ABBA’s long serving guitarist Lasse Wellander has passed away, aged 70.
The Swedish born musician played on some of the bands biggest hits through the ’70s and ’80s, including Knowing Me Knowing You, Slipping Through My Fingers, and Eagle.
Wellander’s relationship with ABBA began back in 1974 when the group won Eurovision with Waterloo.
His first recordings with band members Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad was in the October of that breakthrough year of ’74, where he played on songs such as Crazy World and the instrumental Intermezzo No.1.
He went on to be a part of 24 of the band’s songs and eight of its studio albums.
When ABBA broke up in 1982, Wellander turned session guitarist and when on with other Swedish artists as well as releasing his own solo albums.
In a statement released by his family, they say “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.
“We loved and miss you so much.”