ABBA writes In memoriam over Rutger Gunnarson in Swedens leading newspaper today. I've used Googles translation service. Hope you can read it:
Rutger Gunnarsson, Stockholm has died at the age of 69 years. He is survived by his son Richard and daughters Minnie and Joanna, and relatives, friends and colleagues.
You never laugh so much as together with real musicians. There is a childishness and playfulness, which are unique to the genus. It is perhaps the happiness of mastering an instrument and to be able to express their feelings through it, which leads one to dare lower your guard and be as open and generous to the world as Rutger Gunnarsson was. A true musician, he was one of the best and legendary far beyond our country's borders.
He told how he once stood next to a young man in a men's toilet somewhere in Sweden. The young man recognized him and was bowled over when he discovered that he was standing next legendary bassist Gunnarsson, and the only thing he was about to say was: "Has something happened in bassis lately?" The answer is that, yes, it has. One of the major has gone away. One of the bassis period leading prophets.
Rutger came into our lives at some point in the late 60s. Bjorn ethnic group, with the strange name Hootenanny Singers, were out on the summer tour and Benny would follow. But the group was missing a bass player. Someone had recommended Rutger Gunnarsson from Linköping and he came to Vallentuna and met us in Benny and Frida's townhouse.
We fell not only for his classical guitar playing but also the humor, which constantly sparkled in his eyes and the fast reply. This was someone we could have fun with, and if anything should be fine in our world, you have to have fun. It is one of the bassis period leading bid. Obviously, he got the job.
When we became ABBA he followed us throughout our career. He was on our tours in Australia, Japan, North America and Europe. When we jumped around on stages around the world, stood rock Rutger, calm and steady, behind us with a smile. The archetype of the similtude, and security, a really good bass player can provide a band.
He was also, with few exceptions, with all our recordings, and in the close collaboration in the studio, he found divine basslines and played them with numbing precision. Melodic and always efficient driving loops that swung so that one was too happy. There Rutger was in his element, just when he was in the marvelous community, which occurs when folk create music together.. The music lives on in the memory of the departed comrade Rutger Gunnarsson.
Agnetha, Frida, Benny and Björn
