ABBA are in mourning after their sound engineer, Michael B Tretow, has died at the grand age of 80. The Swedish music legend and ABBA’s sound maestro, who was also a musician, passed away, leaving the Eurovision icons to release heartfelt tributes. All four members of the supergroup have come forward with rare personal statements honouring Michael.
Benny Andersson expressed his feelings: “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!”
Bjorn Ulvaeus also shared his sentiments: “His significance for ABBA cannot be overestimated. He was a warm, generous person and a good friend. Thanks, Micke, for all the laughs!” Anni-Frid Lyngstad, in a statement to Aftonbladet, 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!”
(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Agnetha Fältskog has paid her respects, remarking: “So glad I got to spend some time with you a few weeks ago… You were so sick, but your laughter and humour 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,” reports the Mirror.
The Mixdown website’s article on his production style notes that ABBA hits produced by Tretow included Ring-Ring, Waterloo, and Super Trouper, all featuring tom-heavy drum mixing. To ensure the vocals remained light and delicate, Michael would only mic the toms and bass drums, as he felt cymbals could drown out the mix.
He was also pioneering in miking the grand piano with three C414 condensers, a technique that was not common at the time. This approach added a distinctive flair to tracks like Mamma Mia, S.O.S, and Ring Ring, making the piano lines in ABBA’s songs truly unforgettable.
The Swedish Herald, reporting his passing late Tuesday night, highlighted Tretow’s role as a sound engineer at Metronome Studio in the 1970s, where Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson entrusted him with the position of Abba’s sound engineer.
(Image: Getty Images)
He worked on all of Abba’s albums, with the exception of their 2021 release Voyage and is credited with crafting the iconic Abba sound. His passing may bring the four members of Abba together once more, albeit under sombre circumstances, should they choose to attend his funeral.
The group is seldom seen together, though they did unite for a photo in 2022 at the premiere of their Abba voyage concert experience. Fans have been expressing their sorrow online, with one posting: “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.”
Another fan lamented, “So sad… He truly was the 5th Member of ABBA,” while a third shared: “Aww so sad… I really liked him when viewing ABBA videos, etc May God bless his family and friends.”
Michael leaves behind his son Rasmus Tretow and his wife Malin Hertzman.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
