffan Lindé says that the star is always living with the anxiety that something might happen.
Every time a new letter comes in the discomfort grows.

- Every letter that comes in is directly forwarded to the police, he says.

--------------------------------

Gustav says: There was a bit more to the article if you followed the link in the middle of the page. This was also included in the paper version of the paper.

Especially the examples of what he has written in his letters are frightening.

He was under the influence of the psychopath in the movie.

He phoned her 24 hours of the day.
He has written hundreds of letters and has watched her every move.
He slept together with a photograph of the singer.
Gert van der Graafs love terror has gotten Agnetha to fear for her life.
When Gert van der Graaf was eight he saw ABBA win the Eurovision Song Contest with Waterloo. Since that day he has been obsessed with Agnetha Fältskog.

In 1997 he moved from his home country, Holland, to be close to his true love. He bought a house just a couple of hundred metres from Fältskog's farm. Soon they started a relationship. In 1999 it finished for ever. But Gert van der Graaf refused to let go of Agnetha Fältskog.

This is how he stalked her:

He phone-terrorised her every hour of the day.
He went through her mail-box.
He waited for at the end of her road.
He followed her to the supermarket.
He waited for at Ekerö church during her daily walks.
Under the influence of thriller "Ögat" (The Eye) he watched her and documented everything in her surroudings. He also asked her to rent the movie, which by the court was called as a "psychotic movie".

On Christmas eve he stood outside her kitchen window, looking inside. He has written a total of more than 300 letters. Since the break-up 1999 he has written at least 80.

Agnetha has felt that many of the letters have been threatening and they have gotten more aggressive. In one letter he enclosed an article about a bloody jealousy-drama in Holland.

- My life has gotten very restricted, I don't dare to go outside, I'm afraid to meet this man alone and has feared for my own life as well as my children, she's said to the police.

In 2000 he was omitted with a restraining order and was departed from Sweden for 2 years. But he hasn't let go. He is still just as obsessed.

Things Gert has written to Agnetha in his letters.
"I have my eyes on you"
- He writes he has full control over her and where she is. He writes he is aware of the law but that he doesn't care about it.

"Shall we plan to die"

- He compares their relationship to that of Romeo and Juliet. There are also letters where he threatens to commit suicide.

"Surrender is not a word in my dictionary"

- In his letters it's very evident he's obsessed. He dreams they will reunite as a couple.

"Let's hope I'm really sick"

- He writes in his letters that he can't control his emotions. That he is controlled by a higher power.

---------------------
Written by Expressen's Terese Christiansson

CHARTS - WEEK 15

Germany: The Definitive Collection is down 19 to #66.
Australia: The Definitive Collection DVD is finally out of the top 20, down to #26.
Netherlands: The Definitive Collection is up 18 to #51.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Dean Scapolo, Wellington, New Zealand

CMP ON GERMAN TV

Following the release of the German translation of 'Bright Lights Dark Shadows', TV station WDR broadcast an interview with Carl Magnus Palm yesterday (Thursday) in their late night show "westART-magazin". (with a repeat on Friday at 1.30 pm).

This info was found at WDR's official website.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Jos Heselmans, Diest, Belgium

PER & BENNY TOGETHER AGAIN

There's an article in Expressen about Per Myrberg (the guy from Chess på svenska) rapping Evert Taube tunes with Benny Anderssons Orkester.

Well, rapping one tune, but I'm still thrilled, obviously.

Per Myrberg raps Taube

Soon the last performance of Chess is played. But the collaboration between Per Myrberg and Benny Andersson continues. They have made a record with Evert Taube
tunes.

- It is partly reinterpretations. Among other things I rap on one tune, says Per Myrberg.

The idea for the Evert Taube record was born as early as a year ago.

- I and Benny sat and talked about Taube and became enthusiastic, and suddenly Benny said: You, we’ll make a record! Says Per Myrberg.

