My (late) tribute to Benny

Benny's birthday was yesterday, December 16th. As I had some problems with my internet, only now I'm posting a tribute to this lovely man and eminent composer, who has just turned 63 years old.

Happy Birthday, Göran Brör Benny Andersson!

Benny with his father

Since he was baby, he's charming, isn't he?

At the time of his first band - known as the "Swedish Beatles" - The Hep Stars

At ABBA time, with Money, Money, Money costumes

Playing the piano in Super Trouper promo video

In the early 1980s

Although Benny is best-known for playing the piano, he also plays guitar, accordion - as we can see here -, among other musical instruments.

A true genius!

National Commercial

In 1976, ABBA made a commercial for the company National (present Panasonic), promoting its electronics products. Several videos were made for the National Commercial and some of their scenes were filmed in Frida and Benny's apartment, in Stockholm. With this advertisement, the group raised about a million dollars, which were fully invested in their Australian tour, in 1977.

These are some pictures of the commercial, showing nice and funny ABBA moments.

The National Commercial's poster with ABBA

    I wonder how Benny was able to see something in front of him... 

                                                                   

... no wonder Frida is looking a bit worried!

Another poster of the company

So happy together...

Singing an adaptation of Fernando for National Commercial

During the rehearsals

A typical poster found in magazines and newspapers

Another typical poster

Walking and singing

Having a picnic!

Filming at Benny and Frida's apartment

Smiles!

Frida and Agnetha rehearsing for the commercial

Love

Benny and Frida in their apartment

The couple during the making off of the commercial

♥

                                                                      
The five National's adverts:

Princess Anni-Frid Reuss

When I was a child, I loved the princesses of Fairy Tales. Their dresses and their happy endings enchanted me and, therefore, I also wanted to be a princess.

That time is clearly gone, though. Or not? Well, now I am a great fan of another princess... but she is real! I am talking about our dear Anni-Frid Lyngstad! Or, to be more exact, Her Serene Highness Princess Anni-Frid Reuss Von Plauen!

I guess I have not changed my mind!

Princess Snow White

Princess Cinderella (my favorite when I was a child)

Princess Aurora (from Sleeping Beauty)

The best for me today: Princess Anni-Frid Reuss!

Young Anni-Frid

This is an extremely rare Frida's picture, in which she appears very different, but also very beautiful. I don't know how old she was in it, but I think Anni-Frid was a teenager at that time.

Kimonos!

The ABBA kimonos are one of the most famous costumes the band wore - even though the group members have worn them only in 1976. 

Hmm, I think this picture was taken shortly after the one above, because it looks like Benny had just received a slap from his beloved one...

... unintentionally, of course!