Benny Andersson

Benny before ABBA

1965  1966  1967  1968  1969

 

Benny after ABBA

1981 - 1983  1987  1988  1989  1990  1993  1996  1998  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008  2009

 

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 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."

 

 

 

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.

1965

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. The single was released in September 1965 and it 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

1966

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

 

 

 

 

Wedding

 

 

"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 1966.

In the early summer 1966 Benny met 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" in the late summer 1966 and the song was released on the single in October. The single was very successful in Sweden.

 

Hep Stars - the album

     

The studio album entitled simply "Hep Stars", which was released in December 1966, featured several compositions of Benny as well as the song "Isn't It Easy To Say" written by Benny together with Björn Ulvaeus. The album had been recorded between August and December 1966. It entered the Swedish chart on December 27, 1966 where it stayed for 5 weeks reaching #12. The album was even successful in Norway where it stayed on the chart for 21 weeks peaking at #5 at the beginning of 1967. In Finland it entered the chart in January 1967 and stayed there for 9 weeks reaching #3.

 

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.

 

 

 

 

1967

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. 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 single "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 "Lady Lady" which was released in Belgium. Already successful in the neighbour country Holland "Sunny Girl" was featured on the side B. The single flopped though and Hep Stars did not become stars in Belgium.

 

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.

 

1968

 

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.

 

1969

The year 1969 was the last year in the Hep Stars for 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.

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. 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.

go.to/Benny & Björn

 

Benny after ABBA

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 the ABBA period Benny and Björn continued working together. 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.

 

1987

Klinga mina klockor

 

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.

Jacobs Stege

Swedish TV filmed recording of the title song at Berwaldhallen in Stockholm. Benny promoted his album appearing on the TV special "Jacobs Stege" in November 1987 and talking about the album. Karin Glenmark and Tommy Körberg performed the song "Efter regnet" from the album "Klinga mina klockor".

 

1988

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.

 

 

 

 

1989

November 1989

 

 

Benny's solo album "November 1989" featured 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.

 

 

 

 

1990

In 1990 Benny produced the LP "Fiolen min" with Orsa Spelmän.

 

 

 

 

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".

 

1993

New studio

Benny moved to his new studio on the island Skeppsholmen in the heart of Stockholm at the beginning of 1993. Even the Mono Music office, the record company and the employees moved to Skeppsholmen.

     

 

Benny & Orsa Spelmän live in Stockholm

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. 

 

1996

The Intelligence Prize

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.

 

 

Benny 50

On 16 December 1996 Benny celebrated his 50th birthday with a big party. He gave a short interview for Swedish TV.

 

 

1998

Orsa Spelmän

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".

 

2000

Film music

In 2000 Benny wrote music for the Swedish movie "Sånger från andra våningen".

 

2001

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.

 

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.

 

 

 

 

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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2002

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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2003

Per Myrberg

 

 

 

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

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".

 

 

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.

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

 

 

 

Benny & Frida attended the new premiere of "ABBA The Movie" in Stockholm on December 2, 2003.

 

2004

Interview in "Expressen"

 

 

 

"Expressen" published a long interview with Benny in June 2004.

 

BAO! - the CD

 

 

 

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.

 

 

BAO on tour 2004

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:

 

 

 

von Otter makes Agnetha...

These pictures remind of Agnetha's sessions for "My Colouring Book" two years ago...

 

 

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.

Ann-Sofie von Otter singing "Like An Angel Passing Through My Room"

 

2005

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.

BAO on tour - Stockholm

Benny and his Orkester performed on Skansen twice in 2005. On Tuesday (2.08) in the TV show "Allsång på Skansen" and on Wednesday (3.08) with their own show at the dance place in Skansen called "Galejan". Everybody was there - old ABBA manager Görel Hanser, Mona Nörklit (Benny's wife), Peter Grönvall (Benny's son), Ludvig Andersson (Benny's son) and many others. The public was estimated to 3000 people and it was really crowdy. Hundreds of people were dancing to the BAO music and Benny seemed to love the evening. Helen Sjöholm and Tommy Körberg performed all latest BAO hits as well as some evergreens and several ABBA songs as: Ring Ring, I Do I Do I Do..., Why Did It Have To Be Me and Hamlet. To call the both singers professionals is maybe too little if you want to describe them. They are absolutely great. Two new songs were performed - they will be released on a new BAO CD next year. The show was almost 4 hours long and Benny was precisely like he used to be on ABBA concerts 1977-79-81. We took about 400 pictures during the evening and the best ones will be published soon.

