Björn Again - ABBA's greatest hits

BJÖRN AGAIN - in brief

	It was 1988 when Company director and Bass Player Rod created BJÖRN AGAIN, there have since been over 4000 shows in 60 countries in 20 years. Rod had previously been working in metallurgical research but at the age of 29 and inspired by the legendary New Zealand band Split Enz's musicianship and onstage theatrics decided on a career change to start a band which would revisit the music and fashion of the 1970's. Rod believed that ABBA globally encapsulated all that was good (and maybe some not so good) about the era so decided they were the perfect '70's icon to focus his efforts on. After countless auditions and months of rehearsals and studying music and videos all Rod needed to come up with was a great show format and a great band name...and BJÖRN AGAIN was it !!!

So with Rod taking to the stage in his new persona as Björn Volvo-us together with fellow band members Benny Anderwear, Frida Longstokin and Agnetha Falstart and the backing band went on to achieve a cult status before setting their sights on Europe, North America and beyond........ Nowadays BJÖRN AGAIN.com personnel are comprised from a pool of British and Nth American musicians which Rod oversees and often plays Bass guitar and sings with in the backing band. The show which is no longer seen as just a tribute band has been hailed as the most popular and successful act of its type in the world and has been endorsed by Agnetha Fältskog and Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA despite their commenting ..."Björn Again have lousy ‘Swenglish’ (half Swedish / half English) accents." It's been 34 years since ABBA's monumental Eurovision song contest win with “Waterloo” at the Brighton Dome and they have also celebrated 9 years of the very successful Mamma Mia Musical and are soon to release a Mamma Mia film. ABBA were once offered a one billion dollar deal to reform for a one year tour but declined because....... they didn't really need the ‘money money money’. Similarly Björn Again were offered one dollar to perform one billion concerts which Rod carefully considered ........ but declined for the same reason.

	Message from Rod: “Thanks very much for your interest in Björn Again. What started out as a slightly crazy idea in 1988 just took off like a sky rocket everywhere around the world. I am in my 33rd year in the music industry and still really enjoy my work as well as playing on stage. I get a buzz when I see the audience having such a great time. I do hope Björn Again will keep on going for many more years. As long as everyone enjoys seeing ABBA’s songs performed the way Björn Again do them…I think it definitely will.”

ABBA / BJÖRN AGAIN - Chronology
Pre ABBA
1966	BENNY from The HEPSTARS and BJÖRN from The HOOTENANNY Singers meet and write first song "Isn't it easy to say"

1967	FRIDA wins a talent contest on Swedish TV and a recording contract with EMI. AGNETHA gets signed to Cupol Records.

1968	AGNETHA has her first hit single "Jag Var Sa Kar"

1969	AGNETHA and BJÖRN meet on a TV show. BENNY and FRIDA Meet in a night club. GÖREL HANSER gets a job at POLAR Music as ABBA's Manager STIKKAN "STIG" ANDERSON's Secretary.

1970	AGNETHA and FRIDA sing backing vocals for BENNY ands BJÖRN at a Gothenburg Restaurant show under the name FESTFOLK (meaning engaged couples) and they sing on the boys album 'LYCKA' with the first single featuring all 4 called "Hej Gamle Man"

1971	AGNETHA and BJÖRN marry. BENNY and BJÖRN become producers and partners at POLAR music with STIG but there are no plans for a group at this stage.

1972	PEOPLE NEED LOVE released under the name BJÖRN and BENNY, AGNETHA and ANNI-FRID.
ABBA era starts
1973	RING RING despite contribution from Neil Sedaka and Phil Cody misses the pre-selection for Eurovision but is a hit in Sweden. STIG is credited with devising the band name ABBA after coming to an arrangement with a Swedish canned fish company of the same name. STIG is also credited with reshuffling the band so that the girls were the focal point on stage. He also inspired the fledgling ABBA to sing in English in order to appeal to a wider market.

1974	ABBA win the Eurovision Song Contest in Brighton with “Waterloo” which goes to number 1 in many countries.“Waterloo” the album released worldwide. ABBA begin a Scandinavian and European tour.

