Starparade (Star Parade)

Filmed Thursday 16th May 1974
Location Saarbrücken, West Germany
Broadcast Thursday 16th May 1974 (pre-recorded for broadcast the same date)
Released "Honey Honey" has been officially released on the 30th Anniversary Edition of ABBA's "Waterloo" album
Notes Starparade was a German TV show broadcast on Germany's second TV largest broadcaster ZDF for twelve consecutive years between 1968 and 1980. It's first broadcast was on Saturday 14th March 14th, 1968 from the Siegerlandhalle in Siegen, Germany, still in black & white. Later, the programme spot switched from Saturday to Thursday night where it stayed until the show's end on  5th June 1980. The show was broadcast annually  six episodes and the regular orchestra on the show was the "James Last Orchestra" who had it's first ever TV appearance on this show.

Also known as "James Last's Starparade", ABBA performed two songs to playback in this episode -  "Waterloo" and "Honey Honey". Between songs they were introduced to the audience one by one by the host Rainer Holbe and Agnetha got the loudest cheer.  This must have been the first performance of "Honey Honey".

According to ABBA - The Book (p.92) , ABBA took part in a live transmission of Starparade in May 1974 but this does appear to be the only time they performed on this show in 1974, so perhaps the show was live but they performed to playback?

This episode of James Last's Starparade reunited recent Eurovision artists Gigliola Cinquetti and Mouth & McNeal with ABBA. The Wombles were also guests on the programme and performed two songs. The artistes sat together on a large sofa together at the end of the show.. James Last was the leader of the big band featured on the show.  Click here for a picture of ABBA resting.

Although pre-recorded, it would appear that the show ran virtually continuously - perhaps because there was very little spare time before the broadcast hour?

Running order:
Lena Valaitis - Bonjour Mon Amour
James Last's Orchestra - Tsop
Vicky Leandros - Wie Ein Marcen
The Wombles -  Remember You're A Womble & The Wombling Song
Gigliola Cinquetti - Auf Der Strasse Der Sonne (German version of Alle Porte Del Sole)
I Love You And Don't You Forget It (dance routine)
Costa Cordalis - Wo Meine Traume Sinf
Mouth & McNeal - Ah, L'amore
James Last's Orchestra - Es Wierd Ein Wein Sein
Lena Valaitis - Wer Gibt Mir Den Himmel Zuruck
Dance With The Devil (dance routine)
Mouth & McNeal - Ein Goldner Stern
Gigliola Cinquetti - Ja (German version of Si)
ABBA - Waterloo
ABBA - Honey Honey
James Last's Orchestra - Summertime
Maple Leaf Rag (dance routine)
Costa Cordalis - Steig In Das Boot Heute Nacht
Vicky Leandros - Theo, Wir Fahr'n Nach Lodz
Vicky Leandros - Auf Wiedersehen Ihr Freunde Mein
James Last's Orchestra - Shady Lady

                Waterloo


NOTE: "Honey Honey" has been officially released so clip won't be featured here
Duration ABBA's appearance was approx. 6 minutes (but the full programme lasted 1 hour 26 minutes)
Watch Out For Agnetha during "Waterloo" - she gets her cameras mixed up and has her back to the camera when everyone else is facing it - Björn finds this quite amusing.

Also ... keep your eye out for ORINOCO WOMBLE!!!  He's behind Benny in "Honey Honey"!  Can't believe I spotted that - it made my day!
Transcript  
Lyrics Click on song title for the song lyrics and recording information: Waterloo and Honey Honey
Pictures Click on image for a larger view
Related Links Starparade, 1978
Credits Thanks to Guido, Lendy. Jozsef (huge thanks), Jun Seo, Carl Magnus Palm and Sam Sherz.