Benny Andersson

Full Name: Göran Bror Benny Andersson
Profession: Pop Composer and Musician

Nationality:

Biography: Benny Andersson began his music career in 1964 as keyboardist and composer for the Swedish pop band Hep Stars. He met folk singer-songwriter Bjorn Ulvaeus in 1966 and began writing with him, including songs that were recorded by Andersson's band. During the 1969 Swedish Eurovision Song Festival, for which he co-wrote a song, he met jazz vocalist Anna-Frid Lynsgstad, and they began a relationship.

The two songwriters, Ulvaeus's wife, singer Agnetha Fältskog, and Lyngstad formed ABBA in 1972. The group rose to worldwide acclaim, topping the charts for 10 years. Among their biggest hits were the tunes: "Waterloo"; "SOS"; "Fernando"; and "Dancing Queen". Benny and Anna-Frid married briefly in the late 70s, but divorced quickly thereafter, and the group went on hiatus for 40 years.

A greatest hits album, "ABBA Gold" released in 1992 revived interest in the group, leading Ulvaeus to produce the stage musical "Mamma Mia!". The success of the play led to two films.

In 2001, Andersson formed his own band, the Benny Anderssons Orkester - a 16 piece dance and pop group. He composes new music for this group, as well as arrangements of older ABBA and musical theater songs. In 2015, he released a set of choral arrangements of some of his work.

In 2021, the ABBA group re-united to release the album "Voyage" and then had a specially built arena made in London for a virtual concert residency, using digital avatars of the singers and a live band, beginning in the Spring of 2022.

Born: December 16, 1946
Birthplace: Stockholm, Sweden
Age: 77 years old

Generation: Baby Boomer
Chinese Zodiac: Dog
Star Sign: Sagittarius