Lasse Wellander obituary

Long-serving guitarist of the ABBA music group, Lasse Wellander has been reported dead. He was 70 years old at the time of death. He died due to complications of cancer.

The official Facebook page of ABBA announced his death via a post.

“After a short period of illness, our beloved friend and the absolutely brilliant Lasse Wellander has passed away. He was the most caring and lovely person and a truly devoted musician. Please take a moment and listen to all his fantastic guitar for ABBA – from the years to Voyage. Our condolences goes to his family. Rest in peace Lasse and maybe you get to play again now with Ola Brunkert and Rutger Gunnarsson,” the statement read.

Members of the ABBA music group – Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Anderson, Agnetha Faltskog, and Ann-Frid Lyngstad – also released a statement to express their condolences after the demise of their beloved friend.

“Lasse was a dear friend, a fun guy, and a superb guitarist. The importance of his creative input in the recording studio as his rock solid guitar work on stage was immense. We mourn his tragic and premature death and remember the kind words, the sense of humor, the smiling face, and the musical brilliance of the man who played such an integral role in the Abba story. He will be deeply missed and never forgotten.”

Wellander joined ABBA in 1975 as a guitarist and helped the group achieve several hit songs including Voulez Vous, Take A Chance On Me, and Knowing Me, Knowing You. 

In 2001, he performed on the group’s comeback record Voyage and also helped developed the soundtrack to the film version of musical Mamma Mia.