Swedish iconic group ABBA museum in Stockholm

Legendary Swedish quartet ABBA. ABBA museum in Stockholm

ABBA museum in Stockholm is a museum devoted to Abba – one of the most successful groups ever will be opened in the spring of 2013 in the Swedish capital Stockholm. Swedish quartet ABBA, founded in 1970 and named for the first letters of the names of participants, lasted until 1982. “Swedish pop music is an important part of our cultural heritage,” said former Abba member Bjorn Ulvaeus, who is one of those behind the museum’s creation. The museum will be part of the “Hall of Fame” dedicated to Swedish music, will feature memorabilia like musical instruments, stage costumes worn by the singers Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, Agnetha Feltskug and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. Visitors will also be able to sing along to Abba songs alongside life size holograms of the group.

One of the most successful groups ever, Swedish quartet ABBA

ABBA has sold over 370 million records worldwide and still sells millions of records a year, which makes them one of the best-selling music artists of all time. Abba shot to fame when they won the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Waterloo”. They went on to become one of Sweden’s biggest exports with such hit songs as “Dancing Queen” and “Gimme Gimme Gimme (A Man After Midnight)”.

The group sold around 370 million records in total and are part of a rich Swedish pop tradition which includes Roxette, Ace of Base, Europe and Kent.

Sold around 370 million records in total, ABBA became part of a rich Swedish pop tradition which includes Roxette, Ace of Base, Europe and Kent

“Associated with the disco scene of the 1970s, the Swedish quartet ABBA generated high charting hits for an entire decade, and for years trailed only the Volvo motor company as Sweden’s biggest
export. Comprised of two romantic couples—Bjorn Ulvaeus and Agnetha Faltskog, and Benny Andersson and Frida Lyngstad, ABBA formed in the early 1970s under the tutelage of songwriter Stig Anderson and scored their first success with ‘‘Waterloo’’ in 1974. From that point on, ABBA blazed a trail in pop sales history with ‘‘Dancing Queen,’’ ‘‘Voulez Vous,’’ ‘‘Take a Chance on Me,’’ and many other infectious singles, spending more time at the top of United Kingdom charts than any act except the Beatles. Although the group (as well as the Andersson-Lyngstad marriage) dissolved in the early 1980s, ABBA’s legion of fans only grew into a new generation. Notably, ABBA was embraced by many gay male fans. Songs like ‘‘Dancing Queen’’ practically attained the status of gay anthems”.
—Shaun Frentner

Anni-Frid, Princess Reuss, Countess of Plauen, born Anni-Frid Synni Lyngstad, 15 November 1945 in Norway, to a Norwegian mother and a German father, she grew up in Sweden, and has been a resident of Switzerland since 1986. She is formally styled Her Serene Highness Princess Anni-Frid Synni Reuss, Countess of Plauen following her marriage to Prince Heinrich Ruzzo Reuss of Plauen, a German prince of the former sovereign House of Reuss in 1992.

Agnetha Feltskug was born 5 April 1950, in Sweden. She was the first of two daughters of department store manager Knut Ingvar Faltskog and his wife Birgit Margareta Johansson.

Goran Bror Benny Andersson was born 16 December 1946, known professionally as Benny Andersson, a Swedish musician, composer. As of 2011 he is active with his own band Benny Anderssons Orkester (BAO!), and was executive producer for the film version of the musical Mamma Mia!.

Bjorn Kristian Ulvaeus was born 25 April 1945 in Gothenburg. On 6 July 1971, Ulvaeus married Agnetha Faltskog, the marriage resulted in two children: Linda Elin Ulvaeus (born 23 February 1973), and Peter Christian Ulvaeus (born 4 December 1977). In July 1980, Bjorn and Agnetha divorced, although they both agreed to remain in ABBA.