ABBA, Olivia Newton-John & Andy Gibb performing Beach Boys - ABBA, Olivia Newton-John & Andy Gibb performing Beach Boys

What this video is

This segment captures a unique convergence of three of the most commercially dominant pop acts of 1978 at the apex of each act's visibility: ABBA was mid-way through their US conquest following 'Dancing Queen' and was the subject of a full 'ABBA Month' promotional campaign; Olivia Newton-John was weeks away from the release of Grease; and Andy Gibb was in the midst of an unprecedented run of consecutive US #1…

Why it matters

Represents the zenith of the 1970s American network TV variety special as a cultural institution — a format that would largely disappear within five years as cable fragmented audiences. The in-the-round jam-session format was an influential template for subsequent 'unplugged' and 'storytellers'…

The director

Steve Binder (born December 12, 1932, Los Angeles, CA) is an American television director and producer specializing in musical and variety specials. Career highlights include directing the landmark T.A.M.I. Show (1964), Elvis: The '68 Comeback Special (NBC,…