Benny Andersson
Benny before ABBA
1981 - 1983 1987 1988 1989 1990 1996 1998 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Benny Andersson was born on December 16, 1946 in Stockholm. He grew up in the suburb of Stockholm - Vällingby (go.to/ABBA related). He left the school life at fifteen without taking any of leaving examinations and devoted all his time to music. He played accordion and piano.
Benny says: "My grandfather and father tried any musical instrument that they could find, whether it was the piano-accordion they gave me, or a flute, or a fiddle. I guess I just inherited whatever they had. They loved folk music. I learned a lot of the old tunes from them and my early playing had a definite folk flavor about it."
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During his teenage years, Benny started to perform at youth clubs together with a singer Christina Grönvall. She became mother to Benny's two children Peter born on August 20, 1963 and Helene on June 25, 1965. Benny played in the group Elverkets Spelmanslag. One evening the group was watched by Svenne Hedlund, lead singer in one of the biggest rock acts in Sweden in the 60s - Hep Stars. Svenne was impressed by Benny and several weeks later when Hep Stars' organist left the group it was natural to call Benny and ask for help.
Hep Stars
Benny joined Hep Stars in October 1964. In 1965 Benny wrote some songs for the group which became quite big hits on the Swedish charts: "No response", "Wedding" and "Sunny Girl". The last one became even hit in Holland. Hep Stars became bigger and bigger in Sweden.
No Response
The first real Benny contribution as a composer was the song "No Response" which was written at the beginning of 1965 and recorded for a single release in the summer 65. The single which was released in September 65 reached #2 on the Swedish hit chart.
Greece
In the summer 1965 the band members together with their families went on holidays to Rhodos in Greece. Benny and his fiancée Christina Grönvall were caught on two pictures and they are the only existing pictures of Benny and Christina from the summer in Greece.
Hep Stars on tour - summer 1965
In the summer Hep Stars toured in Sweden and some of their shows were recorded for an album release. Two live albums were released in the autumn.
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Sunny Girl
At the beginning of 1966 Benny composed a new song which would be an important milestone in his early period as composer. The song was called "Sunny Girl" and it became big hit in Scandinavia and Holland. In Sweden "Sunny Girl" reached #1, in Norway #4, in Finland #8 and in Holland #4
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Wedding
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"Wedding" was Benny's second composition in 1966 which made Hep Stars successful on the hit charts in Sweden (#1), Norway (#8) and Finland (11). The single was released at the end of May 66.
In the early summer 1966 Benny med Björn Ulvaeus, the star from the group Hootenanny Singers. It did not take long time before they started collaboration which would bring them to the musical world top...
Consolation
Benny wrote "Consolation" during late summer 66 and the song was released as a single in October and became a great hit in Sweden.
Hep Stars - the album
The first studio album contained several compositions of Benny as well as the song "Isn't It Easy To Say" written by Benny together with Björn Ulvaeus.
Christina
In November the Swedish weekly "Se" published an interview with Benny's fiancée Christina Grönvall who was talking about living in the shadow of Hep Stars. Benny and the others in the band were not allowed to reveal that they had wives/girl friends and children. Several pictures of Christina and Benny's children Helena and Peter were taken in the flat in the Stockholm suburb Vällingby.
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Hep Stars - the movie
Even if the group enjoyed big commercial success in Sweden and in the Nordic countries their business went very bad and the decision to make a movie picture in Africa led to big financial troubles for the group.
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The big film project was very badly planned and the day before the group would leave Sweden there was no manuscript at all. Filming in Africa took about two weeks and the additional filming was done in Sweden outside Uppsala. According to the director there was impossible to edit the film because of a very tiny storyline. It's quite interesting that it was Lasse Hallström, the future director of ABBA The Movie who tried to do something of this material.
