Lasse Wellander was a guitarist with ABBA from 1974 until their 2021 final album, who played on many of their hits and on the “Mamma Mia!” soundtrack.
- Died: April 7, 2023 (Who else died on April 7?)
- Details of death: Died of cancer at the age of 70.
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Lasse Wellander’s legacy
Born in Sweden, Lasse Wellander played with several bands in his early years, including Blues Quality and Nature, and became a sought-after session musician in his home country. He began touring and recording with ABBA in 1974, just as their fame was on the rise. Wellander went on to play on every album from their third release, “ABBA,” to their most recent album in 2021. His guitar work can be heard on singles including “Knowing Me, Knowing You,” “I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do,” “Take a Chance on Me,” and “The Name of the Game.” Wellander also played on the soundtracks for the movie “Mamma Mia!” and its sequel, “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.” In addition to playing with ABBA and other bands, he released a number of solo albums.
Wellander on ABBA’s chemistry
“I thought it would be big, quite early on. Strong songs all the way. Even the simple pop numbers were very high quality. One of the first tracks I recorded with them was ‘Knowing Me, Knowing You.’ I think that’s still one of the better songs throughout the years.” —from a 2022 interview for Guitar World
Tributes to Lasse Wellander
Full obituary: Variety
