Lasse Wellander first collaborated with the Swedish quartet as an auxiliary musician on their 1975 self-titled album and went on to serve as the band’s primary guitarist on subsequent albums.
Abba has paid tribute to their longtime guitarist Lasse Wellander, stating that his “musical brilliance” was “intrinsic to the Abba story.”
He can be heard on classics such as Knowing Me, Knowing You, Thank You for the Music, and The Winner Takes It All.
Abba stated that Lasse was a close companion, a witty individual, and a superb guitarist. On Friday, he passed away at the age of 70.
“His creative input in the recording studio and his rock-solid guitar work on stage were of immense importance,” the band said in a statement.
“We mourn his tragic and premature death and remember his kind words, sense of humor, smiling face, and musical brilliance. He was an integral part of the Abba story.”
He will be missed greatly and never forgotten.
Return ‘honor’
Page Contents
Lasse Wellander told Guitarist magazine in 2021 that Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson composed some guitar lines, but that others were the result of “a lot of jamming and spreading of ideas and discovering things,” adding, “I was able to bring my own sounds [to recordings].”
Wellander also performed live with the legendary group between 1975 and 1980, collaborated with Bjorn and Benny on their 1984 album Chess, and played on the soundtracks for the 2008 film Mamma Mia! and its sequel, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.
He appeared on two of Agnetha Faltskog’s solo albums and reunited with the group to perform on Voyage, their 2021 comeback album.
Before the album was released, he told the Sunday Express, “Working with Abba has always been a bit special.” It is an honor and a privilege for me to work with them once more.
‘Amazing musician’
As a guitarist and producer, he contributed to over 6,300 compositions by various artists and released several solo albums.
In a Facebook post, his family said,
“You were an incredible musician and as modest as few, but above all, you were a fantastic husband, father, brother, uncle, and grandfather.”
Kind, secure, caring, loving… and so much more that cannot be put into words.
Also Read: Juan Williams Of Fox News Quits The Five! 43 Years Married Life
