Hep Stars
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1963 in Stockholm, Sweden |
| Founder | Christer "Chrille" Pettersson, Lennart "Lelle" Hegland |
| Headquarters | Stockholm , Sweden |
Area served | Sweden, Norway, Finland |
Key people | Benny Andersson, Sven Ove "Svenne" Hedlund, Jan "Janne" Frisk, Lennart "Lelle" Hegland, Christer "Chrille" Pettersson |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Number of employees | Band members (various lineups) |
The Hep Stars are a rock ensemble from Sweden, established in Stockholm in 1963. Between 1965 and 1966, they stood out as the leading Swedish pop act performing in English. Globally, they are primarily recognized for launching the career of keyboardist and composer Benny Andersson, who later gained worldwide fame with ABBA.
The group was initiated by drummer Christer "Chrille" Pettersson (1942–2006) and bassist Lennart "Lelle" Hegland (1943–2022). The initial members also included keyboardist Hans Östlund and guitarist-vocalist Jan "Janne" Frisk (born 1943). At their height, the classic formation consisted of Hegland, Pettersson, Frisk, lead singer Sven Ove "Svenne" Hedlund (1945–2022), alongside Benny Andersson handling keyboards and lead guitar duties.
Beginnings
Originally called Quartet Yep, the band experimented with various genres ranging from Latin dance to rock to secure performance opportunities. With Frisk’s influence, their style gradually gravitated toward rock'n'roll and pop music. They adopted the name Hep Stars—taken from a lyric in the Bill Haley track "Razzle Dazzle"—and began landing opening slots and longer sets at multiple venues.
During Frisk’s brief absence, Hegland brought in Hedlund to take over vocal responsibilities. Recognizing Hedlund’s commanding stage presence, the group opted to split lead vocal duties after Frisk returned: Frisk took charge of energetic rock numbers while Hedlund specialized in ballads.
By mid-1964, Hep Stars were performing before audiences of approximately 2,000 people. Their major breakthrough occurred at Nalen, Sweden’s foremost rock club, when they stepped in for a canceled headliner and received enthusiastic acclaim from the local "raggare" rock community. This exposure significantly elevated their profile.
Hegland secured management under Åke Gerhard, proprietor of Olga Records. Following the release of their debut single ("Kana Kapila", 1964), internal disputes led to Östlund’s departure; Pettersson briefly exited but soon rejoined, with the band continuing as a quartet.
Thanks to Hedlund’s network, they discovered Benny Andersson playing with Elverkets Spelmanslag. Impressed by his talent and encouraged by the band’s solid reputation—including their well-equipped tour van—Andersson auditioned successfully and became a member.
This completed the classic lineup: Sven Hedlund (vocals), Jan Frisk (guitar/vocals), Benny Andersson (keyboards), Lennart Hegland (bass), and Christer Pettersson (drums). Fans affectionately referred to them as Svenne, Janne, Benny, Lelle, and Chrille.
Breakthrough
The Hep Stars recorded their subsequent three singles during a single six-hour session using three-track equipment without overdubs. They appeared on the television show Drop In in March 1965. By April, they had three tracks simultaneously occupying spots within the top four of radio playlists: "Cadillac", "Farmer John", and "A Tribute To Buddy Holly". On sales charts, "Cadillac" and "Farmer John" reached #1 for one week and four weeks respectively, while "Tribute" peaked at #5. Hedlund emerged as the band’s frontman and became Sweden’s first bona fide pop icon, with frequent coverage in tabloids and youth-oriented magazines.
Other Swedish groups such as Tages and Shanes—who composed most of their own material—criticized Hep Stars for their reliance on cover songs. This criticism motivated Andersson to begin writing original material for the band, starting with "No Response", which climbed to #3 on the charts. Throughout 1965–1966, the band enjoyed peak popularity among rock fans through a mix of covers and original songs. In 1966 alone, they performed 150 concerts across Sweden and extended their reach with tours in Norway and Finland.
Mainstream acclaim and disbandment
The Swedish rendition of "Last Night I Had A Strangest Dream," titled "I Natt Jag Drömde," achieved significant success in Sweden but caused division within the group due to its folk-oriented style, which alienated fans expecting rock music. Throughout 1967, the band performed up to 200 shows. Nevertheless, complications arose involving tax authorities and mismanagement of their business operations amid a sluggish national economy.
