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Stig Anderson: 25 January 1931 - 12 September 1997
Svenska Dagbladet 11/11/97 Aftonbladet Saturday October 11th 1997 Aftonbladet Thursday Oct. 9th 1997 TV 4 Sweden report - Bjorn's Comment - French press report - Agence France-Presse - Annika Sundbaum-Melin/Expressen - Expressen/Görel - People comment on Stig - Daily Telegraph in Sydney - Lars Lindström, Expressen - Måns Ivarsson, Expressen - Lena Olsson, Aftonbladet - Oison Cantwell, Expressen - "Veckorevyn" interview (Swedish magazine) from 1982 - Funeral notice - Billboard - Paul McCartney's comment/Expressen - De Telegraaf, the Netherlands - Artists at Stig's funeral ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Beautiful voices said goodbye to Stikkan Andersson. It was the lyric writer, the composer and also the musician, Stikkan Andersson light funeral. St. Jakobs church was filled with beautiful voices and melodies - Gröna små äpplen (Green little apples), Vackra sagor är så korta (You don’t have to say you love me), Stardust, Eric Ericsons chamber choir, Anders Bondemans organ playing - and the smell of thousands of flowers. The priest Ake Bonnier said that Stikkan’s dreams had come true, including the one to die. His melodies will live forever. The white coffin was covered with white lilies. In front of the coffin was his wife’s red roses and white lilies, the children Anders, Lasse and Marie’s flowers with "daddy, we love you" and on both sides of the coffin was "Goodbye Grandfather" with bouquets of small roses. The Royal Family had sent a bouquet of yellow roses and blue flowers and Agnetha one with pink and white flowers The other members of ABBA - Anni-Frid, Björn and Benny- were in the church as the rest of the music industry in Sweden: Lasse Berghagen, Stig Ohlin, Lill-Babs Svensson (I have feeling left for you, she had written on her flower bouquet), Lisa Nilson, Lasse Lönndahl, Magnus Uggla, Tommy Körberg, Siw Malmkvist, Ann-Loise Hansson, Svante Thuresson just to name a few. The Royal Family was represented by Princes Christina Mrs Magnusson and the culture by the former Dramaten president Lars Löfgren. Outside the church many remembered happy moments with Stikkan and smiles returned to people. That’s something Stikkan would have liked. by Omar Magneråd,Svenska Dagbladet 11/11/97 There were pictures of: 1.Efva Attling and Eva Dahlgren 2.The priest Ake Bonnier and Gudrun Anderson 3 Björn Ulvaeus 4.Benny Andersson 5.Sam Nilsson and Ingela Agardh This was from todays SvD. The songs were sung by Lisa Nilsson and the second by Ann-Louise Hansson, Siw Malmkvist, Lill-Babs, Svante Thuresson and Lasse Löndahl both with lyrics by Stikkan. Håkan, Stockholm ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aftonbladet Saturday October 11th 1997 Goodbye grandfather When Lisa Nilsson sang "Gröna små äpplen" (green apples) the ceremony was lifted into a light and grateful farewell. Many of Swedens best known people in the music and entertainment business followed Stikkan Anderson to his final rest. The only member of Abba not to come was Agnetha. She was ill. Instead she and the children Linda and Christian had sent a wreath. On it a plain "Thank you and goodbye". A wreath had also been sent by King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia. It consisted of flowers in the Swedish colours: yellow roses, gerberas and gladiolas and blue flowers. The wreath without any words lay in the middle, way front in the St Jacobs Church. The beautiful 17th century church is at Kungsträdgården, next to the Opera in Stockholm. The white, plain coffin was decorated with white roses and lillies. Barbro "Lill-Babs" Svensson (a well known swedish singer) had also sent a wreath with "I've still got my feelings for you, always" reminding of their mutual breakthrough with the song "Klas-Göran". Stikkan Andersson was, when he wrote that song in 1959, an almost unknown teacher and Lill-Babs was Simon Brehm's young discovery from Järvsö. Stikkan Anderson was one of Sweden's best known when he suddenly died on 12 September, 66 years old. But was he so unhappy like the commentator on TV Åke Bonnier, said? - Stikkan aimed at the moon and got there. He got what he wanted but the dreams came to an end, the body wasn't strong and in the end he wanted to die. Is there only death left when the dreams end? "Vackra sagor är så korta" by P Donaggio, Swedish text Stig Rossner, sang Ann-Louise Hansson, Lars Lönndahl, Siw Malmkvist, Lill-Babs and Svante Thuresson. The five singers turned the song into an enormous forceful tribute to the old friend. And the whole song and text seemed written for Stikkan Anderson. He wrote the Swedish lyrics to "Gröna små äpplen", which Lisa Nilsson sang, and he wanted to hear that at his funeral, as well as "Vackra sagor..." and Hoagy Carmichael's "Stardust". It was performed by Magnus Lindgren on saxophone and Rune Gustafsson on guitar. Through the music one couldn't really discern that one of Sweden's biggest music producers was being buried. It started with "Jordens oro viker" (The earth's unrest disappears) by Ludvig Norman followed by "In Paradisum" from "Requiem" by Gabriel Fauré and "Jesus bleibt meine Freude" (Jesus remains my joy) by Johann Sebastian Bach. At the end came "Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele" (Decorate yourself, o dear soul) also by Bach. That was the only music apart from the psalms "De blomster som i marken bor" och "Härlig är jorden". It was a simple, dignified, sad and comforting goodby of a man, a husband, father, grandfather who himself said that he had outlived his time. Stikkan Anderson will be buried at Galärvarvet at Djurgården. This article was written by Per-Iwar Sohlström. Translated by Ægir Pétur Ellertsson ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aftonbladet Thursday Oct. 9th 1997 This is how the artists say goodbye to Stikkan Tomorrow the music legend Stikkan Anderson will be buried in Stockholm. The service will be värdig, light and beautiful and the church filled