The Quietus - A new rock music and pop culture website

News

ABBA Man Benny Blasts Eurovision
The Quietus , May 12th, 2009 08:54

Now it's just good telly

Last week Terry Wogan said that the Eurovision Song Contest was "rubbish" and "a camp, foolish spectacle". Now former Eurovision winner Benny Andersson has hit out at the event.

"What it is now is possibly a great television event, but for music it means nothing. I don't watch Eurovision, it's become so huge," he thundered like an indie kid distraught that their favourite band has sold more than thirteen records.

Comparing the modern jamboree to the Contest he and ABBA won with 'Waterloo' in 1974, Andersson said "It was smaller scale then than it is now. It might have been a little bit more meaningful in the 50s and 60s and when we entered but after that, I'm not sure if anything ever happened. Musically it's not what it should be. But as television it's a good show."