- The Swedish musician played on some of the iconic pop groups biggest hits
- A statement released by Lasse’s family on Sunday read: ‘It is with indescribable sadness that we have to announce that our beloved Lasse has fallen asleep’
- Lasse had fallen ill with cancer which spread. He died on Good Friday
ABBA’s long-term guitarist Lasse Wellander has died at the age of 70.
The Swedish musician played on some of the iconic pop groups biggest hits throughout the 70s and 80s.
He was also involved in their recent Voyager album, which was released in 2021.
A statement released by Lasse’s family on Sunday read: ‘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.’
It concluded: ‘We love and miss you so much.’
Lasse began playing guitar as a child and joined bands local to where he lived in Nora, Sweden.
He started recording with ABBA – Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad – in October 1974, featuring on their hits Intermezzo No.1 and Crazy World.
The guitarist featured on 24 of the pop group’s recordings and featured on all eight of their albums.
He toured with the stars and performed in front of sold-out crowds in 1975, 1977, 1979, and 1980.
He went on to work with other Swedish artists when ABBA split for the first time in 1982.
In 2008, he was enlisted to work on the Mamma Mia! movie soundtrack, with the film starring the likes of Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried.
Lasse released his own solo album in 1981, and produced and released another 11 further albums in the years after.
His last album was released in 2006, with the title translating into English as Simple Ticket.
He also released singles O Come, All Ye Faithfull, Merry-Go-Round, and Overdrive last year.
In 2021 he was involved in creating ABBA’s most recent album Voyager.
The released featured 10 new tracks from the band, delighting fans.