with many mourning friends. Naturally the members of Abba have said they'll be present at the ceremony. The music magnate Stikkan Anderson died on September 12th at the age of 66. Tomorrow he'll be buries - the man called ABBA's father. The service will start at 3pm in the beautiful Jakob's Church in the middle of central Stockholm. "The service will be light and beautiful. It's the way he wanted to have it" says Hélène Adamsson, VD of Polar Prize which was founded by Stikkan Anderson. The service will be characterised with dignity. Stikkan was a wonderful person, an original." During the last years Hélène Adamsson was one of those closest to Stikkan Anderson. Therefore she's also had a large responsibility for the planning of his funeral. "It's going to be like Stikkan wanted it to be." Me and Bengt-Arne Wallin have had the task to coordinate the music. But it was chosen by the family because it's going to be like he would have wanted it to be. - It's seems fitting for example to let Lill-Babs, Lasse Lönndahl, Svante Thuresson, Ann-Louise Hanson and Siw Malmkvist perform "Vackra sagor är så korta" (Beautiful fairy tales are short). The singer Lisa Nilsson is another one who will sing at the funeral. On January 13 this year she sang at prince Bertil's funeral performing his and his wife Lilian's favourite "Unforgettable" by Nat King Cole. Tomorrow she will perform "Gröna små äpplen" (small green apples), which was translated by Stikkan Anderson. "It's one of the songs he himself liked the most." says Adamsson. And the guests? -"We have sent out a lot of invitations. However at the moment we don't know who will come since we haven't asked people to inform us. And those who have, we prefer to keep secret. I think though the most you would expect, will come" The mourning, wife Gudrun, the sons Anders and Lasse with their families, the daughter Marie Ledin with her husband Tomas, and their children will sit in the front. Abba will come - without Agnetha? The members of ABBA - Björn and Benny, Anni-Frid and Agnetha - will also be present to say their last goodbye. According to information at Aftonbladet yesterday evening it was still unclear whether Agnetha can come. - She has said that she is ill, says a close friend to Stikkan. Tommy Körberg, Janne Schaffer, Björn J:son Lindh, Görel Hanser and Christer Björkman are others who no doubt will come. Also the King, and Queen Silvia were invited to be present but they were forced to say no, since they were already book up for something else, said the spokesman of the court, Elisabeth Tarras-Wahlberg. Also Efva & Eva, Jenny Öhlund, Magnus Uggla and Lasse Berghagen are said to be on the list along with many other well known Swedes. Stikkan Anderson also knew Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen and a couple of other people from the international jetset list. So there are going to be a large security check. -"There will be but it will not be seen. I don't want to go into details, however it's important to point out that the funeral is not official. The funeral will be broadcast live on television. Those who want to pay their respects to Stikkan Anderson still have the chance to follow the service, since it will be broadcasted live on the 1st channel of Swedish Television with Staffan Dopping as commentator - The interest from media has been huge says Hélène Adamsson. Following the service the closest mourners will go to a private lunch in the fashionable "Sällskapet". The burial will take place later in the family's burial ground in Djurgården in Stockholm. The family has asked for this to take place in private. with thanks to Ægir Pétur Ellertsson for this translation ------------------------------------------------------------------------- TV4's report on Stikkan Anderson's death. Here is a rough translation of the text: Music publisher Stikkan Anderson is dead. He died suddenly from a heartattack this Friday. Stikkan Anderson was 66 years old. His daughter Marie Ledin confirmed to TT that her father died during the early afternoon.Lately Stikkan has been most known as the founder of the Polar Music Prize which was presented the first time in 1992 to Paul McCartney and the Baltic countries music life. Stikkan Anderson was however internationally known before that as the man behind the very successful popgroup ABBA. Stikkan Anderson was one of Sweden's most successful songwriter and lyricist. In 1958 he wrote "Vi Hänger Me'" for the soccer legend Nacka Skoglund and with "Är Du kär I Mig Ännu Klas-Göran?" both he and Lill-Babs got their breakthrough. In the 1960's he was Sweden's most productive lyricist, he wrote a lot of Swedish lyrics to foreign songs. Together with Bengt Bernhag did he start Polar Music AB which came to be the most successful Swedish music company. According to Bra Böckers Nöjeslexikon he wrote over 3.000 lyrics. In 1969 he got a Grammis for the lyrics to "Gröna Små Äpplen" which was a huge hit for singer Monica Zetterlund. Stikkan Anderson employed the two songwriters Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson as producers, which led to one the biggest musical Swedish successes ever. In 1974 ABBA won the Eurovision Song Contest in Brighton with "Waterloo". Benny Andersson says to TT that he does not want to comment on Stikkan's death to the media. Micke Andersson Stockholm, Sweden ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Although Benny has decided not to comment Stikkan's death Björn has said the following: "What has happened is deeply tragic. Stikkan Anderson meant very much for be both as a person and as a mentor. Today I feel for his wife Gudrun and the children." Gustav
