Bjorn Skifs

Björn Skifs was born in Västerås, Sweden in 1947. He started playing music as a teenager, forming a band called Elverkets Spelmanslag in 1962. His early sound had country and folk elements, but he kept moving into different territory.

In 1973, Skifs had an international hit with "La Booga Rooga," a song that did well on charts outside Sweden. That led to more visibility, including appearances at events like the Eurovision Song Contest. He kept recording through the 1970s and 1980s, putting out albums that ranged from pop to prog rock to country. Songs like "Fångad I En Dröm" and "Håll Mitt Hjärta" show that side of his work.

Skifs also collaborated with other Swedish artists, including Abba on their album "Arrival." He sang a duet with Barbra Streisand for her "Emotion" album. He's been open about dealing with alcoholism and depression in the 1980s, and he's known for speaking his mind on political and animal rights issues in Sweden.