ABBA have issued an emotional statement as they announced the death of their longtime manager, who they also described as a 'most loved friend'.
ABBA's Tribute to Görel Hanser
The iconic Swedish group - made up of Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Frida Lyngstad - confirmed that Görel Hanser had died, at the age of 76. His cause of death wasn't confirmed, with no further details released at this time.
Sharing a black and white photograph of Hanser, they wrote: 'It is with deepest sorrow we announce the passing of Görel Hanser. We have lost our most loved friend and closest colleague. The loss is immeasurable. We ask that you respect our privacy in this time of grief.'
The message was signed by all four members of the famous group, known for various hits such as Waterloo, Dancing Queen and Mamma Mia, with fans quick to respond with their own messages of love and support.
Görel Hanser's Long Association with ABBA
Görel has worked alongside the Eurovision-winning quartet since their formative years, starting her journey in the offices of their initial manager, Stig Anderson's publishing firm, Sweden Music, and the record label Polar Music, in September 1969.
She collaborated closely with the band and later took on the role of their personal manager, while also becoming a close personal friend of the individual members of the group.
According to the Express, for her 30th birthday in 1979, they composed and recorded a special track, Sång Till Görel, alongside Stig Anderson, with only a handful of copies pressed and given to her and her friends to commemorate the occasion. The song is prohibited from radio airplay and remains amongst the most coveted ABBA records in existence.
Hanser was familiar to fans and would regularly personally correspond with them concerning autographs and other enquiries. Visitors to Benny's studio were often taken aback to find her greeting them at the door herself.
