‘Will be sorely missed and never forgotten’: ABBA pays tribute to their long-term guitarist Lasse Wellander after he died of cancer at the age of 70
- Last week it was announced that the musician had passed away after a battle with cancer
- The Swedish musician played on some of the pop group’s biggest hits of the ’70s and ’80s, and also featured on their latest album, Voyage.
- On Monday, the band released a heartfelt statement regretting the loss
Longtime guitarist Lasse Wellander has been paid tribute by ABBA after his death at the age of 70 last week.
The Swedish musician played on some of the iconic pop group’s biggest hits during the ’70s and ’80s, and also took part in Voyage’s latest album, which will be released in 2021.
In a statement released Monday, Bjorn Ulvius, Benny Andersson, Agnetha Waltzkog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad said Lacey was “a dear friend, an interesting man and an amazing guitarist who will be sorely missed”.
‘The significance of his creative contribution in the recording studio as well as his work on hard rock guitar on stage was enormous,’ the bereaved team put it.
We mourn his tragic early death and remember the kind words, sense of humor, smiling face, and musical brilliance of the man who was instrumental to ABBA’s story. We will miss him terribly and never forget.
Making Music: Farewell: ABBA paid tribute to longtime guitarist Lasse Wellander after his death at the age of 70 last week (Lasse was seen on stage with ABBA at Empire Pool Wembley in London in November 1979)
Born to Perform: In a statement released on Monday, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, Agnetha Waltzkog and Annie-Frid Lyngstad said Lacey was a “dear friend, fun guy and an amazing guitarist who will be sorely missed” (clockwise LR: Bjorn Ulvaeus, Agnetha Waltzkog, Benny Andersson and Annie Fred Lyngstad circa 1970)
A statement from Lacey’s family on Sunday read: ‘It is with indescribable sadness that we have to announce that our beloved Lacey has fallen asleep.
“Lacey had recently fallen ill with what turned out to be cancer that had metastasized, and early on Good Friday he passed away surrounded by loved ones.”
She concluded, “We love you and miss you very much.”
Lasse started playing the guitar as a child and joined local bands as he lived in Nora, Sweden. He began recording with ABBA in October 1974, appearing on their songs Intermezzo No. 1 and Crazy World.
The guitarist has appeared on 24 of the pop group’s recordings and has appeared on all eight of their albums.
He toured with the stars and performed to sold-out crowds in 1975, 1977, 1979 and 1980.
He went on to work with other Swedish artists when ABBA first broke up in 1982.
In 2008, he was recruited to work on Mamma Mia! The film’s soundtrack, with the film starring the likes of Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried.
Lacey released his solo album in 1981, and produced and released 11 more albums in the following years.
Rock on: Lasse released his own solo album in 1981, and produced and released 11 more albums in the following years
Pop music: The Swedish musician played some of the biggest and most famous pop groups during the 70s and 80s (front LR: technician Michael Tretto, ABBA stars Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson while producing a new ABBA album in 1978. In the background studio musicians are Rutger Gunnarsson and Ula Brunkert and Lacey Wilander)
His latest album was released in 2006, with the title translated into English as Simple Ticket.
He also released the singles O Come, All Ye Faithfull, Merry-Go-Round and Overdrive last year.
In 2021, he co-created ABBA’s latest album Voyage.
10 new tracks were released from the band, to the delight of the fans.
