Camilla Jessen
ABBA mourns the loss of their “fifth member” — the man behind their legendary sound.
The legendary pop group ABBA is now expressing their grief over the loss of a man who helped shape their iconic sound — but who was rarely in the public eye.
On Instagram, the band shared heartfelt words following the death of Michael B. Tretow, ABBA’s long-time sound engineer and often referred to as the group’s “fifth member.”
He passed away at the age of 80, as first reported by Aftonbladet.
With hits like Dancing Queen, Mamma Mia and Waterloo, ABBA has captivated generations and sold over 400 million records worldwide.
But behind the shimmering pop success stood Tretow, the technical mastermind responsible for crafting ABBA’s distinctive sound in the studio.
He worked closely with Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Agnetha Fältskog, earning their deep respect and affection.
The group has responded to the news with emotional tributes.
“You meant more to the four of us in ABBA than anyone else,” wrote Benny Andersson. “I hope and believe you felt that throughout all the years we worked (and laughed non-stop) in the studio.”
Agnetha Fältskog shared that she was able to visit Tretow shortly before his passing:
You were so sick, but your laughter and humor were still there… Sleep well, Micke. You are in our hearts forever.
Tretow’s family confirmed the news to Aftonbladet.
His influence on ABBA’s musical legacy is immeasurable, and his loss is deeply felt — both by fans and those who knew him personally.
See the post below, where ABBA puts their grief into words: