When Olivia met her Waterloo
It was 40 years ago today and we were watching it, were you? The Eurovision Song Contest, broadcast from Brighton on 6th April 1974, launched Sweden's Abba into international pop superstardom after winning a decisive victory with their now iconic performance of Waterloo.
We well remember the awe inspiringly fabulous outfits and Agnetha's silver platform boots were positively to die for as the chief frocker prepared for her final school exams the same month.
Meanwhile the young and fresh faced Olivia Newton-John represented the UK with Long Live Love looking like an extra from Abigail's Party in a sky blue, full length, high neck hostess number with frills and trailing angel sleeves, supported by five backing songstresses in matching blue maxi frocks. She came fourth.
Although Olivia may have met her Waterloo in 1974, she was of course to go on to far greater things - sporting skin tight lycra - a few years later, co-starring with John Travolta as Sandy in the blockbuster film Grease which was the biggest box office hit of 1978.
Listening to Abba and Olivia still take us straight back to those heady days of teenage expresssion, outrageous fashion and Saturday Night Fever. Those were the Days, as another 70s Eurovision runner-up used to sing, although Abba admitted in a recent interview with the Daily Mail that they only wore such "ridiculous" clothes to exploit a Swedish tax loophole. Having been impoverished students, we can't use the same retrospective excuse for our fashion sense, or lack of it, and still have the (locked away) pictures to prove it!
To mark the 40 year anniversary of their Eurovision win, why not save your Money Money Money, become a Dancing Queen, and recreate the Abba look with some of our glam rock pieces at truly retro prices?
Silver and black metallic shift dress
Vintage glam rock metallic silver and black jacket
Black and gold metallic lace dress
Braver souls may want to sport some lurex hotpants
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with a feather boa or two
or the ultimate in 70s silver lame tastelessness?
To Agnetha, Anni-Frid, Benni and Bjorn: Thank You For The Music, the fashion and most of all the fun!
