The Story of ABBA, Chapter 2
Chapter 2
1968
In 1968, the five future members of ABBA worked separately and each released several singles. Even Björn released four singles under his own name in two years.
Anni-Frid Lyngstad – Mycket Kär
1969
In 1969, Björn and Benny wrote "Peter Pan" for Frida; this was the first collaboration between three members of ABBA.
That same year, they composed the music for the film "Inga's Seduction" and released the single "She's My Kind of Girl," the first album on which they were credited as double performers. Agnetha and Frida do not appear on the recording.
This year also marked the end of the Hep Stars. Since they didn't have a manager, they couldn't keep track of their expenses, thinking that fame would allow them to do anything and be exempt from everything, until the IRS claimed the taxes they had never paid. For several years, each member had to repay their debt. From this, the duo created by Svenne & Lotta (his wife) emerged, also under the Polar Music label for a few years until they left, because they felt they weren't getting the necessary attention.
1970
In March 1970, Frida appeared on the television charity program MS70 Stand By, where she performed three classic songs, including “My Man.”
In April of that same year, Björn and Agnetha, and Benny and Frida, decided to combine their talents during a vacation together in Cyprus. What started as singing for fun on a beach ended with an impromptu performance in front of the United Nations soldiers stationed on the island.
In the story of the two couples, it should be added that in October 1970, they appeared together on a Swedish television program where they were asked to sing "California Here I Come" and this would be the first time that the four members of ABBA could be seen together on television, although with a song that had nothing to do with them.
The idea of working together and forming a performing group was decided on November 1, 1970, in Gothenburg. That day, they presented a show consisting of sketches and songs under the name Festfolket.
The reviews were negative, except for the performance of "Hej, Gamle Man," Björn and Benny's first recording featuring the four of them.
As a curiosity, "Le Monde est Grand" is a French cover of "Hej Gamle Man" that is unique in that it was released in December 1969, six months before the two couples recorded it. It's not entirely clear what happened, so we might assume that Stig sold the rights to the song and that the cover was ready before Björn and Benny released their single.
Robert Cogoi - Le Monde est Grand
ABBA - Hej Gamle Man
They even performed “The Language of Love,” the English version of “Livet Går Sin Gång,” at the Málaga International Song Festival in 1971, but in the end it was Lena Andersson who released it on record.
The release of "Lycka," the only album under Björn and Benny's name, although Agnetha and Frida appear on backing vocals on some songs, put the duo back on the right track.
In total, Björn and Benny released nine singles until 1972, including one in Germany and three in Japan, because they achieved a certain success there.
Björn & Benny - Det Kan Ingen Doktor Hjälpa
Björn & Benny - Tänk Om Jorden Vore Ung
Björn & Benny - Love Has It'S Ways
1971
On July 6, 1971, Agnetha and Björn were married. The next day, Stig had to break the sad news to Björn that his associate Bengt Bernard had committed suicide due to a terminal illness. At the same time, he proposed that he replace him as associate at Polar Music. Björn accepted on the sole condition that his soulmate, Benny, also be included. Stig only had one salary to offer, so he proposed they share it.
This is how the Polar Music songwriting machine began with Stikkan Anderson, Björn Ulvaeus, and Benny Andersson. As an anecdote, Stig dropped the S from his last name so as not to sound like a relative of Benny.
One of the first artists Björn and Benny promoted was Ted Gärdestad. This artist will become Polar Music's second-best-selling artist, behind ABBA.
Ted Gardestad - Jag Vill Ha En Egen Måne
Lill-Babs- Välkommen Till Världen
Meanwhile, the four members of ABBA continued their careers on separate paths.
Agnetha- Dröm Är Dröm Och Saga Saga
Hootenanny Singers - Aldrig Mer
In 1972, Björn and Benny were, among other things, writing songs for their second album as a duo, with the help of the girls on backing vocals, when Stig, with his keen eye for talent, realized that the girls' voices together were truly marvelous and not to be underestimated. He therefore suggested they compose a song in which both couples had equal importance. Thus, "People Need Love" was born, written for the four of them, without yet realizing that this would be their future. The song was presented in April on Swedish television and released as a single in June.
ABBA– People Need Love
To test their mettle, they recorded "He Is Your Brother," which was released as the second single in October of the same year. At the time, Stig predicted to Björn and Benny: "One day, you two will write a song that will become a worldwide hit."
ABBA - He Is Your Brother
Finally, to promote their first tour together in the summer of 1973, they recorded a medley of their group and solo hits called "En Hälsning Till Vara Parkarrangörer." You'll be familiar with this medley, as it's the opening track of every MundoABBA podcast.
Finally, with Björn and Benny's notoriety in Japan, the four were invited to the Tokyo International Song Festival, performing the song "Santa Rosa" without great success, which would surely be the reason why we won't find it on the original version of the group's first album.
ABBA– Santa Rosa (Live World Popular Song Festival)
But unconvinced by the result, the four members chose to resume their activities, with Agnetha and Frida performing solo, and Björn and Benny performing as a duo.
Björn and Benny performed the song "Saj Det Med En Sång," performed by Lena Andersson, for Melodifestivalen, finishing third. This didn't stop them from achieving another hit at the Svenkstoppen.
Agnetha, with four albums and several hits on the Svensktoppen, was chosen to play the role of Mary Magdalene in the musical Jesus Christ Superstar, which premiered in Gothenburg in October.
Agnetha - NuSka Du Bli Stilla & Vart Skall Min Kärlek Föra?
Björn, who in addition to his work with Benny continued with the Hootenanny Singers, released “Våra Vackraste Visor 2”, the group's twelfth album, but due to lack of time, none of the songs were his own, even so, he would not leave the group until 1974 to devote himself exclusively to ABBA.
Hootenanny Singers - Omkring Tiggarn Från Luossa
Billy G:son - There's a little man & I Saw It In The Mirror
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