1975	Singles “I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do”, “SOS” & “Mamma Mia” are released along with “ABBA” the Album.

1976	ABBA have a run of number 1 albums - “Greatest Hits” and “Arrival”. TV specials include “ABBA in Australia”, “ABBA Musikladen”, “ABBA DABBA DO” and “ABBA in Poland”. “Dancing Queen” is performed at the Royal Gala, Sweden. "FERNANDO" (co-written with STIG) spends 14 weeks at the top of the AUSTRALIAN Charts.
	In a vox-pop Interview with GREG EVANS for a Channel 10 ABBA television special, then teenager Rod comments "I am not a big fan of ABBA's music but i really fancy the two girls !!"

1977	ABBA embark on European and Australian Tours. Two Royal Albert Hall shows in London attract 3.5 million ticket enquiries. “Dancing Queen” becomes ABBA’s first & only no. 1 in the USA singles chart.

1978	“ABBA The Album” is released and “ABBA The Movie” becomes a big cinema hit. ABBA’s own Polar Recording Studios Open. BENNY and FRIDA marry after a nine year engagement.

1979	ABBA donate their single “Chiquitita” to U.N.I.C.E.F and perform the song in a TV special for the Year of the child. The Spanish version of “Chiquitita” is a major smash in Mexico selling over 1 million copies. The disco orientated album “Voulez Vous” becomes another number 1 in many countries and is later followed by “Greatest Hits Vol. 2”. AGNETHA and BJÖRN divorce. ABBA begin their last tour of Europe, USA and Canada.

1980	ABBA tour in Japan. "The Winner takes it all" and “Super Trouper” the album is released.

1981	BJÖRN marries Lena Kallesjo. FRIDA and BENNY divorce. “The Visitors” is the last studio album that ABBA record. BENNY marries Mona Norklit.

1982	ABBA celebrate their 10th Anniversary. The double album “ABBA The Singles - The First Ten Years” is released. FRIDA releases her first English solo album “Somethings Going On” produced by Phil Collins. BENNY and BJÖRN collaborate with lyricist Tim Rice.

1983	"Thankyou for the Music" - seen to be a fitting song to sum up an era dominated by the "super-swedes" is released. ABBA unofficially break up having achieved so much in their ten years but ironically having toured for only a total of 10 months, performing 160 live shows in 16 countries. AGNETHA releases her "Wrap your arms around me" album.
ABBA era ends
1984	CHESS the musical is released with the hit songs "One night in Bangkok" and "I know him so well". FRIDA releases "Shine" album.
Pre Börn Again
1985	AGNETHA releases her "Eyes of a Woman" album. BENNY and BJÖRN produce "GEMINI" album.

1986	BJÖRN and BENNY, AGNETHA and FRIDA perform together on Swedish TV for the last time paying tribute to manager “STIG” ANDERSON. “CHESS” becomes a hit musical in London’s West End, Australia and the USA. “ABBA Live” LP released but not in the UK due to copyright problems.

1987	AGNETHA releases her "I Stand Alone " album. BENNY releases his "Klinga Mina Klockor" album. ABBA's music is now generally considered to be a universally forgotten part of 1970's pop history as the 1980's new wave of music continues to eclipse the previous decades.
Björn Again 1st era
1988	In search of something entertaining, new and refreshing for a then stale Melbourne Music and Fashion scene Rod literally dives into the back of his wardrobe uncovering "ten year old" Flared trousers and platform shoes and later starts listening to 1970 's LP albums of various bands, most notably ... ABBA ... Then a virtual lightning bolt struck ... it had to be......BJÖRN AGAIN is conceived by Rod in Melbourne Australia. The remainder of this year is spent formulating theatrical ideas for the show, auditioning and rehearsing the music and stageshow of what was to be a new revolution in the music industry........Nostalgia and Revival became the new Buzz words....
	“Absolute ABBA” is released on Telstar and flops only reaching no. 70 in the UK Charts.

1989	BJÖRN AGAIN perform their first sellout shows and after a change of some more band members go on to tour throughout Australia. Several National TV Shows feature BJÖRN AGAIN as a cult band and document the resurgence in popularity of both ABBA's music and 70's Fashion.

