The week in music history brought to you by MusicGoldmine.com.
Just a couple of highlights from this week in music history!
NOV 15: Happy birthday Frida Lyngstad! Best known as one of the two female vocalists in the legendary pop group ABBA, Lynstad has led a life and career shaped by resilience, artistic range, and quiet determination. Born Anni-Frid Synni Lyngstad in 1945 in Norway and raised in Sweden, she discovered her passion for singing early and began performing in local jazz and dance bands as a teenager. Her smoky, expressive alto set her apart, and by the late 1960s she had built a blossoming solo career in Sweden, winning talent contests and releasing singles that showcased her sophisticated vocal style.
Frida’s life changed dramatically in the early 1970s when she joined forces with Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, and Benny Andersson to create ABBA. Her powerful harmonies and emotional nuance became central to the group’s sound, adding depth to hits like “Fernando,” “Knowing Me, Knowing You,” and “Money, Money, Money.” During ABBA’s global rise, Frida balanced glamour and introspection, becoming known for her striking stage presence and ability to convey both melancholy and joy.
After ABBA paused in the early 1980s, Frida pursued a solo path again, releasing the acclaimed Something’s Going On (produced by Phil Collins) and later Shine. Over the years she has remained selective with public appearances, devoting time to philanthropy and environmental causes. Today, Frida stands as a beloved icon whose voice and artistry continue to resonate across generations.
Photo: Frankie Fouganthin
NOV 18: Happy birthday to Kim Wilde! She emerged in the early 1980s as one of Britain’s most distinctive pop voices, blending new wave energy with polished, radio-ready hooks.
Born in 1960 to rock ’n’ roll singer Marty Wilde, she grew up surrounded by music, and that early exposure helped shape her confident, stylish sound. Her 1981 debut single, “Kids in America,” became an international smash, instantly defining her as a fresh face in the synth-pop movement. Its rebellious spirit and unforgettable chorus set the stage for a decade of chart success across Europe, the UK, and beyond.
Throughout the ’80s, Wilde released a string of successful albums featuring hits like “Chequered Love,” “Cambodia,” and her celebrated cover of “You Keep Me Hangin’ On,” which reached No. 1 in the United States in 1987. Her cool, understated stage presence and striking visual style made her a staple of music television during the era, while her versatile voice kept her work both contemporary and memorable.
In the 1990s and 2000s, Wilde balanced her music career with a newfound passion for gardening, even hosting television programs and writing books on horticulture. Despite this shift, she continued to record and tour, earning a loyal fan base across generations. Today, Kim Wilde is celebrated not only as an ’80s icon but as an enduring, multifaceted artist whose influence continues to resonate.
Photo: Andrew D. Hurley
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