History or Biography

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <IMG SRC="88768790.jpg" border=0 width="104" height="121" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>Interesting facts:</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF00FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Originaly her name was "Agneta" not Agnetha,<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> The "h" in Agnetha was added later after she began her career.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> Agnetha can play the piano, harpsicord, organ and tamborine.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> Agnetha's parents called her "Neta" at home.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> Fält" means field in Swedish.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFF00" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> "Skog" means forest or wood.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> Not so much a fact as an observation. Agnetha's hair grows really fast!<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> Agnetha is 5' 7 3/4"(1.72m)<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> tall.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#9966FF" FACE="Arial" ><B>Agnetha Then and Now</B></FONT>    | <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#9966FF" FACE="Franklin Gothic Medium Cond" >  </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Franklin Gothic Medium Cond" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33FF99" FACE="Franklin Gothic Medium Cond" > <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Agnetha Then and Now"><U>home</U></A></FONT></div> <div> <B>History or Biography</B><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Early Years"><U><B>Early Years</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id61.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Early Years 2"><U><B>Early Years 2</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id21.htm" 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HREF="id48.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Linda pg 3"><U><B>Linda pg 3</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id49.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Linda pg 4"><U><B>Linda pg 4</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id50.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Christian"><U><B>Christian</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id28.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Keeping Fit"><U><B>Keeping Fit</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id29.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Interesting Places"><U><B>Interesting Places</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id30.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Newest Pictures"><U><B>The Newest Pictures</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id45.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Interview part 2"><U><B>Interview part 2</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id62.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Stockholm Mamma Mia Premiere"><U><B>Stockholm Mamma Mia Premiere</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Discography"><U><B>Discography</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id64.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Dicography 2"><U><B>Dicography 2</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Related Links"><U><B>Related Links</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id31.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Credits"><U><B>Credits</B></U></A></div> <div> History or Biography</div> <div> (For more information, click on the underlined links)</div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="05b4f610.jpg" border=0 width="79" height="97" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B><B>Agneta Åse Fältskog</B> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF99CC" FACE="Arial" >was born on</FONT> April 5, 1950 <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF99CC" FACE="Arial" >to</FONT> 27 <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF99CC" FACE="Arial" >year old</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF99CC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> <B>Ingvar</B>, <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF99CC" FACE="Arial" >a talented</FONT>, <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF99CC" FACE="Arial" >musicaly inclined fellow who was very outgoing, </FONT></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF99CC" FACE="Arial" >and to </FONT>26 <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF99CC" FACE="Arial" >year old</FONT> <B>Birgit (Johansson) Fältskog</B>,<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF99CC" FACE="Arial" >a shy and quiet</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF99CC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> housewife in the town of<A HREF="http://www.jonkoping.se/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.jonkoping.se/"><U> </U></A><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF99CC" FACE="Lucida Sans" ><A HREF="http://www.jonkoping.se/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.jonkoping.se/"><U><B><U>Jönkping</U></B></U></A>,</FONT>a province of<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF99CC" FACE="Lucida Sans" > Småland, </FONT>in<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF99CC" FACE="Lucida Sans" > Sweden. </FONT></div> <div> She was their firstborn daughter.<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF99CC" FACE="Lucida Sans" > <IMG SRC="05c65bb0.jpg" border=0 width="101" height="187" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></FONT></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF99CC" FACE="Arial" >Five years later her sister </FONT><B>Mona</B> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF99CC" FACE="Arial" >was born</FONT>.</div> <div> The<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF99CC" FACE="Lucida Sans" > <B>Fältskog</B></FONT><B> </B>family was complete<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF99CC" FACE="Lucida Sans" >.