Malaika
The April single release "Malaika" was of course inspired by the Africa adventure which would never be a finished project. The most interesting thing with this single was that it contained Benny's composition "It's nice to be back" which would be covered 4 years later by Anni-Frid Lyngstad under the Swedish title "Min egen stad. "Malaika" reached the top on the Swedish chart at the end of May 1967.
Belgium
Two Benny songs were included on the single which was released in Belgium. Already successful in the neighbour country Holland "Sunny Girl" was placed on the side B and the song "Lady Lady" on side A. The single did not become any chart topper in Belgium and Hep Stars had to enjoy the fact that they were relatively successful act in Holland.
She will love you
The last single release in 1967 contained the song "She will love you" composed by Benny together with Hep Stars' front man Svenne Hedlund. The song became a Top Ten hit in October.
Christmas with Hep Stars
Hep Stars recorded their own Christmas album in October and November 1967.
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In January 1968 a single with two songs written by Benny (Wedding and Consolation) was released in Great Britain.
It's Been a Long Long Time - the single
The new single from Hep Stars was released by Cupol in February 68 and it featured a Benny and Lasse Berghagen composition "It's Been A Long Long Time" on the side A. The single reached Top 20 on the Swedish chart "Kvällstoppen" in March 68.
In March Hep Stars had a recording session at Metronome Studio in Stockholm. This studio would be a very important place for ABBA some years later. This session would bring one more composition of Benny Andersson and Lasse Berghagen "Sagan om lilla Sofi". This single became much more successful on the Swedish chart than the previous one. "Sagan om lilla Sofi" reached Top 5 and stayed on the chart for 17 weeks after its entrance in April 68.
The album
The 1968 album contained three songs written by Benny. One of them was a new composition entitled "A Flower in my Garden" co-written with Björn Ulvaeus. Hep Stars had a new vocalist Charlotte Walker who was Svenne's fiancée. The album had a simple title "Songs we sang 68" and it was released at the beginning of December 68.
The year 1969 was the last year in the Hep Stars story including Benny Andersson. After successful years 65-69 Hep Stars popularity decreased a bit. Benny and Björn were a musical duet on their own rights and more and more interested in doing own music. The two last compositions of Andersson/Ulvaeus were released in April 1969.
Speleman - the last Andersson/Ulvaeus contribution
The two new Andersson/Ulvaeus songs were "Speleman" and "Precis som alla andra". The single entered the Swedish chart first 3 months after its release and stayed there for only 4 weeks reaching #10.
The End
Hep Stars gave their last concert in Stockholm on August 31, 1969.
With Svenne & Lotta
In the autumn 69 Benny, Björn, Svenne & Lotta and Finn Alberth embarked on their own tour in Sweden.
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The collaboration between Benny, Björn and Svenne & Lotta would continue under many years to come
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Read about Benny & Björn's cooperation.
Private
Benny divorced from Frida officially on November 26, 1981. Some days later, on December 3rd, 1981 he married his girl friend Mona Birgitta Nörklit. On January 10th, 1982 Mona gave birth to their son Ludvig Mats Vilhelm.
Music after ABBA
After ABBA-period Benny and Björn worked hard writing new music. They have written two musicals: Chess (1984) and Kristina från Duvemåla (1995) as well as music for other artists: Gemini, Josefin Nilsson. But Benny's biggest passion is Swedish folk music. In the 1980s he met the folk group Orsa Spelmän and started playing with them. This friendship would be the second most important musical friendship in his life. Benny and Orsa Spelmän have recorded several albums during the 80s and 90s.
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Klinga mina klockor
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The three former members of ABBA: Björn, Benny and Anni-Frid met each other again as musicians in October 1987 in Berwaldhallen recording Benny & Björn's new composition "Klinga Mina Klockor" which was the title song on Benny's new LP. Frida was one of the singers invited by Benny to the female choir. The choir were: Una Andersson, Eva Dahlgren, Yvonne Erlandsson, Monica Forsberg, Ingela Forsman, Karin Glenmark, Maritza Horn, Anna-Lotta Larsson, Mia Lindgren, Johanna Lundberg, Frida Lyngstad, Siw Malmkvist, Nanne Nordqvist, Diana Nunez, Lena Philipsson, AnneLie Rydé, Barbro Svensson, Monica Svensson, Pernilla Wahlgren, Angelique Widengren & Liza Öhman.
