Benny Andersson is a Swedish composer, musician, producer, and singer-songwriter. He is best known as a member of the musical group ABBA, which became one of the most successful pop bands of all time.
Andersson was born on December 16th, 1946 in Stockholm, Sweden. He began playing the piano at the age of six, and by the age of ten he was already playing professionally. He also learned to play the accordion and the banjo.
In 1965, Andersson formed a band called The Hep Stars, which became one of the most popular bands in Sweden. They had numerous hits in the late 1960s, including "No Response," "Sunny Girl," and "Wedding." In 1969, The Hep Stars disbanded, and Andersson began to focus on songwriting and producing.
In 1972, Andersson met Björn Ulvaeus and the two began collaborating on songs. The duo wrote the majority of ABBA's songs, and Andersson wrote the music for them. ABBA went on to become one of the biggest pop groups in the world, with hits such as "Dancing Queen," "Mamma Mia," and "Waterloo." ABBA disbanded in 1982.
In the years following the dissolution of ABBA, Andersson continued to write and produce music. He wrote the musical Chess, as well as music for the musical Kristina från Duvemåla. He also wrote and produced the musical Mamma Mia!, which has since been turned into a successful movie.
Andersson has also collaborated with many other artists, including Ulvaeus, Elton John, and the Royal Swedish Ballet. He has been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Andersson still performs and writes music today, and is considered one of the most influential figures in Swedish music history. He has been awarded numerous awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Swedish Music Awards in 2011.
