You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life, ooh, see that girl, watch that scene digging the dancing queen…

Though rockers of my generation (1970s) were mortified at their popularity, this Swedish pop supergroup were a bona-fide song / harmony driven hit-making machine worthy of their reverence.

Their bassist toiled in several rock bands in his native Linkoping before enrolling at Stockholm’s Royal College of Music. While there, a colleague suggested that apply for a road gig with The Hootenanny Singers – Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus. That musical collective soon developed into ABBA, and the rest, as they say is history.

A melodic pocket player, the late Rutger Gunnarsson anchored all the ABBA slabs, he was their touring bassist on several treks, and also served as an arranger on their string of multi-platinum platters. 

In addition to working with Bjorn and Benny following ABBA’s demise, Rutger also collaborated with Gemini, Celine Dion, Adam Ant, Ulf Lundell and Josefin Nilsson, among others. 

Gunnarsson was also involved the ABBA musical Mama Mia! and anchored the repertory ABBA Orchestra in Concert. 

Rutger Sound & Vision…

“Dancing Queen” https://youtu.be/B139-IqKcqg

Rutger rockin’ on “Summer Night City” https://youtu.be/SWj2vy7VS8Q  

Plonking down quarter note roots on “Take A Chance” https://youtu.be/-crgQGdpZR0

Dig Tony Senatore’s rendition of “Waterloo” https://youtu.be/4fQBaDHsGU4