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1983-2003 | 2004-2008 | 2009-2015 | 2016-present | Ring Ring | Waterloo | Abba | Arrival | The Album | Voulez-Vous | Gracias Por La Musica | Super Trouper | The Visitors | Articles | Viggsö | ABBA at Christmas | Home
1983
All ABBA members are working hard on their solo careers. Agnetha releases her first solo album, produced by Mike Chapman, 'Wrap Your Arms Around Me'.
Frida had left Sweden in 1982 to live in London. In March and April 1983, she records demos for her upcoming album at the Polar Studios in Stockholm.
Björn and Benny have their hands full on the 'Chess' musical. On January 28,29 and 30 the bearded half of ABBA and Tim Rice visit Moscow. They plan to visit chess world champion Anatoly Karpov. Sovjet pop singer Alla Pugacheva is offered a role in the future musical Chess to play the wife of a Sovjet chess player but she has to refuse the offer because of the political climate in the USSR.
Björn and Benny with Russian singer Alla Pugacheva
Agnetha with actor Gunnar Hellström from 'Raskenstam'
Agnetha on 'Måndagsbörsen' in October 1983
1984 Björn and Benny start recording sessions for the 'Chess' musical.
Björn and Benny with Tim Rice on October 19,
Agnetha spends all of the time being with her children. In May, she works on a Swedish Television special, Jönköpingsyra, commemorating the 700th anniversary of her home town. Agnetha hosts this special as one of Jönköping's most famous citizens. A children's choir surprises her with a medley of her pre-ABBA solo songs. Near the end of the year 1984 Agnetha is ready to work on a new album.
On November 11, Björn, Benny and Frida are guest on German tv-show 'Na Sowas'. After the interview the three former ABBA members sing in the backing choir of Murray Head's 'One Night In Bangkok'.
1985
Agnetha records her English solo album, 'Eyes Of A Woman'.
Agnetha performing in Montreux, Switserland
Benny and Björn attend the 'Chess On Tour' premiere in London on October 27.
Frida spends 1985 outside the spotlights.
An ABBA reunion on January 16. All four do an acoustic version of 'Tivedshambo' for the 'This Is Your Live' TV show about Stig Anderson.
Agnetha records a single with Ola Hakansson: The Way You Are and an album with her son Christian.
Frida moves to Switserland to live and work there.
1987
Bjorn and Benny record a second album for Anders and Karin Glenmark 'Geminism' They also compose 'Mio my Mio' (performed by Gemini) for a flim based on a book by Astrid Lindgren. Visit this 'Gemini' website for more information Early 1987
Benny and Gemini (Anders and Karin Glenmark) visit Moscow to appear on a tv-show with four songs from the album 'Geminism'. Benny meets Alla Pugacheva on that show again. Benny plays some ABBA tunes on the piano. Alla says to Benny what a drama it had been for her that she had to refuse a role in the Ches musical in 1982. That part of the tv-show was never broadcasted in the Sovjet Union.
Benny makes his first solo album 'Klinga Mina Klockor' with the Orsa Spelman fiddlers. Frida was among the choir singers on the 'Klinga Mina Klockor' track.
Agnetha records her last album 'I Stand Alone' with former lead-singer of rockgroup 'Chicago' Peter Cetera.
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Frida is asked by Swedish duo 'Ratata' to record a single: Sa Lange Vi Här Varann. However, on September 29, she officially asks her fans to respect her privacy as her life is no longer music.
Björn, Frida and Agnetha are no longer active in the music business. 'Chess' premieres on Broadway on Arpil 28 without success. Benny performs with the 'Orsa Spelmän' fiddlers.
Benny alone at the premiere of 'Chess' on Broadway
1989
Benny produces his second album with Orsa Spelmän: 'November 89'. Björn cowrites one song, "The Conducator'. Surf to the 'Mono Music AB' website for more information.
Agnetha in 1989
1990
December 1990, Björn moves from England to Sweden again. He and Benny develop plans for a new musical based, on the Swedish novel 'Utvandrarpos' ('Emigrants)' by Vilhelm Moberg about the fate of Swedish emigrants who went to America in the late 19th century.
They also write a single for 1990 World Equestrian Championship. 'Upp Till Kamp'/ 'Stockholm By Night'.
