Introduction
ABBA’s Dancing Choreographer Died – In Memoriam | Graham Tainton
The video pays tribute to Graham Tainton, ABBA’s choreographer and dance teacher, who passed away at the age of 97.
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Early Connection: Frida first met Graham in 1968 when she attended his jazz ballet classes. By the 1970s, he became the main choreographer for both Frida and Agnetha, training them intensively in aerobics, gymnastics, and stage movements at Polar Music’s offices in Stockholm.
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Impact on ABBA’s Shows: Graham played a vital role in shaping ABBA’s stage presence. Reviews from their 1975 concerts praised the group’s professionalism, tightly synchronized movements, and polished visual impact—all of which came from Graham’s rigorous training. Agnetha and Frida practiced two hours a day for months ahead of tours. By 1977, they combined his choreography with improvisation for more dynamic performances. Graham even coached Björn on rock-star stage moves.
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Bond with Frida: Graham shared a particularly close connection with Frida, who loved dancing. He once praised her as a “fantastic natural talent,” and they often danced together socially.
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Later Work: In 1981, he returned to choreograph Frida’s performances for a Swedish television concert series. Graham was also notably the cousin of legendary South African singer Miriam Makeba.
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Recent Losses: His passing comes amid several recent farewells in the ABBA circle, including saxophonist Ulf Andersson, guitarist Lasse Wellander, drummer Roger Palm, and photographer Ola Lager.
The video closes by honoring Graham Tainton’s lasting contribution to ABBA’s history. His choreography not only enhanced their performances but also became an integral part of their legendary image. As Frida once said in 1976: “We have a teacher. His name is Graham Tainton, and he has been working with us since we started the group.”