------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13 September 1997. Web posted at: 18:25 CEST, Paris time (16:25 GMT) STOCKHOLM, Sweden (AP) Producer Stig "Stikkan" Anderson, whose recordings of ABBA went into jukeboxes around the world, died of a heart attack Friday. He was 66. His daughter Marie Ledin told the Swedish news agency TT that Anderson died in the afternoon, but further details were not immediately available. Anderson's Polar Record Company released the recordings of ABBA, the Swedish quartet whose insistently hummable melodies, tight harmonies and flashy productions made them a virtually inescapable pop presence in the 1970s and '80s. Among their hits were "Waterloo" and "Dancing Queen." Anderson used much of his profits to endow the Polar Music Prize, given through the Royal Swedish Academy of Music. Each year the prize is given to one pop musician and one classical musician; the most recent recipients were Bruce Springsteen and choir director Eric Ericson. There was no immediate word on funeral arrangements or other survivors. Maria Nicholas ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ABBA producer, Polar Prize founder dead at 66: Founder of pop sensation ABBA dies Organization: Agence France-Presse STOCKHOLM, Sept 12 (AFP) - Stikkan Anderson, founding father of Swedish pop sensation ABBA, died in Stockholm Friday after suffering a heart attack, his daughter Marie Ledin said. Anderson, 66, wrote the words to more than 3,000 songs but was better known as the founder of the pop group ABBA, whose international career took off after they won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974 with "Waterloo". Anderson, a former school-teacher, began his prodigious song-writing career in 1958 when he wrote the team song for the Swedish football team as it launched its campaign for the World Cup, held in Stockholm. The song, "Vi hanger med" (We hang with), became a massive hit as sung by soccer star Nacka Skogland and the rest of the Swedish team, which went on to lose in the final to Brazil. He also created the Swedish record label Polar, one of the most successful musical businesses in Scandinavia. Michael Kealy ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Article from Aftonbladet Saturday 13th September. Written by Annika Sundbaum-Melin. MARIE LEDIN TELLS ABOUT HER FATHERS DEATH Yesterday Stikkan Anderson passed away very suddenly in his home on Östermalm in Stockholm. When the ambulance personnel and the daughter Marie arrived to the scene it was already over. - It came as a shock, but it was nice that dad got to die at home, Marie Ledin says to Aftonbladet. Marie Ledin says that she talked one the phone with her father as late as yesterday morning, and that he at that time showed no sign at all of illness, everything was as usual. He was also to meet with a friend yesterday at noon. - Ten to twelve a friend called form dad's apartment and said I had to come there immediately, Marie tells. - Although I was there very quickly I didn't get the chance to speak to him... PROBABLY HEART ATTACK The ambulance personnel who could only confirm that Stikkan had passed away, told Marie that it was probably a serious heart attack. - It feels so strange, because dad had never had any problems with his heart. He had a little hard time walking but he was in perfect health otherwise. - But even if it is a terrible shock for one when one is so totally unprepared I think that it was good for him that it all happened so fast. - And I am thankful he died at home... Stikkan Anderson was the school teacher who appeared in the folk parks, sometimes as a singer. He was a very talented songwriter who became Stikkan with the entire country when he not only discovered, but also made sure ABBA became a world name in the business. With ABBA Stikkan created an empire and became one of the most potent people in the Swedish musiclife. - He was a legend to many and he actually was to me to, I have always admired my dad because he was so extremely good, whatever he did. Marie and her brothers grew up in the beautiful house Ekarne on Djurgården in Stockholm. Celebrities from all over went on a pilgrimage there. - It was always full of people at home when I was small, many happy parties, says Marie. But about a year ago, Stikkan and his wife Gudrun decided the house of 750 squaremetres was to big for only the two of them, so they sold the dreamhouse and moved to an apartment in Östermalm. Marie became daddy's companion in the music business already when she was 20 and she says herself she was daddy's little girl. - He has supported me all through my life, even when I started my own record company he was the one who gave me advice. Stikkan's wife (formally they're divorced, but they still lived together) was on a trip abroad. - She is on her way home now and she is, of course, very shocked. Yesterday Marie gathered the family around her to grieve and remember. And to take care of all the details that has to be done when a close one passes away. - In these situations it's fantastically good to have brothers. FAMILY GRAVE ON DJURGÅRDEN Stikkan became 66 years old. He left behind, except the daughter, 40, and her husband Tomas, the wife Gudrun the sons Anders, 31, and Lasse, 39, and five grandchildren. He will be buried in a family grave on Djurgården in Stockholm, when is not yet decided. - I am extremely proud that he was my father, says Marie. Gustav ------------------------------------------------------------------------- The following article is from Expressen. "EVERYTHING I KNOW HAVE I LEARNED FROM HIM" Görel Hanser became Stikkan's secretary - that changed her life. Stikkan Anderson changed Görel Hanser's life. 28 years ago she became his secretary. It ended with her being vice president in his record company and a millionaire. - Everything I know have I learned from him, she says. Görel Hanser met Stikkan Anderson the first time in 1969. She had applied to a job after reading an ad in Dagens Nyheter: "Music publisher seeks secretary with good English skills." That became the start of an exciting career. Her plan was to study at the university and then become a teacher, but she wanted to get some work experience first. Stikkan soon realised how effective she was. - He let me "come through" in the job like bosses rarely do. Together with him I came to learn everything, he was very generous, Görel says today. Polar Music grew rapidly with