ABBA was a Swedish pop music group that achieved worldwide fame between 1972 and 1982. The group is widely regarded as one of the most successful and influential pop acts in music history, shaping the sound and visual identity of modern pop music and leaving a lasting cultural legacy.

ABBA consisted of four members: Agnetha Fältskog (born 1950), Björn Ulvaeus (born 1945), Benny Andersson (born 1946), and Anni-Frid Lyngstad (born 1945). Before adopting the name ABBA, the group performed under the name “Björn & Benny, Agnetha & Anni-Frid.” On April 6, 1974, shortly before their breakthrough at the Eurovision Song Contest, they officially formed the name ABBA using the initials of their first names.

Before the group’s formation, Benny Andersson was the keyboardist for Sweden’s most popular pop band, The Hep Stars, while Björn Ulvaeus was a member of the folk group Hootenanny Singers. Benny and Björn met in June 1966 and began collaborating as songwriters. In the spring of 1969, they met Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, completing the lineup that would become ABBA.

Personal relationships were deeply intertwined with the group’s history. Agnetha Fältskog and Björn Ulvaeus married in 1971 and divorced in 1979. Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad became engaged in 1971, married in 1978, and divorced in early 1981. Despite these personal changes, the group continued to produce successful music throughout the 1970s and early 1980s.

ABBA began their recording career with the single People Need Love in 1972. Their global breakthrough came in 1974 when they won the Eurovision Song Contest with the song Waterloo. This victory propelled the group to international stardom, and the song was later voted the greatest Eurovision entry of all time.

Following their Eurovision success, ABBA dominated European charts and soon gained significant traction in the United States. Their third studio album ABBA, featuring the worldwide hit Mamma Mia, topped charts in the United Kingdom and Australia. Songs such as Fernando and Dancing Queen became global classics, with “Dancing Queen” reaching number one on the US Billboard Hot 100.

In 1976, the release of Greatest Hits and the studio album Arrival marked a creative and commercial peak. Tracks like Money, Money, Money and Knowing Me, Knowing You reinforced the group’s dominance. Extensive tours across Europe, Australia, and later North America further cemented their reputation as a powerful live act.

By the late 1970s and early 1980s, ABBA continued to evolve musically. The album Super Trouper (1980), featuring the iconic single The Winner Takes It All, reflected more mature and emotionally complex songwriting. Their final studio album, The Visitors (1981), introduced a darker, more introspective sound and included the hit One of Us.

In 1982, the group decided to pause collective activities. Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson pursued musical theater and composition projects, while Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad focused on solo careers. Although the group never officially announced a breakup, they did not reunite for decades.

ABBA remains one of the best-selling music acts of all time, ranking second only to The Beatles in album sales among groups. Their music has transcended generations through compilations, stage musicals, films, and continuous global airplay. With their timeless melodies and universal appeal, ABBA’s songs continue to be discovered and celebrated by new audiences worldwide.

Studio and Compilation Albums
1973 - Ring Ring
1974 - Waterloo
1975 - ABBA
1975 - Greatest Hits
1976 - Arrival
1977 - The Album
1979 - Voulez-Vous
1980 - Super Trouper
1981 - The Visitors
1982 - The Singles
1992 - ABBA Gold
1993 - More ABBA Gold
1999 - ABBA Oro
2003 - On and On

Source: Biyografiler.com