 

 

 

"BAO! En konsert med dans" (BAO! A concert with dance)   

2005-07-28  Trädgårdsföreningen,Göteborg

2005-07-29 Sofiero Slott,Helsingborg

2005-08-03 Solliden, Skansen,Stockholm

2005-08-04  Stadsparken,Örebro

2005-08-05  Sammilsdal,Leksand

The ring tone for Swedish Red Cross

The Swedish Red Cross and Benny Andersson presented on Friday November 18th,2005 the new ring tone for mobile telephones on a press conference in Stockholm. The ring tone composed by the former ABBA member costs 50 Swedish Crowns (about 5 Euro).

2006

BAO på tourné (BAO on tour)- the CD release

The BAO 2006 CD "BAO på tourné" was released in Sweden on May 10th, 2006. The album contains 22 songs recorded during the group's tour in Sweden in 2005. Among the songs there are BAO's own big hits as "Du är min man" and "Vår sista dans" (performed by Helen Sjöholm), Benny Andersson's hits released originally on his solo albums as "Klinga mina klockor", "Födelsedagsvals till Mona" and others. Even Kalle Moreaus and Tommy Körberg perform. No ABBA cover has been included even if BAO played several of them on their tour. The cover is not very fascinating dark with small and very small pictures.

with original autographs

 

 

 

 

 

 

BAO on stage - 15.05.2006

Benny Anderssons Orkester promoted their live CD and... the group "Florence" at the hotel "Rival" in Stockholm on Monday, May 15th. The audience of 700 people attended the show which started at about 7 p.m. with one-hour-performance of the group Florence whose newly released CD had been produced by Benny Andersson. After a short break BAO entered the stage and played their hits for more than 2 hours together with singers Helen Sjöholm and Tommy Körberg. Two ABBA covers were performed: Ring Ring and Why Did It Have To Be Me. The programme of the show was about the same as on the tour in the summer 2005.

 

 

Anne Sofie von Otter sings Benny & Björn

The album with Benny and Björn's music performed by the Swedish opera diva Anne Sofie von Otter was released on August 28, 2006. The CD has been recorded at Atlantis Studios in Stockholm in September 2004 so this music is 2 years old. Von Otter did not have time due to her tight schedule to promote the album before now and that's why the recordings waited for its release so long time. Eleven compositions were chosen for the inclusion and among them several ABBA songs. Two classical compositions "The Day Before You Came" and "The Winner Takes It All" appear in new arrangements which destroy the songs a little. ABBAgnetha's performances were much better even if it is very difficult to compare Agnetha and Anne Sofie. Von Otter's voice works much better in the musical works of Benny and Björn from the "Chess" and "Kristina från Duvemåla". The title song "I Let the Music Speak" is as well more suitable composition for the singer. The 1973 composition "I Am Just a Girl" has been recorded in a kind of cabaret style with some "Benny-folk-music-feeling". It is very nice to hear Benny and Björn compositions in another versions and performed by an opera voice. Pity that the CD quite short - 48 minutes but watch out there is a hidden track on the CD - "Money Money Money". Do not stop the CD after the 11th track - "After the Rain"

 

2007

Benny: "We are 20 years better" - recording sessions for Mamma Mia The Movie.

At the beginning of the year Benny started recording sessions for Mamma Mia the movie in Stockholm. Benny Andersson said that it makes great fun to be back in the old ABBA studio called in the 1970s Metronome Studio (now Atlantis studio where even Agnetha Fältskog recorded her solo album "My Colouring Book).

 

BAO - the recording sessions 2007

In March BAO had their first recording sessions for the new album. Benny Andersson revealed that an old composition from 1979, planned originally for the ABBA album Voulez-Vous, would be finally released on the forthcoming BAO CD. The song was entitled "Crush on You" and it was sung in English. One more song in English and five in Swedish were planned for release on the new album. Even a compilation album "The best of BAO" was under preparations for international release later this year. The vocalists were as usual Helen Sjöholm and Tommy Körberg.

 

 

 

Allsång på Skansen

Traditionally Benny Anderssons Orkester performed in "Allsång på Skansen" on August 7th, 2007. For the first time Helen Sjöholm was missing but just this time as she had became mother at the end of July and she needed some time for herself and her child. Tommy Körberg performed both new songs which will appear on the forthcoming BAO album. Benny said in the short interview that the album was planned for release in October 2007 and it contained one song in English "Crush on you". Even an English language album was planned for recording in the nearest future. One of the new songs performed in Skansen had a wonderful ABBA sound remaining of "I Let The Music Speak" - pity that Frida couldn't perform it on stage as she was in Stockholm that day...

