ABBA's Guitar Hero Died - Lasse Wellander | In Memoriam

[@ABBADiego]

Little by little the unique ABBA sound disappears. Imagine the assembly of such great artists in the future-no. No one can imagine as it will never happen. This is truly a devastating loss to music.

[@frankjoi6403]

He was an integral part of ABBA, so well made video as usual.

[@chelseacharger]

RIP Lasse. Some of ABBA's contemporary groups from the 70's have lost nearly all their members now. In the Ramones case, all of their classic line-up passed away too young. So in that respect, we have been blessed that all four core members of our beloved group are still with us. These sad passing's of their friends and colleagues though make us think on the fragility of life. Lovely words again BB.

[@wolfmusik1000]

It is very sad to say goodbye....i try to deal with Abba every day.....every moment count.....We see us.......take care...

[@123billydog]

I was very saddened to hear of Lasse's passing. What an incredible body of work and contribution he made to ABBA and the individual members of ABBA's solo work. Although nobody can take away from Benny & Bjorns song writing creations, we should remember how much time the guys spent in the studios with their trusted musicians thashing out all those songs to give them their final forms. ABBA's musical soundscape was only possible using the best vocalists, and the finest musicians.

[@carlosgarjon8340]

Oh, lovely words, Bobby's Brother. Lasse was very important in the ABBA sound, the guitarist of our lives. Let's celebrate music and life, for the ones who left and for ourselves still here. ❤

[@WhitneyHouston4eva1]

Lasse was a great guitarist and contributed so much to the ABBA sound. He will be missed not just by the ABBA members, but by us as well. A beautiful tribute to a great musician 😭

[@79BlackRose]

I was so, so sad when this was reported last week. It is wonderful how ABBA speak so fondly of him. What a marvellous talent he had to 'serve the song'. I am pleased for him that he got to play on Voyage, just like old times! RIP

[@peterfaldon1626]

You only have to listen to the '79 live album to admire his craftsmanship, a sad passing. BB, you have highlighted and recognised his great contributions to Bjorn and Benny's work.

[@samb3706]

Wellander will join Rutger Gunnarson, Ola Brunkert, and others in forming the most stellar pop band that heaven has ever seen.

[@melaniewaggoner1989]

It took a special guitar SOUND to blend with ABBA. Lasse Wellander nailed it!! Thank you.

[@kaaring]

I am so very sad. Lasse Wellander was a lovely guy and a great great guitarist who created so much fantastic music loved by millions around the world. He was so humble, calm and considered and smiled gently with a twinkle in his eyes when he told me his magnificent melodic solo in Pity The Child (Chess) was not composed but "it's mine" while we chatted in May 2018. He looked shocked at my sudden expression of love of his work (and him!) but I'm glad I said it. As Carl Magnus Palm has posted, he was responsible for much of the @ABBA sound. Such an awful loss. Devastated. Tack för allt dear Lasse ❤ #RIPLasseWellander #musiclivesforever

[@ayelletmor5508]

I dread the day... like you said dearest Bobbie's brother the greatest goodby of them all are still ahead and my heart is just sinking...

[@robertgarrett4046]

Lasse will be sadly missed as we all know he was an excellent guitarist, RIP Lasse. Rob.

[@jontwest]

Beautifully said

[@GuardInterval]

Thank you for articulating our collective grief and gratitude so well. Such a beautiful tribute.

[@TheFridaFan]

The thumbnail picture is always what I think of when I think of him. Thanks for this, Bobby's Brother. It was lovely.

[@David-uf8ex]

What a beautiful tribute . It is so sad to slowly start missing all the pieces that make up ABBA let us cherish everyday that we have the four we love so much . RIP Lasse and thank you

[@piramis7615]

for months like an avalanche of suddenly and unexpectedly R.I.P.