</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF99CC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> At the age of <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33FF99" FACE="Lucida Sans" >5 Agnetha </FONT>was playing at the piano<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33FF99" FACE="Lucida Sans" > (an upstairs neighbors) </FONT></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33FF99" FACE="Arial" >and composed her first song</FONT>, "<B>Två små trolls</B>"(2 small trolls). <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33FF99" FACE="Arial" >And she was hooked</FONT>. <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33FF99" FACE="Arial" >She found herself composing songs for many years to come.</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#33FF99" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33FF99" FACE="Arial" >She was a member of the</FONT> <A HREF="http://www.svenskakyrkanjonkoping.se/kyrkor/kristina/info.asp" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.svenskakyrkanjonkoping.se/kyr"><U><B><U>Kristina church</U></B></U></A><A HREF="http://www.svenskakyrkanjonkoping.se/kyrkor/kristina/info.asp" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.svenskakyrkanjonkoping.se/kyr"><U> </U></A><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33FF99" FACE="Arial" >and sang in the choir and played the harpsichord there.</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#33FF99" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> All in all, she had a pleasant childhood.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#33FF99" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> When Agnetha turned 7 years old she recieved a piano of her very own<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Lucida Sans" >.</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> She took lessons to play and at<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Lucida Sans" > 14 </FONT>years old she had learned to play so<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> well that her teacher said she could teach her nothing more.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> From <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Lucida Sans" >10 </FONT>to age<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Lucida Sans" > 14 </FONT>she wore braces on her teeth.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> Now she has that beautiful, mysterious smile.. They lived in a four room apartment on<B> </B><I><B>Tegelbruksgaten</B></I><B> </B>right next to<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Lucida Sans" > <A HREF="http://www.vattern.se/eng/index_eng.php" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.vattern.se/eng/index_eng.php"><U><B>Lake Vattern</B></U></A><A HREF="http://www.vattern.se/eng/index_eng.php" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.vattern.se/eng/index_eng.php"><U>.</U></A></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.vattern.se/eng/index_eng.php" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.vattern.se/eng/index_eng.php"><U> </U></A></FONT></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#33FF99" FACE="Arial" ><IMG SRC="05dc4e00.jpg" border=0 width="196" height="224" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CC33FF" FACE="Arial" >At </FONT>13 <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CC33FF" FACE="Arial" >years old, she and 2 friends</FONT>, <B>Lena Johansson</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#CC33FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CC33FF" FACE="Arial" >and</FONT> <B>Elisabeth Strub</B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CC33FF" FACE="Arial" > joined </FONT>Agnetha <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CC33FF" FACE="Arial" >in ao vocal trio </FONT></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CC33FF" FACE="Arial" >named the</FONT> <B>Cambers</B>. <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CC33FF" FACE="Arial" >They were the best of friends</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#CC33FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> and went everywhere together.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#CC33FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CC33FF" FACE="Arial" >In</FONT> 1964 <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CC33FF" FACE="Arial" >Agnetha recieved a yellow record player for</FONT> <B>Jul </B></div> <div> and began playing records constantly while mimicking her </div> <div> favorite singers.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#CC33FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> At the age of <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33CC00" FACE="Lucida Sans" >15 </FONT>Agnetha quit school after graduating </div> <div> from junior secondaty school. But this meant she would </div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33CC00" FACE="Arial" >need to get a job and so she took one at a local car dealer called </FONT><A HREF="http://www.atteviks.se/LV/saljarelv.asp" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.atteviks.se/LV/saljarelv.asp"><U><B><U>Attiviks</U></B></U></A><A HREF="http://www.atteviks.se/LV/saljarelv.asp" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.atteviks.se/LV/saljarelv.asp"><U> </U></A><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33CC00" FACE="Arial" >as an office girl and telephonist..</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#33CC00" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><IMG SRC="05e558f0.jpg" border=0 width="85" height="143" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> (it's still there)<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#33CC00" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> I<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33CC00" FACE="Arial" >n her book</FONT>" <B>As I Am</B>" Agnetha <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33CC00" FACE="Arial" >recalls singing for hours in front of the mirror</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#33CC00" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33CC00" FACE="Arial" >while listening to her favorite artists such as</FONT><A HREF="http://www.batnet.com/mfwright/conniemain.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.batnet.com/mfwright/conniemai"><U><U> </U></U></A><A HREF="http://www.batnet.com/mfwright/conniemain.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.batnet.com/mfwright/conniemai"><U><B><U>Connie Francis</U></B></U></A><A HREF="http://www.batnet.com/mfwright/conniemain.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.batnet.com/mfwright/conniemai"><U>. </U></A></div> <div> In fact, she later was compared to Connie in style in the begining of her solo career. It was also at this time that the Cambers began to disolve as a group.