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Sit down before you witness Agnetha Faltskog, who rose to fame with “ABBA,” at age 72.

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Today, ABBA is recognized as one of the world’s most illustrious bands. The Swedish group is still regarded as a global sensation. Agnetha Faltskog, one of the group’s members, has opted for a life away from the spotlight.

One of the lead vocalists in ABBA, along with Anni-Frid Lyngstad, was Faltskog. She broke people’s hearts with some songs while making them dance with an all-time great pop voice. But more than anything, she and her bandmates became some of the most interesting musical figures ever…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

Faltskog now leads a stable life in Sweden, but that doesn’t mean she has stopped creating music. At age 72, she looks incredible now!

Few people can claim they haven’t heard of ABBA. Today’s 10-year-olds probably dance as wildly as anyone ever did when they hear the band’s music. It doesn’t matter if you were present for the first performance of Waterloo or if you won’t give birth for another 30 years.

It’s nearly impossible to pick just one favorite ABBA song. The fact that there is an ABBA song for every moment of our lives, whether it be happy, sad, inspiring, or regretful, is undoubtedly why they became such global superstars.

Agnetha Faltskog most definitely was. The fact that all of the members of ABBA essentially vanished after the band’s breakup makes them quite exceptional. Yes, they kept making music, but they preferred leading a tranquil existence away from the spotlight.

So what happened to her after ABBA broke up? And how did she initially become a part of the group? This is Agnetha Faltskog’s admirable tale.

On April 5, 1950, Agnetha was born in Jönköping, Sweden. She was the first of two daughters born to Birgit Margareta Johansson and department store employee Knut Ingvar Fältskog.

Agnetha Faltskog has always had a passion for music. She had skill; some of her favorite musicians included Tom Jones, Petula Clark, and Dusty Springfield.

A song about two little “trolls” was written by Faltskog when she was only five years old. She began taking formal piano lessons when she was eight and frequently went to her neighbor’s home to practice. She performed in the local church choir as well.

With her two childhood friends, Faltskog started the band The Cambers in 1960 when she was just 13 years old. They only performed a few little shows in the neighborhood before she decided it was time for something else two years later.

Agneta became a member of the Swedish folk band Bernt Enghardt. Swedish dancing music was played while the band made its way around Sweden.

“Before me, a vocalist named Agneta resigned,” Agnetha recalls. “It was a major plus that I was also called Agnetha when they discovered me, and after I had an audition after they placed posters looking for a new vocalist.”

Faltskog was on tour with Bernt Enghardt while still working as a telephonist for a car company, but her circumstances could have been better.

She arrived home after midnight, “around two or three,” and was scheduled to report to work shortly afterward. She even passed out at the auto company one day, and her mother gave her a choice.

Agnetha recalls her mother telling her, “‘Either you work as a normal person, or you dedicate totally to singing. “I wanted to keep singing, so it wasn’t difficult.”

Before departing to launch a solo career, Agnetha sang with the Bernt Enghardt band for another two years. She changed her last name to include an “h” after releasing her debut solo album.

Faltskog’s first hit, Jag var s kär [I Was So In Love], was made public when he was just 17 years old. As soon as it reached No. 1 on the Swedish sales chart in 1968, Bjorn Ulvaeus heard it on the radio.

“I recall listening to Agnetha’s debut single on the radio. In the BBC documentary Agnetha: Abba and After, Benny commented, “There was something so extraordinary about her voice and that she had written the song herself – it was beautiful.

“She did some sort of back-to-back, good songs,” Benny Andersson continued. She performed admirably, singing in unison with herself.

Now, Bjorn and Benny were gifted musicians who had previously collaborated. Following the release of her debut hit, Agnetha’s career took off, and soon she was scheduled to perform alongside Bjorn Ulvaeus.

“She and I sang a duet on a TV show we worked on. That evening, we genuinely experienced our love affair, followed by our union shortly after. He remembered, “That was a great moment.

While Agnetha and Bjorn performed together, Benny fell in love with Anni-Frid Lyngstad, another performer.

