ROCK ‘N’ ROLL BAND!

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Pop band Abba was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Monday in a ceremony that honored genres from the Swedish group’s catchy tunes to the theatrical British rock band Genesis and reggae master Jimmy Cliff.

Abba’s singer-songwriter Benny Andersson and vocalist Anni-Frid Prinzessin Reuss appeared at the black-tie event at New York’s famed Waldorf Astoria hotel, where Abba, Genesis, Jimmy Cliff, the Hollies and the Stooges were formally inducted into the hall.

“I am truly very touched by what once started as partnerships a long time ago and that this has brought us here tonight,” said Prinzessin Reuss, known to Abba fans as Frida, before she stepped aside to let ex-husband Andersson play piano performing their 1980 hit, “The Winner Takes It All” sung by U.S. singer Faith Hill.

Backstage, she added, “We did a great job back then. In a way I am not surprised, actually, that we had the influence on other musicians and singers.”

The four-member group became an international commercial success and cultural phenomenon in the late 1970s with such hits as “Dancing Queen” and “Knowing Me, Knowing You.” Their music has enjoyed a revival in the worldwide hit musical and movie, “Mamma Mia!” The band broke up in 1982.

“THEIR MUSIC HAS RESONATED”

“You have to realize what they did, how throughout the world, their music has resonated with millions and millions of people,” said the Hollies’ Graham Nash.

The Hall of Fame awards are “accepting music generally, rather than just rock-and-roll,” former Genesis drummer Phil Collins said.

“There seems to be more variety this year,” he said. Collins attended with other Genesis members, but original lead singer Peter Gabriel did not attend.

The five performing artists and bands inducted at the ceremony were chosen by 600 music industry professionals. Artists become eligible 25 years after the release of their first record.

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