<IMG SRC="05f036e0.jpg" border=0 width="259" height="110" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33FF99" FACE="Arial" >I</FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF9900" FACE="Arial" >n the summer after graduating</FONT> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF9900" FACE="Arial" >in</FONT>1965 , Agnetha <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF9900" FACE="Arial" >heard</FONT> <B>Bernt Enghardt's</B> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF9900" FACE="Arial" >dance band was looking for a new girl singer. She auditioned and </FONT></div> <div> was hired. Soon she<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF9900" FACE="Lucida Sans" > </FONT>was singing all over</div> <div> <B> Småland</B> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF9900" FACE="Arial" >at local hot spots. Sometimes </FONT></div> <div> arriving home very early in the mornings</div> <div> . And she was still trying to<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF9900" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>work at<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF9900" FACE="Lucida Sans" > Atteviks! </FONT></div> <div> The late night began to wear on her and the juggling of the<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF9900" FACE="Lucida Sans" > 2 </FONT>jobs<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF9900" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>took it's toll.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF9900" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> She was walking all that way from<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF9900" FACE="Lucida Sans" > Tegelbruksgatan </FONT>to<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF9900" FACE="Lucida Sans" > Atteviks </FONT>and was just worn </div> <div> out from lack of sleep. One day she actually fainted at work! Her mother encouraged </div> <div> her to choose one job or the other.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF9900" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> She chose the dance band. She was dreaming that some day she might actually get a<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#CC66FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> record made and on the Swedish charts. In the summer of <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CC66FF" FACE="Lucida Sans" >1967 </FONT>she was touring </div> <div> with<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CC66FF" FACE="Lucida Sans" > Enhardts </FONT>band in<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CC66FF" FACE="Lucida Sans" > Jönköping </FONT>and surrounding areas.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#CC66FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> <IMG SRC="060587e0.jpg" border=0 width="88" height="126" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Bernt Enghardt <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CC66FF" FACE="Arial" >wrote one day to talent scout</FONT> <B><U>Little Gerhard</U></B> </div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CC66FF" FACE="Arial" >who worked for</FONT> <B>Cupol</B> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CC66FF" FACE="Arial" >records and sent him a demo tape of the</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#CC66FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> dance band. It included a song <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CC66FF" FACE="Lucida Sans" >Agnetha</FONT> had written called<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#CC66FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> " Jag var sa kar" (I was so in love) <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CC66FF" FACE="Arial" >about a boy she had just broken</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#CC66FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CC66FF" FACE="Arial" >up with named </FONT><B>Björn Lilja</B>.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#CC66FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> Gerhard <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CC66FF" FACE="Arial" >called and invited</FONT> Agnetha<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CC66FF" FACE="Arial" > to come to</FONT> <B><U>Stockholm</U></B>! <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CC66FF" FACE="Arial" >She didn't</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#CC66FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> at first believe it was him, but soon he convinced her. Only, he didn't </div> <div> want the dance band, only her! She felt badly about that, but was </div> <div> excited also to be going to <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CC66FF" FACE="Lucida Sans" >Stockholm </FONT>to actually record <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CC66FF" FACE="Lucida Sans" >2 s</FONT>ongs she had written.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#CC66FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> Ingvar <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#6666FF" FACE="Arial" >went with her on the train. She was too young to be traveling alone.</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#6666FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> Gerhard <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#6666FF" FACE="Arial" >found her charming and smart.</FONT></div> <div>  <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#6666FF" FACE="Lucida Sans" >Agnetha </FONT>negotiated her own contract too! At<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#6666FF" FACE="Lucida Sans" > 17</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#6666FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>she was among the first to have a guarenteed income clause!<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#6666FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>Afterwards they went home and <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#6666FF" FACE="Lucida Sans" >Agnetha </FONT>once again sang with<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#6666FF" FACE="Lucida Sans" > Enghardts</FONT> </div> <div> band as usual. </div> <div> But, one day during breakfast she heard her song on the radio! She says that it was one </div> <div> of the happiest moments of her life!