Lasse Wellander: Abba pays tribute to ‘superb guitarist’ and ‘fun guy’ after his death at age 70 | Ents & Arts News

Members of Abba have paid tribute to their long-standing guitarist Lasse Wellander after he died on the age of 70.

In a press release, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, Agnetha Faltskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad mentioned: “Lasse was a pricey good friend, a enjoyable man and an outstanding guitarist.

“The significance of his artistic enter within the recording studio in addition to his rock strong guitar work on stage was immense.

“We mourn his tragic and untimely demise and bear in mind the sort phrases, the sense of humour, the smiling face, the musical brilliance of the person who performed such an integral position within the Abba story. He can be deeply missed and by no means forgotten.”

His household mentioned Wellander died “surrounded by his family members” on Friday after his most cancers had unfold.

Translated from Swedish, they added: “You had been an incredible musician and humble as few, however above all you had been a beautiful husband, father, brother, uncle and grandfather.

“Form, protected, caring and loving… and a lot extra, that can’t be described in phrases.”

“A hub in our lives, and it is unbelievable that we now need to stay on with out you.”

He joined the group in 1975, taking part in guitar on a lot of Abba hits together with Voulez Vous, Take A Probability On Me and Figuring out Me, Figuring out You.

Wellander additionally carried out on Abba’s comeback document Voyage, in 2021, in addition to serving to to develop the soundtrack to the movie model of musical Mamma Mia!.

The musician additionally went on to launch a lot of solo albums throughout his profession, together with his most up-to-date, Easy Ticket, in 2006.

He has additionally obtained a lot of awards, together with the Albin Hagstrom Memorial Award from the Royal Swedish Academy Of Music in 2005 and Swedish Musicians’ Union’s particular prize in 2018.