Benny produces the compilation album: 'Fiolin Min' and his collection of 90 Swedish birdsongs: 'Fagelsang i Sverige'. All music is released on this Mono Music label.
The former ABBA members in the early 90s.
Björn rehearsing "Up Till Kamp" (picture provided by Robin Anderson from Sweden)
1991
Benny writes 'Älska Mej' for the Ainbusk singers. The first solo album by Kalle Moreaus (the leading member of Orsa Spelman) 'Kalle Moreaus" has the Björn and Benny's Swedish language song 'Beatrice' which Benny and Björn both play on.
1992
The first ABBA revival, 10 years after the last recording sessions of the group. The first compilaton 'Gold' breaks every record.
Frida breaks a long period of silence. She records two songs: 'Saltwater' and 'Anglamark'. On August 26, she marries Prince Ruzzo Reuss.
1993
Björn and Benny produce the pop album 'Shapes' for singer 'Josefin Nillson. Benny produces the live album "Från När till Fjärran" for the Ainbusk Singers.
Frida performs 'Dancing Queen' with the 'Real Group for Queen Silvia in November. The song is released as a single.
Frida at The Royal Castle in
Stockholm August 14 1992 performing with Roxette's Marie Fredriksson
On October 5, a lunch was held at the Café Opera in Stockholm to celebrate the sales of 5 million copies of ABBA Gold. Björn, Benny and Frida were present at the lunch and received platinum records.
1994
Previously unreleased songs such as 'Put On Your White Sombrero' and 'Dreamworld', and snippets of rejected songs are released on the 4 CD boxset: 'Thank You For The Music'.
Björn and Benny decide to name the new musical 'Kristina Från Duvemela'. It is supposed to stage in the Autumn of 1995 in Malmö.
1995
The musical 'Kristina Från Duvemela'
is very succesful in Sweden. It premieres in Malmö All lyrics are
writen by Björn and the music is composed by Benny.
Pictures taken at the
premiere on October 7
1996
In 1996, all four members are standing
in the spotlights again.
Agnetha decides to have a book
published 'Som Jar Ar' and a double CD 'My Love, My Life'
Björn and Benny explore the American
market for a possible launch of the Kristina Från Duvemala musical.
The musical is performed in Minneapolis, USA on the 12th of October
in Swedish
Björn is inspired by the musical
'Grease' and dreams of making a musical based on ABBA songs.
Frida releases an album in Swedish
'Djupa Andetag' in September, including a 'making of' tv documentary.
1997
A musical based on ABBA songs has the
working title 'Summer Night City'.
Agnetha has a close friendship with one
of her most obsessed fans Dutch Gert van der Graaf.
Two funerals in the ABBA family: Ted
Gardestad ends his life at the age of 41 in the summer of 1997. Only
Agnetha pays her respect. Visit Ted Gardestad's tribute website (in
Swedish)
Former ABBA manager Stig dies on
September 12, 1997. Björn, Benny and Frida attend his funeral. It is
broadcasted on Swedish television.
1998
In the Spring of 1998 the name of the
musical based on ABBA songs is changed in 'Mamma Mia'. Only Björn is
involved in the production
A tribute to Björn and Benny work, the
'B&B concerts' with an orchestra conducted by Anders Eljas and
contributions of a lot of musical friends of the duo, are given in
Sweden and in China.
On August 18, all four former ABBA
members are at the 50th birthday party of their tour manager Thomas
Johansson held at Cirkus in Stockholm. Frida, Björn and Benny, sang
"With A Little Help From My Friends". Frida also performed
"Shine On You" especially for Thomas.
All former ABBA members present at
the same party.
1999
In January, rehearsals for 'Mamma Mia'
start. The former ABBA members are interviewed for the tv-documentary
'The Winner Takes It All' .
'Mamma Mia' premieres on April 6, in
London, 25 years after ABBA's Eurovision Songcontest victory in
Brighton with 'Waterloo'. Only Björn and Benny appear on stage after
the finale of the show.
In March Björn is seen at the Capital
Radio Awards, with his 'Special Award'.
In August all former ABBA members
attend Görel Hanser's 50th birthday party. The four perform
together, singing a Swedish song called:"Med en enkel tulipan"
(With a simple tulip).for Görel. Unfortunately no recording was
made. Read more about this reunion.
