Two short clips were also broadcast in "Wenn das kein Grund zum Feiern ist..." on 17 August 2002 on ARD Germany
HR (local company of ARD), Germany, 28 December 2007 (a very short clip - 13 seconds) at 10pm in a TV special about German entries to Eurovision called "Unser Lied für den Grand Prix" ("Our song for the Grand Prix").
(previously named "Mystery Waterloo!" and then "Waterloo at Eurovision")
ABBA performed (mimed) "Waterloo" (English). Finally, we really do have a solution to this mystery thanks to Jozsef.
This Eurovision Song Contest Preview was broadcast in 2 parts by ARD Germany and previewed all the entries for the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest. "Waterloo" was in part 1 in the German broadcast.
So if this was a little film sent around Europe then this could possibly have been ABBA's first appearance on British television if they were used in the Eurovision Song Contest Preview programme broadcast (in colour!) on BBC1 on 31 March 1974 at 4.45pm as per this Radio Times snippet (the issue cost 5p!). According to the Radio Times, ABBA were in part 1 so it is not the same order as the German version (as ABBA were in part 1). The UK's presenter was different too (David Vine) so perhaps the clips were sent around Europe and each country created their own versions. Bizarre then that this clip has not been seen in full before now.
This also means that this performance is AFTER their winning performance at Melodifestivalen which would explain the similar set.
This entry
refers to the GERMAN Eurovision preview because this is where
the clip below is from. It also previews the performances of
Olivia Newton-John,
Irene Sheer, and
Gigliola Cinquetti
amongst others.
Thank you to everyone who
has contacted me to add to the discussion and not wanted to let it go until
we had a resolution. This is truly a collective effort and exactly
what has made this site such a success - because I can't possibly do it on
my own. It seemed a shame to over-write the discussions which led us
to arrive at this point so
they are
available here!
They are called 'The Abba' on the screen!
Thanks to Philip Muytjens, Petri Kaasalainen, Markus Wölfl, Dustin, Jozsef, Henk, Colin Mutter, Erik Liebstaedter, Petr Mlejnek, Ian Cole, SAM SHERVZ, Yannick, Jan Bach, Frank Klophaus and Robin Andersson. Thanks also to abbasite4everforum