Despite being four extremely excellent musicians in the same space, they initially had yet to make plans to form a band. The 1970 Bjorn and Benny album Lycka [Happiness] featured Anni-Frid and Agnetha as background singers.

The four quickly began collaborating. They recorded the song “People Need Love” in 1972, but it was only moderately successful there. The ensemble now went by Björn & Benny, Agnetha & Anni-Frid. They decided to participate in Melodifestivalen, Sweden’s entry into the Eurovision Song Contest, and they sang the song Ring, Ring. They came in third place, but the song was a massive hit in Sweden.

Ring, Ring gained popularity in several European nations where it persisted. The group was starting to gain notoriety everywhere at this point. They would achieve their goals one year later, in 1974.

Once more, they competed in Melodifestivalen, but they used the song Waterloo this time. Before they played at the Eurovision Song Contest in Brighton, they decided that their group would have a new name, altering the path of music history. They had won the Swedish qualification. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

ABBA was created.

Agnetha had other thoughts while ABBA went on to win the Eurovision Song Contest, which many people believe to be the most memorable moment in ABBA history.

She married Bjorn Ulvaeus in 1971, and the couple welcomed Linda, their first child, in 1973. Agnetha was expecting while this ABBA mania, which was growing daily, was in full swing.

Having children while growing up to be one of, if not the largest, tribes on the planet was undoubtedly tricky.

Agnetha admitted that, given that she was only a few months away from giving birth to Linda, she was relieved that Ring Ring didn’t help them win the Melodifestivalen.

During the 10 to 12 years we performed as ABBA, Faltskog stated, “I managed to combine marriage, having children, divorce, and a worldwide success.” It wasn’t simple; I’ll be honest with you. Leaving home was difficult, especially since Dad [Bjorn] was also gone. We ensured that our kids were cared for while we were gone.

“We weren’t gone as long as you would have thought. We decided that if we were gone for 14 days, we would also be home for 14 days.

All of ABBA’s members experienced incredible success on a global scale, but Agnetha continued to have trouble with having to leave her kids.

She even told herself she might leave the group because it was difficult for her.

It wasn’t easy, and I questioned whether I should stay or go. What can we do to fix this?”I said that we had to be at home for the same amount of time we were out touring,” Agnetha continued.

I never intended to leave the group, but I could justify it to myself to get by and make everyone aware of how difficult things were.

The Battle of Waterloo was a huge success. However, it was only the start of a brand-new era in music history. It took some time before ABBA had its next big hit because placing first in the Eurovision Competition did not ensure success after the competition.

They then published the song SOS, a great hit, 18 months later. The song Mamma Mia, included on the same album as ABBA from 1975, reached the top of the charts worldwide.

It held the No. 1 spot for ten weeks in Australia, and ABBA’s mania “down under” was bananas. Australia, one of the ABBA fanatic nations, delivered the group six Number One song.

ABBA released additional albums throughout the years, and the hits kept coming. Songs like Fernando and Dancing Queen rapidly became famous; the latter was the only No. 1 single for the quartet in the US.

At this point, ABBA had established itself as one of the most well-known bands in the world, and with good reason. Songs like Money, Money, Money, Knowing Me, Knowing You, Chiquitita, The Winner Takes It All, Super Trouper, Take A Chance On Me, and Lay All Your Love On Me are among the group’s many hits.

In 1979, ABBA’s sixth album was released as Agnetha and Bjorn were divorcing. It wasn’t ugly, though; the band carried on with their professional duties.

Their divorce was the subject of the song The Winner Takes It All, which Agnetha sang.

It’s incredibly poignant that he wrote it precisely around the time of our divorce. I didn’t care, remarked Agnetha. It was beautiful to perform that song because I could convey such emotion.

“I didn’t mind sharing it with the public,” she continued. That song has so much in it. It didn’t feel unnatural.

In a 2013 interview with the Daily Mail, Agnetha discussed her divorce from Bjorn. She claimed that they get along well, if only for the benefit of their two kids.

She said, “Bjorn and I have overcome the heartache.” “It’s friendly. No doors have been closed by me. Love has so many ups and downs, but I never lose hope.

