Michael B. Tretow, the pioneering Swedish sound engineer who helped craft the signature sonic id of ABBA, has died at age 80.
His spouse and son confirmed the information to Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet, with the band’s longtime supervisor Görel Hanser additionally confirming his passing. A reason for dying has not been made public.
Greatest identified for his studio wizardry, Tretow was typically referred to by followers because the unofficial “fifth member” of ABBA for his indispensable position in shaping the band’s groundbreaking sound.
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He labored on each one in every of ABBA’s albums all through their imperial part, from 1973’s Ring Ring by means of to 1981’s The Guests, and co-owned the group’s label, Polar Music. Notably, he was not concerned within the group’s 2021 reunion album, Voyage.
”You meant extra to us 4 in ABBA than anybody else,” Andersson informed Aftonbladet. “I hope and imagine that you just felt it all through all of the years which have handed since we labored (and repeatedly laughed) within the studio. Our music lives on, it appears, and you’re the one who made it timeless.”
“You had been a incredible inspirer and joy-maker, and the best sound engineer the world has ever seen,” he stated, including: “I miss you. And I’ve saved all of your coconuts!”
Björn Ulvaeus added that Tretow’s significance “can’t be overestimated,” remembering him as “a heat, beneficiant individual and a superb buddy.”
Anni-Frid Lyngstad stated, “Nobody match the invoice in addition to you. For us, you might be endlessly a part of the ABBA sound and you’ll by no means be forgotten.”
Agnetha Fältskog mirrored on their remaining moments collectively: “So glad I obtained to spend a while with you just a few weeks in the past… You had been so sick, however your laughter and humor had been nonetheless there. So many reminiscences are preserved, your encouraging phrases throughout the recordings meant a lot. We’re unhappy now, a proficient and distinctive individual has left us. Sleep properly Micke, you might be in our hearts endlessly.”
Tretow is survived by his spouse and son.