Abba first into Swedish Music Hall of Fame

The artists were chosen because they all made "lasting contributions to Swedish music" organizers said in Thursday's announcement.

"We want to act a bit like teachers, and demonstrate the history and significance of Swedish music," music journalist Jan Gradvall, chairman of the three-person jury that picked the Swedish music hall of famers.

"We want to build bridges between genres and generations and give Swedish music the place it deserves."

In addition to Swedish pop super group Abba, the group of hall of fame pioneers includes pop duo Roxette, punk rockers Ebba Grön, and jazz singer Monica Zetterlund.

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In its citation for Abba, the jury credited Abba with jettisoning "male dominance and a macho culture" in popular music and "making music open to everyone, regardless of gender, sexuality or age".

"There is also a difference between hits and hits. Some stay in the charts a few weeks. Then there are those that people are still singing decades later," the jury said.

Other inductees included Swedish hip-hop pioneers The Latin Kings, singer Eva Dahlgren, and troubadour Cornelis Vreeswijk, often referred to as the "Flying Dutchman".

"Migrating to Sweden, mastering a new language and trying to find your place in society: over the years, an increasing number of Swedes have gone through this experience," the jury wrote of Vreeswijk.

"With his unique mix of ballads, poems and a little blues, Cornelis’ timeless music became an irreplaceable part of Sweden."

Rounding out the list is, influential vocalist Stina Nordenstam, folk singer Evert Taube, Sweden's National Theatre (Nationalteatern), rock pioneers Entombed, and jazz pianist Jan Johansson.

Set to open on March 20th, 2014, the Swedish Music Hall of Fame is situated on Djurgården by the recently opened Abba museum.

For an artist to be elected to the Hall of Fame, 20 years must have passed since their debut album in order to "guarantee an enduring historical value".

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