17 tunes are recorded with Per myrberg sining and Benny Anderssons Orkester accompanying. In addition, some handpicked musicians contribute, for example Jojje Wadenius.

“It was fun to rap”

- Certain tunes don’t have a completely traditional arrangement. One one tune there’s only piano, and one is only guitar and bass, says Per Myrberg.

And Per Myrberg takes as said a new grip an tries to rap.

- It was fun. In the beginning it was a little hard, though not when I got the hang of how I should do it. Several of Taube’s most popular work is on the record, including Calle Schewens vals and Så länge skutan kan gå. Certain tunes are more unknown, like for example Ronsard och herdinnan and Brittisk ballad.

- It has been really fun, says Per Myrberg. The record, which has not got a name yet, is expected to be released at the end of May.

By Ida Östberg.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Ruth Harris, Lancaster, UK

JÖBACK FOR DANISH "CABARET"

Peter Jöback will be appearing in the Danish production of "Cabaret" from 19 September until 16 November. He will be playing the Emcee, the male lead, opposite Danish superstar Paprika Steen. The production will play at the Gladsaxe Theatre in Copenhagen.

Peter is very excited about the challenging role since it will allow him to bring out his darker sides.

During April, Peter rehearsed with the Danish cast and did some test runs in the role.

Fleming Enevold, the director, thinks that it is an amazing coup to get Peter. He raves about Peter's charisma, voice and ambition, saying it is of the highest international standard.

Aftonbladet also reports that Peter is planning a new solo album but the details are suitably vague.

Here are links to the story. It also features at the Swedish version of the Peter official site:
http://www.aftonbladet.se/vss/noje/story/0,2789,291332,00.html
http://www.expressen.se/expressen/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=112&a=26876
http://www2.unt.se/avd/1,2883,MC=5-AV_ID=245580,00.html?from=sectionlinks5

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Grant Whittingham, Sydney, Australia

HELEN & MYRA AT MALMÖ

Helen Sjöholm is doing two concerts together with Myrra Malmberg at Malmö Opera and Musikteater on 26 and 27 April which will consist of songs from musicals including 'Kristina från Duvemåla'. This is in addition to her concert tour of several Swedish towns and cities in May and June

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Paul Carter, London, UK

NIGHT OF A THOUSAND VOICES

The annual 'Night of 1000 Voices' concert is taking place soon celebrating songs from the multi-award-winning shows of Trevor Nunn.

Sunday 4 May 2003 8pm
Royal Albert Hall, London
Box Office: +44 (0) 20 7589 8212

Judy Kuhn and Tommy Körberg are on the bill.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Sara Russell, Bracknell, UK

SWEDISH CHESS FOR DVD RELEASE!

According to this article in Göteborgsposten Chess is also being released on DVD.

-----------------

SVT begin the TV-year with Chess

Recording at Cirkus in Stockholm, broadcasting on New Year's day. SVT's audience can experience the Swedish version of the musical Chess. The broadcast will be in one part only.

At the chess board sits Tommy Körberg, besides him stands Per Myrberg. Has he got the right tie on him? Should Tommy's jacket be buttoned? When these questions are answered, it's time for take. With camera ridings on stage.

This has not ben possible with the two performances that were taped with a live audience. So the sequence is among the additional shots that are done over two days.

Lars Rudolfsson, who directed the play is there, as well as Bengt Wennehost-Norrman, who is responsible for the TV-direction. Two artistic wills that must get on, how does it work?

- We've been working together before, this is fourth-fifth time. So we know each other and that is an advantage, says Lars Rudolfsson and adds a laughter.

- Bengt is stubborn, and I'm stubborn. So it's important to put this together in a good way.

And this far everything has come out well, both of the directors think.

- There was one thing we discussed a little, one single picture we had diffrent opinions about, tells Bengt.

- You can't do a thing like this as a compromise. He must do an interpretation of this play so that everything that the stageplay gives is given to the TV audience. Tv and theatre is two diffrent things, says Lars.

