Celebrate 50 years since the incredible Swedish pop act ABBA burst into our lives
WORDS: JANEY SWANSON IMAGES: SHUTTERSTOCK
Arrival
In 1966, Swedish pop star Benny Andersson bumped into a star of the Swedish folk scene, Bjorn Ulvaeus, and, two weeks later, they’d written their first song together.
In 1969, the songwriting friends met Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid “Frida” Lyngstad – and the rest is pop history!
Agnetha had already had a number one single and a hit album, while Frida, originally from Norway, was also a singer.
Bjorn and Agnetha fell in love and married two years after meeting, while Benny started dating Frida – and the four
Take A Chance On Me
By 1970, the group had become Festfolk, a moderately successful cabaret act – but they were determined to hit the big time.
In 1972, they changed names to the long-winded Bjorn & Benny, Agnetha & Anni-Frid and came third in the contest to select Sweden’s Eurovision entry with Ring Ring.
That’s when the band’s manager stepped in and suggested that they combine their initials and call themselves a much snappier name!
Waterloo
Now going by ABBA, Agnetha, Benny, Bjorn and Frida tried for a place in the 1974 Eurovision and sailed through to the finals in Brighton. Waterloo brought the house down – and the votes just kept on rolling in for Sweden’s Eurovision entry! Apart from the UK, whose judging panel awarded the Swedish superstars-in-the-making “nul point”!
“I hardly remember anything other than waking up the next day and finding us being all over the globe,” said Bjorn, many years later.
“Overnight, we’d gone from this obscure Swedish band to world fame.”
Super Troopers
Waterloo topped the charts all over Europe but ABBA had to wait another 18 months for their next smash hit. Thankfully, S.O.S. proved they were anything but one-hit-wonders.
As ABBA mania gathered momentum, the band headed on their 1977 sold-out tour of Europe and Australia, which firmly established their place at the top of the world’s pop favourites.
However, fame was beginning to take its toll on the couples’ marriages.
Fashion’s Dancing Queens
Who can forget Agnetha and Frida’s glittering pantaloons, mini-dresses, tiered flares, groovy jumpsuits and platforms?
“My inspirations came fr