[@abbascots]

A lovely tribute Yes BB it’s so sad he was an iconic musician and contributed so so much to ABBAs legacy and sound I’m proud he was involved in Voyage He will be deeply missed and my thoughts go to his family and loved ones 💜

[@DiegoMartinezDP]

Thank you for such a moving video, BB! The vast press coverage of Lasse’s untimely passing (even in the US) is a testament to his crucial role and contribution to ABBA’s soundscape. I would think that his work on the live version of “Eagle,” “Our Last Summer,” “Tiger,” and many others is the main reason why hard rock/metal fans LOVE ABBA. There is a credible rock component to their music, and both Lasse and Janne Schaffer provided it. I’m so glad he was able to be there for the “Voyage” sessions, and imprint his cool vibe in them. He will surely be missed by us all but like you said, the music survives ❤

[@ian2402]

A brilliant guitarist who will be sadly missed 😢

[@jimmykross9409]

Bobby, again you touched me with your kind words, memories and sharing the history. Thanks man!

[@thomaszamath]

What s great report! Thank you BB. It touched me deeply…

[@cehamecki7106]

Danke Lasse für das Talent, welches immer in der Musik von Abba zu finden sein wird. Ruhe in Frieden ❤

[@marikesl]

I am still devasted! Lasse Wellander's guitar playing was absolutely amazing, showcased especially on "Live at Wembley" - I can't get enough of that "Eagle" solo!!! And of course, who can forget "Does Your Mother Know" ...! How appropriate that ABBA's newest lyric video, released today, would be this song, reminding us all of his brilliance! Thank you, BB, for highlighting all of the other songs on which he made his contribution to the ABBA Sound, which, as I realize now while watching, really cannot be overstated! And thank you for your beautiful and touching words at the end! What incredible luck it was to get both him and Per Lindvall on board once more for "Voyage"...! R.I.P. Lasse, and thank you for the music!🙏🎸

[@fatenjabbour8137]

Thank you Bobby for this video and the great memories about Lasse Wellander with ABBA band. RIP Lasse 🙏

[@Avocadoz10]

R.I.P. adorable Lasse ! Que Dios te de Gloria y Paz eterna!!

[@Frankwithu1961]

Lasse is immortal ❤

[@clay9185]

What a great tribute BB, Thankyou.. He was such an important part of Abbas legacy. The coverage of his passing was widely reported in Australia, such was his importance to Abba. Well done BB…

[@simonfrisk3451]

To me, his solo on "Pity the Child" is the one of the greatest moments in music history. It mirrors the song and its subject matter perfectly, acting as Murray Head's character crying his heart out. Still on repeat. A great artist, and he will be forever missed.❤

[@jimhoppe8317]

What a beautiful tribute to this iconic musician!! And thank you, Bobby's Brother" for a most candid, heartfelt, sobering and yet comforting conclusion with your profound and loving words of hope, appreciation and triumph of the ABBA legacy well into the future. Even when their members, as well as more and more of their fans are no longer with us, their immense musical accomplishments shall carry on, thanks to the work you are doing BB!!! God bless you!!💖

[@scottr7465]

😭 such a comprehensive, thoughtful and beautiful tribute to Lasse. Thank you BB for being here for us in ABBA's times of celebration and mourning, 💛💙💙💛

[@wilmaramsay8726]

Excellent commentary BB and thank you for conveying with such sincerity what the entire ABBA community is feeling. I suspect, we all live in dread of the day, that any of these 4 amazing people is taken permanently from us and the world! They were so very kind to have given us Voyage! Agnetha, Bjorn, Benny, and Frida have provided us with incredible, unending joy with their music! I always hope that they truly understand their impact on the lives of so many!

[@ThinkingWhileStitching]

This is a lovely remembrance, BB. Hopefully this remembrance you created finds its way to his family.

[@pepegallagher5237]

No conocía a este grandísimo guitarrista, desde hoy estará en mi lista, como uno de los grandes. Descanse en paz Lasse Wellander. Gracias.

[@migsjalv583]

BB.... your ending makes me cry!

[@williampaganucci1084]

Well said BB. Loss of loved ones is difficult but we do our best to keep their memories alive.

[@nicolasschontz2997]

So moving! Thank you Bobby's brother !

[@ainsleystones4600]

Hi BB. Thanks for the video.🙂Lasse was kind enough to contribute guitar solos to two of my band's songs over the last few years. They were, of course, great! He was very complimentary about our band, complimenting Debs on her vocals and asking why he would be needed to play a solo on our song when I'd "done a great job of the solo already!". That meant so much from such a classy player, but of course, he's Swedish and so typically modest and kind! We were due to go and meet him at one of his gigs in Örebro, (we're in England) but Covid had other ideas. 😓 We kept in touch every few months until just a few months ago. He sent us a track of his before Christmas, pre-release, to ask us what we thought of it. What WE thought of it! How lovely! ❤ To my ears, the live solos to DYMK and Eagle are just wonderful, but to be honest, I'd listen to his playing all day whatever it was. Some players have that ability: it's about how one plays, the nuances. They tell you a lot about a guitarist as a human being I've always thought, and I think Lasse was a beautiful soul. I'm beginning to cry whilst typing this, so I'll stop. Vi ālskar dig Lasse.

[@Mi62Ni]

Hello BB, Thank you very much for your warm words of remembrance for Lasse. I was at the ABBA concert in Munich in 1979 and was able to experience Lasse (and the others) live, as well as Agnetha, Bjöörn, Benny and Frida. Agnetha had shaken my hand briefly as I was standing in front of the stage. Since then, October 27th has been a special day of remembrance for me every year. R.I.P. Lasse & Ola & Rutger - Thanks for all ! kind regards from germany

[@scottpeacock5492]

Sad lost, ABBA Sound will never be the same again without the great guitarist Lasse Wellander, Tiger Eagle Does your mother know and intermezzo no 1 are my favourites, RIP Lasse.

[@alexioverdo5225]

Lasse,Ulf,Olivia,Andy all r.i.p. For the moment Benny Bjorn Agnetha Frida are all still alive.I'm so grateful about it and apreciate the value of their living existence feeling very lucky and pray for them.What else can be done.We are visitors here on this walk of life.Thanx again for this very informative video.

[@patricjonas6714]

1969 to 2023 RIP. ...greetings from Aotearoa New Zealand

[@michaelrochester48]

Thank you so much for the great video. He is very prominent in their very first video… He is just as much as part of the story of the band as Bjorn Benny Agnetha and Frida! He created the textures that made the songs so great!

[@booh12469]

😢 a beautiful tribute to a brilliant talent. R.I.P L.W. Your musical legacy is eternal.

[@Edward-bn2vw]

If I were Lasse in that ‘79 performance there’s no way that I could have controlled my bloodflow with Agnetha & Frida at my legs. Lucky man!

[@karmicselling4252]

What a fantastic tribute to a true Guitar Hero. Centuries into the future, if Humankind endures, when it recalls the music of the late 20th Century, it will revere The Beatles and ABBA in the same manner of Beethoven, Bach, Mozart et al. Lasse and Janne were both an integral part of the ABBA sound. And we have Bjorn and Benny to thank for introducing these two wonderful guitar players to much of the world who otherwise might not have been exposed to them. R.I.P. Lasse and Rock On!

[@MarcelSonnega]

What a talented man. I am so thankful for the marvellous guitar work on ABBA's and all the related albums. Your video brought tears to my eyes.

[@michaelgask]

Oh very sad. Thank you for your wonderful biography to Lasse. I will hear each of those songs in a different light, now. And you're right, BB: we will continue to celebrate together. ✨

[@lieslwindjulie3230]

✨Lasse Wellander✨ Rest in peace

[@barbaradoucette6672]

RIP

[@henryhemming1494]

So sad. Wanted to talk to you about this. Very glad you created this video.

[@bobbysbrother137]

Thanks, Henry. I had a very nice chat with Colin and John Heaton after our Zoom recording ended, it's too bad you couldn't stay longer. Many thanks for the invitation, I enjoyed being part of this so much!!

[@henryhemming1494]

@@bobbysbrother137 So sorry not to stay on for longer. Will next time!. Glad you spoke with them!

[@dknhochis8003]

Knew about and participated with sorrow, a great loose and embarrassing about a man, thank you for sharing, ABBA is for ever, love you, body ❤😂

[@710LL59]

Excellent guitar player and great video my friend I knew you would do this

[@Flatwoodsdad]

Thank you very much for shring your thoughts on the sad news. Nicely done indeed.

[@DamienSlattery68]

Sad indeed. Thank you so much for your wonderful channel.

[@gilf.3379]

Rest In Peace, dear Lasse.

