More Than Just Bandmates
For decades, Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus have been seen as the inseparable creative core of ABBA. Together, they wrote the melodies that became global anthems, shaping a legacy that still thrives more than 40 years after the band’s prime.
Fans have always assumed their friendship was as harmonious as their music. But in a candid 2025 interview, Benny revealed that the truth is far more complex, human, and surprising.
“We Weren’t Always on the Same Page”
Speaking from his home in Stockholm, Benny didn’t shy away from admitting that his friendship with Björn went through years of silence and strain.
“People think we were always in sync,” he said. “But there were times we didn’t speak for months. We were different in ways that made working together both exciting… and exhausting.”
The pressures of international fame, endless touring, and the weight of keeping ABBA at the top often meant they had to set aside personal differences for the sake of the music.
The Rift That Nearly Ended It All
Benny revealed that after ABBA’s initial split in the early 1980s, he and Björn had a serious falling out over how to handle the band’s legacy. Benny wanted to preserve their image by refusing reunion tours, while Björn pushed for selective appearances.
“It was never about money. It was about identity,” Benny explained. “We saw the future differently, and for a while, it felt like we’d lost each other completely.”
The two men went their separate ways for nearly two years, only reconnecting when they were asked to collaborate on a new stage musical — which eventually became Chess.
Finding Their Way Back
Benny admits that rebuilding their friendship took time. “We learned to respect the space between us,” he said. “We didn’t have to agree on everything — we just had to remember why we started making music together in the first place.”
In recent years, their bond has grown stronger, with the Voyage project serving as both a professional and personal reunion.
“When we sat down to work again, it was like finding an old friend you thought you’d lost — and realizing they’d been there the whole time.”
What Benny Wants Fans to Know
Despite the challenges, Benny insists there was never true hatred — only the kind of friction that can exist between two people who have shared decades of creative pressure.
“Björn is part of my life in a way no one else can be,” he said. “We’ve seen each other’s greatest triumphs and darkest days. That’s a bond you can’t manufacture.”
A Friendship That Outlasted the Spotlight
Today, Benny says their friendship is rooted in mutual respect, honesty, and a quiet understanding that doesn’t need constant words.
“We’re not the kind to call each other every day. But when it matters, we show up. That’s what real friendship is.”
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