I get some interesting feedback here at ABBAMAIL HQ. Some of it good, some of it bad and some of it rather psychotic. But that's fandom for you! Someone recently wrote to me and asked me why ABBAMAIL has put so much emphasis on reporting and promoting Bright Lights, Dark Shadows: The Real Story of ABBA. They said something like 'it's as if it is the most important thing in western civilisation or something'. Well, it isn't important as far as western civilisation is concerned but it is of supreme importance to the ABBA fan community. In fact, I would go so far as to say that, if you don't have the book or if you aren't planning on getting it, then I don't really think you can call yourself a serious ABBA fan. Its as simple as that. It has been 35 years since the various fragments that made up ABBA started to come together. And not once, during that time, has a fully-fledged, serious, complete biography ever been written about the group. Sure, there have been pieces of science fiction like the flash-trash paperback 'The Name of the Game' and the pictorially fabulous but factually flawed 'ABBA - The Book' - but there has NEVER, EVER been a book like Bright Lights, Dark Shadows. Stacks of serious books get written about The Beatles and other groups with supposed 'credibility' but not ABBA. That's what makes Bright Lights, Dark Shadows so vitally important. It tells the REAL story of ABBA - not gossip, not made up 'catfights' between Agnetha and Frida - just the complete factual story. Bright Lights, Dark Shadows doesn't need to delve into the realm of fantasy because the truth is so amazing it speaks for itself. There are a few items I believe all serious ABBA fans must have. The eight studio albums, the 4-CD box set and the Complete Recording Sessions book for example. Bright Lights, Dark Shadows has instantly joined that category. To me there's no choice - if you are a serious fan you've got to have the book. ABBAMAIL will keep reporting about the book and promoting it because it is quite simply the most significant publishing event in ABBA's 35 year history. Cos if you haven't read the book, you don't know jack about ABBA. Graeme At My Desk Feedback:
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