Swedish pop icons ABBA were mistaken for porn stars in the early days of their career.
Band member Bjorn Ulvaeus said in the early 1970s their country was known for exporting smut rather than musical talent – plus they were signed to Playboy Records.
The 76-year-old said: “We sent tapes to record companies in the UK and US and other places and nothing came of it.
“The only ones who released any Abba music certainly before Waterloo was Playboy Records, who released a song called People Need Love.
“On the label it said Bjorn and Benny and Swedish girl. It was in the soft porn period and they assumed anything coming out of Sweden had to do with that.”
Bjorn – back in the charts with ABBA’s new album, Voyage – is proud that their breakthrough success paved the way for other Swedish acts like Roxette.
He said: “We opened the door for sure. After we won the Eurovision Song Contest we showed to Swedish musicians and producers and writers it can be done.”
Bjorn and his bandmates Agnetha Faltskog, Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Benny Andersson are due to perform as digital avatars in a purpose-built arena in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in East London next year.
Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at webcelebs@trinitymirror.com or call us direct 0207 29 33033.