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Swedish TV filmed recording of the title song at Berwaldhallen in Stockholm. Benny promoted his album appearing on the TV special "Jacobs Stege" and talking about the album. The Making of Klinga Mina Klockor was shown as well.
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Orsa Spelmän
Next musical project was the first real cooperation with Orsa Spelmän. Benny produced their new album and played accordion and synthesizer on it.
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November 1989
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There was not so much activity in the "ABBA camp" in 1989. The only musical project was Benny's solo album "November 1989" which included 10 instrumental compositions and one song "The Conducator" performed by Tommy Körberg with lyrics written by Björn. The album was released in November and became a big success in Scandinavia receiving Swedish Grammy Award in February 1990.
Barbro Ballander
Benny produced a single recorded by his friend a female folk singer Barbro Bellander. The single was released by Mono Music in 1989.
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In 1990 Benny produced the LP "Fiolen min" with Orsa Spelmän.
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Ainbusk Singers
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The same year Benny made his first for many many years pop project with the pop group "Ainbusk Singers". Together with one of the group members Marie Nilsson he wrote a new song "Lassie" as well as he produced the group's album "More Amore". One more song for Ainbusk Singers "Älska Mig" was written in 1991. The CD single with the both songs was released in 1993.
Björn and Benny wrote and produced the track for 1990 World Equestrian Games which were held in Stockholm. Tommy Körberg performed the song entitled "Upp till kamp".
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1993
Benny & Orsa Spelmän live in Stockholm
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In the summer 1993 Benny and Orsa Spelmän performed live in Vitabergsparken (White Mountain Park) in Stockholm performing some of their pieces of music including "Klinga Mina Klockor" sung by a girl choir from Stockholm.
Together with his wife Mona Nörklit
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In 1996 Benny received "The Intelligence Prize" from a Swedish paper "Månads Journalen". A big interview followed the prize in June 1996. The article about Benny's life, Kristina från Duvemåla and ABBA time.
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Benny 50, Dec 16, 1996
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Orsa Spelmän
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Benny and Orsa Spelmän recorded a new album in 1998. Benny was the producer and the album entitled "Ödra" contained 16 folk songs. Benny & Orsa Spelmän promoted their new album on TV performing live on January 25, 1998 in SVT "Söndagsöppet".
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In 2000 Benny wrote music for the Swedish movie "Sånger från andra våningen".
BAO
In 2001 Benny formed his own group called simply "Benny Anderssons Orkester". Benny and 13 musicians recorded their first album at Atlantis studio (aka Metronome Studio) in Stockholm. Lyrics to the songs on the forthcoming album were written by Björn Ulvaeus. Benny chose Helen Sjöholm as a singer in Benny Anderssons Orkester.
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The album
The debut album was released at the beginning of August 2001. It contained 14 compositions and among them the smash hit in Sweden "Vår sista dans" (Our last dance) with lyrics written by Björn Ulvaeus and performed by Helen Sjöholm.
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Skansen August 2001
BAO performed on Allsång på Skansen in August. It was the first big TV promotion for the group. Benny and Björn song "Vår sista dans" (Our last dance) performed by Helen Sjöholm was already a huge hit in Sweden.
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Skansen August 2002
Benny and his orkester, Helen Sjöholm and Tommy Körberg were guests in the Allsång på Skansen on August 6, 2002, hosting by Lasse Berghagen. Benny Anderssons Orkester, Helen and Tommy performed a traditional dance medley and Benny & Tommy the Swedish version of "Anthem" from Chess. The show was great and here are the latest pictures of Benny. If you want to see more - go.to/Helen Sjöholm
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Per Myrberg
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Benny's 2003 CD project was the album with Per Myrberg, known for all ABBA fans from the Swedish version of "Chess" as Molokov. Benny and Per decided to record a whole album with the Swedish folk songs written by Evert Taube. Benny had both produced and played on the album. Benny Anderssons Orkester was playing on two tracks. The album contained 14 tracks which were recorded in March and April 2003. The CD was released in June 2003.
Skansen, August 5, 2003
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Benny Anderssons Orkester with Helen Sjöholm performed live in Skansen on August 5, 2003. The songs were: Vår sista dans (featuring Helen Sjöholm), TIVEDS HAMBO (well known from ABBA's last TV performance in 1986) and BADINERI of Jan Sebastian Bach. Benny was interviewed by the host Anders Lundin.
The tour 2003
Benny Anderssons Orkester together with Helen Sjöholm and Tommy Körberg went on a short tour in Sweden in August. They played in Stockholm, Gränna (outside Jönköping) and Gothenburg. They played lots of well-known hits and among them ABBA's "Ring Ring", "Money Money Money" as well as "Vår sista dans", "O sole mio", "True Love", "The dream about Elin" and "Moon River".
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Hotel Rival in Stockholm
Sleep with ABBA
article from "Ny teknik" (October 2003)
The new hotel "Rival" at Mariatorget in Stockholm owned by Benny Andersson, Christer Hägglund and Christer Sandahl has not only rooms but a lot of advanced technical equipment. There are 32" plasma TV, DVD and CD in every room and you have possibility to rent and use Sony Playstation.
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The cinema in the hotel has 700 places and technical facilities for conference i.e. LCD-projectors, video and DVD. It's possible to record a TV programme there as well. The common space has 5 zons where you can play music with different volume in each of them. All music is played from central hard disc. The equipment is delivered by Sony.
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The new premiere of ABBA The Movie
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Benny & Frida attended the new premiere of "ABBA The Movie" in Stockholm on December 2, 2003.
Interview in "Expressen"
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"Expressen" published a long interview with Benny in June 2004.
BAO! - the CD
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The new album with Benny Anderssons Orkester was released in Sweden at the beginning of June 2004. Helen Sjöholm sings on 5 tracks. The most successful song on the CD is the 2004 version of "I Do I Do I Do I Do I Do" called "Du är din man". A typical Swedish dance band piece in Benny style became a huge hit occupying the Swedish chart as a Top Ten hit for over one year.
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BAO on tour 2004
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BAO went on the traditional Sweden tour in August 2004.
Ann-Sofie von Otter
In September 2004 Ann-Sofie von Otter recorded the album with the songs of Björn and Benny. The album would be released two years later in August 2006.
The recording sessions:
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von Otter makes Agnetha...
These pictures remind of Agnetha's sessions for "My Colouring Book" two years ago...
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BAO on stage
The gala show in memory of Anna Lind (former Swedish minister of foreign affairs killed in Stockholm one year ago) was held at the City theatre in Stockholm on Saturday September 11, 2004. Among the guests attending the concert were King and Queen of Sweden. Benny Anderssons Orkester performed several times. Together with Anne Sofie von Otter they performed ABBA's "Like An Angel Passing Through My Room" (where are you Frida?). Helen Sjöholm sang "Saknadens rum" from BAO's latest album. All performances were live.
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Ann-Sofie von Otter singing "Like An Angel Passing Through My Room" |
Anders Ekborg sings Benny & Björn
Anders Ekborg, well-known singer who performed in B & B musicals "Kristina från Duvemåla" and "Chess" (in Swedish) recorded in Prague in June 2005 a B & B song "Han som har vunnit allt" (let us translate it as "The winner takes it all"). The song was released on Ekborg's solo album in 2006.
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