Everthing isn't about nice pictures and good sound, it's important to catch the soul of the play.

The editing will, according to Bengt, be relatively simple. It's just to pick which of the two main recordings that is best and then edit in the additional pick-up scenes.

Chess is also to be released on DVD, and at Cirkus you can see the musical until the 15th of June.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Robin Andersson, Stockholm, Sweden

TIM RICE ON CHESS REVIVAL

This brief article appeared in the Daily Express on Wednesday (2 April) in their showbiz section:

Is Kylie A Chess Queen?

Now that Boyzone star Stephen Gately is packing audiences into the West End revival of 'Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat' (the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice collaboration), lyricist Sir Tim has his sights set on another revival and Kylie Minogue could be his leading lady. "The musical I'd really like to bring back is Chess", said Sir Tim, who worked on its original musical score with ABBA's Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson.

Chess became an international success in 1985 and gave protagonists Elaine Paige - who had an 11-year affair with Rice - and Barbara Dickson a No.1 song with 'I Know Him So Well'. "But I think", added Sir Tim at Monday's Evening Standard Bar Of The Year Awards, "We'd have to use another generation of singers". Would Kylie Minogue who at 5ft, stands almost eye-to-eye with the diminutive Paige, fit the bill? "Kylie's a fantastic performer", said Rice, "though I'm not sure how interested she is in theatre".

Give her a call Tim.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Paul Carter, London, UK

FAKE PORN PICTURES OF AGNETHA FÄLTSKOG ON THE NET

Fake sexual pictures of Agnetha Fältskog are circulating on the internet.

The ABBA star's staff are furious at the prank.

- We will investigate the possibility of taking legal action over this, says Staffan Lindé.

Last Saturday, Aftonbladet revealed that offensive altered sexual photos of Carola were circulating on the net.

- I can't accept that such pictures are allowed to be distributed. They are just there to feed people's sick fantasies. It is a violation and gross, says Carola, who is threatening action through her lawyer against those responsible for the pictures.

But the humilation of stars is widespread on the internet.

On one English website there are several Swedish stars featured in fake images of extreme sex scenes.

One of them is ABBA star Agnetha Fältskog.

Her spokesperson Staffan Lindé is indignant.

- It doesn't seem possible to protect oneself against such behaviour.

- We may look into investigating the possibility of taking legal action over this, he said.

On the English site there are even fake sex pictures of Carola and Charlotte Nilsson together.

- Bloody hell. I may ring Carola and ask if we could take legal action together. We can't just ignore such things, said Charlotte Nilsson.

Fake sex pictures of celebrities which have been put on the net can be considered defamation. By doing so, those responsible risk fines or imprisonment.

- Dan Panas, Aftonbladet

Thanks to ABBAMAILers Paul Carter (London) and Grant Whittingham (Sydney)

PHYLLIDA INTERVIEW

Phyllida Lloyd is interviewed in the UK's "Independent" newspaper. The article is mainly about the new production she's involved in, but Mamma Mia! does get a brief mention. Click on the website link above to read the article.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Paul Carter, London, UK

MAMMA MIA! RETURNS TO CHICAGO

For anyone who is considering coming to Chicago this (U.S.) summer to see Mamma Mia! here is some ticket info.

Tickets go on sale Friday April 4. You can call the box office at 312-902-1400 or order tickets online at www.ticketmaster.com

The show will begin on July 24 and run for sure until September 7. After that, it may stay longer depending on attendance.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Peg Hughes, Chicago, USA

FRIDA DOCO REVIEW / HAMBURG MAMMA MIA!

Here's a review of the Channel 5 Frida documentary I found:

Daily Mail
28 March 2003

This has been quite a week for being bombarded with information. Not having read Harry Edgington's biography of Abba, I had no idea that Frida Lyngstad - the dark-haired member of the Seventies pop phenomenen - was not Swedish at all, but the illegitimate daughter of a Norwegian woman and a Nazi officer called Alfred Haase.