The new BAO album is recorded and right now it is being mixed. The release is planned in October. BAO will record a record in English according to Benny Andersson but it is quite unknown when and whether it will be promoted abroad. The filming for the movie "Mamma Mia" continues in London and Meryl Streep has already recorded several songs. In September the film team will move to Greece.

 

 

 

BAO - the 2007 CD

The new CD of Benny Andersson Orkester was released in Sweden on October 24th, 2007. The album contains 12 tracks most of them sung by Helen Sjöholm and Tommy Körberg - two great singers belonging to BAO's musical team since many years. Both Helen and Tommy sing wonderfully and their voices are on their tops.

Lyrics were written by another "B" - Björn Ulvaeus. So almost ABBA album... The only ABBA-related think here can be the song "Crush on you" which Benny started to compose already in 1979 and which finally saw its release on this BAO album 28 years later. The question is if this song was worth releasing. Neither Tommy nor Helen seem to have found the right way of singing it and the song itself is not any interesting piece of music a bit chaotic as the period 1978/79 was in ABBA's life as well as the album "Voulez-Vous". Absolute favorite which has been performed by BAO on their concerts since 2005 is "För dig" (For you).

Helen Sjöholm sings a very typical Benny Andersson composition "Upp till dig" (Up to you) which is a copy of the 1982 B & B composition "I Am The Seeker" released on the B-side of Frida's & BA Robertsons' single "Time"!!! Some passages are almost identical with "I Am The Seeker" and the question is if it was Benny's intention.

Already known "Bonde söker fru" (Farmer is seeking wife) sounds a little bit stupid but maybe better than during its premiere live performance in Allsång på Skansen in August. The last song with Helen's and Tommy's vocals has lyrics written by Swedish female poet Kristina Lugn who is known for her very special way of writing and talking as well as her hair. The song is entitled "Nu mår jag mycket bättre" (I feel much better now) which gives some hope that maybe Kristina starts writing more positive poems in the future. The other 5 instrumental compositions are very typical Benny Andersson pieces with the touch of folk music.

 

BAO in Globen - Stockholm

On Friday October 26th, 2007 BAO with Helen Sjöholm and Tommy Körberg performed in Globen in Stockholm. Benny gave an exclusive interview for the Swedish TV4.

 

 

2008

The first 7 months of 2008 Benny devoted to "Mamma Mia - The Movie". He completed the recording sessions for the soundtrack and participated in the promotional work for the film.

BAO in Allsång på Skansen

BAO performed in the last show in the series "Allsång på Skansen" in Stockholm on Tuesday August 5th, 2008. Helen Sjöholm performed the old hit "Du är min man" and together with Tommy Körberg one song from the latest BAO album "Nu mår jag mycket bättre" (I feel much better now). Tommy did not know the lyrics to the song but he had a crib on stage which helped him a lot.  The Mamma Mia Stockholm cast performed: "Mamma Mia", "Super Trouper", "Thank You For The Music" and "Dancing Queen".

 
 

 

2009

BAO on tour in Sweden in 2009

Benny Anderssons Orkester with singers Helen Sjöholm and Tommy Körberg toured in Sweden in 2009. The tour started on 26 Juni in Helsingborg (Sofiero castle) and continued through: Gothenburg, Stockholm, Borgholm, Västerås, Leksand and finally Mariefred where the tour ended on 12 Juli on Gripsholms castle (where ABBA had their "Waterloo"-photo sessions at the beginning of 1974 - see ABBA related places).

 

BAB in London

BAO changed name to BAB (Benny Andersson Band) and on 4 July 2009 they gave a concert in London. The concert promoted BAB's international album "Story of a Heart"

Thanks Roberto

 

 

Story of a Heart

The first international album of Benny Andersson Band (in Sweden known as Benny Anderssons Orkester (BAO) was released in Sweden on 24 June 2009 and in the UK and Europe at the beginning of July. The Swedish version of the album contained the Swedish language version of "Story of a Heart" as a bonus track.

Sweden International    

 

Benny in "Dagens Nyheter" 26/7-2009

The Swedish newspaper "Dagens Nyheter" published a big interview with Benny on 26 July 2009. Benny was talking about his music and its both happy and sad sides. He stated that the only ABBA song that was very special to him and it still affects him very deeply was "The Day Before You Came" - the darkest song in the Swedish pop history... Andersson said that the way the song was performed by Agnetha Fältskog was deeply touching and the tune was still very strong after 27 years.