Anni-Frid and Benny, who wed in 1978, also divorced two years later. The band believed they were probably well-finished in 1982.

They published The Singles – The First Ten Years, a new album with two brand-new songs and all their greatest hits. However, as New Year’s Eve that year approached, ABBA decided to take a sabbatical.

The post Sit down before you witness Agnetha Faltskog, who rose to fame with “ABBA,” at age 72. appeared first on Entertainment Mind.

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IN-THE-NEWS

Biden Walks Away Without Taking Any Questions About New Orleans Terror Attack After Remarks at Camp David (Video) –

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Joe Biden addressed the nation from Camp David, the presidential retreat in Catoctin Mountain Park in Maryland on Wednesday evening following a terrorist attack that left at least 15 people dead in New Orleans.

At least 15 people were killed, 35 injured after a terrorist identified as 42-year-old Shamsud Din Jabbar plowed through a crowd in New Orleans during the New Year’s Eve celebration.

According to law enforcement, Jabbar did not work alone and was part of a larger network of terrorists…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

 

Earlier Wednesday Joe Biden stopped to chat with reporters as he departed Wilmington, Delaware for Camp David on Wednesday for another vacation.

He provided an absolutely worthless statement on the terrorist attack

“You all got my statement. I’ll have more to say in next hour about what’s going on in New Orleans…I’ve spoken to every member of the agencies, from CIA to national security team to FBI and NSC…anger and frustration,” Biden said.

WATCH:

https://twitter.com/HowardMortman/status/1874497608758231145?t=YuQCmcwKKHI8pmAs8ZVmZA&s=19

On Wednesday evening, Biden’s handlers shot him up with his latest meth cocktail and pushed out in front of a camera to address the nation READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Biden slurred through prepared remarks.

“Hours before, he posted videos on social media indicating that he is inspired by ISIS, expressing a desire to kill,” Biden said.

WATCH:

https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/1874607215832936940?t=rFMzrMBZyaDjmnmxvr3Xuw&s=19

Biden didn’t take any questions about the terror attack. He shuffled away from the lectern and disappeared.

WATCH:

https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/1874607915795189940?t=rPhPr7FW8QPw-1zIUHoMRQ&s=19

 

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Biden Announces Liz Cheney to Receive Presidential Citizens Medal, The Reason Will Shock You –

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President Joe Biden will formally announce recipients of the Presidential Thursday at 5 PM, and one name on the list is sure to raise eyebrows: Liz Cheney. The former Republican member of Congress — and vocal critic of President-elect Donald Trump — is among the 20 names in a statement released early Thursday morning.

The Presidential Citizens Medal is awarded to citizens of the United States of America who have performed exemplary deeds of service for their country or their fellow citizens. President Biden believes these Americans are bonded by their common decency and commitment to serving others. The country is better because of their dedication and sacrifice…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

 

The White House statement lauds Cheney: “Throughout two decades in public service, including as a Congresswoman for Wyoming and Vice Chair of the Committee on the January 6 attack, Liz Cheney has raised her voice—and reached across the aisle—to defend our Nation and the ideals we stand for: Freedom. Dignity. And decency. Her integrity and intrepidness remind us all what is possible if we work together.”

The awards will be presented at the White House on January 2, 2025. The following individuals will be awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal:

Mary L. Bonauto — Attorney and activist Mary Bonauto first fought to legalize same-sex marriage in Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Maine before arguing before the Supreme Court in Obergefell v. Hodges, which established marriage equality as the law of the land. Her efforts made millions of families whole and forged a more perfect Union.

Bill Bradley — Raised in small-town Missouri, Bill Bradley showed a dedication to basketball that would define his courage, discipline, and selflessness. A two-time NBA Champion and Hall-of-Fame New York Knick, he served three terms as a United States Senator from New Jersey and was a candidate for president, advancing tax reform, water rights, civil rights, and more, while still today seeking to deepen our common humanity with humility and heart.

Frank K. Butler, Jr. — As a pioneering innovator, Navy Seal, and leader in dive medicine, Dr. Frank Butler introduced Tactical Combat Casualty Care to the medical world that set new standards for tourniquet use not only for injuries in war, but injuries across daily civilian life. He has transformed battlefield trauma care for the United States military and saved countless lives.