<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#6666FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> "<B>Jag var så kär</B>"<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#6666FF" FACE="Arial" > and</FONT> "<B>Utan dig</B>" <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#6666FF" FACE="Arial" >became big hits</FONT>! 2 <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#6666FF" FACE="Arial" >weeks after hitting the charts</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#6666FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> she had a <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#6666FF" FACE="Lucida Sans" >#1 </FONT>record! She was selling lots of records! </div> <bR> <div> Her father became her manager and took over her buisness affairs.<IMG SRC="06160850.jpg" border=0 width="96" height="133" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> </div> <div> Of her father<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF33CC" FACE="Lucida Sans" > </FONT>she says<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF33CC" FACE="Arial" ><I><B> </B></I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFCC33" FACE="Arial" ><I><B>"I owe him so much, his patience ...and his encouragment have done so much to get me where I am today. I'll never forget what he did for me."</B></I><I><B> </B></I></FONT></div> <div> Agnetha <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF33CC" FACE="Arial" >was forthright and outspoken. But inside she was shy and insecure..even then. And the hit records kept coming.</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF33CC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF33CC" FACE="Arial" >During</FONT> 1968 <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF33CC" FACE="Arial" >a contract was signed with </FONT><B>Metronome Records</B> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF33CC" FACE="Arial" >and she</FONT> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF33CC" FACE="Arial" >began recording songs for the</FONT> German <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF33CC" FACE="Arial" >market. They loved to see blonde </FONT>Swedish <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF33CC" FACE="Arial" >girls and she was told that her romantic style of music would go over well there.</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF33CC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> <IMG SRC="06272980.jpg" border=0 width="114" height="152" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>Dieter Zimmerman</B>,<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33FF99" FACE="Arial" > a </FONT>25 <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33FF99" FACE="Arial" >year old songwriter and producer </FONT></div> <div> handled Agnetha's recordings. Soon there was a romance between<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33FF99" FACE="Lucida Sans" > </FONT></div> <div> Dieter<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33FF99" FACE="Arial" > and</FONT> Agnetha <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33FF99" FACE="Arial" >and they became engaged.</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#33FF99" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> Agnetha<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33FF99" FACE="Arial" > had to return to </FONT>Sweden<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33FF99" FACE="Arial" > to tour in the folkparks with</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#33FF99" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> Enghardts <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33FF99" FACE="Arial" >band . On </FONT>May 23 1968 <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33FF99" FACE="Arial" >the</FONT> <A HREF="http://66.218.71.225/search/cache?p=hootenanny+singers&ei=UTF-8&SpellState=n-2355655774_q-y.MgXkLtEkUhhwY9fV1Z9AABAA%40%40&xargs=0&pstart=1&b=11&u=www.abba-world.net/facts/bjorn.htm&w=hootenanny+singers&d=64C071D799&icp=1&.intl=us" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://66.218.71.225/search/cache?p=hoot"><U><B><U>Hootenan</U></B></U></A><A HREF="http://66.218.71.225/search/cache?p=hootenanny+singers&ei=UTF-8&SpellState=n-2355655774_q-y.MgXkLtEkUhhwY9fV1Z9AABAA%40%40&xargs=0&pstart=1&b=11&u=www.abba-world.net/facts/bjorn.htm&w=hootenanny+singers&d=64C071D799&icp=1&.intl=us" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://66.218.71.225/search/cache?p=hoot"><U><B>n</B></U></A><A HREF="http://66.218.71.225/search/cache?p=hootenanny+singers&ei=UTF-8&SpellState=n-2355655774_q-y.MgXkLtEkUhhwY9fV1Z9AABAA%40%40&xargs=0&pstart=1&b=11&u=www.abba-world.net/facts/bjorn.htm&w=hootenanny+singers&d=64C071D799&icp=1&.intl=us" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://66.218.71.225/search/cache?p=hoot"><U><B><U>y Singers</U></B></U></A><A HREF="http://66.218.71.225/search/cache?p=hootenanny+singers&ei=UTF-8&SpellState=n-2355655774_q-y.MgXkLtEkUhhwY9fV1Z9AABAA%40%40&xargs=0&pstart=1&b=11&u=www.abba-world.net/facts/bjorn.htm&w=hootenanny+singers&d=64C071D799&icp=1&.intl=us" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://66.218.71.225/search/cache?p=hoot"><U><U> </U></U></A></div> <div> were also to perform.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#33FF99" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33FF99" FACE="Arial" >That night </FONT>Agnetha <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33FF99" FACE="Arial" >and</FONT><B> Björn Ulvaeus</B> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33FF99" FACE="Arial" >met.</FONT> </div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33FF99" FACE="Lucida Sans" >Agnetha </FONT>says she<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#33FF99" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>had a small crush on <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33FF99" FACE="Lucida Sans" >Björn</FONT> and<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33FF99" FACE="Lucida Sans" > Björn</FONT> says </div> <div> he was mesmerized by her! </div> <div> They met several times after that here and there during performing spots, but </div> <div> Agnetha<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33FF99" FACE="Arial" > only thought of </FONT>Dieter<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33FF99" FACE="Arial" > back then as her love interest.