ABBA:s enormous success in the 70's, and Görel got more and bigger responsibility. She became the one Stikkan and the members of ABBA revolved around. She kept track of recording sessions, interviews, timetables and ticket sales. Finally she became vice president of Polar Music. In the middle of the 80's she started her own company and now she works with Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson with their project "Kristina Från Duvemåla". Micke, Stockholm, Sweden ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Many people have been asked how they remember they now passed on Stikkan. Here's what some of them said: Görel Hanser: "I worked with Stikkan and Polar for 25 years. He was huge, he gave me self confidence and he was generous. My big memory of Stikkan will simply be all the things he taught me during the years." Peter Grönvall: "I have mostly childhood memories of Stikkan. I was with during ABBA's tours in Australia and USA and then we also shared a place in the country for a while. Stikkan lived with the music 100%, he was like a motor getting everything done." Janne Schaffer: " He was a very energetic and goal conscious man. Sure, ABBA had good songs, but Stikkan meant very much for them, amongst other things the launch abroad. He has meant very much for Swedish music. My thoughts goes to his wife and children." Ann-Louise Hansson, artist: "Stikkan has done almost all the schlagerlyrics that people know of. Like mine "Greven Av Luxemburg". And it was also he who made ABBA to ABBA. He dies much too young." Karin Glenmark: "I remember a meeting with him at a "Chess" concert. I had to do a very quick replacement of Barbara Dickson. Afterwards Stikkan said that that was the most intelligent he had seen. I will never forget that." Ulf Elving, radio host: "I got to follow him from the start and I have been really impressed by Stikkan's devotion to his work. And I admire his glow, knowledge and kindness. Stikkan was comfortable to deal with, I met him personally many times." Charlie Norman, artist: "I met Stikkan for the first time in the early 50's. He sent me a song called Tivedshambo and I helped him to release it on a record. I remember Stikkan as an honest man, a little square, but honest." Tina Stenberg : "I am very sad today. Stikkan meant very much to me. He was the one who discovered me. Stikkan was very professional and very good." Claes af Geijerstam: "Stikkan was a tough boss who always knew what he wanted. He fought hard to give pop and schlager a better reputation. It really honours him." Kenneth Gärdestad: "To Ted and me Stikkan was like the father of music. Without him we wouldn't have been anything. When we were at Polar we were all like one big family...I don't know what to say more, I'm shocked after hearing the news" Siw Malmkvist: "My god, I was at his home a couple of days ago! What should I say...? To me and my career Stikkan has meant very much. His songs are still those that people are for most and he was the biggest in the business of his time." Quincy Jones: "When Stikkan has now suddenly left our society a gap is created after a wonderful person, who was one of the pioneers when it came to marketing over the wide world. He had a huge heart - a humanist- in the words most positive way. We should all be thankful for the Polar Music Prize. To me, as a receiver of the price and as an old friend and admirer of Stikkan, this is a day of sorrow. But we will all remember him for his contributions to a brighter musicsociety." these were just some of the people they asked...Gustav ------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Daily Telegraph in Sydney this morning, Monday 15/9/97, ran the following story on p29: "Stikkan Anderson who managed the Swedish rock group ABBA during its rise through the 1970's, died 'yesterday' in Stockholm of a heart attack, his family said. He was 66. Anderson, who started out as a lyricist and put those skills into such ABBA hits as Waterloo and Ring, Ring, was one of the most influential figures in the Swedish recording industry. He founded the Polar Music Awards in 1992 with funding from his fortune." Harold. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Here is another article about Stikkan written by Lars Lindström, Expressen. "HIS HEART WAS FILLED WITH MUSIC" We are born. We live. And at one time we face our Waterloo. That's life. Except for Stikkan Anderson. He faced his Waterloo four times. • In Brighton 1974, when he got to see his ABBA win the ESC with "Waterloo" - and get the chance to start two decades of unbelievable success for Swedish music abroad. • In Stockholm 1984, when he had to witness his ABBA dissolve, even though he tried to fight that and tried very hard to convince Agnetha Fältskog, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus to continue. • In Stockholm 1991, when ABBA "declared war" and sued their former manager and business partner for 27 millions. • And then finally in Stockholm, yesterday, when his heart, so filled with music, couldn't cope any longer. There is only one way to pay your respects to Stikkan. With music. But I don't think that the old schoolteacher was loved enough within the music industry for artists to come together and record a tribute album. Perhaps Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Elton John, Quincy Jones and Joni Mitchell who each received a million from Stikkan's Polar Music Fund. No a tribute album is not a good idea. What I really would like to see is a television documentary about Stikkan - with lots of music, a fun portrait of the outspoken Västgöte [Västergötland is the part of Sweden where Stikkan came from] who really went the long hard way. First becoming a schoolteacher and a free lancing schlager singer, then a very hardworking lyricist and finally powerful multimillionaire in the musicbusiness. Sveriges Television who has so much material should put together a documentary as soon as possible, like for next week. Just get on to it! As ABBA:s manager and the fifth member of the group, Stikkan