ABBA LEGEND

NOT many people are seen as innovators when they hit 80.

- BY MARC BAKER

Fewer still can claim the title of musical genius - at any age.

But, after helping his band sell more than 400 million records, as he celebrates the third anniversary of the groundbreaking Abba Voyage avatar show, Bjorn Ulvaeus is still seen as both.

For this irrepressible man, becoming an octogenarian simply means gathering more wisdom and experience.

Excitedly hinting at a new, secret Abba project, Bjorn tells The Star: "There will be something. It is just not crystalised yet exactly what that is.

"Something new. Yes, I am 80 - but I wake up curious every morning."

Bjorn spoke frankly about his life in music as two of his bandmates, Benny Andersson, 78, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, 79, joined him in the UK to toast the success of Abba Voyage.

More than two million fans have enjoyed the 90-minute shows at the Abba Arena in Stratford, East London, UK.

It features the Swedish group - including Agnetha Faltskog, 75 - as life-like hologram images, churning out hits such as Waterloo, Mamma Mia, Dancing Queen and Take A Chance on Me.

And, like their 1976 smash hit Money, Money, Money, it is a gold mine.

More thrilled by its creative success, Bjorn says: "When I first went to Voyage I saw myself as a young man on stage.

"But the strangest thing is how emotional it is. It is amazing how people quickly forget they are looking at screens.

"I was amazed and we had no idea it would happen. It is almost a spiritual feeling. There is something strange in the room which is amazing."

CREATIVE

The digital avatar show is produced by Pophouse Entertainment, a music investment firm and production company founded by Bjorn and Swedish billionaire businessman Conni Jonsson.

The firm is looking to use the same technology to bring other avatar shows to life, including US singer Cyndi Lauper and Gene Simmons' rock band Kiss.