My memories of my first ABBA concert are still really clear to me. I had been given my ticket as a Christmas present. £6 was a fortune then and I could never have afforded it as I was only 14 at the time and still in school.

The day of the concert came and I think I had about two hours sleep as I was sick with excitement at the prospect of going to see my idols. I got ready and I remember it being incredibly cold that night and I made my way down for the five o'clock train.

The journey from Greenock to Glasgow took 50 minutes and when I got there I had to look for a florist so I could buy roses for the girls (Agnetha & Frida). I think the woman in the shop must have took pity on me as she gave me a huge bunch of flowers for hardly any money.

I made my way up Renfield Street which seemed to take forever and I was really cold by this time. Soon I was outside the theatre and I saw the sign "Tonight ABBA in Concert". I felt quite sick as I rushed in and handed over my precious ticket. I had managed to get a front row seat and sat down and took my coat off and waited for what seemed like ages.

All of a sudden the theatre went pitch black and the loudest scream you ever heard went up from the audience. Then came the thunderous sound of a helicopter landing and the background music was "Arrival". Then the instrumental intro to "Tiger" started and the sound from the stage was deafening. The grey curtains fell down and there were Agnetha and Frida in their wondrous gold capes. The bright lights shone right on them and they reflected light right to the back of the theatre.

The rest of the concert was like a blur , the wonderful "I Am An A" was great and then shortly after the mini musical started and we were all spellbound. "Get on The Carousel" was eight minutes of magnificence and it is a crime this has never been released in some form.

When the girls came on for "Dancing Queen" the audience was ecstatic and one of the security men lifted me up to the stage so I could give Frida and Agnetha their roses.

I never had any money to buy a programme or anything but I remember floating home on a cloud . I was at the 1979 tour too but that was no comparison to 1977 when they ruled the world.

Charlie McNab, Scotland.



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