[@michaelsnaidero1671]

YES BB together we support each other and share the love for ABBA until we too succumb to the call of time .I for one ,take for granted that Agnetha Bjorn Benny Annifrid are ABBA ,but their session musicians are as much the soul of ABBA, as they are, they bring the sound of ABBA to life and create the atmosphere of their complex music with spirit and mystical reality.They leave this life one by one but will live in their music for eternity beyond our lives as well for the entire world to love and cherish,and it is this thought that gives me some solace and deep comfort rest in peace Lasse with our other loved and remembered ABBA musicians, you and they have given the world the sound of ABBA a gift beyond life itself for all to love and admire as you are loved and admired.

[@malvanlondon8683]

Sad news. Our thoughts go out to his friends and family. By coincidence we lost Kate Bush's wonderful guitarist on Wuthering Heights Ian Bairnson on the very same day - 7th April 2023. May both men rest in peace.

[@robertwilloughby8050]

And I think they were friends, too. Funny how that works, isn't it?

[@terryc.3390]

The key musicians backing ABBA, both in the studio and live, were guitarist Lasse Wellander, bassist Rutger Gunnarson, and drummer Ola Brunkert...and later, in ABBA''s prime years, guitarist Mats Ronander. Upon the release of Voyage, I figured Lasse was on it, backing ABBA again. Unfortunately, Brunkert and Gunnarson passed as well, before Wellander.

[@samuelestigoy4219]

Rest in Peace ' 🙏 🪦 LASSE

[@adelaaae4906]

Thank You for the Music!!! 🙌 We appreciate so much All This Wonderful Work 🎸✨✨✨✨

[@kingmarshmusic]

A fitting tribute to this Abba legend! RIP Lasse…

[@justinjarrett5868]

He is a Guitar Legend and will be sadly missed like Eddie Van Halen 😢

[@phelimquinn]

Love this video❤

[@LiamPorter2005]

We will remember a dear friend of abba band, lasse wellander , he was a legend

[@mirekkonieczny419]

thank you

[@Daniel-lx7gu]

I recently listened to „Where The Whales Have Ceased To Sing“ by Josefin Nilsson and thought that the guitar solo sounds a lot like Lasse Wellander. As the album was written and produced by Benny & Björn it actually could have been him. He was such an integral part of the ABBA sound and will not be forgotten. Very sad news indeed…

[@bobbysbrother137]

Oh, Lasse actually did play on “Shapes” - he played electric guitar, also on the song you mentioned. So you very absolutely accurate. I must confess I simply did not think of it on my listing, but I should have. This one is absolutely essential! Thanks for the reminder.

[@joseolvera309]

Rest in peace ..great mucisian .

[@VarionJimmy]

I remember when he hurt his right hand when he got out of a car and someone slammed the door. It was when he arrived to play at a show. But he played anyway, with his hand bandaged. It was at the Swedish “Melody festival”, (like Eurovision Song Contest, but only Swedish artists and the winner goes to Eurovision Song Contest.) He was Amazing! You pronounced his and Ted Gärdestad’s names perfect! 👍 (Probably more names, I haven’t watched the whole video yet.)

[@mariafernandes4852]

Que descanse em paz lasse foi um músico muito muito importante no grupo ABBA

[@uteorgahs815]

RIP DEAR LASSE WELLANDER ☦️ 🌈 💫

[@d.k.f9782]

⚡️

[@jramnorway7985]

Ledgend

[@lasyngwieeeiiilarsen7510]

❤😢

[@Flowerbranche]

You didn't mention "I'm a Marionette". There we have a fantastic, extended guitar solo by Lasse! But isn't the solo on "Eagle" by Janne Schaffer, who is credited as the lead guitarist on that song.

[@AlexandreCarvalhoF1]

What about Slim Borgudd? Do you know something about him? He was a Formula 1 driver in the 80’s (his car was painted with had ABBA logo in order to get attention from new sponsors) and died in February this year. Many people say that he was also a former ABBA’s drummer (or a “session drummer”). We all know that Ola Brunkert and Roger Palm were two guys who played drums with the group, but Borgudd’s name never appeared on the albuns credits and even on tour. What’s exactly the truth about him?