The foursome known as ABBA burst on the music scene in 1974 with the annual Eurovision Son Contest. Since winning the Contest with the hit song “Waterloo”, the foursome went on to have a hit Broadway musical and film based on their music “Mama, Mia!”, several hit songs, and have their greatest hits albums certified six time platinum by the RIAA – Recording Industry Association of America – for selling at least six million copies in the United States.
They have gone on to be the most successful Eurovision Song Contest winners.
On May 31, King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden knighted Agnetha Faltskog, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad Reuss with the Order of the Vasa – an honour that has not been presented in nearly 50 years – as a Commander of the First Class for their contribution to “international music life” and Sweden.
Earlier this year members of the Swedish government and citizens nominated candidates for the award. Nominees had to be approved by the King.
King Carl presented the award in a red box to each recipient while Queen Silvia presented the honourees with a diploma in a solemn ceremony conducted in the Vita Havet Assembly Rooms of the Royal Palace.
ABBA were among 13 Swedish citizens who received the honour. The King told the recipients, “the order you get today is Sweden’s thanks for your exceptional efforts.”
ABBA have not performed together in some 40 years.
Feature photo credit: Mdm Tussauds Berlin