The first group of twelve artists have been named to the new Swedish Music Hall of Fame.
Sweden may not be the largest or most high profile of countries in Europe but they have contributed a number of major artists to the world scene. The country's five biggest selling acts of all time, ABBA, Roxette, Ace of Base, Europe and the Cardigans, all had major hits in the U.S. and other countries. Modern Swedish artists Eric Prydz, Robyn, Swedish House Mafia, Avicii and Icona Pop have also made major inroads on the world charts.
The Swedish Hall of Fame, which is part of a new complex that also includes ABBA: The Museum, has chosen to induct:
•ABBA - International superstars and one of the biggest artists in music history with hits like Dancing Queen, Waterloo and Take a Chance on Me
•Roxette - The duo of Marie Fredriksson and Per Gessle who charted internationally with The Look, It Must Have Been Love and Joyride.
•Entombed - Early pioneers of Swedish Death Metal, they eventually added agarage rock influenced style that was dubbed "death 'n' roll".
•Ebba Grön - Sweden's most influential punk rock band.
•The Latin Kings - A hip-hop group from the southern suburbs of Stockholm, they were one of the first to release a rap album with Swedish lyrics.
•Monica Zetterlund - Actress and jazz singer who started covering American jazz standards and eventually recorded the influential album Waltz For Debby with Bill Evans.
•Cornelius Vreeswijk - One of the most influential and successful troubadours in Sweden, he first learned his craft by listening to the likes of Josh White and Lead Belly.
•Eva Dahlgren - Started her career supporting Roxette on tour and scored a number of top ten hits in the early-90's.
•Stina Nordenstam - Singer/songwriter whose career has covered jazz, alt rock and pop and includes not only recording but directing music videos.
•Evert Taube - One of Sweden's earliest major artists, he was a forerunner of the country's ballad tradition.
•Jan Johansson - Pianist whose Jazz på svenska (Jazz in Swedish) is the best selling jazz album in the country's history.
•Nationalteatern - Progressive rock group whose repertoire included songs with left-leaning lyrics.
In a press release, the museum said they named ABBA for ending "male dominance and a macho culture ... making music open to everyone, regardless of gender, sexuality or age."
A three person panel made the selections with artists having to have recorded their first material at least twenty years earlier. Member Jan Gradvall said "We want to act a bit like teachers, and demonstrate the history and significance of Swedish music. We want to build bridges between genres and generations and give Swedish music the place it deserves."
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