Mamma Mia! The Untold True Story of Pop Legends ABBA
ABBA is one of the most beloved and popular bands in the history of the music industry. Completely unique and original in their sound, image, and outlook, the Swedish pop quartet first burst onto the global music scene with their Eurovision-winning iconic track “Waterloo” in 1974, and went on to become one of the biggest-selling pop groups of all time.
But behind the fame and fortune and chart-topping tracks, were secret struggles and rumored dark feuds, that eventually spelled the end of the pop legends’ reign over the industry.
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Let’s take a look at the true story behind the rise—and fall—of this iconic pop outlet.
Man of the Moment
Our story begins way back in the 1940s, where a man named Benny Andersson was born in Stockholm, Sweden. With a natural talent for singing and songwriting, Andersson built up a career for himself in his native country, as one of the lead members of The Hep Stars, known as “The Swedish Beatles”.
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Andersson was clearly born to be a star, but no one could have predicted just how much, when he ventured into English music, he would change the scope of the music industry forever—in more ways than one.
Brotherly Bond
But Andersson wasn't the only musical genius born in Sweden around this time. Another young and talented singer-songwriter named Björn Ulvaeus was also making his name on the Swedish pop scene with his band The Hootenanny Singers.
The two musical men were separately building incredibly successful and well-respected careers, before their respective bands would eventually cross paths a few times while touring.
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They soon became friends, but it wasn't until they began putting their heads together to make music, that their true destiny would really unfold.
Creative Spark
As Ulvaeus and Andersson began playing together occasionally with their bands, they eventually teamed up to write a song together, named “Isn’t It Easy to Say”. This was a great success in Sweden and led them to write more songs together such as "Ljuva sextital" ("Sweet Sixties"), and "Speleman" ("Fiddler").
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It was clearly a match made in heaven—but little did they know, more people were destined to join their group, and take both their music careers and their personal lives to the next level.
Joining Forces
While Ulvaeus and Andersson were embarking on a glorious creative partnership, another young Swedish pop star was making waves in the industry, unaware that destiny was about to lead her towards a totally different path, both musically and romantically.
Anni-Frid "Frida" Lyngstad was enjoying hit singles with her band, the Anni-Frid Four, when Andersson came along as producer for a number of her songs.
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It was clear that they had a connection both musically and romantically, which would go on to change both of their lives. But Lyngstad had a dark secret of her own.
Dark Past
Lyngstad was known to Sweden as the talented and charismatic frontwoman of her band, releasing a string of hit singles and generally enjoying life in the music industry.
But not everyone knows the true secrets of her dark past—and her origins.
Because Lyngstad was actually born in Norway, to a Norwegian mother and a German soldier during the Nazi occupation in WWI. Following the war, the family feared retribution for their Nazi connections, and that’s why they fled to Sweden—where Lyngstad’s mother tragically died.
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With such a dark and tragic past, Lyngstad could only hope for a better future—but she had no idea just what was in store for her next.
Making Music
Despite her dark past, Lyngstad was making a life for herself in Sweden and focusing on her singing talent and skills. She was so admired by her fans and colleagues alike, that when she started collaborating with Andersson, she didn't realize that his appreciation of her went further than just professional.
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Eventually, the bond between the two became more than creative—and around 1969, the two began dating, quickly becoming one of Sweden’s hottest musical couples. But their relationship would soon hit headlines around the world for more reasons than one.
Four’s a Crowd
Of course, we know that ABBA did not make their name as a musical trio. There was one more person destined for their soon-to-be iconic unit—none other than Agnetha Fältskog.
Fältskog has been carving out a successful career in the industry as a solo singer and songwriter, regularly topping the charts with singles she had written herself—unusual for a woman during this time period.
Fältskog ended up appearing on a Swedish TV special alongside Ulvaeus, and the two quickly hit it off.
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These two couples were both enjoying new love, but they had no idea the whole world was about to fall in love with them too.
Magic Happens
Now that the two couples had been fully established when it came to romance, they knew that their respective musical talents could also bring a new level of joy to all of their relationships.
And in 1970, the four of them headed on vacation together to Cyprus, where they relaxed on the beach and enjoyed singing together in the sun.
But they didn't realize while they sang, they were being listened to by none other than a group of soldiers from the United Nations.
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Their casual sing-song became a live performance, and the four of them knew that they had to begin working together properly.
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