Longtime ABBA guitarist Lasse Wellander has passed away at 70. Silke Jasso reports on Wellander’s life and passing at Rare.us, writing:
It’s a sad day for ABBA fans. The family of ABBA guitarist Lasse Wellander has announced the famous musician’s passing at the age of 70. Wellander, who was born in Sweden, lost his battle with cancer on Friday, April 7.
Posting the news on Wellander’s official Facebook page, his family revealed, “It is with indescribable sadness that we have to announce that our beloved Lasse has fallen asleep. Lasse recently fell ill in what turned out to be spread cancer and early on Good Friday he passed away, surrounded by his loved ones.”
“You were an amazing musician and humble as few, but above all you were a wonderful husband, father, brother, uncle and grandfather. Kind, safe, caring and loving… and so much more, that cannot be described in words. A hub in our lives, and it’s unbelievable that we now have to live on without you,” they continued.
“You were an amazing musician and humble as few, but above all you were a wonderful husband, father, brother, uncle and grandfather. Kind, safe, caring and loving… and so much more, that cannot be described in words. A hub in our lives, and it’s unbelievable that we now have to live on without you,” they continued.
Wellander began playing the guitar began during his childhood in the early 1960s, and he soon became a member of local bands in his hometown of Nora, Sweden. He later went on to record with ABBA in October 1974 for their hits “Intermezzo No.1” and “Crazy World.” He went on to become the main guitarist for the Eurovision-winning band and toured with them from 1975 to 1980, performing on several tours.
At the Atlantis Studio in Stockholm back in 2007, Wellander was part of the recording for the Mamma Mia soundtrack, which starred Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried. The film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical tells the story of a bride-to-be’s quest to find her real father, set to the music of ABBA.
Wellander’s family wrote on his Facebook page (translated to English with Google Translate):
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 widespread cancer and early on Good Friday he passed away quietly, surrounded by those closest to him.
You were a great musician and humble like few, but most of all you were a wonderful husband, father, brother, uncle and grandfather. Kind, safe, caring and loving… and so much more, that cannot be described in words. A hub in our lives, and it is unimaginable that we now have to live on without you.
We love and miss you so much.
Lena, Ludvig and Andréas
If you’re willing to fight for Main Street America, click here to sign up for my free weekly email.
