ABBA

The four Swedes were not just a pop phenomenon of the mid-70s, but a bright and enduring beacon, radiating a joy of song and harmony that has proven timeless. Agnetha, Björn, Benny and Anni-Frid formed the band in Stockholm in 1972, but it was after winning the Eurovision Song Contest with “Waterloo” in 1974 that their popularity exploded. Hit after hit flowed from the pens (and keyboards) of Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus and ABBA became superstars.

When they toured Australia in 1977, a civic reception to welcome them was held at the Melbourne Town Hall; some of the excitement of that tour was captured in the film ABBA: The Movie. Although the fame and pressure of the rock life took its toll on the two relationships at the heart of ABBA, resulting in a separation of both couples and of the group, Benny and Björn continued writing music and curating the ABBA musical legacy. The musical film Mama Mia! boosted interest in the band—not that it ever abated!—and their greatest hits packages are a feature of the record collections of several generations.

In 2021, to the delight of fans around the world, the band released a new album, Voyage, and a virtual performance announced. The latter was to feature a live orchestra accompanying, ahem, ABBAtars developed by the George Lucas founded Industrial Light and Magic company of Star Wars fame.