Andersson, Benny (Benny Andersson)

Benny Andersson (Benny Andersson) was born December 16 1946. In Vallinbu, a suburb of Stockholm. He grew up in a family where love music. "My father and grandfather played the accordion, so it was clear that I did not pass. I learned in six years, and when I turned ten, they bought me a piano. Lessons I never had, honestly ". Father Benny started as a carpenter, later became a civil engineer, and then superintendent of a large company, construction of which took place both in the Stockholm and in the suburbs.

"In 16 years I began to work on one of these construction projects, intending to follow the example of his father, but quickly lose one's attraction to me".

Benny remembers precisely the moment in which to realize that the music in his life is not just entertainment. "Once at a dance when the musicians took a break, I jumped up on stage and played the boogie-woogie. Some guy, just an organized group, invited me to place the keyboard. I was then about 14 years ".

After construction Benny changed a few more seats. "We had to earn a living, and somehow I have three weeks selling washing machines ... true, so no one and not sold ". Eventually he went back to school - to finish 9 th grade. "I was 3-4 years older than all the other students, but my teacher still took me back". Benny preparing for the first exam, when he called and offered a keyboard player in the group has already released one single. He immediately gave his consent. "Did not think for one second ... I tried to combine music with the study, but did not work: Hep Stars touring all the time ". Immediately after its entry into the group during the day were recorded three songs: "Cadillac" became number 1 in Sweden; "Farmer John" won second place; "A Tribute To Buddy Holly" has reached the fourth. None of the songs were not written by members of the ensemble. Later, Benny heard a song and thought that it would become a great hit if it properly adjust and handle. The result was the song "No Response", released as a single Hep Stars in December 1965 the.

"The English language then I do not know and practice the lyrics he wrote with a dictionary in his hands, so they received an unusually clumsy. The next song is called "Sunny Girl". She became a big hit, and I was very happy. Gradually I realized that possess the ability to compose.