Abba: Eurovision win in Brighton to be celebrated in museum exhibition

Abba’s historic Eurovision win in Brighton will be celebrated with an exhibition in the city this month.

Abba: One Week in Brighton exhibition will put on display artefacts from the Swedish band’s big win in 1974.

The exhibition marks the 50th anniversary of the Swedish band winning the competition at the Brighton Dome.

Exhibits on display include a scorecard from The Argus in 1974 which was signed by the band.

Renia Simmonds, 72, who still owns the scoresheet, said: “We were sat at home watching the Eurovision Song Contest as we still do and at the end of it all I asked my dad: ‘can you take us down to get their autographs?’

“I got all of their autographs. Olivia Newton-John [who was the UK’s entrant at the time] was crying her eyes out.

“They weren’t then, they were brand new. As a 22-year-old in the early 70s I thought they had quite strange outfits.

“I felt they were going to be big then. They got my attention.”

The scoresheet from The Argus in 1974 features autographs from all four members of Abba as well as other Eurovision entries including Olivia Newton-John.

Other exhibits on display include tales of international journalists who missed the show after enjoying the city’s pubs as well as a taxi driver who was treated to a private performance by Abba.

Jody East, curator of the exhibition, said: “The 1974 Eurovision Contest was a culturally significant moment and it’s wonderful to collectively celebrate memories of ABBA’s victory and the part Brighton played.

“We hope visitors will enjoy sharing these stories together.”

Hedley Swain, chief executive of Royal Pavilion and Museums Trust, added: “We’re looking forward to welcoming ABBA fans of all ages from near and far to mark this important anniversary.”

The exhibition will open in Brighton Museum on March 28 and will be open until August 4. Special events will be held on April 6, the exact anniversary of Abba winning the Eurovision Song Contest.