ABBA's guitarist Lasse Wellander has passed away

Abba’s long-term guitarist, Lasse Wellander, has died following a short battle with cancer. He was 70.

Lasse, who played on the band’s biggest albums and toured with them between 1975 and 1980, died early on Friday “surrounded by his loved ones”, his family said.

Wellander’s family shared the news in an emotional tribute on Facebook:

“It is with indescribable sadness that we have to announce that our beloved Lasse has fallen asleep.

“Lasse recently fell ill with what turned out to be cancer that had spread, and early on Good Friday he passed away surrounded by his loved ones ...

“You were an amazing musician and humble as few, but above all you were a wonderful husband, father, brother, uncle and grandfather. Kind, safe, caring and loving... and so much more, that cannot be described in words.

His family described him as “A hub in our lives, and it’s unbelievable that we now have to live on without you ... We love and miss you so much”.

ABBA’s four stars have also taken to Instagram to pen a tribute to their former guitarist and friend.

Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Anni-Frid (Frida) Lyngstad and Benny Andersson wrote. “Lasse was a dear friend, a fun guy and a superb guitarist. The importance of his creative input in the recording studio, as well 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, 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’s introduction to the guitar came as a child growing up in Nora, Sweden.

In October 1974, he landed a gig that would change the course of his life: recording with ABBA – joining Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad.

Wellander went on to work on all of their albums, touring with ABBA and performing to sell-out crowds.

In 2007, Wellander was called upon to make the soundtrack for the hit movie Mamma Mia!

As late as 2021, he was involved in the release of ABBA’s surprise album Voyager, which featured 10 new tracks and Wellander’s guitar work.