Longtime ABBA guitarist Lasse Wellander dies aged 70

10 April, 2023

Lasse Wellander

ABBA’s longterm guitarist Lasse Wellander has died at the age of 70.

Wellander played guitar on many of ABBA’s most well-known tracks, toured with the band for years and helped to create the Mamma Mia! soundtrack.

The musician passed away on Friday (April 7) after being recently diagnosed with cancer according to a statement from his family on Facebook.

“It is with indescribable sadness that we have to announce that our beloved Lasse has fallen asleep,” the statement read. “Lasse recently fell ill in what turned out to be disseminated cancer and early on Good Friday he passed away, surrounded by his loved ones.”

Calling him an “amazing” and “humble” musician, the statement also remembered Wellander as a “wonderful husband, father, brother, uncle and grandfather.” They went on to describe him as “hub in our lives, and it’s unbelievable that we now have to live on without you.”

ABBA have also shared a tribute to Wellander on their social media pages.

“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 humour, 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.”

You can see the full tribute here: