ABBA’s ‘superb guitarist’ Lasse Wellander dies

The guitarist for Swedish pop group ABBA has died.

Lasse Wellander was 70, Entertainment Tonight reported.

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Wellander’s family announced the musician’s death on Facebook, saying he died on Friday after a battle with cancer.

Wellander joined ABBA — which was made up of Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus and Agnetha Fältskog — in the mid-’70s and played on several of the group’s most well-known songs, including “Voulez Vous,” “Take a Chance on Me” and “Knowing Me, Knowing You,” Sky News reported.

When ABBA broke up, Wellander continued working with Andersson and Ulvaeus, CNN reported.

He also worked on the soundtrack for the film version of the Broadway musical “Mamma Mia!” and “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.”

ABBA released a statement on Wellander’s death, calling him a “dear friend, a fun guy and a superb guitarist,” according to CNN.

“We mourn his tragic and premature death and remember the kind words, the sense of humour, the smiling face, the musical brilliance of the man who played such an integral role in the ABBA story. He will be deeply missed and never forgotten,” ABBA said.

Wellander also played with several bands throughout the ‘80s, including Low Budget Blues Band, Zkiffz, Little Mike and The Sweet Soul Music Band and Stockholm All Stars, CNN reported.

The guitarist also embarked on a solo career, releasing several studio albums, according to his official biography.

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ABBA through the years 3rd April 1974: Swedish pop stars (clockwise, from bottom left), Benny Andersson, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Agnetha Faltskog and Bjorn Ulvaeus of ABBA at Brighton. (Photo by Steve Wood/Express/Getty Images) (Steve Wood/Getty Images)

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