The ABBAs were probably the most influential bands during the 70s where youngsters were concerned. The band always has been perceived as two beautiful couple much in love and making melodious music. The band comprised of Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, Agnetha Faltskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, also known as Frida. ABBAs history is as interesting as their music and takes us through the lives of four people all of whom spent most of their lives making music.
Benny Andersson was a member of the ‘Swedish Beatles’ band called the Hep Stars from 1964 to 1969. He met and formed a songwriting partnership with Bjorn Ulvaeus, who was a member of a well known rock group called The Hootenanny Singers. Both were successful in their bands and when they came together, wrote songs and working as producers for Polar music. Frida was a local celebrity with her solo singing career in Stockholm, and had formed a band called The Ann-Frid Four with bass player Ragnar Frederickson. Agnetha was singing with bands in Sweden since the age of 15 and belted consistent hits since the age of 18.
By 1970 Bjorn and Agnetha, Benny and Frida were in love and were living together while maintaining their solo careers. Polar Music was headed by Stig Anderson, a well known Swedish music business entrepreneur who had contributed more than 2000 songs in the 60s and 70s. When Stig’s partner died, he invited Bjorn to be a replacement who bought Benny along. Meanwhile, Bjorn and Agnetha moved into theatre and gave a massive hit “don’t know how to love him” in the Lloyd Webber musical, Jesus Christ Superstar. In 1972, Bjorn and Benny gave a big hit in Japan in the way of “People need love”. Owing to their great popularity, they were invited to the Eurovision song contest in the 1973 Swedish heat, the band was then named Benny &Bjorn, Agnetha & Frida and they entered with the famous “Ring Ring”. The audience loved the song, though the judges placed it at number 3. Due to the following public outcry, Swedish Eurovision entries began to be chosen through public voting since then.
The following year, Benny, Bjorn and Stig wrote and performed “Waterloo” and walked away with the Swedish Eurovision heat. The song became the first Swedish act to win the heat and “waterloo” launched ABBA as the first international pop act who performed in a language other than their native tongue. Their songs would always open at the top of the charts in the USA, UK, Germany, Scandinavia and they were as popular in the English speaking nations as in the non-English speaking countries. Despite their individual divorces, the band continued to make great music. Songs like “knowing me, knowing you”, “I have a dream”, and “lay all your love on me” were hits on both sides of the Atlantic. All their albums were a major success Voulez-Vous, Super Trouper and The visitors which was their last album together.
In 1982, ABBA took a break from being a band and each member continues with a successful solo career even today. For several years, ABBA was only next to Volvo in being Sweden’s biggest export earners. They have been revered and remain a legendary and most accomplished rock bands ever.
Christopher Schwebius is an entrepreneur who seeks out sharply defined, specifically focused topics to research. Upon finishing his research he provides relevant, un-biased information to his readers based on his discoveries and/or personal experiences.
One of his latest ongoing projects can be viewed at www.abbacostumes.org
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