Elizabeth L. Cheney — Throughout two decades in public service, including as a Congresswoman for Wyoming and Vice Chair of the Committee on the January 6 attack, Liz Cheney has raised her voice—and reached across the aisle—to defend our Nation and the ideals we stand for: Freedom. Dignity. And decency. Her integrity and intrepidness remind us all what is possible if we work together.

Christopher J. Dodd — Chris Dodd has served our Nation with distinction for more than 50 years as a United States Congressman, Senator, respected lawyer, and diplomat. From advancing childcare, to reforming our financial markets, to fostering partnerships across the Western Hemisphere—he has stood watch over America as a beacon to the world.

Diane Carlson Evans —After serving as an Army nurse during the Vietnam War, Diane Carlson Evans founded the Vietnam Women’s Memorial Foundation to ensure female service members received the recognition they deserve—one of our Nation’s most sacred obligations. Her duty and devotion embody the very best of who we are as Americans.

Joseph L. Galloway (posthumous) — From Vietnam to the Persian Gulf, Joe Galloway spent decades sharing first-hand accounts of horror, humanity, and heroism in battle. Known as the soldier’s reporter and the soldier’s friend, he embedded with American troops, rescued wounded soldiers under fire, and became the only civilian awarded a Bronze Star for combat valor by the United States Army as one of the most respected war correspondents of his era.

Nancy Landon Kassebaum — The first woman to represent Kansas, Nancy Kassebaum was a force in the United States Senate. From supporting a woman’s right to choose to reforming health care, she stood up for what she believed in even if it meant standing alone, and she reached across the aisle to do what she believed was right.

Ted Kaufman — For decades, including as a United States Senator from Delaware, Ted Kaufman has served the Nation with honesty and integrity. A master of the Senate who championed everyday Americans and public servants, he’s been at the forefront of consequential debates about the courts, the financial system, and more. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Carolyn McCarthy — As a nurse, Carolyn McCarthy had an instinct to heal and serve. When her husband and son were shot on a local commuter train, she became an advocate so persuasive that she was recruited to run for Congress. She served 18 years, championing gun safety measures including improved background checks, as a citizen legislator devoted to protecting our Nation’s welfare.

Louis Lorenzo Redding (posthumous) — A groundbreaking civil rights advocate, Louis was the first Black attorney admitted to the bar in Delaware, where he argued against segregation in the seminal cases of Bulah v. Gebhart and Belton v. Gebhart—laying the legal framework for Brown v. Board of Education. A towering figure and a generous mentor, he opened doors of equity and opportunity for all Americans.

Bobby Sager — A Boston native, Bobby Sager travels the world as a photographer and philanthropist grounded in family and empathy, wielding his camera and influence to connect with people in war-torn countries, capture their hope and humanity, and inspire others to take action and see a fuller portrait of the planet we all share.

Collins J. Seitz (posthumous) —As a state judge in Delaware, Judge Seitz became the first judge in America to integrate a white public school, dismantling the doctrine of “separate but equal” with exacting detail and reverence for the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment of our Constitution. His brave ruling tore down walls of separation to help us see each other as fellow Americans.

Eleanor Smeal — From leading massive protests and galvanizing women’s votes in the 1970s to steering progress for equal pay and helping the Violence Against Women Act become law, Ellie Smeal forced the Nation to not only include women in political discourse but to value them as power brokers and equals. Her strategic vision over more than 40 years embodies the American pursuit to create a fairer, more just world.

Bennie G. Thompson — Born and raised in a segregated Mississippi, as a college student inspired by the Civil Rights movement, Bennie Thompson volunteered on campaigns and registered southern Black voters. That call to serve eventually led him to Congress, where he chaired the House January 6th Committee—at the forefront of defending the rule of law with unwavering integrity and a steadfast commitment to truth.

Mitsuye Endo Tsutsumi (posthumous) — In a shameful chapter in our Nation’s history, Mitsuye Endo was incarcerated alongside more than 120,000 Japanese Americans. Undaunted, she challenged the injustice and reached the Supreme Court. Her resolve allowed thousands of Japanese Americans to return home and rebuild their lives, reminding us that we are a Nation that stands for freedom for all.

