About Bjorn Again
Björn Again is an ABBA-based musical tribute act from Australia, featuring performers from various countries. The name references ABBA's Björn Ulvaeus. The band has given performances worldwide, including one for Russian president Vladimir Putin in 2009.
Björn Again parodies Swedish pop group ABBA, using a mix of English and Swedish language known as "Swenglish" or pidgin Swedish. The performers use the stage names Agnetha Falstart, Benny Anderwear, Frida Longstoki and Björn Volvo-us in homage to the original ABBA members, plus bassist Rutger Sonofagunn and drummer Ola Drumkitt, based on Rutger Gunnarsson and Ola Brunkert. The show features choreographed acts with unique costumes and song arrangements that differ from ABBA's original performances.
Björn Again was founded in 1988 in Melbourne, Australia, by Rod Stephen and John Tyrrell. The style is a light-hearted parody of ABBA performed in pidgin Swedish or 'Swenglish.' Original band members included Rod Stephen, Peter Ryan, John Tyrrell, Dorina Morelli, Kathy Riseborough, Gavin Charles, and later Janette Stuart. Since the band's debut in 1989, Björn Again has performed approximately 5,500 shows in 72 countries over 34 years. By 1997, the band had three touring lineups. John Tyrrell has been the band's manager since the outset. Rod Stephen manages the UK/Europe lineup and John Tyrrell manages the Australasian lineup.
The band has recorded and performed live a total of 133 songs, including 55 ABBA songs, seven originals, and 62 covers by other artists. They released an EP of covers of Erasure songs performed in the style of ABBA, called Erasure-ish, which included the songs "Stop!" and "A Little Respect" that reached Number 25 on the UK Singles Chart in September 1992.
Björn Again has performed at events worldwide, ranging from large rock festivals, including Reading and Glastonbury, to private performances for celebrities, including Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, comedian Rowan Atkinson, actor Russell Crowe, and Russian president Vladimir Putin.
In 1999, the UK Bjorn Again took part in a documentary for Channel 5 entitled "ABBA: Bjorn Again!", which featured the band on tour. Throughout the program the band members spoke in "Swenglish" accents. Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson have both praised Björn Again. After ABBA's former members said they were not going to perform together again, Andersson was quoted as saying in 1999, "Bjorn Again are the closest you can get to seeing ABBA."
Map & Directions To Venue
