You have become the premiere ABBA historian in the last 10 years. How well
does that sit with you? Do you enjoy it or find it frustrating?

CMP: You know, I never really planned for this to happen. I have never
really done anything to pursue this position, I haven't actively tried to
ingratiate myself with anyone or anything like that. I just wanted to write
The Complete Recording Sessions in the hope that it would lead to "good
things". I had no specific idea on what those "good things" would be -
whether it would be further ABBA work, or writing about other artists, or
whatever - I just knew that it would be great fun to write such a book. As
it turned out, it mostly led to other ABBA work. The Complete Recording
Sessions is essentially the only ABBA book that has been my own idea
completely. Most everything since then has been assignments to write other
books, or being invited to work with the record company; things like that.


I still often have to pinch myself: "How did all this happen? How did I end
up in this position?" It's great fun, most of the time, and I've had some
really incredible experiences because of it. I will admit that there have
been times when I haven't been so happy about being so strongly identified
with one single group, mostly because people tend to jump to a lot of
conclusions about who I am and what I'm about as a result of it. But lately
I believe I have come to terms with it, and at the moment I'm enjoying all
the ABBA-related work I do more than I have in a long time. I just try to
have fun with it and let other people believe what they want - you can't
control that sort of thing anyway.


All in all, there is no doubt that ABBA have been really good for me. It
certainly is a real privilege to be involved in so many different ABBA
projects, not to mention the many new friends I've made as a result of it.

 

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