Abba is one of the very best and well known pop rock bands in the world. Founded in 1972 in the Swedish capital of Stockholm they grew to become one of the most successful pop rock bands in the world with multiple hits all over the world.

The band name is actually an acronym for the first names of all the band memebers, which are Agnetha Faltskog, Benny Andersson, Bjorn Ulvaeus and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. Together, these musicians became the highest grossing non-english band to perform non-english songs in the world. They have sold more than 370 million records and still to this day continue to sell over a million each year.

Their first claim to fame occured in 1974 when they became the first Swedish band to ever win the Eurovision song contest in 1974. They also happen to be the most successful winners of the Eurovision song contest. This launched them on their path to success with the release of their very best hits SOS and the chart topper Mamma Mia. These two songs solidified their success in the United States and established them as one of the very best international bands.

1976 was the year when ABBA finally and firmly established themselves as one of the very best and most popular groups in the world. The songs released that year are still among the very best selling albums of all time in many countries. Classic single releases such as Fernando and Dancing Queen topped the charts all over the world. In April 1977, Dancing Queen became ABBAs only US Number One.

However by February 1981 tensions between the band member had mounted until the final blow was dealt and Benny and Frida announced their divorce. Despite the personal issues it created the members still worked together and by the end of the year, ABBAs eighth album, The Visitors, was released. After its release they all agreed to take a temporary break.

Despite great public demand almost three decades after ABBAs temporary break, the great ABBA reunion did not take place. However the music still goes and the 1990s saw the beginning of a major revival, with several successful cover versions and high-profile movies.

Today, ABBA are regarded as one of the very best classic pop acts, acknowledged by their 2010 induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Moreover, 1999 saw the release of Mamma Mia, a musical based on the songs of ABBA. The musical opened on Broadway two years later, and today it is the worlds most popular shows, having been seen by more than 42 million people. A hugely successful movie version of Mamma Mia, starring Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan, opened in July 2008. The Stockholm opening of the movie was attended by the four ABBA members. That was the last time the four founding members were seen in public.

Editorial | Image Courtesy Of Abba