</FONT> Dieter<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#33FF99" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33FF99" FACE="Arial" >and </FONT>Agnetha <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33FF99" FACE="Arial" >were</FONT></div> <div>  engaged on<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33FF99" FACE="Lucida Sans" > July 22</FONT> that year at her home on <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33FF99" FACE="Lucida Sans" >Tegelbruksgatan </FONT>in<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#33FF99" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33FF99" FACE="Lucida Sans" >Jönköping. </FONT></div> <div> She quit <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#9999FF" FACE="Lucida Sans" >Enghardts</FONT> band on<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#9999FF" FACE="Lucida Sans" > September 30, 1968.</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#9999FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> That is when she decided to move to <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#9999FF" FACE="Lucida Sans" >Stockholm.</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#9999FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> S<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#9999FF" FACE="Arial" >he moved in with the family of</FONT> <B>Lars Roundqvist</B> ,t<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#9999FF" FACE="Arial" >he son of the</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#9999FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><B>Cupol Records</B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#9999FF" FACE="Arial" > boss. She was </FONT>18.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#9999FF" FACE="Arial" > <IMG SRC="063259c0.jpg" border=0 width="293" height="156" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></FONT></div> <div> Soon she began touring with<U> </U><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#9999FF" FACE="Lucida Sans" ><A HREF="http://www.stenochstanley.se/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.stenochstanley.se/"><U><B><U>Sten and Stanely</U></B></U></A><A HREF="http://www.stenochstanley.se/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.stenochstanley.se/"><U><B> </B></U></A></FONT>in late <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#9999FF" FACE="Lucida Sans" >1968</FONT> for a little while.</div> <div>  They even appeared on TV.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#9999FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> Agnetha <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#9999FF" FACE="Arial" >was writting lots of songs </FONT></div> <div> back then. She loved to write anywhere<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#9999FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> she could, preferably at the piano with<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#9999FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> 2 red candles lit for mood.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#9999FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> After 6 months,<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#9999FF" FACE="Lucida Sans" > Agnetha </FONT>and<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#9999FF" FACE="Lucida Sans" > Dieter </FONT></div> <div> decided to end their engagement.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#9999FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> The relationship was filled with jealousy on both parts because of constant seperations.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#9999FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> In <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33FF00" FACE="Lucida Sans" >May </FONT>of<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33FF00" FACE="Lucida Sans" > 1969 Agnetha</FONT>  was booked on a TV show with<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33FF00" FACE="Lucida Sans" > Björn Ulvaeus.</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#33FF00" FACE="Arial" > <IMG SRC="06497970.jpg" border=0 width="151" height="151" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></FONT></div> <div> It was obvious they hit it off tremendously well. Soon<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33FF00" FACE="Lucida Sans" > Agnetha </FONT></div> <div> was spending alot of time at <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33FF00" FACE="Lucida Sans" >Björn's</FONT> flat<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33FF00" FACE="Lucida Sans" >. </FONT></div> <div> They both admit their relationship was governed by the fact that<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#33FF00" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>both are stubborn and strong willed. They had their share of disagreements, but they were definatly very much in love. </div> <div> That summer in<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33FF00" FACE="Lucida Sans" > August, </FONT>they found a flat on <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33FF00" FACE="Lucida Sans" >Lilla Essingen </FONT>and<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#33FF00" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>moved in together.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#33FF00" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> April, 1971 <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#66CCFF" FACE="Arial" >found </FONT>Agnetha, Björn <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#66CCFF" FACE="Arial" >and</FONT> <A HREF="http://members.fortunecity.com/thenandnow2/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://members.fortunecity.com/thenandno"><U><B><U>Benny Andersson</U></B></U></A><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#66CCFF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://members.fortunecity.com/thenandnow2/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://members.fortunecity.com/thenandno"><U> </U></A></FONT></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#66CCFF" FACE="Arial" >touring together in the folkparks as a trio.</FONT> <A HREF="http://members.fortunecity.com/frida2/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://members.fortunecity.com/frida2/"><U><B><U>Frida Lyngstad</U></B></U></A><A HREF="http://members.fortunecity.com/frida2/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://members.fortunecity.com/frida2/"><U>,</U></A> Bennys <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#66CCFF" FACE="Arial" >girlfriend, was on a solo tour at the time</FONT>.