was often called commercial, cold and calculating. Naturally a part of the big success was due to good planning and calculating and it came to mean a lot of money for Stikkan to count and invest, but his heart was always filled with music. I sincerely believe that. I'm sure he would have loved to be on stage together with the four in Brighton. Stikkan was totally against ABBA:s split up. For a long time he hoped he could patch up things for one of the world greatest pop groups. The ironic thing about Stikkan's death is that it's probably the only thing that can bring the group back together again. A last farewell. With music. On "ABBA - The Album" the song after "Thank You For The Music" is a ballad called "I Wonder (Departure)". It's not one of ABBA:s greatest hits, but it clearly predicts Björn's and Benny's ambitions to write a musical, and Stikkan has written the lyrics. It's about leaving something behind, to move on and take the chance when it appears. Frida sings the verse with great movement and Agnetha supports her in the chorus. "I wonder, It's frightening. Leaving now Is that the right thing I wonder, It scares me. But who the hell am I If I don't even try I'm not a coward, Oh no, I'll be strong One chance in a lifetime, Yes, I will take it, It can't go wrong" It's a beautiful song, and I would love to hear Frida sing it again. With Agnetha, Björn and Benny beside her. I really think Stikkan would have liked that thought. Micke Andersson Stockholm; Sweden ------------------------------------------------------------------------- He was the teacher who wrote two songs a day and gave the Swedish people immortal schlagers like "Klas-Göran" and "Sån't Är Livet". He created ABBA in his office and became the brains behind the groups success. Stikkan Anderson was called "the business" It was a classic and controversial statement from Stikkan Anderson. "People are not as dumb as you think, they're dumber" It happened that he stepped away from that statement and said he was misquoted. But in an interviews in DN 1969 he does say that. Stikkan was angry that it wasn't profitable to try and write literary and better lyrics. His ambitious "Gröna Små Äpplen" (Small green apples) didn't reach Svensktoppen, but "Man Ska Leva För Varandra" You should live for each other) reached number one. - It is those things that makes one believe that people aren't as dumb as we sometimes think - they're dumber. It's sad, but true... The statement contributed strongly to making Stikkan Anderson the good taste's enemy number one. Stikkan with his ABBA and his Svensktoppssongs was seen from many tongiving directions on as rubbishculture from sordid capitalism of the worst kind. Stikkan was a sly people seducer with only one thing in mind: money and more money. He was seen on as spreading shit simply - in the peculiar cultural climate which was 60’s and 70’s Sweden. Where Stikkan against all odds managed to build up an empire of something as simple as schlager- and popmusic. NEVER RECOVERED It might seem like the stoneage but it's only 23 years ago: When Stikkan stood by his life's biggest triumph - ABBA's victory in the Eurovision Song Contest 1974 - Rapport came with one microphone. Not to congratulate too much but to ask the legendary stupid question: - Why have you called your melody Waterloo...40.000 people died there." As happy as Stikkan was about the victory, just as mad he was about Rapport's question. It is said he never really recovered from that. Today it is since long a well known fact that ABBA is one of the biggest pop bands ever. And that Stikkan Anderson was a visionary and a contractor in the music business with few equivalents, not even internationally. Stig "Stikkan" Anderson was born in 1931 in Hova in Västergötland. He grew up poor. But when it came to earning money Stikkan was very good at making thing up. As a thirteen year old he got the rights to the kiosk during the football games in Movallen in Hova. What he had to do for it: paint the field and wash the clothes. He got hooked to popular music at an early stage, got a guitar and started laying local shows. He started writing own material, wrote for his big idol Ulf Peder Olrog - and got to his amusement and long encouraging letter back. It came to mean much to Stikkan's career. About a year later ( 1950 ) he got to perform his "Grädde På Moset" in Sigge Fursts popular radio show "Frukostklubben". the song was recorded by Harry Bandelius and Snoddas. 1953 he moved to Stockholm, educated himself to a teacher, but continued to write songs and perform ( sometimes as "Den Sjungande folskolläraren" (the singing teacher). THE FIRST BIG BREAK 1958 he works as a teacher in Aspudden in Stockholm when he got his first big break. Nacka Skoglung and the Swedish soccer team sings his "Vi Hänger Me´ ". A big hit. The year after that the determining hit came. A new find does his song on the TV. The singer was Lill-Babs. The song was "Klas-Göran". Now Stikkan had learnt the musicbusiness. He knew what a song like "Klas-Göran" could be worth.He borrowed 500 SEK and started the music publishing company Sweden music at his kitchen table in Tullinge. Sweden music grew into one of the worlds biggest music publishing companies with the right to over 100.000 songs. 1989 Stikkan Anderson sold his life's work to the music-giant Polygram. The price was kept secret but it is rumoured to be 200 million SEK. Few understood as early as him the music business economical potential. Soon after the success with Klas-Göran the press reported that Stikkan earned 80 000 SEK. On just one simple schlager. Klas-Göran wasn't really so simple. To the song and Lill-Babs plaits and a comical touch were added. This, an entire "package", was soon one of Stikkan's specialities. Tight song, right artist, but also a good idea and a good marketing. Next success was "Sån't Är Livet". Singer Anita Lindblom. Thanks to his great contacts in international music business most of the good and successful songs came to Stikkan. Who wrote the Swedish lyrics, found the artist, released the record. 