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Abba star Bjorn's shock admission: 'I'm battling long-term memory loss'
Last updated at 11:38am on 16.07.08
As a new generation of fans discovers Abba thanks to the hit film Mamma Mia!, one of the foursome has revealed he is suffering from memory loss.
Bjorn Ulvaeus cannot even remember winning the Eurovision song contest in 1974 with one of their best-known songs, Waterloo.
It was the victory at the contest in Brighton that propelled the Swedish group to international stardom.
Battle: Abba's Bjorn Ulvaeus, pictured here with Anni-Frid Lyngstad at the London premiere of Mamma Mia! in London last week, has revealed he's seeking medical help for memory loss
'It is like I was not even there,' said the 58-year-old father of four. Ulvaeus composed the music for the Mamma Mia! stage musical with fellow Abba star Benny Andersson and makes a brief uncredited appearance in the film, which stars Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth.
The movie has sparked an Abba revival but Ulvaeus says he simply cannot remember chunks of his life.
He has even turned to hypnosis in an attempt to find a cure.
Memorable moment: Bjorn says he can no longer recall Abba's performance at the 1974's Eurovision Song Contest
The songwriter, who divorced the band's blonde songstress Agnetha Faltskog in 1980 and is now married to Swedish music journalist Lena Kallersjo, has studied old photographs and video to try to remember his life.
Abba enjoyed a string of hits including Money, Money, Money, and Dancing Queen before splitting in the mid 1980s. They sold more than 400million records worldwide.
Mamma Mia! The Movie, released last week, has already taken more than £7.6million in the UK, more than any other musical in its opening week.
Remember when: Bjorn struggles to recall the best - and worst - Abba moments
Thank you for the music: The original cast of Abba, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, Agnetha Faltskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad
Reader views (10)
YOU MUST REMEMBER ABBA BJORN!!!!! Millions of fans are counting on you!!
- Lisa, San Francisco, CA
He is going to wish for all eternity he could forget
about his atheism when his memory is restored
at the end. I enjoyed much of his song writing,
but a lifetime of fame against his final destiny
makes me pity him.
- Magnus Rudolph Larson, Minneapolis, MN USA
I agree with Louie, I cannot believe I am reading such cruel comments. I think it is terribly sad news that he can't remember such momentous events in his life. Abba's music has been part of my life for over 30 years. I wish Bjorn all the best and I hope he can find a solution to this distressing condition.
- Lisa, Skegness, UK
Sanjonz, I have not stopped laughing. Thank you. He promised me all his song rights. Never trust a Swede
- Matt Miller, Salt Lake, UT, USA
No, that was Tony Hicks. Hollies.
- Mack, Seattle WA
ABBA thank you for the memories of great music.
At the time your scores just kept coming. You were a phenomenon!
- Don, whangarei, new zealand
I agree with Sanjonz---while I enjoy strolling down memory lane, if the point of this article was to talk about his memory loss why isn't the cause or possible cause addressed?
- Janja, Ca, Los Angeles, CA
How cruel you two are - Keep fighting Bjorn but all you need to remember is that you gave pleasure through your music to millions of fans.
- Louie, London
Hey Bjorn
Remember the $10,000 you borrowed from me in Stockholm in 1981. You said you'd pay me back with interest.
- Rick Morgan, detroit ,mich
Is there a medical cause for the amnesia. Is the memory loss drug related. What is the purpose of the article if the reason for the memory loss is not addressed?
- Sanjonz, NYC
