Swedish pop group ABBA has paid tribute to the "brilliance" of former guitarist Lesse Wellander, who died on Good Friday aged 70.
Wellander's family said he had recently been diagnosed with cancer and died surrounded by his loved ones in his native Sweden.
"You were an amazing musician and humble as few, but above all you were a wonderful husband, father, brother, uncle and grandfather," they said in a post to the musician's Facebook page.
"A hub in our lives, and it's unbelievable we now have to live on without you."
Wellander first joined ABBA in October 1974 for a recording session and quickly became the band's main guitarist, touring with them in 1975 through to 1980.
He worked on the soundtracks for Mamma Mia! The Movie and its sequel, as well as the most recent ABBA album Voyage, which was released in 2021.
Wellander also worked with ABBA founding members Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus on projects following the band's first break-up in 1982, as well as releasing music under his own name.
"Lasse was a dear friend, a fun guy and a superb guitarist," ABBA said in a statement posted to the band's Facebook page.
"The importance of his creative input in the recording studio as well as his rock solid guitar work on stage was immense.
"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."
ABC
