The musician died on Good Friday at the age of 70, as reported by the Swedish newspaper “Göteborgs-Posten”, citing information from the family. The relatives had previously announced on Wellander’s Facebook page that the musician had died as a result of cancer and had fallen asleep surrounded by his loved ones.
The members of the pop band Abba also expressed their sadness: “We remember the kind words, the sense of humor, the smiling face and the musical brilliance of the man who played such an important role in the history of Abba,” said the Swedish musicians of the British news agency PA. “He will be greatly missed and will never be forgotten.”
Mourning for “outstanding musician”
Wellander was not actually a member of Abba, which consists of Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. However, the musician accompanied the quartet on several albums and tours for many years from the 1970s onwards. He also contributed to the soundtracks of the “Mamma Mia” films. He also played with other Swedish artists such as Pugh Rogefeldt and Ted Gärdestad.
In the post, the relatives mourn an “outstanding musician” who was “a wonderful husband, father, brother, uncle and grandfather and so much more that cannot be put into words”.
