Abba have paid tribute to the “musical brilliance” of their longstanding guitarist, Lasse Wellander, who has died aged 70 after being diagnosed with cancer.
The musician, who played on the band’s biggest albums and toured with them between 1975 and 1980, died early on Friday “surrounded by his loved ones”, a his family said in an announcement.
Abba’s tribute to Lasse Wellander states that his “musical brilliance” played “an integral role in the Abba story”.
Wellander first worked with the popular Swedish band as a session musician on their self-titled 1975 album and became the main guitarist on their subsequent LPs.
He can be heard on hits such as Knowing Me, Knowing You, Thank You for the Music and The Winner Takes It All.
“Lasse was a dear friend, a fun guy and a superb guitarist,” Abba said.
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