Original line-up: Agnetha Faltskog, vocals; Anni-Frid Lyngstad-Fredriksson, vocals; Bjorn Ulvaeus, guitar, vocals; Benny Andersson, keyboards, synthesizer, vocals.

Reputed to have earned more for the Swedish economy each year than the vast Volvo company, Abba leapt to international prominence when they won the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest. Before that, they had already put in long service as leading figures of Swedish pop scene. Anni-Frid (born Norway, November 15, 1945; raised in Toshala, Sweden) moved to Stockholm in 1967 to start singing career. Agnetha (born Jonkopping, April 5, 1950) started recording at 17 and had several local hits. Bjorn (born Gothenburg, April 25,1945) was the star of successful Hootenanny Singers in late 60s. Benny (born Stockholm, December 16,1946) was leader of popular rock band The Hep Cats. Pop industry entrepreneur Stikkan Andersson persuaded Bjorn, whom he already had under contract to his Polar Music company, and Benny to leave their groups and pool resources. Benny and Anni-Frid had been living together in Stockholm since 1970; Bjorn and Agnetha married in July 1971, a major event on Sweden's pop scene as both were already national figures. After Benny and Bjorn cut Lycka album as duo, Abba gradually came into being. The girls had been doing vocal back-ups on Benny and Bjorn recordings and as foursome had made some stage appearances. Anni-Frid was unsuccessful solo entrant in 1971 Eurovision song contest; for next two years foursome worked hard on their act with view to using that event as springboard to stardom. Name Abba was chosen in 1973 and the group represented Sweden in that year's Eurovision with Ring Ring but failed to win. Next year, despite strongest ever competition, they came out on top with Waterloo. The event was televised from Brighton, England, to an audience of some 500 million. Eurovision triumph does not automatically spell big record sales but in Abba's case it did. Waterloo not only went to No. 1 in most European countries, but made No. 6 in the US where Eurovision was unknown. However, it was 18 months before Abba could crack the true pop market. They did it with S.O.S., which made charts all over Europe, precipitating them to superstardom. Mama Mia, Fernando, Dancing Queen and Knowing Me, Knowing You were  all UK No. 1s, while Money, Money, Money went to No. 2. In 1977 Dancing Queen gave them their first American chart-topper. Every record was a perfectly crafted piece of pop commercialism, employing perfect harmonies, irresistible hooks, and impeccable production. Their accompanying promotional videos utilized equally flawless formula. When they finally embarked on a world tour in 1977 it was done in the grandest manner with 14 musicians, elaborate sets and full-blown productions. Hits continued to flow, both albums and singles racking amazing sales. Personal problems, however, began to overshadow their artistic and commercial success. Bjorn and Agnetha divorced in 1979. Agnetha reverted to maiden name Faltskog. Anni-Frid and Benny divorced in 1981. For some time they did not allow this to interfere with their career, but eventually they drifted apart, embarking on solo ventures. Agnetha enjoyed brief return to charts, when duet with former Chicago singer Peter Cetera I Wasn't The One (Who Said Goodbye) sneaked into US Top 100 in 1989. With Andersson and Ulvaeus filing litigation against former manager Stig Andersson, the Abba story unveiled new chapter when Australian band Bjorn Again, offered personal, affectionate tribute with UK tour in summer of 1991. And again in the late 1990's the Abba sound came back to prominence with a new musical masterminded by Benny and Bjorn.