Stig Anderson

Born Jan 25, 1931 · Hova, Sweden

Stig 'Stikkan' Anderson, born in 1931 in Hova, wrote his first song at just 16. By the 1960s he had built a successful career as a songwriter, lyricist, and music publisher, laying the foundations of a major music business. In 1963 he co-founded Polar Music with Bengt Bernhag, signing the Hootenanny Singers, which included Björn Ulvaeus. Early on, Stig recognized the songwriting potential of Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson and later brought together Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid “Frida” Lyngstad, forming ABBA. While he wrote lyrics and memorable titles for several ABBA songs, his main role was as the group’s manager, shifting his focus entirely to business after 1977. A dedicated workaholic, Stig’s health declined in later years, and he died of a heart attack in 1997 at the age of 66. His influence endures through the Polar Music Prize, founded by him in 1992.