Officially speaking the ABBA band was just the four members, but
unofficially these eight sidemen were used most often as backing players, in the studio, live and on performances on TV or
videos.
Ola Brunkert (1972-1981) Drums
In the 1970's Ola was ABBA's main drummer
who like Rutger Gunnarson and Lasse Wellander was yet another brown- haired Swede. Ola played Drums on their first recording
"People Need Love" He played Drums on the majority of ABBA recordings.
For some reason, towards the end of ABBA's career
he was phased out as Bjorn and Benny's favorite session Drummer in favor of Per Lindvall. Ola
didn't played on any of B&B's post ABBA solo work.
An accidental run-in with some glass in his apartment in Majorca, Spain led his unexpected death in March
2008. The freak nature of the accident
helped make Ola's death become notable worldwide news, and oddly
enough for
the first time, non-hardcore fans knew who ABBA's drummer
was.
Mike Watson (1972-1980) Bass Guitar
A short British bass player.who somehow ended up in living and working Sweden.. He was ABBA's backup bass
player when Rutger Gunnarsson was not used. He played on five of ABBA's studio albums. He played on their first recording
"People Need Love". He is also known for having portrayed Napoleon on the cover of the WATERLOO album. Mike has
recorded on his own, and done other session work...Along with Malando Gassama (the Gambian percussionist) he is the only one
of ABBA's regular session band to not hail from Sweden.
Janne Schaffer (1972-1982) Lead Electric Guitar
Blond long haired Swede, a non-singing guitarist /composer. Janne was ABBA's first lead guitarist and
most respected musician. Janne's pursuit of a solo career meant that Lasse Wallender would be ABBA's main lead guitarist
from 1977 on. Janne continued to play on some ABBA sessions,but he did not play on any of ABBA's concert tours.
He has worked in a number of bands notably the Electric Banana Band,as well as working as a sideman with artists
like Bob Marley, Ted Gardestad, Johnny Nash and Björn J:son Lindh....
Janne's albums are on primarily in a Jazz/rock fusion vein. Remarkably, a few of albums were released
on the CBS label in America. I never seem to remember how to spell his last name...sorry Janne...
His Albums include-Janne Schaffer, 1973, Andra, 1974, Katharis 1975 , Earmeal, 1977...many
others....
For A more complete Listing of Janne's albums visit our Janne Schaffer SOLO CAREER discography
Rutger Gunnarsson (1972-1982) Bass Guitar, String Arrangements
ABBA and B&B's loyal bassist played on more ABBA & ABBA solo songs than any other
ABBA sideman. Indeed, he has probably played on,more ABBA related records than anybody but Benny Andersson. He
appears on each ABBA album, but was often spelled by the British bassist , Mike Watson. Rutger, a skilled arranger,
also did some string arrangements for ABBA and other artists such as Celine Dion. He played on Chess,
Kristina, , and Mamma Mia (Swedish and Movie versions).
In the early 70'a Rutger recorded "Svea Svea", a novelty single but other than that, he hasn't
done much in the way of actual solo work . Rutger worked in other bands (Nashville Train) ,worked with Lasse
Wellander, and done production work. Rutger generally has had a mustache, and shorter hair than ABBA's guitarists.
Rutger was born on 12th of February in 1946 in Linköping, Sweden.
Roger Palm (1972-1979)
Drums
Dark haired spectacled, drummer notable for being the drummer on "Dancing Queen" , and "Mamma
Mia".
Malando Gassama (1973-1979) Percussion
Gambian percussion notable for being the darkest skinned member of the ABBA entourage. He also
played on albums by Bette Midler, Al Jarreau, Janne Schaffer, Ted Gardestad and Bjorn J:ison Lindh . Sadly, he died in Gambia
in 1999 of a heart attack.
Lasse Wellander (1974-1982) Lead Electric Guitar
Lasse Wellander, a thin-dark haired Swede. ABBA's main lead guitarist in their later career, He first
played on the sessions for the 1975 self-titled ABBA album. He toured with ABBA in 1975, 1977, and 1979-80 He
also worked with Agnetha, on CHESS, Gemini and Shapes albums...He released a album with Mats Ronander in 1978.
Lasse
has put out at least four solo albums in Sweden .
Not too long ago he recorded a a solo guitar version of "Anthem"from Chess.
Recently, Lasse played on Mamma Mia-the Movie Soundtrack.
Like Janne Schaffer, I have problems remembering how to spell his name....It's W-E-L-L-A like Pella windows!!!!!
Lasse was born in Skrekarhyttan, Sweden in 1952.
Per Lindvall (1980-1982) Drums
The youngest member of the ABBA session band. He was last person to
become a regular player in the ABBA band. He was the light-haired Drummer on most of ABBA's 1980's work, as well as on
Chess and other B&B's projects. He also played on Mamma Mia-the Movie Soundtrack. He recorded one album
(White on Blue) with a Swedish group called Crossfade, (not be be confused with the American post grunge group also
called Crossfade). Per has also worked Aha, Lasse Wellander and many others.
-fin-
