ABBA is aSwedishpop musicgroup, who had many hits in the 1970s inStockholm and early 1980s. ABBA is the most successful Swedish music group of all time and was the most commercially successful pop group of the 1970s.[1]
ABBA became very popular after they won theEurovision Song Contest in1974. They had many hits. These included "Dancing Queen", "SOS", "Money, Money, Money", "Mamma Mia", and "Waterloo". Most of their songs were written by Ulvaeus and Andersson.
They originally broke up in 1982, but their music is still popular. It has appeared in movies (including theAustralian moviesThe Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert andMuriel's Wedding). The stage musicalMamma Mia! was developed from their music and subsequently made into a 2008 movie followed ten years later by a 2018 sequelMamma Mia! Here We Go Again.
All four ABBA members had local music careers before ABBA even formed. Frida and Agnetha were both solo singers. Benny and Bjorn both had their own individual bands. In 1966, Benny and Bjorn both met and decided to write songs together. In 1969, Bjorn met Agnetha and Benny met Frida. All four friends met together and decided to work together to record songs.
By 1970, they were known as "Bjorn & Benny (With Svenska Flicka)".[2][3] Later they were called Bjorn & Benny, Agnetha & Frida. Their first hit was a song called "Hej, gamle man".[4] By 1971, Bjorn and Agnetha were married and Benny and Frida were engaged. It wasn't until 1973 that the group became officially known as ABBA. The name was suggested by their manager,Stig Anderson.
"Ring Ring" in 1973 was when the group achieved success throughout much ofEurope andAfrica. They entered the Swedish song contestMelodifestivalen in 1973 and finished in third place. They returned to Melodifestivalen the next year with "Waterloo" and won. This gave them the chance to perform in theEurovision Song Contest. With "Waterloo", they won and soon got global success.
In 1976, ABBA released "Dancing Queen", which is often known as ABBA's "signature song" and "one of the greatest pop songs ever written".[5][6] During 1977, their huge popularity became known as "Abbamania".[7] In Australia, ABBA played in huge concerts that usually always sold out.[8] "ABBA: The Movie" was also released in 1977 during the height of the group's popularity. Throughout the mid and late 1970's ABBA performed inEurope,The United States,Japan andAustralia.[9]
In early 1979, Agnetha and Bjorn divorced. In early 1981, Frida and Benny also got divorced. This led to many sadder and more mature songs over the next few years.[10] By 1981, ABBA's popularity was declining. Their last album, "The Visitors" a not a big success like previous albums.[11] "The Day Before You Came" was the last song ABBA ever recorded together, while "Under Attack" was the last song ever released, both in 1982.[12] ABBA broke up shortly before 1983 and all members continued on their independent music careers, just like before they had met.[13]
Even though they split up, they have remained very popular and many of their songs are still listened to by many people. The musical and movieMamma Mia! was made, which is a story featuring ABBA's main songs.Ulvaeus andAnderson both appear in the movie. Ulvaeus also made an appearance on video at theEurovision Song Contest 2023. Due to Sweden's win at Eurovision 2023, thenext contest will be hosted in Sweden and also marks the celebration of 50 years since ABBA won.
↑Inc, Nielsen Business Media (8 September 1979)."Billboard". Nielsen Business Media, Inc.– via Google Books.{{cite web}}:|last= has generic name (help)
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