In 1968 ZDF Television launched a new music spectacular entitled Star Parade. The James Last Orchestra were residents for the 50 shows produced. 

James Last's Star Parade 'morphed' into Show Express and started in September 1980. In the 90-minute production featuring The James Last Orchestra, national and international stars and some new ideas (TV ballet, news from music and show business, film clips). The series included nine live episodes:

1. 25 September 1980 Düsseldorf (Philipshalle)
2. 27 November 1980 Hof (Freiheitshalle)
3. 12 March 1981 Saarbrücken (Saarlandhalle)
4. 04 June 1981 Düsseldorf (Philipshalle)
5. 10 September 1981 Berlin (Deutschlandhalle)
6. 29 October 1981 Bremen (Stadthalle)
7. 25 March 1982 Böblingen (Sporthalle)
8. 09 September 1982 Hof (Freiheitshalle)
9. 11 November 1982 Saarbrücken (Saarlandhalle)

Running order of this episode, hosted by Michael Schanze:

1. James Last Band - Medley
2. Christian Franke - Wenn du gehst
3. Oliver Onions - Piccola Bambola
4. Dance scene and Show-News
5. Katja Ebstein - Mann bist du schön
6. Chris de Burgh - The Getaway
7. Veronica Unlimited - New York City
8. Lena Valaitis - Wenn ich bleibe
9. Sharon Redd - In the Name of Love
10. ABBA – some excerpts of ABBA - The Movie and ABBA in Concert were shown and then they performed three songs: The Day Before You Came, Cassandra and Under Attack. Each had a different (cold) ending to the single releases.  Michael Schanze had a few words with Agnetha, Frida and Björn in between the last two songs.

At the end of the show, all the guests took a bow one by one with ABBA bringing up the rear. They were then mobbed by the audience (again!).

This was their last TV performance in front of a live TV audience and is one of the best, especially the fabulous beginning of The Day Before You Came.

After the performances some of the touring party (possibly some ABBA members and definitely some musicians) took a late flight back to Sweden. Agnetha travelled home the following day.

Click here for a TV listing from Nieuwsblad van het Noorden - 11 November 1982, p.2.

Broadcast information:
Thursday 11 November 1982, LIVE, 19:30-21:00, ZDF, Germany 
Saturday 2 November 2002 on ABBA Kultnacht, ZDF, Germany

Lyrics available on the Official ABBA site: The Day Before You Came, Cassandra and Under Attack

Show Express (The Winner Takes It All, Super Trouper, On and On and On), 1980;
Show Express (Frida), 1982;
Show Express (The Day Before You Came, Cassandra, Under Attack), 1982

Thanks to Jan Bach, Carl Magnus Palm, Dustin, Jozsef and Jun Seo.
YouTube link c/o ABBA RICO and Brightnights1