1990	BJÖRN AGAIN continue to tour extensively around Australia becoming a household name in every state. Later this year BJÖRN AGAIN embarks on it's very first international tour to SWEDEN.

1991	BJÖRN AGAIN maintain a hectic touring schedule. The band are invited on the "JOHNATHON ROSS Show" then go on to tour throughout the UNITED KINGDOM. The band are invited to perform 4 songs on National TV SWEDEN as part of the promotion for the soon to be released ABBA GOLD (the first time ABBA's music has been on CD) BJÖRN AGAIN engage Agent Paul Franklin to represent the band in it's key .com territories.

1992	BJÖRN AGAIN undertake a gruelling UK, European and Scandinavian tour taking in most countries. ERASURE release "ABBA-esque" an EP of ABBA's hits. BJÖRN AGAIN answer back with a cover of Erasure's "A Little Respect" reaching no. 25 in the chart (unfortunately it may well have achieved a higher position had it been recorded more professionally). The ABBA Revival is now in full swing! BJÖRN AGAIN perform at the Reading Festival at Nirvana's request then go on to sell out seven consecutive shows (a total of 15,000 tickets) at London's Town and Country Club (now the Forum)
	“ABBA Gold Greatest Hits” is released and becomes a massive no. 1 worldwide. BJÖRN and BENNY perform Dancing Queen with U2 in Stockholm. FRIDA marries German Prince Ruzzo Reuss von Plauen.

1993	BJÖRN AGAIN are voted by a students poll as being the best band playing on the UK university circuit (quite an honour given the great number of worthy bands) BJÖRN AGAIN perform to a full house at the Royal Albert Hall in London (15 years after ABBA's sellout shows at the same venue) BJÖRN AGAIN continue to record a variety of ill-conceived, low production standard albums and singles for Michael Levy's failing M&G record company. Fortunately these errors in judgement are deemed as only temporary setbacks for the BJÖRN AGAIN brand.

1994	BJÖRN AGAIN are asked by Director P.J. Hogan to promote Muriel's wedding at Cannes Film Festival by performing at the Carlton Hotel Beach. Björn Again play to their biggest ever audience of 300,000 at London's Gay Pride at Brockwell Pk before embarking on their first tour of Nth America. The band perform on "Night of the Proms" in Antwerp with TOTO and Paul Young. Björn Again create history when, as part of the Prince of Wales Trust Variety Concert, they perform “Take a Chance On Me” live with each band member in different landmark locations around London - only possible with fibre optics - a feat acknowledged by The Guinness Book of Records.
	ABBA's four CD box set “Thank You For The Music” is released.

1995	BJÖRN AGAIN BJÖRN AGAIN notches up 1,000 performances and continue to tour comprehensively throughout Australia, Nth America and UK / EUROPE.
	BJÖRN and BENNY celebrate the launch of their popular musical “Kristina från Duvemåla"
Björn Again 2nd era
1996	BJÖRN AGAIN take a well earned 6 month break to recruit some new band members for what is seen to be the start of the second era for the brand. Later that year they embark on a comprehensive Uk Theatre tour.
	FRIDA releases her "Djupa Andetag" album - A No. 1 in Sweden.

1997	BJÖRN AGAIN embark on a 125 date round-the-world tour starting in London then Nth America from Coast to coast / over to Hong Kong for the Handover ceremony. Then Japan to Europe and Ireland and finally to finish off the year with a 3 month tour of the UK.
	ABBA's Manager Stig Anderson dies of a heart attack aged 66. GÖREL HANSER becomes BJÖRN and BENNY's personal manager.

1998	BJÖRN AGAIN's 10th anniversary is celebrated in style with a sell out performance at the Royal Albert Hall. The show was recorded on Video and CD. They went on to do some shows with CSE for the forces in Cyprus, Bosnia and the Falklands and at the Johnny Walker Golf Classic in Phuket. BJÖRN AGAIN perform at the AMSTERDAM GAY GAMES. In August the Band supported the Spice Girls at Don Valley and Wembley Stadia before embarking on another UK tour including 5 successive sell out shows at London's Shepherd's Bush Empire (a total of 10,000 tickets sold).

