Did You Know That Agnetha Faltskog Unwillingness To Tour Made Her Band Members Hate Her

Did You Know That Agnetha Faltskog Unwillingness To Tour Made Her Band Members Hate Her

Agnetha Fältskog, one of the lead vocalists of ABBA, was known for her incredible voice and stage presence. However, her reluctance to tour, particularly in the later years of the band’s success, created tension within ABBA. While "hate" might be too strong a word, her unwillingness to participate in extensive touring did lead to frustration among her bandmates.  

### **1. Agnetha’s Discomfort with Touring**  

From the early days of ABBA’s rise to fame in the 1970s, Agnetha had a complicated relationship with touring. Unlike her bandmates—Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad—she was not fond of life on the road. She disliked the constant traveling, long flights, and time away from her children. Her fear of flying, which worsened after experiencing a rough plane landing in 1979, only made matters more difficult.  

As ABBA’s global success skyrocketed, touring became a necessity, but Agnetha found it emotionally and physically draining. She was a devoted mother and often struggled with being separated from her children, particularly her daughter, Linda. Unlike many other rock and pop stars of the era, she did not embrace the lifestyle that came with international fame.  

### **2. Tension Within ABBA**  

While the other members of ABBA were more willing to tour and promote their music worldwide, Agnetha’s hesitancy created friction. The band relied on live performances to sustain their success, and her reluctance to participate made things difficult. Björn, her ex-husband and bandmate, was particularly frustrated since their divorce in 1980 had already strained their dynamic. Benny and Frida, who were still a couple at the time, may have felt that Agnetha’s unwillingness was holding the band back from reaching its full potential.  

By the early 1980s, ABBA had significantly reduced their touring schedule, in part due to Agnetha’s resistance. While the band members publicly supported her decision, behind the scenes, there was growing resentment. They knew that touring was essential for maintaining their presence in markets like the United States, where live performances played a key role in sustaining a band’s popularity.  

### **3. The End of ABBA**  

Ultimately, ABBA stopped touring, and by 1982, the band unofficially disbanded. While there were multiple factors behind their breakup—including relationship tensions and creative differences—Agnetha’s unwillingness to tour contributed to the growing divide.  

Though her bandmates may have been frustrated with her reluctance, their respect for her remained. Decades later, with ABBA’s 2021 *Voyage* project, they reunited virtually, avoiding live touring altogether—perhaps finally in a way that suited Agnetha.