3000 LYRICS During the 60's he wrote over 3000 Swedish schlagerlyrics. "Kära Mor". "Du Borde Köpa Dig En Tyrolerhatt". "Mamma Är Like Sin Mamma". "Ljuva 60-tal" In the middle of all the hundreds of projects Stikkan also read Expressen. It was here he saw the notice about the schoolboy-group who had won a talent search in Norrköping. Stikkan renamed the gang to Hootenanny singers, and after a couple of years of success together he employed one of the members as a songwriter in his office. The guy was called Björn Ulvaeus. Björn got Stikkan to give the same sort of job to one of Björn's friends, the ex-Hep Stars member Benny Andersson. Björn and Benny wrote "Hej Gamle Man" and used their girlfriends Agnetha and Anni-Frid as back-up singers. After a longer moments thinking the quartet called themselves ABBA. When Waterloo won the Eurovision Song contest Stikkan Anderson was the right man in the right place. He was a co-writer of many of their early songs, but mostly he was the businessman. WENT ALL AROUND THE WORLD With his knowledge about the business he understood, for example, that got to release ABBA's records in England didn't necessarily give the best marketing in USA. It became many Deals. Stikkan went around the world and sold ABBA, not seldom with a business meeting already six o´clock in the morning. (on the side he kept on managing the record company Polar successfully in Sweden with artists like Ted Gärdestad). It was hard work, but ABBA also became one of the biggest record successes ever. Not least important for the future was that Stikkan and ABBA proved that Swedish pop could stand up internationally. When ABBA split up in 1982 ( after 240 million sold records ) the group was still on top, But the reflections to Stikkan was infected and Abba's split up was followed by long economical disputes. LONG NEGOTIATION There had to be long persuasions to get Björn and Benny to appear when Stikkan 1986 was the target for Lasse Holmqvists "Här Är Ditt Liv". When Sweden Music was sold Stikkan founded the Polar Music Prize, with the thought in mind of creating some sort of a musical Nobel prize. In May this year Bruce Springsteen came to receive the prize. Stikkan is the target of the most rare ABBA record of them all. It was recorded for his 50th birthday 1981 and pressed in 200 copies and is called "Hovas Vittne". Maybe it is time to release that now. But Björn and Benny knew Stikkan so well they predicted the managers reaction in the lyrics. The song was too long. Short and fast was Stikkan's melody. Expressen, Måns Ivarsson, 13 September 1997. Gustav ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lill-Babs was questioned about Stikkan and this is the article it resulted in in the evening paper Aftonbladet. Lill-Babs stood on stage yesterday, sang, showed off, like the professional she is. Afterwards she talked about Stikkan Anderson, the friend, the colleague who had passed away. - It feels good to talk about him, she says in a whispery voice. - I sang a pot-pourri tonight, which starts "Välkommen gröna, sköna, granna, sanna sommar". ( Welcome green, wonderful, beautiful, true summer ). When you hear the entire audience singing along...Stikkan -you will live as long as possible in the music. They knew each other for many years. - I am so glad he got the respect he deserved, with the Polar Prize. So glad that he finally acknowledged, and respected. He certainly reached into cabin and castle! STIKKAN MADE SWEDEN FAMOUS The last time they met was at the Polar Prize. As it is in the artistworld they didn't have much time to spend with each other. But it came short or phone call, private and about work, there was always a moment to spare. Everything begun with "Är Du Kär I Mig Ännu Klas-Göran" - the hit Stikkan wrote and Lill-Babs sang, in the beginning of the 60's. - It was the breakthrough for both me and Stikkan. It was then he got started! And it gave me my only goldrecord.! It sold a 100.000 copies. But it's not only about Klas-Göran. - We have made many more songs. It's not long ago Ann-Louise, Siw and I talked about Stikkan, about how much he has done. Not only fun, but many wonderful songs...When we do a pot-pour lasting for 27 minutes - so is very much by Stikkan! He was warm, humoristic... She speaks about how Stikkan made Sweden famous all over the world: - Talk about me putting Järvsö on the map, he put Sweden on the world map! Think about how many groups have come after ABBA. Stikkan Anderson sat a long time on the board of Lill-Babs environmentfund, and he gave many good advice. - I wanted to start handing out money at once, but he said " No, they're gonna grow, after that you can hand out the proceeds." You could ask him about everything. "HE WAS NERVOUS ONCE" With extra warmth Lill-Babs tells about her seeing Stikkan Anderson nervous only once. - It was on my 50th birthday, he had made new lyrics for Klas-Göran. He and Lucke Bonnier comes on stage and sings it with plaits and native clothes....it was the only time I've seen him nervous. Oh, he was so cute. Article by Lena Olsson, 13 September 1997, Aftonbladet. Gustav ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ABBA grieves their fifth member. Here in Brighton 1974 Stikkan Anderson won his greatest battle. ABBA - the group he created - won with Waterloo in the Eurovision Song Contest. Today ABBA grieves: - My wife is very sad and shocked, says Anni-Frid Lyngstad's husband Ruzzo Reuss. It is no exaggeration to say that Stikkan Anderson was the fifth member of ABBA, the supergroup who put the whole world under their feet. It was Stikkan Anderson who in 1964 brought Benny and Björn together. Björn Ulvaeus was a star in Hootenanny singers, which Stikkan was the manager of, whilst Benny Andersson played in Hep Stars. STIKKAN MADE UP THE NAME Stikkan was at that time already a famous songwriter and he soon tied both of the musicians to himself. But to create the phenomenon ABBA two components more were needed: Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. It was Stikkan Anderson who made up the name ABBA. The first letter in Anni-Frid, Björn, Benny and Agnetha. An international name that was easy to pronounce. And after the victory in the Eurovision song Contest in England in Brighton 1974 with Waterloo ABBA was soon a well-known name over the entire world. During the next 10 years ABBA sold 240 million records, more than The Beatles. ABBA's songs were played in clothes shops in England, in airports in Japan, in malls in USA, everywhere. ABBA MADE MILLIONS The big year 1977 the industry ABBA was worth 300 millions. During the golden years the popgroup made billions. But during the 80's it started going worse. The records still sold good, but the members thought the touring around the world became more boring and boring. When the couples Björn and Agnetha and also Benny and Anni-Frid went separate ways it didn't work any longer. 