Göran Bror Benny Andersson, a preeminent figure in the music world, was born on December 16, 1946, in the bustling city of Stockholm, Sweden. Growing up in the suburban area of Vällingby, Benny's musical journey began early in life. At the tender age of six, he received his first accordion, marking the start of a lifelong passion for music, nurtured through family jam sessions with his father Gösta and grandfather Efraim. Benny's initial foray into the music industry was through the band led by singer Christina Grönvall, who was not only his romantic partner but also the mother of his first two children. This experience paved the way for his next venture with Elverkets Spelmanslag.

A pivotal moment in his career came in October 1964 when he joined the Hep Stars as their keyboardist. The band, often referred to as the 'Swedish Beatles,' enjoyed immense popularity in the 1960s. Benny's talent for songwriting blossomed in this period, penning hits like 'No Response' and 'Sunny Girl,' which garnered international acclaim.

Benny's path crossed with Björn Ulvaeus in June 1966, sparking a collaborative partnership that would shape their musical futures. Their first composition, ‘Isn’t It Easy To Say,’ was recorded by the Hep Stars, leading to the establishment of their publishing company, Union Songs, alongside Stig Anderson.

Benny's life took a romantic turn in 1969 when he met Anni-Frid Lyngstad. By 1970, when he and Björn recorded the album ‘Lycka,’ their girlfriends provided backing vocals, marking the embryonic stage of ABBA with ‘Hej Gamle Man’ featuring all its future members.

In 1971, Benny's talent was recognized by Polar Music, where he and Björn were appointed staff producers, setting the stage for ABBA's formation.

The post-ABBA era saw Benny and Björn venturing into new territories. Their collaboration with Tim Rice birthed the musical ‘CHESS’ in 1983, featuring hits like ‘I Know Him So Well’ and ‘One Night In Bangkok.’ The musical, opening in London in 1986, continues to be celebrated worldwide, with a Swedish adaptation premiering in Stockholm in 2002.

In 1985, Benny and Björn produced an album for Gemini, featuring ‘Just Like That,’ a previously unreleased ABBA song. A sequel album, ‘Geminism,’ followed in 1987, with the soundtrack for ‘Mio min Mio.’

Benny's solo career began with the 1987 album ‘Klinga mina klockor,’ a fusion of Swedish folk and accordion melodies, followed by ‘November 1989’ two years later.

The duo returned to pop music in 1993, producing Josefin Nilsson’s album ‘Shapes.’ Their most ambitious project, ‘Kristina från Duvemåla,’ debuted in 1995 in Malmö, Sweden, and later made its way to international stages, including New York's Carnegie Hall in 2009 and London’s Royal Albert Hall in 2010.

‘Mamma Mia!,’ a musical woven around ABBA's hits, opened in 1999 in London, becoming a global phenomenon and inspiring a film adaptation in 2008 and a sequel in 2018.

Benny Anderssons Orkester (BAO), formed post-ABBA, showcases Benny's compositions, often in collaboration with Björn. Their albums, starting from 2001, have been immensely successful in Sweden.

Benny’s diverse musical contributions extend to television, film, and special events, including compositions for ‘Sånger från andra våningen’ (2001), ‘Palme’ (2012), and the ‘Eurovision Song Contest’ in 2013.

In 2013, Benny and Björn, along with Kristina Lugn and Lars Rudolfsson, crafted the musical ‘Hjälp sökes,’ followed by Benny’s critically acclaimed solo album ‘Piano’ in 2017.

Benny Andersson's illustrious career has earned him numerous accolades, including induction into the Royal Swedish Academy of Music in 2007, an Honorary Doctorate from Stockholm University in 2008, and the Opus Klassik Award in 2018. His enduring legacy in music continues to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide.