ABBA The Backstage stories

ABBA The Backstage Stories – a unique book about a unique group

Brighton 1974. ABBA, an unknown group from Sweden wins the Eurovision Song Contest with the song Waterloo. For Anni-Frid (Frida), Benny, Björn and Agnetha, this marks the start of a remarkable success story. ABBA is soon to become one of the world’s foremost pop groups with one hit after the other. Waterloo, Dancing queen, Chiquitita, Super trouper, Fernando, The winner takes it all, Thank you for the music … all songs that have become true classics!

In ABBA The Backstage Stories, Ingmarie Halling, wardrobe supervisor on ABBA’s overseas tours and close friend of Frida, Benny, Björn and Agnetha, gives us a warm and personal account of the stories that have never previously been told – about the exciting years spent on tour, backstage life, crazy pranks and the amazing costumes that helped make the group famous. ABBA expert Carl Magnus Palm recounts the group’s history, from Ring ring in 1973 right up until today.
ABBA The Backstage Stories contains over 250 photographs, many of which have never previously been published, four envelopes full of exciting memorabilia from the overseas tours – including Frida’s handwritten list of songs, Benny’s diary from Brighton and Björn’s tour programme from 1979 – and a link to a short film about the costume designs and excerpts from ABBA videos. Many of the people that were on tour with the group also contribute with their memories and stories.
The book opens with forewords written by Frida, Benny, Björn and Agnetha, all highly personal texts that reflect just how important this time was for them and how close they are to the book’s main author – Ingmarie.
ABBA The Backstage Stories is a unique story about a unique group – ABBA!

Ingmarie Halling is curator and exhibition producer at ABBA The Museum in Stockholm. Back in the seventies she was working with ABBA on their international tours, where she was responsible for the group’s costumes and make up. For more than 30 years after the last tour she worked in the film and TV business, but she is now back in the ABBA family at the museum.
Ingmarie is the initiator of this book, sprung out of her desire to share her backstage stories about her and the other crew members’ time with the group. And because she is such a close friend of theirs, the stories all have a very personal and humorous touch.


Carl Magnus Palm is a leading international authority on ABBA’s history having spent 20 years researching the group and writing several books about them. He has helped Polar Music International to compile CDs and DVDs and has contributed to ABBA – The Museum with his expertise.

Per Widell

Literary Agent | Illustrated Non-Fiction & Co-editions

per.widell@bonnierrights.se

+46 8 696 89 10

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