“Cancer spreads quickly”: ABBA musician Lasse Wellander dies 4.10.2023, 08:52

The guitarist rose to prominence when he became part of a cult band. Lasse was one of the band’s longest-serving members, playing with ABBA during the quartet’s heyday in the 1970s and 1980s. His relatives informed Lasse of his death. “It is with indescribable sadness that we are forced to announce that our beloved Lasse has fallen asleep,” his family said in a statement.

The musician was diagnosed with cancer. The treatment did not bring results, the disease developed at lightning speed. “Lasse recently got sick, it turned out he had cancer that spread quickly. He died early on Good Friday morning surrounded by his loved ones. We love you very much and we miss you,” added the native musicians.

Lasse started playing guitar as a child, playing in bands based near his home in Nore, Sweden. In October 1974, he joined talented young musicians Agnetha Fältskog, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad to form ABBA. He recorded the band’s major hits with them, including “Intermezzo No.1” and “Crazy World”.

In total, the guitarist appeared on 24 recordings of the pop group and performed on all eight of their albums. He toured with the stars and performed on their massive tours in 1975, 1977, 1979 and 1980. Wellander continued to work with other Swedish artists when ABBA broke up in 1982. In 2008, he appeared on the soundtrack to the movie Mamma Mia!, starring Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried, according to the Daily Mail.

Lasse released his solo album in 1981 and produced and released 11 more albums in the following years. His last album Simple Ticket was released in 2006. The guitarist continues to work and create until the last day. In 2021, he participated in the creation of the album of the combined artists ABBA Voyage. The release contains 10 new songs of the group, which pleased the fans. Wellander also released the singles O Come, All Ye Faithfull, Merry-Go-Round and Overdrive last year.