Nor, I have to say, would this late-breaking news have been quite the bombshell it was, had that been the beginning and the end of the story. The story of the 'Lebensborn' - the so-called 'fountain of life' program dreamed up by Hitler as a way of creating a pure Aryan race throughout occupied Europe - has been well documented. Doubtless Herr Haase was merely carrying out the patriotic duty of every good Nazi officer by impregnating Frida's mother with his superior genes.

What I never knew was that in Norway after the war, the children of these unions - perhaps as many as 10,000 - were thought by the authorities to be of tainted blood, if not mentally retarded. Many were committed to institutions and many more so badly affected by their experiences that they have never fully recovered.

That Frida's life once seemed so golden makes her decline into sad obscurity all the more tragic.

written by Christopher Matthew

================

And this about the Hamburg Mamma Mia! production:

Ute Lemper, known from the musicals "Cabaret", "Chicago" and "Cats", will be the special guest when the Operettenhaus in Hamburg celebrates ABBA's Eurovision victory with an extended performance as "Waterloo Day". She said: "I always was an ABBA fan and I still am. Their music is incomparable. I look forward to coming to Hamburg on April 6 and celebrate ABBA's Eurovision triumph with the ensemble."

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Paul Carter, London, UK

FRIDA NEWS FROM INTERMEZZO FAN SITE

Frida visited a gala performance in honour of the Swedish tenor Gösta Winbergh at the Zürich opera house in Switzerland on March 19. The Swedish Royal Couple was also present.

(A picture of Frida at this event is also on the Intermezzo site)

The Swedish pianist Robert Wells, known from his Rhapsody in Rock tours, will play a big ABBA medley together with his friends at his German concert at the CCH in Hamburg on April 8.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Paul Carter, London, UK

CHESS FILMED

Aftonbladet also report today that 'Chess' has been filmed by Sveriges Television, as was previously announced earlier in the year. They write that it's due to be broadcast on 1 January 2004.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Paul Carter, London, UK

DIFFERENT COVER FOR JAPANESE "DEFINITIVE COLLECTION"

I was just cruising the Japanese HMV site and I noticed that "The Definitive Collection" has a different cover. They use the "Dancing Queen" single cover photo (one of my favourites - a classic shot). It also looks like it is only 1 disc but that could be an error.

Check it out for the cover by clicking on the website link above.

Another site makes it clear that it is the double CD but it does have the "Dancing Queen" cover.

http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=UICZ-1042

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Grant Whittingham, Sydney, Australia

CHART NEWS

Canada: 20th Century Masters has left the chart again.
Germany: The Definitive Collection is down 9 to #57
Australia: The Definitive Collection DVD is down 7 to #12
Netherlands: The Definitive Collection is down 6 to #66

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Dean Scapolo, New Zealand

CHANGES FOR POLAR MUSIC PRIZE

The Polar Music Prize to be marketed more aggressively

Los Angeles

Keith Jarrett will receive the Polar Music Prize in Berwaldhallen on Monday May 12. But already now the Polar Music Prize's managing director Stuart Ward and Marie Ledin, member of the board for Polar Music Prize, have an idea about future recipients.

- We are already looking into 2004 and 2005, Stuart Ward reveals. The artists, especially on the classical side, are booked many years in advance.

He won't reveal more than that. The location is the consulate-general's residence (Andreas and Anita Ekman) where this week journalists from Sweden and the US have participated in a seminar about Swedish music's success. The headlines were "From ABBA to The Hives and beyond" and "The Polar Music Prize: A "Nobel" for music legends". Christer Lundblad, Export Music Sweden,
Jean Wernheim, MNW and Bob Merlis, who's a member of the committee for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame were also a part of the panel. The moderator Fred Bronson, Billboard, stated that Swedish pop music was born on April 6, 1974.