Thomas J. Vallely — A United States Marine during the Vietnam War, Thomas Vallely has never given up on peace. Over the course of five decades, he has brought Vietnam and the United States together—establishing Fulbright University Vietnam, fostering greater economic and cultural exchange, and overcoming the perils of the past to seize the promise of the future. His service remains a symbol of American leadership in the world.

Frances M. Visco — As president of the National Breast Cancer Coalition, Fran Visco has fought tirelessly and fearlessly to increase Federal funding for breast cancer research, early detection education, and access to women’s healthcare. As a breast cancer survivor, she turned pain into purpose, changed the landscape of breast cancer advocacy, and has become a powerful symbol of hope for the Nation.

Paula S. Wallace —A lifelong educator and trailblazer of the arts, Paula Wallace dreamt of a school that would transform how we think about professional education. By establishing the esteemed Savannah College of Art and Design and serving as its president, she has guided thousands of students into creative industries.

Evan Wolfson —By leading the marriage equality movement, Evan Wolfson helped millions of people in all 50 states win the fundamental right to love, marry, and be themselves. For 32 years, starting with a visionary law school thesis, Evan Wolfson worked with singular focus and untiring optimism to change not just the law, but society—pioneering a political playbook for change and sharing its lessons, even now, with countless causes worldwide.

 

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‘Historical Context Can Be Tricky’ –

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Vice President-elect JD Vance promoted Elon Musk’s recent op-ed in support of Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Vance shared the op-ed on Thursday and wrote, “I’m not endorsing a party in the German elections, as it’s not my country and we hope to have good relations with all Germans. But this is an interesting piece.”

“Also interesting; American media slanders AfD as Nazi-lite, But AfD is most popular in the same areas of Germany that were most resistant to the Nazis,” Vance added. Vance’s claim was quickly shot down by German journalist James Jackson who shared electoral maps from 1932 and 2024 showing that regional overlap for the AfD and the Nazi party in northeastern Germany…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

 

https://twitter.com/derJamesJackson/status/1874895472726569038?t=3Uny-1Nr-JG3vENhNMQu6g&s=19

The German Ambassador to the US, Andreas Michaelis, also refuted Vance’s claim, replying, “Interesting observation, Senator JD Vance. Historical context can be tricky – while some areas you are referring to resisted the Nazi party early on, others did not, or later became strongholds of the regime. Germany’s history reminds us how important it is to challenge extremism in all its forms.”

https://twitter.com/GermanyinUSA/status/1874923587557286171?t=vj_DqTZ3OsCWoKvN9nc9cg&s=19

Musk stirred controversy last month when he endorsed the party, which has long been controversial both across Europe and in the U.S. Musk wrote on his X platform that “only the AfD can save Germany.” The AfD is polling strongly in Germany’s upcoming election, but is seen as unlikely to be voted into a position to govern the country as the other parties have vowed not to work with them. Germany publicly accused Musk earlier in the week of trying to influence its elections

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) addressed Musk’s support for the AfD in late December on CNN, “Yeah. I mean, this is not normal. So AfD is essentially the neo-Nazi party in Germany. They exist to try to rehabilitate the image of the Nazi party. And they have all sorts of very dangerous ideas about ridding Germany of anyone who is not naturally born in that country. They are an extremist group,” Murphy replied, adding: READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

And it is just extraordinary that maybe the most important advisor to the president of the United States, somebody that has been, you know, parading around the halls of Congress as a key advisor to the president, is endorsing a neo-Nazi party inside Germany.

Germany’s DW news agency describes the party’s platform as one that “insists on the primacy of “traditional” German culture and rejects Islam as a part of German society. It also questions the notion that climate change is man-made, wants to uphold family values and opposes diversity and gender issues. The AfD wants to limit NATO’s operational area to the territory of its member states and replace the EU with a new organization.”

DW also noted, “The AfD has a powerful extremist section which the domestic intelligence service is keeping tabs on.”

 

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