Effective period / Period of releases: 1972 - 1976

Members: Benny Andersson, Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Anni-Frid Lyngstad

'Björn & Benny, Agnetha & Anni-Frid' is what ABBA called themselves from 1972 to 1973, before the 'ABBA' name was invented. During this time the future members of ABBA were still unsure whether the collaboration would be their main musical act or whether it would be worth pursuing as a quartet in general - or if each member would continue their successful solo careers in Sweden - or in the case of Björn and Benny, a duo.

Today, the 'Björn & Benny, Agnetha & Anni-Frid' period is largely seen simply as the early days of the Swedish supergroup ABBA. Equally correct would be to think that it was a continuation of the work of 'Björn & Benny', or even that 'B&B,A&A' was a group of its own. The voices of Björn and Benny dominate many tracks and there's little sign of the harmonical interplay of the girls' voices, which would turn out to be perhaps the essence of ABBA. Also, many tracks planned for the second Björn & Benny album were simply recycled for the 'B&B,A&A' album. On the other hand, simple folk ballads typical to 'Björn & Benny' had already become rarer and more adventurous musical styles and elaborate production techniques, typical to ABBA a few years down the line, were already being explored. When exactly 'B&B,A&A' turned into ABBA is a matter of opinion rather than a clear point in time.

'Björn & Benny, Agnetha & Anni-Frid' released four singles (titles depend on territory) and one album. The pre-ABBA era produced one international hit in "Ring Ring".