These difficulties steered the band towards appealing to a wider audience and entering the showband circuit. In 1968, American vocalist Charlotte Walker joined the lineup. This new direction clashed with Frisk’s vision, resulting in his exit in early 1969. Subsequently, Björn Ulvaeus from the Hootenanny Singers became a member. The departure of original members generated mixed emotions, culminating in the decision to dissolve the band after fulfilling their remaining tour commitments. Their last performance took place in August 1969; following this, Andersson, Ulvaeus, Walker, and Hedlund departed. The group experienced multiple personnel changes before ultimately disbanding in the early 1970s, with Hegland as the sole founding member who remained.
Subsequent developments
After their collaboration in Hep Stars, Andersson and Ulvaeus continued as a songwriting duo for Polar Music and performed as Björn & Benny, a partnership that eventually led to the formation of ABBA. Meanwhile, Hedlund and Walker created the duo Svenne & Lotta, achieving success particularly in Denmark and Central Europe with recordings including the Swedish original of ABBA’s "Bang A Boomerang."
In the 1970s, Frisk, Hegland, and Pettersson established Gummibandet, releasing three albums. During Sweden’s 1980s wave of 1960s nostalgia, discussions about reviving Hep Stars took place, leading to successful tours featuring Benneth Fagerlund on keyboards in place of Andersson. Hegland exited in 1990, followed by Fagerlund a few years later.
For their 40th anniversary compilation Cadillac Madness (40 years 40 hits 1964–2004), they re-recorded classic hits alongside new material. On occasion, Jan Frisk, Charlotte Walker, and Sven Hedlund reunite to perform under the Hep Stars name with guest musicians.
Songwriting overview
All tracks were composed by Benny Andersson unless otherwise specified:
- 1. "No Response"
- 2. "Sunny Girl"
- 3. "Consolation"
- 4. "Sound of Eve"
- 5. "Isn't It Easy To Say" (Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus)
- 6. "Lady Lady"
- 7. "Wedding" (Benny Andersson & Svenne Hedlund)
- 8. "She Will Love You" (Benny Andersson & Svenne Hedlund)
- 9. "Like You Used to Do" (Benny Andersson & Svenne Hedlund)
- 10. "It's Nice To Be Back"
- 11. "Sagan om lilla Sofi" (Benny Andersson & Lars Berghagen)
- 12. "Flower in My Garden" (Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus)
- 13. "Suddenly Tomorrow is Today" (Benny Andersson & Lars Berghagen)
- 14. "Songs We Sang" (Benny Andersson & Lars Berghagen)
- 15. "It's Been a Long Long Time" (Lars Berghagen & Benny Andersson)
- 16. "Speleman" (Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus & Cornelis Vreeswijk)
- 17. "Precis som alla andra" (Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus)
The 1966 release The Hep Stars holds particular importance for its connection to ABBA, showcasing several compositions by Andersson and marking the first collaborative effort between Andersson and Ulvaeus with "Isn't It Easy To Say." Ulvaeus also contributed "No Time," which was recorded by both Hep Stars and his own group Hootenanny Singers. Together, they co-wrote songs featured on Hep Stars På Svenska and Songs We Sang 68.
Key chart successes include "I natt jag drömde," Mike Berry's "A Tribute to Buddy Holly" (#4 in Sweden), "Malaika" featuring Swahili lyrics, "Wedding," "Consolation," "Cadillac" (#1 in Sweden), "Farmer John" (#2 in Sweden), "No Response," and "Sunny Girl." Their final charting single in 1969 was a cover of "Speedy Gonzales."
Members
This selection is compiled from the band's official website, Bruce Eder's AllMusic biography, and the corresponding Wikipedia article.
