David Bowie, ABBA, and Rod Stewart’s unique ties to Cyprus revealed
Cyprus has played an intriguing role in the histories of several global music legends, notably David Bowie, ABBA, and Rod Stewart. Bowie’s connection began through his first wife, Angie Bowie, who was born in Nicosia. After their 1970 wedding, Bowie holidayed in Cyprus multiple times, including trips with members of his Spiders from Mars band, and even drew inspiration from the island for his song "Move On." Bowie’s visits included stays in Kyrenia and Lefkara, where he appreciated the traditional lace craft.
Meanwhile, ABBA’s roots in Cyprus trace back to 1970 when Björn Ulvaeus and Agnetha Fältskog, accompanied by Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, vacationed in Famagusta. Their spontaneous singing during the trip is often cited as the moment the idea of forming ABBA was born. The group’s informal performance for UN soldiers on the island foreshadowed their international success.
Decades later, Rod Stewart performed at a lavish private birthday party in Cyprus in 2002, organized by businessman Philip Green. The extravagant three-day event at the Anassa hotel featured Stewart and other stars, costing an estimated £5 million, with Stewart reportedly paid £750,000 for a 45-minute show. While Stewart’s link is less personal, these stories collectively reflect Cyprus’s unexpected yet diverse connections to global music history.
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