1999	BJÖRN AGAIN are the opening act at the Glastonbury Festival then go on to film a fly-on-the-wall Channel 5 documentary entitled ABBA - BJÖRN AGAIN which includes a cameo role by Sir CLIFF RICHARD. The documentary was viewed by 1.2 million people and won a coveted Rose D'or award. The band are invited by Mr Fayed to Celebrate Harrod's 150th birthday. BJÖRN AGAIN have 3 Millenium new years eve shows in the UK including Rohan (Mr Bean) Aktinson's private party at his Oxfordshire house together with a show in Newcastle and a huge street party in Belfast to see in the new year and the new millenium.
	MAMMA MIA opens in London's west end and becomes an instant hit.

2000	BJÖRN AGAIN respond to international demand and embark on 3 simultaneous tours of UK / EUROPE and Nth AMERICA including several performances at Arenas throughout the UK as well as performing at many European / UK Festivals including Switzerland's Out in the Green and "V 2000". The band play the Formula one drivers ball in Monaco and at the Y2K World Millenium Concert in Mumbai. BJÖRN AGAIN is invited to appear at the launch of the new CCTV (Chinese TV channel) in Beijing. The performance was seen by an estimated audience of one billion people worldwide. BJÖRN AGAIN notches up 2,000 performances in 12 years.

2001	BJÖRN AGAIN awarded for being in the top 50 "most beautiful Australian exports and are declared by BRW as being the tenth top entertainers alongside Kylie / AC/DC and Russell Crowe." Performances at London Kew Gardens Summer Swing festival and at Old Trafford for the England v Sweden Friendly Football Match along with major UK / European and Nth American tours. The band sees out the new year with a show at the Millenium Dome.

2002	BJÖRN AGAIN start the year off with a corporate show at longleat for drugs company Pfizer (followed later with a great party where oddly everyone managed to stay up all night!!) After a succesful Dutch and Belgian tour there were two performances in fave holiday location...The Cayman Islands. The month of May proves to be one of the busiest and stressful months in the bands' history with Major tours and many corporate shows (53 shows in total). The hectic shedule continues throughout the autumn with concurrent UK, Irish and Nth American tours.
Björn Again 3rd era
2003	BJÖRN AGAIN is invited to appear with SHANIA TWAIN to Play at Hyde Park and also to perform at Hampstead's Kenwood House. BJÖRN AGAIN undergoes many new changes heralding in an exciting third era for the brand. The band play at many exciting places such as Rockingham Racetrack, Cardiff Arena with The Sugarbabes, Birmingham Botanical gardens with the Bootleg Beatles, Nottingham Clumber Park, Henley Royal Regatta, CHICHESTER, Rowlands Castle, headlining in Stockholm, Ulriksdal and at Alton Towers with Status Quo Esher Claremount Estate, Belgium's Suikerrock Festival, Essex - Audley End, Collarado's Beaver Creek Festival, Les Fetes du Geneve, Spain's Parke del Nautico Festival, Twickenham's Marble Hill, Brighton Pier (no show - just went for some fish 'n' chips), Holland's Lowlands Festival with Stereophonics and Foofighters , ALASKA Palmer State Fair. In the Autumn BJÖRN AGAIN undertake a two month UK tour called Two Men Two Women featuring songs off ABBA the Album.

2004	BJÖRN AGAIN start the year off with a Swiss tour before heading off on a European tour suporting Shania Twain (üP!) In the early summer the band supports CHER on her final farewell tour as well as playing LUZERNE Golden Rose, DAUWPOP, TONSBERG, BERLINOVA, KEW GARDENS, SAMSOE, CALKE ABBEY, CALGARY STAMPEDE, LEICHTENSTEIN VADUZ, LINCOLN CASTLE, BATTLE ABBEY, BOERENROCK, MANCHESTER PRIDE and LONDON's Hyde Park PROMS Festivals. The band notches up 3,000 performances in 16 years. There are two Irish tours and a Nth American tours before finishing the year off with the "Home Swede Home tour" which featured an actual IKEA style house on stage complete with two garden gnomes. NYE shows in California, UK and Dublin.
	MAMMA MIA the musical celebrates it's 5th year anniversary.

