Super Troupers: 50 Years Of ABBA Friendship
Five decades ago, on 5 June 1966, ABBA co-founders Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson met for the first time. Exactly 50 years later, on 5 June 2016, the pair threw a party in honour of the occasion – and ended up performing on stage together for the first time in 30 years.
Celebrating their fortuitous meeting, Ulvaeus and Andersson hired out a room at Berns Salonger, in Stockholm, for a private party that started at 6.15pm and lasted into the early hours of the morning. Local DJ Claes af Geijerstam hoted the event and showed a video that celebrated ABBA’s history. Many of Sweden’s most famous actors and musicians were also in attendance, among them Marie Göranzon, a grand dame of Sweden’s Royal Dramatic Theatre ensemble, and singer and actress Helen Sjöholm, who performed a song from the hit musical Chess, whose music was penned by Andersson and Ulvaeus.
Yet nothing could upstage ABBA themselves. Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, the other half of the legendary four-piece, took to the stage at Berns Salonger to perform ‘The Way Old Friends Do’ in tribute to their bandmates, who joined in towards the end of the song, making the moment ABBA’s first public performance since 1986.
“It was absolutely amazing,” Lyngstad said afterwards. “A lot of emotions. We’ve made this journey throughout our history. Benny and Björn in particular. It’s been very nostalgic.”
Relishing their time together, the group spoke on stage about their history and how ABBA started. Ulvaeus and Andersson were initially in separate bands in 1966, Björn fronting The Hootenanny Singers and Benny performing in a group called The Hep Stars. After crossing paths a number of times on the live circuit, they decided to write a song together. ‘It Isn’t Easy To Stay’ was the first fruit of a collaboration that went on to reap worldwide smashes with the likes of ‘Money, Money, Money’ and ‘Dancing Queen’, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.
The foursome’s appearance was the second time in a little over four months that ABBA have stood on stage together, the first being their surprise appearance at the launch of their Mamma Mia! restaurant, on 20 January. However, they did not perform at that event and there is no news on whether ABBA are planning any reunion shows. For the moment, it’s just clear that the group are enjoying their legacy.
Watch a clip of that 20 January reunion below:
UK English
Rosi Costa
June 6, 2016 at 5:07 pm
I feel the video here … it will be January the video of this day of the meeting June 5, 2016?
jasondraper
June 6, 2016 at 5:15 pm
That’s correct. We couldn’t find a video of last night’s reunion, but thought fans might like to see some video footage of the legends on stage together this year.
JIMMY REID
June 6, 2016 at 7:35 pm
have always loved abba ‘s music , still do , watch their videos over and over again , can’t seem 2 get enough , wonder why !
Michael McGlone
June 6, 2016 at 10:13 pm
To one of the ” Best Musical Bands ” in the World ! Thanks For The Music !
neo
June 6, 2016 at 11:57 pm
The song is called “the way old friends do” not “you and I”
jasondraper
June 7, 2016 at 9:36 am
Thanks for putting us right!
K Georgezo
June 7, 2016 at 12:32 am
Wounderful. I was lucky enought to see ABBA.perform.
Here in Melbourne. Australia. And to see them on.
Stage together. Again brings a tear to my eyes.they..
Are the greatest band of all time.no group evens come.
Close to them..Thank you for the music..
Thales
June 7, 2016 at 1:20 am
we want to see a video of this meeting!
We waited a lifetime to see it
Bert
June 7, 2016 at 3:28 am
Video (or it did not happen)!!!! LOL
I can’ t believe that no one taped that performance! Nah.
K Parker
June 7, 2016 at 6:32 am
There is really only one thing you can say about ABBA THANK YOU For The Music.
Michael S
June 7, 2016 at 12:12 pm
WE WANT ABBA!
Gilbert
June 7, 2016 at 5:42 pm
Please, post the Video about. Everybody is eager to see last performance of ABBA at
B&B 50 years anniversary!
GILMAR STEFANSKI
June 7, 2016 at 6:50 pm
não vou negar que tentei procurar frases e poemas, varias formas de escrever algo especial pra vocês , mas cheguei a conclusão nada que pudesse encontrar iria conseguir mostrar o quanto vocês são especial para mim ,,e em minha vida vocês quatro , parabéns ( AGANETHA VOCE COM SUA ALEGRIA , SINCERIDADE SUA BELEZA não poderiam ser inumerada em poemas e frases . oque mais me deu forças para escrever foi o carinho e o encanto que tenho pela pessoa que você e .,,, não estou falando de sua beleza , pois não precisa ser citada e muito menos contestada ..,,, falo da alegria que passa no seu olhar e seu sorriso lindo e seu jeito meigo .bom acredito que já consegui falar ou melhor escrever oque cinto por você .. continue assim sempre. nunca mude seu jeito de ser, porque isso vai tirar a essência de ser o que você e ,,,,,,,,,, PARABENS PRA VOCE AGNETHA )
Eva Lucak
June 9, 2016 at 1:41 am
that’s wonderful…..ABBA Please send us a new song and make the whole world happy. Abba forever you are the best
Helen dalmain
August 4, 2016 at 9:01 pm
Will always love abba the best group ever i play abba music every day especially super trooper wonderful times .
Thankyou
Helen
Joy
October 19, 2016 at 6:30 pm
I love ABBA music!..they are the best! Nothing compares!
Carlos Norberto de Oliveira
June 5, 2017 at 6:48 pm
Parabéns ao grupo abba.pena que acabou. Muito cedo. Mas sempre vai estar na minha memória e coração. Obrigado por tudo. Deus abençoe a todos.