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#66CCFF" FACE="Arial" > <IMG SRC="06564a50.jpg" border=0 width="100" height="165" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></FONT></div> <div> Agnetha <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF00FF" FACE="Arial" >had put out her </FONT>3rd<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF00FF" FACE="Arial" > and</FONT> 4th <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF00FF" FACE="Arial" >albums now and one song was</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF00FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> a duet with <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF00FF" FACE="Lucida Sans" >Björn</FONT> called<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF00FF" FACE="Lucida Sans" > "This is How Love Begins." </FONT></div> <div> On this tour<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF00FF" FACE="Lucida Sans" > Agnetha</FONT> and <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF00FF" FACE="Lucida Sans" >Björn </FONT>were looking for the perfect place to<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF00FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> get married. They found a nice church in <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF00FF" FACE="Lucida Sans" ><B>Verum</B></FONT> in southern <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF00FF" FACE="Lucida Sans" >Sweden.</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF00FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> On July 6, 1971 <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF00FF" FACE="Arial" >they were married in front of</FONT> 300<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF00FF" FACE="Arial" > people.</FONT> 3000 <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF00FF" FACE="Arial" >people</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF00FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> went to the church to see the happy couple.<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF00FF" FACE="Lucida Sans" > Agnetha </FONT>arrived in an open </div> <div> carriage pulled by white horses. She had white flowers in her hair. <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF00FF" FACE="Arial" ><IMG SRC="0666b910.jpg" border=0 width="107" height="145" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></FONT></div> <div> She carried a bouquet of pink roses and white<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF00FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF00FF" FACE="Lucida Sans" >Lily of the Valley, </FONT>which are her favorite flowers. Even their<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF00FF" FACE="Lucida Sans" > </FONT>little dog<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF00FF" FACE="Lucida Sans" > </FONT></div> <div> Ada <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF00FF" FACE="Arial" >was there that day. Their married life had begun.</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF00FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFCC33" FACE="Arial" ><I><B>"It was good then. I felt secure and we had a few really good years."</B></I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFF00" FACE="Lucida Sans" ><B> </B></FONT>recalled <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF00FF" FACE="Lucida Sans" >Agnetha</FONT> in her biography.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF00FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF0066" FACE="Arial" >Soon, both couples decided to tour together as</FONT> <B>Festfolket</B>. </div> <div> <IMG SRC="067eea90.jpg" border=0 width="238" height="169" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> They performed a few places and didn't do very well at the time. The girls were singing backup also in<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0066" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> the studio on <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF0066" FACE="Lucida Sans" >Björn</FONT> and<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF0066" FACE="Lucida Sans" > Benny's</FONT> albums.<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF0066" FACE="Lucida Sans" > </FONT></div> <div> "<B>Hej Gamle Man</B>"<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF0066" FACE="Arial" > was the first record </FONT></div> <div> released with all four singers on it. This was<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF0066" FACE="Lucida Sans" > </FONT></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF0066" FACE="Arial" >almost the begining of what later became</FONT> <B>ABBA.</B></div> <div> In<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF0066" FACE="Lucida Sans" > 1972 Agnetha </FONT>began rehearsing for the </div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF0066" FACE="Arial" >musical</FONT> <B>Jesus Christ Supersta</B><B>r</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0066" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#33FF99" FACE="Arial" ><IMG SRC="068858b0.jpg" border=0 width="133" height="139" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></FONT></div> <bR> <div> S<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33FFFF" FACE="Arial" >he had always dreamed of acting some day and now she had the </FONT></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33FFFF" FACE="Arial" >chance. She played </FONT><B>Mary Magdalene</B>. <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33FFFF" FACE="Arial" >The play opened on </FONT>Febuary 18, 1972 <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33FFFF" FACE="Arial" >in</FONT> Göteborg.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#33FFFF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> Agnetha w<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33FFFF" FACE="Arial" >as in</FONT> 6 <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33FFFF" FACE="Arial" >out of</FONT> 9 <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33FFFF" FACE="Arial" >performances there. The song </FONT>"<B>I Don't Know How to Love Him</B>" <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33FFFF" FACE="Arial" >went number one in </FONT>Sweden,<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#33FFFF" FACE="Arial" > sung by</FONT> Agnetha. </div> <div> In <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF66CC" FACE="Lucida Sans" >March, 1972 Agnetha</FONT> and<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF66CC" FACE="Lucida Sans" > Björn, Benny</FONT> and <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF66CC" FACE="Lucida Sans" >Frida</FONT> entered </div> <div> Metronome Studios<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF66CC" FACE="Arial" > and recorded the songs</FONT> <B>Merry Go Round </B>and </div> <div> <B>People Need Love</B>.