80-year-old Michael B. Tretow, who was instrumental in shaping ABBA’s iconic sound as their close collaborator and legendary sound engineer, has passed away. This week, his family confirmed the sad news, with an outpouring of tributes from fans and the Swedish music industry. Throughout ABBA’s journey to global fame in the 1970s, Tretow was by their side, contributing significantly to their unique sound.
The four individuals who make up the group ABBA – Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, and Agnetha Fältskog – have all expressed heartfelt tributes towards Tretow.
Benny Andersson expressed his deep feelings in a statement: “To no one else did we four members of ABBA mean more than you. I trust and assume that you sensed this during the years since we collaborated (and always found reasons to laugh) in the studio. Our music endures, it seems, and you are the reason behind its timeless quality. You were an extraordinary source of inspiration and a bringer of joy. And without a doubt, the world’s greatest sound engineer. I miss you. And I kept all your coconuts!
Björn Ulvaeus commented, “Micke’s impact on ABBA is immeasurable. He was a kind, open-hearted individual and a cherished companion. Thank you, Micke, for the countless moments of joy!
In an interview with Aftonbladet (Swedish outlet), Anni-Frid Lyngstad expressed that Michael B. Tretow was like a guardian in their creative sanctuary, constantly providing creativity, warmth, and happiness. She further mentioned that no one else could have fulfilled this role as flawlessly, and he will forever be an integral part of the ABBA sound, never to be forgotten.
Agnetha Fältskog expressed her gratitude for having spent some time with Tretow before his demise, which occurred just a few weeks ago. Even though he was ill, she noted that his laughter and jovial spirit persisted. She reminisced about the numerous moments they had experienced together and highlighted how his supportive words during recording sessions held significant value for her. She characterized Tretow’s departure as losing an exceptionally gifted and one-of-a-kind individual, adding that he would forever remain etched in their hearts.
I’ve always considered myself not just a casual admirer, but an ardent devotee of ABBA. To me, Michael B. Tretow was more than just a sound engineer; he was the fifth soul that breathed life into the harmonious symphony we know as ABBA. His groundbreaking production techniques were the secret ingredients that crafted their unique sound, as I’ve come to understand from articles like those in Mirror.
As stated by Mixdown, Tretow was responsible for engineering and producing iconic hits such as Ring Ring, Waterloo, Mamma Mia, and Super Trouper. Notably, he employed a drum mixing technique heavily focused on tom-toms to maintain the clarity of vocals, and an uncommon method at the time, he equipped grand pianos with three C414 condensers for microphone purposes.
Tretow was involved in creating every one of ABBA’s studio albums up until their 2021 comeback album, Voyage. His career with the band began at Metronome Studio during the 1970s, and he continued to be a crucial creative influence behind the scenes throughout their music journey.
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2025-05-21 13:23