Frida in Brighton, 1974

Lars Stenmark

 Today, the subject of ABBA's 50th Anniversary of the ESC-Victory with "Waterloo" in Brighton came up at work. When a colleague realized what a massive ABBA-fan I am, she said she wanted to share a little story with me. Of course I was all ears, as always, when ABBA is on the agenda.

She told me she vaguely, but fondly remembered that night in Brighton in April of 1974, when ABBA gave Sweden its very first victory. "Well, so did I and millions of others in front of the telly, I thought. What about..."

While continuing, she must have seen my jaws drop immediately as she said "I was there as a little girl" "In the audience with my mother" I thought "Get outta here!" and must have stopped breathing with my mouth half open.

Before I could utter anything, she continued "I was watching my dad, dressed as Napoleon" Now I just couldn't shut up so I burst out "No way! "Were you? Really?" "So, your dad was the great Sven-Olof Walldoff!!!" I said, feeling a bit starstruck myself.

The late Sven-Olof is one of Sweden's most accredited and renowned producers, musical arrangers, orchestra conductors, as well as composers and musicians of all times.

According to his daughter, he's the man behind one of the most famous, instantly recognizable signature sounds of any song in the history of pop music - the string arrangements in "Dancing Queen"! (news to me and unheard of before (!?) I've tried to find his name somewhere in the credentials for DQ to confirm that, but no luck to find a source so far. If anyone can confirm/deny that it would be appreciated)

Despite musical credits like that and having worked with almost everyone in the Swedish artist elite from the 1950's until the 1990's, Sven-Olof has remained somewhat of an unknown figure to the general public.

Few people know him by name or his credentials as a professional. However, almost everyone knows him by his appearance as Napoleon, both on stage in Brighton and on the "Waterloo'' album cover.

He collaborated with the biggest male and female singers and songwriters of the 60's &70's, including Agnetha & Frida in their pre-ABBA careers. He had his own Big Band Orchestra, which often toured the folkparks and local stages around Sweden - together with the biggest stars at the time. He was also part of the production of the "Ring, "Ring" album (string arranger) as well as two more ABBA-albums.

While my colleague continued to tell her story about that wonderful week she had with her family in Brighton almost 50 years ago, I felt bewitched and sat in complete silence (which is a very rare treat, as those who know me are well aware of...🤣🤣) as fascinated as a little boy listening to the storytelling of an extravagant Drag Queen.

It turned out she had been with her father during the rehearsals of "Waterloo" the whole week before the big final. Either in the spectator seat or backstage. She often sat backstage with A & F and others in the band. Sometimes just playing around with them, being silly. Other times she watched all the work and preparations they had to do before going onstage,

Her parents were personal friends with all four members of ABBA in the 1970's. She met them several times at many locations. Especially with Frida & Benny, who they saw regularly at each other's houses.

Amanda became particularly close to Frida, who used to baby-sit her from time to time. It almost felt like Frida took her in as 'one of her own'. There was always music, laughter and never a dull moment in their house, she remembers.

She was even allowed to enter Frida's huge closet and pretend she was a pop star as well. She used to 'perform' with Frida - standing shoulder by shoulder, back to back, facing the mirror, while lip-synching to "Mamma Mia" - pretending she was Agnetha.

Now, how many thousands of us fans all over the world did not spend parts of our childhoods doing the same thing over and over with our best friends?? In school, at home, at parties, probably at all places we could. Can you imagine doing the same thing with one of the real ABBA's!! 

This picture of Frida, (courtesy of Amanda Walldoff) which I asked for permission to use for this story, was taken by her outside of the Pavilion in Brighton the day after the victory. Little did Frida or Amanda know - what a superstar of gigantic proportions this young lady was about to become - loved, admired, respected and cherished by an entire music world - only a few years later.

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