When was ABBA formed?

ABBA was formed in 1972.

The Swedish pop group brought together Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. Although the four had collaborated informally before then, 1972 is generally accepted as the year ABBA formed as a group.

Their earliest release as a quartet was “People Need Love,” issued in June 1972 under the lengthy credit “Björn & Benny, Agnetha & Anni-Frid.” The name ABBA was adopted officially the following year, after manager Stig Anderson began using it as a shorter, more memorable name.

A common mix-up is to date ABBA’s beginning to 1974, when the group won the Eurovision Song Contest with “Waterloo.” That victory made them international stars, but it came two years after their formation. The name ABBA is an acronym built from the members’ first names and forms a palindrome.