- "Waterloo" won the Eurovision Song Contest and "Hooked on a feeling" by Blue Swede became number one in the US.

Marie Ledin was asked what Stikkan Anderson would have thought of the Polar Music Prize.

- I think that Dad would be happy with the choices we've made. His dream was that it would become a Nobel prize in music, but it takes time to build it up.

By Keijo Liimatainen

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Claes Davidsson, Florida, USA and Paul Carter, London, UK

THE SIX MONTHLY AGNETHA "COMEBACK" STORY COMES TO LIFE!

On the Dutch gossip TV program RTL Boulevard they also carried the story about Agnetha's new album. They announced it as a fact, not a rumour. They also showed some footage of The Winner Takes It All (the video clip).

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Gé Teunissen, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Agnetha received a mention on the BBC's 'Liquid News'. While they interviewed Elkie and Atomic Kitten, the "more news" banner floated along the bottom of the screen.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Chris Williams, Herefordshire, UK

Abba star returns to studio
Story filed: 14:50 Tuesday 1st April 2003
http://www.ananova.com/entertainment/story/sm_766430.html

Abba singer Agnetha Faltskog is recording her first album in 16 years.

The 52-year-old singer has kept out of the limelight in recent years, following her last album I Stand Alone came out in 1987.

Former bandmate [!!!!] Staffan Linde says that her new solo LP will be in English.

According to Swedish paper Aftonbladet, it is it has been pencilled in for a winter release.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Kaarin Goodburn, Kettering, UK

SYDNEY MAMMA MIA! TO CLOSE

The rumour is that the Sydney production of Mamma Mia!, originally slated for an open-ended run, is to close in June. Visa-Preferred's ticket service is urging customers to get their tickets now before the musical closes.

TIME FOR THE 6 MONTHLY AGNETHA "COMEBACK" STORY TO SURFACE AGAIN!

Here's the translation of the much talked about article in Aftonbladet. As you can see, there's nothing new at all. Apart from the fact that Anders Neglin seems involved in the project.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Micke Hjernestam, Göteborg, Sweden

Agnetha's making a new pop album.

Agnetha Fältskog has kept away from the limelight the past years. But that's about to change. The former ABBA-star is making a new album that could be released already this autumn. "She's started recording" confirms Staffan Lindé.

16 years after I Stand Alone she's back with an English album.

The most secret recording project in Sweden is taking shape. This winter Agnetha Fältskog, 52, plans a comeback, with a pop album in English.
- She thinks it's great fun, says the ABBA-stars closest confidant, Staffan Lindé. The project is surrounded by maximum secrecy. But now it's a fact. The ABBA-star Agnetha makes her comeback as a pop artist after 16 years of abscence from the music scene.

- Right now, I don't want to make any comments, says producer and musical director Anders Neglin, who's working close with Agnetha on the CD project.

Agnetha turns 53 this Saturday. Her latest album with new material was I Stand Alone in 1987. And a comeback album with the star is of course world news amongst millions of ABBA-fans. The comeback is confirmed by Agnetha's closest trustee, Staffan Lindé.

- You could say that she's started recording. The backing tracks are almost done and soon she'll record the vocals.

- Agnetha thinks it's great fun. Maybe everything will be finished this summer or early autumn, he says. That means a winter
release might be possible. - Yes, unless anything unpredictable happens, says Staffan Lindé.

Several composers have contributed - however not ABBA-friends Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson. Agnetha has contributed herself with a number of songs. It's supposed to be pop. - I don't want to go into details yet, but most of the songs they're working with are in English, says Staffan Lindé.

Agnetha has, for many years, withdrawn from the limelight. Her shyness has given her status as a new Garbo. - But I think she'll be ready to talk about the CD in the future, says Staffan.

Is she aiming for an international release?

- We'll see, but of course everyone who wants to buy the CD should be able to do so.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Micke Hjernestam, Göteborg, Sweden
Thanks also to Tom Homulka, Chicago, USA