Leave Wellander dead: ABBA guitarist dies aged 70 as heartbroken family pays emotional tribute
ABBA’s longtime guitarist Lasse Wellander has died after a short battle with cancer.
The music legend, 70, starred in some of the band’s biggest hits and was a big part of their success in the 1970s and 1980s.
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The guitarist, who appeared on a total of 24 ABBA recordings, died on Good Friday.
Lasse’s family shared the heartbreaking news today.
They wrote in an emotional statement on Facebook: “It is with indescribable sadness that we have to announce that our beloved Lasse has passed away.
“Lasse recently fell ill with cancer which had spread and died surrounded by loved ones early on Good Friday.”
It concluded: “We love and miss you so much.”
Lasse started playing guitar as a child in his hometown of Nora, Sweden.
In October 1974 he began recording with ABBA – along with Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad.
They went on to smash hits like Intermezzo No.1 and Crazy World.
The late guitarist played more than 20 of ABBA’s tracks, including all eight of their albums.
He also toured with the group, performing to packed houses.
In 2007, Wellander worked on the smash hit soundtrack for Mamma Mia! Film with greats like Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried.
In recent years, ABBA has released its new Voyager album.
The band’s shock reunion spanned all of the legendary foursomes and released 10 new tracks.
It was released in November 2021 – with Lasse helping to create it.
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