ABBA share tribute to their long-time manager Görel Hanser who has passed away
Görel Hanser worked with the band for many years
Last updated 17 hours ago
ABBA have shared a touching tribute to their long-time manager Görel Hanser, who passed away recently at the age of 76. Görel, who worked with ABBA for many years in the 70s and beyond, was also a good friend of the band.
The singers shared a statement with their fans, along with a black and white photo of Görel Hanser. Dated 13th June, the statement read: 'It is with the deepest sorrow that 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.
'Agnetha Björn Benny Frida'.
Fans of the band have been leaving messages of condolence, with one writing: 'Görel, you were the fifth member, the woman behind the scenes. Thank you so much for keeping ABBA alive and for always being so caring. You were an extraordinarily kind person. I'll never forget having had the chance to talk to you, even if only for a little while.'
Another wrote: 'We lost an essential piece of this puzzle, an irreplaceable piece, and without her, the puzzle will never be the same. We lost that helping hand that was always there, even without knowing us. We lost that walking smile, always cheerful and overflowing with kindness and sweetness, who, no matter how tired she was, always had news of her. We lost the boss, the friend, the coordinator, and the soul behind the face...the soul of ABBA, who sustained the members for decades not only as musicians but also as people, being a confidante and a pillar of strength in their lives, through thick and thin.
'Today, those of you fortunate enough to have known her mourn her, and those of us who weren't so lucky but know we owe her more than we realize, feel a pang of sadness and frustration. We are here today, in part, because of her; she worked to preserve ABBA and its legacy.
'This lifetime will not be enough to thank her for everything she did. She already has a place in our hearts and in history, but now she also becomes eternal. Heaven must be celebrating even though we're crying, because today someone finally arrived who will bring some order to this chaos, hahaha. CHIQUITITA but powerful. We love u Görel, we won't forget, please don't forget us. 🕊️🤍🌹'.
Born on 21st June 1949, in Sweden, Görel began a life-long career in music in 1969, when she started working for Stig Anderson’s publishing company Sweden Music and his record label Polar Music.
To celebrate Görel's 30th birthday back in 1979, the band recorded 'Sång Till Görel' as a gift to their manager. Only a handful of copies of the song were made as it wasn't permitted to be played on the radio.
Our thoughts are with Görel's family and friends.
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Görel Hanser (ABBA Manager)
ABBA shared a touching tribute to their long-time manager Görel Hanser, who passed away in June at the age of 76. Görel, who worked with ABBA for many years in the 70s and beyond, was also a good friend of the band.
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