Lasse Wellander Biography
Lars-Ove “Lasse” Wellander (born June 18, 1952 – died April 7, 2023) was a renowned Swedish guitarist, widely celebrated for his long-standing role as a key member of ABBA’s musical team.
He began recording with ABBA’s backing band in 1974 and went on to contribute guitar tracks to every ABBA studio album, from ABBA (1975) to their comeback album Voyage (2021), helping shape the sound that captivated millions around the world.
Wellander hailed from the small Swedish village of Skrikarhyttan. His music career took off at the young age of 16, when he joined the blues band Peps & Blues Quality.
After frontman Peps Persson left, the band transitioned into Nature.
This group later served as the backing band for Swedish pop star Ted Gärdestad, who introduced Lasse Wellander to Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson of ABBA, marking the beginning of a legendary collaboration.
Following Wellander’s passing in April 2023, the members of ABBA released an emotional tribute, stating:
“The importance of his creative input in the recording studio, as well as his rock-solid guitar work on stage, was immense.”
Lasse Wellander Wikipedia
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Lars-Ove “Lasse” Wellander |
| Born | June 18, 1952, Skrikarhyttan, Sweden |
| Died | April 7, 2023, Age 70 |
| Occupation | Guitarist, Musician |
| Famous For | Association with ABBA as their primary guitarist |
| Musical Career | Began at age 16 with Peps & Blues Quality, later joined Nature |
| Key Contributions | Played on all ABBA studio albums from ABBA (1975) to Voyage (2021) |
| Solo Albums | Electrocuted (1976), Wellander & Ronander (1978), Poker-Face (1990), 2017/2018 (2018) |
| Accolades | 2005: Albin Hagström Memorial Award, 2018: Swedish Musicians’ Union Studio Fox Award |
| Notable Collaborations | Ted Gärdestad, Ulf Lundell, Pugh Rogefeldt |
| Legacy | Known for creativity in the studio and rock-solid guitar work on stage |
Lasse Wellander’s Early Life
Lasse Wellander was born on June 18, 1952, in the small Swedish village of Skrikarhyttan.
His early life was marked by modest beginnings; his parents, Åke and Anne-Marie Wellander, operated a grocery store that sold a variety of goods, from freshly ground coffee to horseshoes and petrol from barrels.
The family home lacked modern amenities, featuring hand-pumped water and an outhouse, providing a rustic backdrop to his formative years.
In 1959, the Wellander family relocated to Nora, a small town where Lasse’s musical journey began.
He started by learning to play the recorder and accordion, instruments that laid the foundation for his musical education.
His passion for music deepened after witnessing The Beatles perform on the Swedish pop program “Drop In” in 1963, inspiring him to pick up the guitar.
This pivotal moment set him on the path to becoming a skilled guitarist.
During the 1960s, Nora’s Folkets Park (People’s Park) became a vibrant hub for live music, hosting performances by popular Swedish pop bands.
These events significantly influenced Lasse’s musical development and fueled his growing interest in the music scene.
By the age of 16, Lasse had joined the band Peps & Blues Quality, marking the beginning of his professional music career.
This early experience paved the way for his future collaborations and contributions to the Swedish music industry.
Lasse Wellander’s early life in Skrikarhyttan and Nora, coupled with his exposure to music at a young age, played a crucial role in shaping his future as a renowned guitarist, best known for his long-standing association with ABBA.
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Lasse Wellander Early Musical Foundations
Born on June 18, 1952, in Skrikarhyttan, Sweden, Wellander’s musical journey began at a young age.
His family operated a grocery store, providing a modest backdrop to his early life. In 1959, the family relocated to Nora, where Wellander’s musical interests flourished.
He started by learning the recorder and accordion, and by 1963, inspired by The Beatles’ appearance on Swedish television, he took up the guitar.
During the 1960s, Nora Folkets Park became a vibrant hub for live music, hosting performances by popular Swedish pop bands.
These events significantly influenced Wellander’s musical development and fueled his growing interest in music.
Lasse Wellander Rise to Prominence
At 16, Wellander joined the blues band Peps & Blues Quality, which later evolved into the group Nature.
Nature gained recognition for their dynamic performances and became a sought-after backing band for artists such as Pugh Rogefeldt, Ted Gärdestad, and Ulf Lundell .
In 1974, Wellander’s path intersected with that of ABBA.
Having worked with Ted Gärdestad, who was connected to ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, Wellander was invited to record with the group.
His first contributions were to the tracks “Intermezzo No.1” and “Crazy World”.
Lasse Wellander Legacy with ABBA
Wellander became ABBA’s primary guitarist, contributing to all their studio albums from ABBA (1975) to Voyage (2021).
He toured extensively with the band during their active years, including notable tours in 1975, 1977, 1979, and 1980.
Beyond his work with ABBA, Wellander was a prolific session musician, recording on over 6,000 titles across 1,698 albums.
His versatility allowed him to collaborate with a diverse range of artists and genres.
Solo Endeavors:
In addition to his session work, Wellander released several solo albums, showcasing his skills as a composer and performer.
His discography includes: Electrocuted (1976), Wellander & Ronander (1978), Full Hand (1985), Tweed (1987), Poker-Face (1990), Från Rickfors till Peterson-Berger (1992), 2017/2018 (2018).
Lasse Wellander’s Cause of Death
Lasse Wellander, the renowned Swedish guitarist best known for his work with ABBA, passed away on April 7, 2023, at the age of 70.
According to his family, he died after a battle with cancer.
The news was confirmed through a statement posted on his official Facebook page, where his family expressed their sorrow and described him as a beloved husband, father, and grandfather, in addition to his musical legacy.