1984, ten years after the magical night in Brighton the group split up. Björn and Benny are still writing music together, whilst Anni-Frida and Agnetha has mostly left the popworld. SAD AND SHOCKED Today none of them wants to comment on Stikkan Anderson's death. Prince Ruzzo Reuss from Switzerland, Anni-Frid's husband says to Aftonbladet that his wife is sad and shocked. - Anni-Frid needs time to work this through, Ruzzo Reuss says. Aftonbladet, Oisin Cantwell, 13 September 1997. note: this article does contain a lot of mistakes ( facts ) even in the Swedish version, it has nothing to do with the translation. Gustav ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Here's another article I found in a old "Veckorevyn" (Swedish magazine) from 1982 about Stikkan Anderson. THE SELF-PORTRAIT "My biggest defect is that I'm the best!" Stikkan Anderson doesn't need a more detailed presentation. The elementary-school teacher who became Sweden's biggest music-producer through all times. The 5th ABBA. Veckorevyn: --- What is the worst you can imagine? Stikkan: --- A nuclear war. Veckorevyn: --- What faults do you have hard to overlook? Stikkan: --- Narrowness and stinginess. Veckorevyn: --- What hero of a novel do you like best? Stikkan: --- Carlsson in Hemsöborna. Anti-hero. Veckorevyn: --- Your favourite author? Stikkan: ---Graham Greene and Gustaf Fröding. Veckorevyn: --- Your favourite composer or favourite artist in the music? Stikkan: --- Hoagy Carmichael (wrote "Stardust" and "Georgia on my mind" and several other good melodies). Veckorevyn: --- What person do you admire? Stikkan: ---Gösta Bohman (a Swedish conservative politician) Veckorevyn: --- What qualities do you like of a man? Stikkan: ---Softness Veckorevyn: --- What qualities do you like of a woman? Stikkan: ---Softness Veckorevyn: --- What do you like about your friends Stikkan: ---Sincerity. That they also say negative things about me. Veckorevyn: --- Your biggest fault? Stikkan: ---My biggest fault is that I have to many faults. For example, I am the best. Veckorevyn: --- What's your dream about luck? Stikkan: ---To be healthy and fall down dead on the spot. Veckorevyn: --- What colours do you like? Stikkan: --- Blue (and yellow) Veckorevyn: --- What flower? Stikkan: --- Lily of the valley. Veckorevyn: --- When did you last cry? Stikkan: --- When my mother died. Veckorevyn: --- What are you afraid of? Stikkan: --- Illness Veckorevyn: --- What makes you happy? Stikkan: --- Funny friends, funny jokes and good news on the whole. Veckorevyn: --- What do you detest most of all? Stikkan: --- Winter, cold and darkness. Then I go somewhere. Veckorevyn: --- What talent do you wish you had? Stikkan: --- The carpenters and the mechanics. Doing things with the hands. Veckorevyn: --- What do you like to do? Stikkan: --- Sit alone early in the mornings, drink coffee and think, dream... Veckorevyn: --- Who would you'd like to be? Stikkan: --- Cassanova. Veckorevyn: --- What is the dominating streak of you? Stikkan: --- Presumably I'm very realistic. Doesn't shrinks back for the reality. It has helped me. Veckorevyn: --- What historical persons do you dislike most? Stikkan: --- Screaming persons, for example Hitler and Khadaffi. But of course also Stalin. Veckorevyn: --- What persons would you take with you to a desert island. Stikkan: --- Berns- (now China-) ballet. Veckorevyn: --- How would you like to die? Stikkan: --- As I said - quickly. Veckorevyn: --- Your present state of mind? Stikkan: --- Tired - after this interview. Veckorevyn: --- Have you any motto? Stikkan: --- If you can solve a problem easily - make sure that you find complicated solutions. It looks better! The life seems to work that way, unfortunately. Best regards, Charles ------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Our Dear Stikkan Anderson (25 January 1931 - 12 September 1997) has left us in deep sorrow and missing Gudrun Marie and Tomas John Theo Lasse and Agneta Marius Fanny Eric Anders and Åsa Family and friend That's life The Funeral will take place on the 10th of October at 15 o'clock at the church S:t Jacob. Don't buy flowers think instead of the fund in the memory of Stikkan Anderson's with bg. 5201-0493." (bg = bank giro a payment system in Sweden) (That's life = "Sånt är livet" a song with Swedish lyrics by Stikkan) Håkan Borg, Stockholm ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SWEDISH MUSIC MENTOR ANDERSON DIES Pioneering Songwriter; Publisher Discovered Abba This story was prepared by Mark Solomons in London and Fred Bronson in Los Angeles. Billboard, September 27, 1997 The sudden death of Stig Anderson, who succumbed to a heart attack Sept. 12 in Stockholm at age 66, has deprived the Scandinavian music industry of one of its great mentors and taken from Sweden a cultural ambassador. Best known as the man who discovered and managed Abba, one of the biggest-selling acts of all time, Anderson was also a prolific lyricist and publisher with a career in music that spanned five decades. "Stig meant a hell of a lot to me during the early years of my career," says Bjorn Ulvaeus, who, with Benny Andersson, made up the creative pairing at