Although Abba gained their international fame quickly once they broke through in the mid-70's, it was a long climb to the top. All four members had a long and involved history in European pop music before they began performing together. The beginnings of Abba date back to the first meeting of Swedish songwriters Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus. They soon became writing partners and began penning Swedish hits. During this time, they wrote songs for Agnetha Faltskog and Anni-Frid ‘Frida’ Lyngstad. Soon enough, the two twosomes became a pair of married couples and began recording singles together in 1972, starting with piano-driven “People Need Love.”

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The King of Pop is a lofty title for any person to live up to, but there’s no doubt that Michael Jackson is qualified. He had not yet reached his teens when he was recording million-selling hits with his brothers in the Jackson 5. By the time he reached his adult years, he was recording albums that rewrote the rules of the popular music industry and setting new standards in the arts of dance and music videos. Between childhood and adulthood, he became what many consider the consummate pop artist.

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