On October 19, Björn and Lena are at
at the opening night of the Lion King musical at the Lyceum theatre
in London
2000
On April 5, Agnetha celebrates her 50th
birthday in a small Stockholm restaurant with close friends. Björn
and Benny are among the guests.
Pictures taken at Agnetha's 50th
birthday
Agnetha has to testify in court in
September. She confesses that she was romantically involved with
Gert, but wants to be left alone. Gert van der Graaf is now known as
Agnetha's stalker.
In May, the 'Mamma Mia' musical stages
in Toronto, Canada. Björn, Benny and Frida attend the premiere on
May 23.
2001
Björn is at the Mamma Mia afterparty
in Los Angeles at the Century Club on February 28.
Late June Benny releases an album with
his orchestra: 'Benny Andersson's Orkester'. In November he is
interviewed by BBC Radio Scotland in Glasgow.
Only a month after the Twin Towers
attacks in New York and very close to 'ground zero', 'Mamma Mia'
premieres on Broadway, October 18th.
2002
The 'Chess' musical is played in the
Swedish language with music by Benny and lyrics by Björn. Surf to
the 'Chess The Musical' website for more information.
Benny is asked by Elvis Costello to
play instruments on his album "For The Stars" he is
recording with Anne Sofie von Otter. Anne-Sofie does a cover of the
ABBA song: "Like An Angel Passing Through My Room".
Benny in the studio with Elvis
Costello and Anne Sofie von Otter
Björn and Benny's 'Mamma Mia' (in the
German language) premieres in Hamburg in November. Benny is present,
but Björn does the talking on tv shows.
Frida records a duet 'La Barcarolle' with Italian soprano Phillipa Guardino. The song is released in Japan only.
Frida records a duet 'La Barcarolle' with Italian soprano Phillipa Guardino. The song is released in Japan only.
Agnetha seems ready to record in the
studio again!
May 23rd, Benny and Björn are in London for the 2002 Ivor Novello Awards.
May 23rd, Benny and Björn are in London for the 2002 Ivor Novello Awards.
August 5, Björn is spotted in Moscow.
He claims that his visit has nothing to do with a possible Russian
version of 'Mamma Mia'.
November 9, Björn is guest on German
tv show Wetten Dass.
2003
Björn and his company Noteheads
publish digital sheet music for the ABBA tracks used for Mamma Mia
musical.
Björn Ulvaeus, Christer Sturmark, Per
Gessle (Roxette) from Noteheads
February 13, Benny and Frida attend the
premiere of Mamma Mia in Las Vegas.
In April Benny is working on a CD by
Per Myrberg and is busy writing new songs for the next album with
Benny Anderssons Orkester. On May 19, Frida attends the annual Polar
Music Prize in Stockholm.
June 10, Benny and his two co-owners:
Christer Sandahl (Chairman of the Board of MyTravel) and Christer
Hägglund (major stockholder of Proffice) present Hotel Rival. This
new hotel with 99 rooms will be opened on August 6 in Stockholm.
Early June, Björn and Frida are present at Per Gessle's (Roxette and Björn's business partner in Noteheads) party to celebrate the release of his solo album.
Early July, 'Mamma Mia' is watched by
its 10 millionth audience member. Björn is interviewed for Dutch
television about the success of Mamma Mia. He also says some
interesting things about the ABBA's performance in 1999 at Görel
Hanser's 50th birthday.
July 22, Agnetha attends the Rolling
Stones concert in Stockholm.
Frida releases a charity single in
November together with a Swiss friend, artist Dan Daniëll. The
single contains three songs: 'Lieber Gott', 'I Have A Dream' and
'Wenn Ich Dann Gehen Muss'.
October 28, co-worker Staffan Lindé
confirms that Agnetha records a new album which is due to be released
in March 2004. A single will be released in January 2004.
November 9, Björn attends the premiere
of the Dutch Mamma Mia in Utrecht, the Netherlands.
On December 2, Frida and Benny attend
the screening of a restored version of 'ABBA – The Movie' in
Stockholm.
2003-07 Björn and Lena at the Roman Polanski 'Dance Of A Vampires' premiere.