the core of Abba. "He was a man of vision, of relentless energy and great driving force. He introduced me to the record business, and it is sad and tragic that his life should end so prematurely." Anderson published his first song in 1953 and soon discovered he had a talent for picking up songs he heard on Radio Luxembourg, writing Swedish lyrics, and finding local artists to record his versions, many of which became Scandinavian hits. He is registered as a writer on some 3,000 titles. In 1960, he formed Sweden Music, which was to become a Scandinavian publishing stronghold representing foreign catalogue from Columbia, United Artists, MCA, Don Kirshner, Rondor, Lowery, MAM, ATV and RAK, among others, as well as a raft of domestic talent. He set up Polar Records three years later with Bengt Berhag and in 1969 formed Union Songs with Ulvaeus and Andersson. Berhag's suicide after years of health problems in 1971 prompted Anderson to formalise his relationship Ulvaeus and Andersson, whom he employed as producers. It was the start of the Abba roller coaster. The band, formed in 1972, took off with its Eurovision Song Contest win in 1974 with "Waterloo" -- a song whose lyrics were copenned by Anderson -- and was still selling millions of copies of greatest hits packages in the early 1990s, 10 years after the members quit recording together. "Stig was arguably the best and most well-known character in the music industry in Scandinavia, and his contribution is simply to have put Sweden on the international map," says Peo Nylen, now creative manager for Scandinavia at publisher Peermusic, who worked with Anderson at Sweden Music from 1989-91. "He made contacts all around the world with projects he knew had the potential before it happened here, even in the '60s, and this way of doing groundwork made him a pioneer in this field," Nyler continues. "He had very good ears for what people liked and didn't care about what the media said." Although PolyGram acquired Sweden Music and Polar Records from Anderson in 1990, he maintained an active role as a consultant up until his death. He also founded the Polar Music Prize in 1992, an award recognising artists making an outstanding contribution to global music. "Stig was a great music man and a gentleman to deal with, and I will miss him on both a professional and personal level," says David Hockman, chief executive of PolyGram International Music Publishing. "That we will no longer be able to benefit from his experience and enthusiasm is a great loss to both PolyGram and the music industry." Jeffrey DeHart, New York ------------------------------------------------------------------------- The World famous star Paul McCartney grieves Stikkan Anderson. written by: Steffan Erfors, Expressen In a statement to Expressen Paul said: - It is a tragedy, the music industry has lost a good person a leading force. The ex-Beatle Paul McCartney was the first to receive Stikkan Anderson Polar Music Prize. 1992 he got the award and a million kronor for his work within the popular music. Stikkan Anderson's death caused very attention in England. The ex-ABBA manager has been written about in long necrologies in respected papers, amongst others Times and Telegraph. Expressen spoke with Paul McCartney's spokesperson, Jeff Baker, yesterday who said the pop-star had received the news with great sorrow. In a statement to Expressen Paul McCartney says: - Stikkan Anderson was a source of inspiration to many. He was a strong force within the music industry. COULDN'T COME The ex-Beatle couldn't come himself to Sweden to receive the Polar Music Prize, which Stikkan created by donating 42 million kronor. But it's still obvious that Paul McCartney is very proud of the award. - I was extremely honoured by receiving the Polar Music Prize, and I'm sure the "winners" after me have also experienced what an honour it is to be awarded this way. MY THOUGHTS GO TO THE FAMILY Paul McCartney appreciates that the Polar Music Prize lives even after Stikkan Anderson's death. - It is fitting that this wonderful prize is continued to be handed out. Not only to honour them who works with music, it will also be a way to honour the memory of Stikkan Anderson, McCartney says, and adds: - In these days of sorrow and missing my thoughts goes first to his family. Stikkan Anderson will be buried Friday 10th October in St. Jacobs church in Stockholm. translation:Gustav ------------------------------------------------------------------------- The following was written in the daily Dutch newspaper "De Telegraaf". It was on the page "Hit & Popscore" which includes the Dutch Singles Chart and some music news: ABBA-producer Stig Anderson has died last week due to a heart attack. The 66 years old record producer discovered ABBA and released the records from the Swedish foursome, which proved to be big hits all over the world. Anderson spend many of his earnings to the Polar Music Prize, a prestigious Swedish music prize which every year is given to a popular and classical music artist. The past year those artists were for example Bruce Springsteen and choir-conductor Eric Ericson. (The article included a colour photo of Stig). Walter, Weesp, The Netherlands ------------------------------------------------------------------------- At Stig's funeral, held in the Jacobs church, October 10th, many of the artists that Stig helped trough the years will pay tribute to him. Among the them following persons can mentioned: The Polar Prize winner Eric Ericsson with his choir, Barbro "Lill-Babs" Svensson, Lisa Nilsson, Siw Malmkvist, Ann-Louise Hansson, Lars Lönndahl and Arne Domnérus. ABBA will not attend though says Helene Adamsson, Chairman of the Polar Prize foundation, and neither will she reveals the names of the invited and the ones that has accepted the invitation. The funeral will be broadcast live on Swedish television. Christian Thomasson ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks to the people from ABBAMAIL for contributing their time and effort in providing this information |
