ABBA, the 1970s Swedish supergroup from Sweden who split in 1983, then got back together last week, have split again, citing "musical differences" as the reason.
The group, consisting of Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, took its name through a clever working of the first initial of each of the band members' first names, (Agnetha = A, Björn = B, Benny = B, and Anni-Frid = A), and then reassembling them into the name ABBA.
They had a shitload of hits starting with 'Waterloo' and 'Höney, Höney, Höney' in 1974, 'I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do', 'S.O.S.' and 'Mamma Mia' in 1975, 'Möney, Möney, Möney' and 'Dancing Queen' in 1976, 'Take A Chance Ön Me' and 'Name Of The Game' in 1977, 'I Have A Dream', 'Does Your Mother Know?', 'Chiquitita' and 'Summer Night City' in 1979, and 'The Winner Takes It All', 'Super Trouper', 'Fernando' and'Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!' in 1980, to name but a few.
After 35 years in the musical wilderness, during which time Benny stooped to the level of being a dustman, and Agnetha drove a bus, the foursome stayed in touch, often singing their old hits down the telephone to each other.
Then, out of the blue last week, the gröup decided to reform, after news that Benny and Björn had written a double album whilst having a glass of wine together in a bar in Stockholm.
They called the girls, and met up the next day to record the 58 träcks, but things have 'cooled-off' since, and they have decided to finally call it a day. For now.
Until they get skint agäin.