- Christer "Chrille" Pettersson – drums (1963–1964, 1964–circa 1971, 1977–1978, 1989–present; deceased 2006)
- Lennart "Lelle" Hegland – bass guitar (1963–1971, 1977–1978, 1989–1990, possibly 2004; passed away 2022)
- Hans Östlund – organist (1963–1964)
- Jan "Janne" Frisk – lead and rhythm guitar, vocals (1963–1969, 1977–1978, 1989–present)
- Sven Ove "Svenne" Hedlund – principal vocalist (1963–1969, approximately 1989–2022; deceased 2022)
- Benny Andersson – keyboards, organ, electric harpsichord, vocals (1964–1969)
- Charlotte "Lotta" Walker-Hedlund – singer (1968–1969, possibly from 2004 onward)
- Björn Ulvaeus – rhythm guitar and vocals (1969)
- Benneth Fagerlund – keyboardist (1989 to mid-1990s)
- Kookie Tian
- Josephine Tian
- Jan-Olof Enbom
- Bengt Arenblad
- Totte Päivärinta
Studio albums
| Title | Album details | Highest chart rankings | |
|---|---|---|---|
| NOR | SWE | ||
| We and Our Cadillac |
|
9 | — |
| The Hep Stars |
|
5 | 12 |
| Jul med Hep Stars |
|
— | — |
| It's Been a Long Long Time |
|
— | — |
| Songs We Sang '68 |
|
— | — |
| Again |
|
— | — |
| California Maiden |
|
— | — |
| ...Ur Spindelväv Och Damm |
|
— | — |
| Hep Stars Music Shop |
|
— | — |
| Act II |
|
— | — |
Live albums
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| NOR | SWE | ||
| Hep Stars on Stage |
|
20 | — |
| Songs We Sang '68 |
|
— | — |
- Compilation albums
| Year | Album title | Highest chart position (SWE) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 1967 | Oh! The Hep Stars | – | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1969 | På Svenska | – | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1970 | How It All Started | – | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hep Stars Bästa | – | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1974 | Hep Stars Bästa Del 1 | – | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1975 | Golden Hits | – | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1978 | Bästa 2 | – | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1982 | Hep Stars, 1964–69! | – | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1995 | Jukebox Hits | – | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bästa | – | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2001 | Jul Med Hep Stars | – | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Collection | – | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2002 | Klassiker | – | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2004 | 'Cadillac Madness (40 Years – 40 Hits – 1964–2004)' | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| '2012' | 'Original Album Serien' | 40 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| '2014' | '50th Anniversary (1964–2014)' | 45 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| '2015' | 'Like We Used To: The Anthology 1965–67' | -
} Singles (1964–1969)1964 || "Kana Kapila" || Catalog number: SO 03 || — || 26 || — || — || — || — || Released as a non-album single 1965 || "A Tribute to Buddy Holly" || SO 04 || 5 || 4 || — || — || 28 || — || Issued as a non-album single 1966|| "Hawaii" / "Sunny Girl"|| SO 21/21||7/1||—/1||—/—||—/4||—/10||—/4|| 1967|||| "Malaika"/ "It's Nice To Be Back"|||SO38/SO38|||1/—|||6/—|||—/—|||—/—|||24/—|||— 1968|||| Multiple tracks including "It's Been A Long Long Time", "Sagan Om Lilla Sofie", "Det Finns En Stad", "Let It Be Me", "The Music Box", "Tända På Varann", "Komm Little Thom", "Holidays For Clowns", and "Musty Dusty"* (exclusive to USA)||Various catalog numbers||||Refer to individual releases||||Comprising non-album singles and album tracks|| 1969|||| Tracks such as "Speleman", "Save Your Heart For Me"* (Netherlands only), "Speedy Gonzales", "Är Det Inte Kärlek, Säg", "Little Band of Gold", and the first Strike label release, "Tallahassee Lassie"||Various catalog numbers||||Refer to individual releases||||Includes non-album singles and album tracks|| 1970|||| Various singles, including releases from the Again album and additional non-album singles under the Strike label||||Refer to individual releases||||||
The publication Cadillac Madness – den otroliga berättelsen om Hep Stars featured a bonus CD containing four previously unreleased recordings from the years 1966–67. These included studio jam sessions and band versions that showcased contributions by Benny Andersson among others. Footnotes
References
External links
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- Musical groups formed in 1963
- Musical groups that disbanded in 1978
- Musical groups that reunited in 1989
- Beat music ensembles
- Swedish psychedelic rock bands
- 1963 Swedish establishments
- 1978 Swedish disbandments
- Musical acts originating from Stockholm
- 1960s Stockholm establishments
- Musical groups disestablished in 1978