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF66CC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> They knew something special had happened. The record was released sung by<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF66CC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> "<B>Björn and Benny & Agnetha and Annifrid</B>. T<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF66CC" FACE="Arial" >hese songs had some success</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF66CC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> in <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF66CC" FACE="Lucida Sans" >Sweden. </FONT></div> <div> Agnetha<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CC99FF" FACE="Arial" > and </FONT>Björn<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CC99FF" FACE="Arial" > In </FONT>1972<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CC99FF" FACE="Arial" > bought a summer house on the island of</FONT><B> </B><A HREF="http://www.varmdo.se/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.varmdo.se/"><U><B>Viggsö</B></U></A><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CC99FF" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B>where</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#CC99FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="http://koti.mbnet.fi/~abba/stig.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://koti.mbnet.fi/~abba/stig.htm"><U><B><U>Stig Anderson</U></B></U></A> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CC99FF" FACE="Arial" >already had one. Also in </FONT>1972 Agnetha <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CC99FF" FACE="Arial" >became pregnant. The happy couple were overjoyed with the impending birth. </FONT></div> <div> <IMG SRC="069cb9f0.jpg" border=0 width="203" height="159" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> I<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#6699FF" FACE="Arial" >n </FONT>1973 Agnetha, Björn, Benny <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#6699FF" FACE="Arial" >and</FONT> Frida<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#6699FF" FACE="Arial" > performed at the </FONT>Swedish Song Contest. Agnetha <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#6699FF" FACE="Arial" >was only days away from giving birth! They didn't win...</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#6699FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> February 23, 1973 Linda Elin Ulvaeus<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#6699FF" FACE="Arial" > was born. She was</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#6699FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> 3 <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#6699FF" FACE="Arial" >weeks overdue! The birth had to be induced.</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#6699FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> <I><B>"</B></I><I><B> Although the pain was incredibly great, it still was the happiest moment </B></I></div> <div> <I><B>of my life."</B></I><I><B> </B></I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#6699FF" FACE="Lucida Sans" >Agnetha </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#6699FF" FACE="Arial" >said.</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#6699FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> That summer brought another round of<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#6699FF" FACE="Lucida Sans" > Folkpark</FONT> tours<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#6699FF" FACE="Lucida Sans" >.</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#6699FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> It was difficult for <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#6699FF" FACE="Lucida Sans" >Agnetha</FONT> and<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#6699FF" FACE="Lucida Sans" > Björn</FONT> to leave their new daughter. But the group<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#6699FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#6699FF" FACE="Arial" >was having some success, and so now it was that the name</FONT> <B>ABBA</B> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#6699FF" FACE="Arial" >was choosen. <IMG SRC="06ad0780.jpg" border=0 width="208" height="120" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></FONT></div> <div> It had been to difficult a mouthfull to say all their names all the time. The first initial of each name was choosen.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#6699FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> And so<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF33FF" FACE="Lucida Sans" > <B>ABBA</B></FONT><B> </B>was finally born<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF33FF" FACE="Lucida Sans" ><B>....</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF33FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>and the march to Eurovision began.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="06b593c0.jpg" border=0 width="345" height="60" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <I><B>" I am not beautiful and not sexy," says Agnetha in the book" Forebilder"</B></I><I><B> </B></I></div> <div> <I><B>"On the contrary. I have a complex about my body. I have legs that </B></I></div> <div> <I><B>are too long and no breasts to speak of......"</B></I><I><B> </B></I></div> <div> <IMG SRC="64c83bd0.gif" border=0 width="131" height="189" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>The rest of the biography is covered in part</B></div> <div> <B> on the other pages.</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> <B>For more information about the ABBA years go to </B></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.raffem.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.raffem.com"><U><B><U>www.raffem.com.</U></B></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>        Go to</B><A HREF="id20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Early Years"><U><B><U> </U></B></U></A><A HREF="id20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Early Years"><U><B><U>Early Years</U></B></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>