45 Years Later, Benny Andersson Shares Why ABBA Refused to Reunite — Until Now
For decades, fans of ABBA held onto one question: Why won’t they reunite? After all, their music never left the spotlight. Hits like “Dancing Queen,” “Mamma Mia,” and “The Winner Takes It All” continued to top playlists, power musicals, and soundtrack generations of lives. But year after year, reunion rumors were shut down — until the unexpected 2021 return with “Voyage.”
Now, more than 45 years after ABBA’s last public performance in 1982, founding member Benny Andersson has finally opened up about why the group stayed away — and why they ultimately came back.
And his explanation is deeply personal.
The Real Reason Behind the Silence
In a recent interview reflecting on ABBA’s enduring legacy, Benny shared that the band’s decision not to reunite wasn’t about money, fame, or disinterest — it was about preserving what made them special.
“We left at the right time,” he said. “We weren’t angry. We weren’t broken. We just knew it was time. And we didn’t want to return as something lesser than what people remembered.”
He explained that after their divorces — Benny and Frida, and Björn and Agnetha — continuing as a group became emotionally complicated. The studio still worked, but the personal pain made it difficult to perform together live. Rather than unravel in public, they chose dignity.
“It was a quiet ending,” Benny said. “We didn’t want ABBA to be a shadow of itself.”
Why They Said “No” to Billions
Through the 1990s and 2000s, ABBA reportedly turned down multiple offers — some reaching into the hundreds of millions — to tour or perform even a single show together.
“We were offered insane amounts of money,” Benny confirmed.
“But we didn’t need it. And more importantly, we didn’t need to tarnish something that had meant so much to so many.”
The group’s silence wasn’t about ego — it was about respect for the music and their fans.
What Changed in 2021?
So, what made them say yes after all those years?
“We were ready,” Benny said simply.
“Not to be 25 again. But to show that we still had something to say.”
The result was “Voyage” — not a traditional comeback, but a new kind of performance experience, combining new music with digital avatars of their younger selves in a high-tech London residency. It wasn’t nostalgia — it was innovation.
“We didn’t want to relive the past,” Benny added. “We wanted to honor it — and then do something new.”
A Reunion on Their Own Terms
What makes ABBA’s return remarkable is that it wasn’t forced, commercialized, or driven by desperation. It was a decision made by four friends — with history, with heartbreak, and with creative unfinished business.
And Benny made it clear: this wasn’t just about one last album or project. It was about giving ABBA a final, graceful chapter — one that respected what came before while embracing the future.
Legacy, Not Hype
In a music world filled with short-lived reunions and disappointing comebacks, ABBA’s return stood apart. It was thoughtful. It was meaningful. And it reminded fans that sometimes the most powerful reunions happen when artists wait until their hearts — not just their careers — are ready.
“We never needed to be bigger,” Benny said. “We just needed to be true to who we were. And I think we’ve done that.”