2005	The year started off with an Irish and Swiss tour and a run of shows for BOOTS No. 7 cosmetics and an American tour. In march the video BJÖRN AGAIN live at the Royal Albert Hall was used at the opening of Belgium's IKEA store in Anderlecht much to the delight of thousands of shoppers. The summer started off with a show in the CAYMAN islands to benefit the victims of Hurricane Ivan. The band played TUNBRIDGE WELLS, Eridge Pk, VADUZ, CARDIFF Millenium Stadium Bike Grand Prix, LONDON Hyde Pk Moonwalk, ALTHORPE Pk, BELGIUM GENK, ISRAEL's HAIFA SEAPORT, LONDON Trafalgar Sqr PRIDE, ALTON Towers and OXEGEN with Greenday and a special televsion performance with Zoe Ball's "faking it" Ex-blue peter presenters Peter Duncan, Janet Ellis, Stuart Miles and Romana D'Annunzio. The year ends with American and Irish tours as well as the very popular UK "On the Beach" tour. NYE was celebrated with shows in both Portugal and Ireland.

2006	BJÖRN AGAIN started the year off with a Swiss tour which included another trip to Arosa in the alps. In March we played at J.K. Rowling's MS Charity Ball and at the Natural History Museum for the GMTV ARIEL Fashion awards. The Nth American band played several dates whilst the UK band ventured to Russia for a private function and Dubai for Landmark wines then on to the Excel Centre for Lloyd's Bank and back to Dubai for the Fujitsu confernce at Jumeirah Beach (by now the band members are getting tired of 5 star hotels and sandy beach resorts......not!!!!) The first ever UK Summer tour went very well and afforded the band members a top-up-tan throughout. At this time the US band played a run of 48 consecutive shows at Disney Orlando. Onto Kenwood house for the UK band for another sellout open air event. In the Fall the Nth American troupe played concerts throughout America to rave reviews. In Europe the band played a very successful run of shows in Belgium. A quick trip to Barbados for a wedding show before the hugely successful "Taking the Piste UK tour". The year was rounded off with a run of shows at the Birmingham NEC with Jasper Carrott and NYE was at Wembley with Kylie Minogue (Ho hum...another day another dollar!!!).

2007	BJÖRN AGAIN started the year off with a Swiss tour which included yet another trip to Arosa and a show for Toyota in Norway. A couple of shows at Niagara Falls were followed by a performance on Ireland's Late Late Show. In the late spring there were shows at Murrayfield and Birmingham and Zürich Pride. Corporate shows for AGFA in Manchester, Landmark Wines in Stockholm, Daimler-Chrysler in Germany, Globus in Zürich and birthday parties in Lisbon and Kensington. The summer was packed with great events at Kew Gardens, York Racecourse, RAF Lyneham, A wedding at Claridges, IOW for Dame Ellen McArthur Trust, Tuscany Pride, 30 performances at Disney Florida, TV Star in Zürich and private parties in Slovakia. In October the band played at Old Trafford for the Superleague final and the Nth American band played Canadian shows in Britsh Columbia and Alberta. The highlight of the year (undoubtedly the greatest highlight in the history of Björn Again) is performing for and meeting with Agnetha Faltskog at Stockholm's TV3 party - What a great night that was!! - The year finished on a high note with the first leg of the 19th (very nearly 20th) Anniversary Tour. NYE at Moscow's B! Maximum.

2008	BJÖRN AGAIN started the year off with sellout shows at Casino Rama in Canada and yet another show at Arosa in Switzerland and have notched up 4,000 performances (3,000 in the .com territories) during the February / March 19th (very nearly 20th) Anniversary Tour. A couple of shows in Scotland for Gaynor and Monty's wedding and Anthony Nolan Charity on Arran. There are many shows lined up for the spring and summer in UK / Europe / Nth America which will be posted soon as well as details of the 20th Anniversary shows later in the year.
	MAMMA MIA the film is due for release in the summer.

site design -