Longtime ABBA guitarist Lacey Wilander dies at 70 after battling cancer
- The Swedish musician has played on some of the most popular pop groups
- “It is with indescribable sadness that we have to announce that our beloved Lacey has fallen asleep,” said a statement released by Lacey’s family on Sunday.
- Lacey had cancer that had metastasized. He died on Good Friday
ABBA’s longtime guitarist Lacey Wilander has died at the age of 70.
The Swedish musician played on some of the biggest popular pop groups throughout the 70’s and 80’s.
He also participated in the latest Voyager album, which will be released in 2021.
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.”
Farewell: Longtime ABBA guitarist Lass Wilander dies at age 70 after battling cancer, his family announces
Born to Perform: Started recording with ABBA in October 1974 (clockwise LR: Björn Ulvaeus, Agnetha Fältskog, Benny Andersson, Anni-Frid Lyngstad circa 1970)
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 – Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad – in October 1974, appearing on their hits 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.
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)
Making music: Lasse is seen on stage with ABBA at the Empire Pool Wembley in London in November 1979
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 Voyager.
10 new tracks were released from the band, to the delight of the fans.
