ABBA has paid an emotional tribute to their sound engineer Michael B Tretow, after his tragic death at the age of 80.
The musician was a prominent figure in a Swedish music for decades, and worked closely with the band during their 70s heyday.
In the wake of Michael’s passing, all four members of the band have released rare statements to pay tribute.
Benny Andersson said: “You meant more to us four in ABBA than anyone else. I hope and believe that you felt it throughout all the years that have passed since we worked (and continuously laughed) in the studio.
‘Our music lives on, it seems, and you are the one who made it timeless. You were a fantastic inspirer and joy-maker. And the finest sound engineer the world has ever seen. I miss you. And I’ve saved all your coconuts!’
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ABBA has paid an emotional tribute to their sound engineer Michael B Tretow, after his tragic death at the age of 80 (the band are pictured in 1974)
The musician (pictured in 2018) was a prominent figure in a Swedish music for decades, and worked closely with the band during their 70s heyday
Meanwhile, Bjorn Ulvaeus went onto say: “His significance for ABBA cannot be overestimated. He was a warm, generous person and a good friend. Thanks, Micke, for all the laughs!”
In a statement issued to Aftonbladet, Anni-Frid Lyngstad said: “You were the security in our little studio bubble with your never-ending creativity, warmth and joy, and no one fit the bill as well as you!
‘For us, you are forever part of the ABBA sound and you will never be forgotten!”
Agnetha Fältskog paid tribute, saying: ‘So glad I got to spend some time with you a few weeks ago… You were so sick, but your laughter and humor were still there…
‘So many memories are preserved, your encouraging words during the recordings meant so much. We are sad now, a talented and unique person has left us. Sleep well Micke, you are in our hearts forever.’
Reporting his death on Tuesday night, The Swedish Herald, detailed how Tretow was a sound engineer at Metronome Studio and in the 1970s, Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson let him become their band’s sound engineer.
According to piece on Mixdown, Tretow produced ABBA tracks including Ring-Ring, Waterloo, and Super Trouper.
He went onto work with the band on all of their albums, apart from their reunion record Voyage in 2021.
In the wake of Michael’s passing, all four members of the band (pictured in 2022) have released rare statements to pay tribute
Michael was a prominent figure in a Swedish music for decades, and worked closely with the band during their 70s heyday
Since their split in 1982, ABBA have rarely been pictured together, though they did reunite to celebrate the launch of their hologram show, ABBA: Voyage, in 2022.
Fans have also taken to social media to share their sympathies, with poses including: ‘Oh no that is so sad, my sincere condolences to his family and friends, gosh he was so important in the creative world of Abba. Sad sad news;
“So sad… He truly was the 5th Member of ABBA;
‘Aww so sad… I really liked him when viewing ABBA videos, etc May God bless his family and friends.’
Michael is survived by his son Rasmus Tretow and his wife Malin Hertzman.
