LOS ANGELES, CA. (Top40 Charts/ Luck Media & Marketing) - One of the most popular and acclaimed musicals of the decade, Mamma Mia!-which features an explosive hit parade of 70s and 80s classics by Swedish supergroup ABBA-has been seen by over 30 million people throughout the world, grossing over two billion dollars with productions running everywhere from London's West End To Broadway, Las Vegas, Utrecht, Madrid, Antwerp, Barcelona and Oslo.
On July 18, millions of fans in the U.S. who haven't had the chance to see Mamma Mia! live will be flocking to theatres to see the highly anticipated film version starring Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan.
The incredible ongoing phenomenon comes as a delightful surprise to Jerry Greenberg, who for all intents and purposes is the very proud pappa of Mamma Mia!
Back in 1974, the 32-year-old President of Atlantic Records-still the youngest label president in music industry history-took a chance and, in the midst of signing future superstar rock bands, inked the first U.S. deal for ABBA.
Under Greenberg's guidance, ABBA scored a few mid-chart Billboard hits with 'Waterloo,' 'SOS' and 'Honey Honey' but didn't explode until the explosion of disco in 1976 paved the way for ABBA's worldwide breakthrough with 'Dancing Queen.' Once 'Dancing Queen' became hip to play in clubs, pop radio caught on and put ABBA on their road to superstardom.
During his tenure with Atlantic, Greenberg also signed The Blues Brothers, Genesis, Chic, Foreigner and Roxy Music. For other labels, he signed everyone from Whitesnake to Motorhead, Dr. Dre and Easy-E, and introduced Mariah Carey to Tommy Mottola. He has worked with the greatest artists of all time, including AC/DC, Aretha Franklin, Bee Gees, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Eagles, Eric Clapton, The Rolling Stones, Dr. John and Yes. Greenberg, a drummer by musical trade, even sat in on the skins once with Led Zeppelin at Madison Square Garden!
In 2005, the Greenbergs formed the Rainbow Bar & Grill Expansion Group, licensing the name from America's No 1 rock and roll restaurant on Sunset Strip; their first restaurant opened in June 2005, across from the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas.