Abba Biography

Swedish pop band ABBA first came together in 1972. During their ten-year reign, the band consisted of Benny Andersson, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Anni Frid Lyngstad (Frida), and Agnetha Faltskog. Having difficulty naming the band, “ABBA” was eventually decided upon because it served as an acronym of Agnetha, Bjorn, Benny, and Anni Frid.

Prior to the formation of the band, Andersson was with The Hep Stars, while Ulvaeus fronted The Hootenanny Singers. Encountering each other on various tours, the two became friends and began composing original works together.

Faltskog was also a part of the music scene as she enjoyed a number one album at the age of seventeen. She is also noted for her appearance as Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar.

ABBA’s first performance was actually an impromptu concert on Cyprus, which drew rave reviews to the surprise of the foursome.

Deciding the band could actually make it in the pop market, ABBA’s first hit came with “Hej, Gamle Man.” After several smaller hits, the band debuted the single “People Need Love” in 1972. They followed with “Ring Ring” which spurred an album of the same name.

But it wasn’t until the release of “Waterloo” that ABBA gained any real exposure and notoriety. Taking top prize at the Melodifestivalen, they finally made the much-needed jump to the English music market.

Despite a lackluster reception in Europe for their first tour, the Scandinavian crowds came out in force.

Heartened by the reception, ABBA continued releasing albums including their self-titled work with “SOS” and “Mamma Mia.” They also found a great deal of success with “Fernando,” which went on to tie “Hey Jude” from The Beatles as longest-running number one single in Australia.

They officially reached superstar status, however, with the release of Arrival. This album contained some of their best known hits such as “Dancing Queen,” “Money, Money, Money,” and “Knowing Me, Knowing You.” With these popular songs, they finally broke into the coveted US Billboard charts.

They also increased their exposure with ABBA: The Movie, which was released in 1977.

After more tours and more albums, the stress of being in the limelight contributed to the divorce of Andersson and Lyngstad as well as Ulvaeus and Faltskog. Although they publicly stated the breakups would not affect the status as a group, tension and discontent was in the air. They attempted a recording session in 1982 to little effect, and by the end of 1982, they had performed their last set together on The Late, Breakfast Show with Noel Edmonds.

With the dissolution of the band, their music lives on in several notables covers such as “Knowing Me, Knowing You” by The Lemonheads’ Evan Dando. “Chiquitita” from Sinead OConnor is equally as well-known.

The music of ABBA has also been introduced to younger generation through the musical Mamma Mia!, which features many of their hit songs. It opened in London in 1999 and was a tremendous success. It even sparked a film adaptation of the same name. Premiering in 2008, the film starred Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Stellan Skarsgard, Pierce Brosnan, and Colin Firth.