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Putin Denies Digging ABBA Cover Show

But spokesman admits that ex-KGB agent is a fan

By Wesley Oliver, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 7, 2009 3:38 PM CST

(Newser) – Vladimir Putin is no dancing queen, the Kremlin insists, denying reports that Russia’s prime minister attended a hush-hush ABBA cover concert, AFP reports. “Officially and for sure Vladimir Putin never took part in any concert of the kind,” Putin’s spokesman said. “He wasn’t there.” One female performer countered, “I got a glimpse of his face in the lights.”

Another added that Putin’s attendance “was categorically stated” prior to the concert. A gauze curtain obscured the audience, which included Putin’s wife and seven other male guests. “It was obviously for their discretion,” said the female performer, calling the arrangements “a bit bizarre.” Putin’s spokesman admitted, “I have no doubt that he likes some music of Abba.”

[Images (7)]

[Videos (1)]

[Quotes (1)]

Despite denials by the Kremlin, members of the ABBA cover band Bjorn Again say they played a show for Vladimir Putin. (Getty Images)

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, right, listens as European Commission President Jose-Manuel Barroso speaks to the media in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Feb. 6, 2009. Russia and the European Union tested... (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

Bjorn Again was warned in advance not to try to speak to the audience or leave the stage and Putin made no attempt to speak to them afterwards, instead going off to watch fireworks. (AP Photo/RIA-Novosti, Alexei Nikolsky, Pool)

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's office moved on Friday to quash claims he attended a mystery concert featuring ABBA lookalikes singing to him from behind a veil at a military-style compound. (AP Photo/Sergey Ponomarev)

Vladimir Putin, right, and European Commission President Jose-Manuel Barroso, left, are seen at a joint news conference after their talks in Moscow, Russia, Feb. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Alexei Druzhinin, Pool)

Vladimir Putin gestures during a joint news conference with European Commission President Jose-Manuel Barroso, unseen, in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Feb. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin gestures while speaking during a session at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Wednesday Jan. 28, 2009. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

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Get the Vladimir Putin treatment and watch Bjorn Again perform. (YouTube)

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Although there were so few people, from the beginning they made us feel very welcome, applauding 'Bravo!' and enjoying the performance, swinging their arms and clapping and joining in. - Aileen McLaughlin, Bjorn Again

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Putin Denies Digging ABBA Cover Show