Benny Andersson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Benny Andersson
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Andersson in 2012
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Göran Bror Benny Andersson
16 December 1946 Stockholm, Sweden
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| Years active | 1964–present |
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| Partner(s) | Christina Grönvall (1961–1966) |
| Children | 3 |
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Göran Bror Benny Andersson (born 16 December 1946) is a Swedish musician, composer, and producer. He is most famous as a member of the pop group ABBA. He also helped write the music for popular musicals like Chess, Kristina från Duvemåla, and Mamma Mia!.
For the Mamma Mia! movies in 2008 and 2018, he worked as an executive producer. Since 2001, he has also performed with his own band, Benny Anderssons orkester.
Contents
Early Life and Music Beginnings
Benny Andersson was born on 16 December 1946 in Stockholm, Sweden. His father and grandfather both played the accordion, sparking his interest in music. When he was six, they bought him an accordion too. They taught him about Swedish folk music and traditional songs.
At age ten, Benny got his own piano and taught himself to play. He left school at 15 to perform in youth clubs. In 1964, he joined a group called "Elverkets Spelmanslag." They played mostly instrumental music, and Benny started writing his own songs.
Music Career Highlights
Joining the Hep Stars (1964–1969)
In October 1964, Benny became the keyboard player for the Hep Stars. They became very popular in Sweden in 1965 with their hit song "Cadillac." Benny was a key part of the band and a teen idol. He wrote many of their classic hits, including "Sunny Girl" and "Wedding."
Before ABBA Formed (1969–1972)
Benny met Björn Ulvaeus in 1966, and they began writing songs together. Their first song was "Isn't It Easy To Say." In 1969, Benny met vocalist Anni-Frid Lyngstad at a music contest, and they became a couple. Around the same time, Björn met vocalist Agnetha Fältskog.
These friendships and songwriting partnerships naturally led to the four friends working closely together. Benny and Björn had their first hits as songwriters in 1969. As the two couples sang together, they realized their voices sounded great, leading them to form a group.
The ABBA Years (1972–1982)
The group, later known as ABBA, became famous after winning the Eurovision Song Contest for Sweden on 6 April 1974 with their song "Waterloo." For the next eight years, Benny (with Björn) wrote and produced eight studio albums for ABBA. The group became incredibly successful worldwide, with many No. 1 hits.
Benny sang lead vocals on only one ABBA song, "Suzy-Hang-Around," from the Waterloo album.
After ABBA: Musicals and Solo Work (1983–Present)
After ABBA, Benny continued to write music with Björn Ulvaeus. Their first big project was the musical Chess, written with Tim Rice. The Chess concept album was released in 1984 and sold millions of copies. Songs like "I Know Him So Well" and "One Night in Bangkok" became major hits.
Chess opened in London in 1986 and ran for about three years. Benny also released his first solo albums, Klinga Mina Klockor (1987) and November 1989, featuring his accordion playing and folk music.
In 1995, Benny's Swedish musical Kristina från Duvemåla premiered. It was based on famous Swedish novels and ran successfully for almost five years. An English version, Kristina, was performed in New York and London.
Benny's next project was Mamma Mia!, a musical built around 24 of ABBA's songs. It became a huge worldwide success, with shows in many countries. A film version of Mamma Mia! premiered in 2008, and Benny helped re-record the ABBA songs for the soundtrack. This movie became the most successful film musical ever.
Benny Anderssons Orkester (2001–Present)
Benny now performs with his own band of 16 musicians, Benny Anderssons Orkester (BAO). They often feature singers Helen Sjöholm and Tommy Körberg. BAO has released several successful albums in Sweden. In 2009, their song "Du är min man" ("You Are My Man") stayed on the Swedish charts for a record 243 weeks.
In 2009, BAO released their first international album, The Story of a Heart. It included songs from Benny's Swedish albums, with some new English lyrics by Björn Ulvaeus.
Recent Compositions and ABBA Reunion
Benny continues to compose new music, mainly for BAO. He also revisits his older material, like in Mamma Mia!. In 2013, Benny, along with Björn Ulvaeus and Avicii, composed the anthem for the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest.
In 2018, Benny reunited with ABBA. On 2 September 2021, ABBA announced their virtual concert residency "ABBA Voyage" and a new album, Voyage. This was their first studio album in 40 years. The Voyage album was released on 5 November 2021. The "ABBA Voyage" show opened in London on 27 May 2022.
Film Music Contributions
Benny has written music for several films. In 1987, he wrote music for the film Mio in the Land of Faraway, based on a book by Astrid Lindgren. The title song became a big hit.
He also wrote music for Swedish director Roy Andersson's films, Songs from the Second Floor (2000) and You, the Living (2007). Benny composed the film score for the 2012 documentary Palme about Swedish prime minister Olof Palme. He won an award for Best Original Score for this film.
Awards and Recognition
Sweden: Royal Order of Vasa, Commander First Class (21 March 2024)
Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus have received many awards for their music. They were nominated for a Drama Desk Award for Chess and a Tony Award for Mamma Mia!. Both musicals' original cast recordings were nominated for a Grammy Award.
Benny has won four Swedish Grammis awards. Together with Björn, he received the "Special International" Ivor Novello award. In 2002, the Swedish Government gave Benny an honorary professorship for his "ability to create high-class music reaching people around the world."
In 2007, he became a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music. In 2008, he received an Honorary Doctorate from Stockholm University for his contributions to Swedish folk music. In 2010, Benny accepted ABBA's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He spoke about how Swedish folk music and the country's long winters influenced ABBA's pop sound.
On 21 March 2024, all four members of ABBA were honored by King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden. They were appointed Commander, First Class, of the Royal Order of Vasa. This was a special honor, as it was the first time in nearly 50 years that Swedish citizens received these royal orders.
Personal Life
Benny Andersson has three children. He had two children, Peter (born 1963) and Heléne (born 1965), with Christina Grönvall. Their son Peter Grönvall later formed the group One More Time, which had European success.
Benny was in a relationship with Anni-Frid Lyngstad of ABBA from 1969 to 1980. They married in 1978 and divorced in 1981.
In 1981, he married Swedish TV presenter Mona Nörklit. They have a son named Ludvig. Ludvig is also one of the producers for the ABBA Voyage concert residency. Benny has lived a healthy lifestyle since 2001.
Discography
See also
In Spanish: Benny Andersson para niños
- List of Swedes in music
