Around the same time, his songwriting companion Ulvaeus met vocalist Agnetha Fältskog. During this contest, he met vocalist Anni-Frid Lyngstad, and they soon became a couple. He also had a fruitful songwriting collaboration with Lasse Berghagen, with whom he wrote several songs and submitted "Hej, Clown" for the 1969 Melodifestivalen – the Swedish Eurovision Song Festival finals. The band performed mostly covers of international hits, but Andersson soon started writing his own material, and gave the band the classic hits " No Response", " Sunny Girl", " Wedding", " Consolation", "It's Nice To Be Back" and "She Will Love You," among others.Īndersson met Björn Ulvaeus in June 1966, and the two men started writing songs together, their first being "Isn't It Easy To Say", eventually recorded by the Hep Stars. Andersson secured his place as the band's keyboardist and musical driving force as well as a teen idol. In October 1964 he joined the Hep Stars as keyboardist and they made a breakthrough in March 1965 with their hit " Cadillac", eventually becoming the most celebrated of the Swedish 1960s pop bands. Their repertoire consisted mainly of instrumentals, including " Baby Elephant Walk" he also wrote his first songs.Ĭareer Hep Stars (1964–1969) In early 1964, Benny and Christina joined "Elverkets Spelmanslag" ("The Electricity Board Folk Music Group") the name was a punning reference to their electric instruments. This is when he met his first girlfriend Christina Grönvall, with whom he had two children: Peter (born 1963) and Heléne (born 1965). He left school at 15 and began to perform at youth clubs. This variety of different kinds of music influenced him through the years.Īt ten, Andersson got his own piano and taught himself to play. He was especially impressed by the flip side, "Treat Me Nice", as this featured a piano. The first records Benny bought were "Du Bist Musik" by Italian schlager singer Caterina Valente and Elvis Presley's " Jailhouse Rock". His father and grandfather taught him Swedish folk music, traditional music, and schlager. Andersson's musical background comes from his father and grandfather (Efraim) they both enjoyed playing the accordion, and at six, Benny got his own.
His sister Eva-Lis Andersson followed in 1948. Göran Bror Benny Andersson was born 16 December 1946 in the Vasastan district of Stockholm to civil engineer Gösta Andersson (1912–1973) and his wife Laila (1920–1971). 2.5 Benny Anderssons Orkester (2001–present).2.4 After ABBA: Chess, Kristina and Mamma Mia! (1983–present).