Party time for Hall of Fame nominees Abba

September 24, 2009

Abba have joined Kiss, LL Cool J and the Red Hot Chili Peppers on the list of nominees for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Music experts will decide whether Benny Andersson and his fellow Abba members make the grade ahead of a New York ceremony in March.

To be eligible for the honour, acts must have released their first single or album 25 years before their nomination.

Seventies superstars Abba remain one of the best-selling acts in the history of pop, lighting up the charts from 1972 to 1982 with hits like Waterloo, Mamma Mia and Fernando.

News of the nomination comes in the same week it was announced that hit Abba musical Mamma Mia! will go to Liverpool for its only 2010 UK tour date.

The band's Bjorn Ulvaeus welcomed the inclusion of the city on the musical's circuit.

"It's holy ground we're daring to tread on, but somehow I've a feeling the gods won't mind," he quipped.

"I think they'll appreciate the show, the Liverpudlians know pop when they hear it."

Featuring over 20 Abba classics, the musical will play at Liverpool's Echo arena for three weeks from 3rd June.