Wellander’s death was met with tributes from ABBA members, who praised his creative contributions both in the recording studio and on stage. They remembered him as a dear friend, a fun person, and a superb guitarist.
His passing marked the end of an era for ABBA, as Wellander had been an integral part of the band’s sound and success. His contributions continue to be celebrated by fans and musicians alike.
Lasse Wellander Age
Lasse Wellander was born on June 18, 1952, and passed away on April 7, 2023, at the age of 70.
Lasse Wellander Height
Lasse Wellander’s exact height is not officially documented in widely recognized sources. However, some reports suggest he was approximately 6 feet tall.
Lasse Wellander Parents
Lasse Wellander was the son of Åke Wellander and Anne-Marie Eriksson.
His parents operated a grocery store in the village of Skrikarhyttan, Sweden, offering a range of items from freshly ground coffee to horseshoes and petrol from barrels.
In 1959, the Wellander family relocated to the town of Nora, where Lasse began his musical journey by learning the recorder and accordion.
Lasse Wellander Wife
Lasse Wellander was married; however, he chose to keep his personal life private, and his wife’s identity has not been publicly disclosed.
Following his passing, his family described him as a “wonderful husband, father, brother, uncle, and grandfather,” highlighting the deep affection and respect they held for him.
Lasse Wellander Net Worth
As of 2023, Lasse Wellander, the esteemed Swedish guitarist renowned for his collaboration with ABBA, had an estimated net worth of $18 million.
Lasse Wellander Awards and Honors
2005 – Albin Hagström Memorial Award (Swedish: Albin Hagströms Minnespris)
2018 – Studio Fox Award by the Swedish Musicians’ Union (Swedish: Studioräven)
Lasse Wellander Discography
Albums:
1976 – Electrocuted
1978 – Wellander & Ronander
1985 – Full Hand
1987 – Tweed
1990 – Poker-Face
1992 – Från Rickfors till Peterson-Berger
2018 – 2017/2018
Selected Singles:
1992 – Vingar / Anthem
2017 – Samba Loelek
2017 – Out of the Shadows
2017 – Fri som en fågel (with Lena Larsson)
2017 – The Parting Glass
2018 – Old School Boogie
2018 – Ut mot öppet hav
2018 – In My Heart and Soul (instrumental version)
2018 – In My Heart and Soul (with Stefan Nykvist)
2018 – Postludium (with Sophisticated Ladies)
2019 – Anitra’s Dance (Anitras dans)
2020 – Mellan hägg och syren
2020 – Is There A Chance (with Lena Larsson)
2021 – Guitarism (including radio edit version)
2021 – Nostalgia
2021 – O helga natt
2022 – Overdrive
2022 – Merry-Go-Round
2022 – Oh Come, All Ye Faithful
FAQs
1: Who was Lasse Wellander?
Lasse Wellander was a Swedish guitarist, best known for his long-standing association with the iconic pop group ABBA.
He contributed to their musical legacy, playing guitar on all their studio albums from 1974 until the release of Voyage in 2021.
2: How did Lasse Wellander start his music career?
Wellander’s musical career began at the age of 16 when he joined the Swedish band Peps & Blues Quality. After the band disbanded, he became part of the group Nature.
His work with Nature led to him becoming the backing guitarist for Swedish artist Ted Gärdestad, where he was introduced to ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson.
3: When did Lasse Wellander join ABBA?
Lasse Wellander first recorded with ABBA’s backing band in 1974 and played on all of their studio albums, contributing his guitar skills to their sound until their final album, Voyage, released in 2021.
4: What were some of Lasse Wellander’s notable solo works?
Lasse Wellander released several solo albums, including Electrocuted (1976), Wellander & Ronander (1978), and Poker-Face (1990).
He also released music in the 2010s, with notable singles like Samba Loelek (2017) and Merry-Go-Round (2022).
5: What awards did Lasse Wellander receive during his career?
Lasse Wellander was honored with the Albin Hagström Memorial Award in 2005 and received the Swedish Musicians’ Union Studio Fox Award (Studioräven) in 2018 for his outstanding contributions to Swedish music.
6: What did ABBA say about Lasse Wellander after his death?
After Lasse Wellander’s passing in April 2023, ABBA members expressed their admiration, saying, “The importance of his creative input in the recording studio as well as his rock-solid guitar work on stage was immense.”
His contribution to ABBA’s sound and live performances was highly valued.
7: What was Lasse Wellander’s impact on ABBA’s music?
Lasse Wellander’s guitar work played a crucial role in shaping ABBA’s musical identity. His creative input in the recording studio and his solid, reliable performance on stage were key elements in the band’s success.
He was known for adding depth to their pop melodies with his versatile guitar playing.
8: What was Lasse Wellander’s legacy in the music world?
Lasse Wellander is remembered as one of Sweden’s most respected and influential guitarists. His contributions to ABBA’s global success and his solo projects have left a lasting impact on Swedish music.
His distinctive guitar style and dedication to his craft continue to inspire musicians worldwide.
Conclusion:
Lasse Wellander was an incredibly talented and influential guitarist whose work, especially with ABBA, has left an indelible mark on the music world.
From his early beginnings in the Swedish music scene to becoming ABBA’s trusted guitarist, Wellander’s contributions to the band’s sound were immense.
His legacy lives on through his memorable guitar work on ABBA’s iconic albums, his solo projects, and the accolades he received throughout his career.
His passing in 2023 marked the end of an era, but his music continues to inspire musicians and fans alike.
Lasse Wellander’s impact on the world of music, particularly in shaping ABBA’s sound, will be remembered for years to come.
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