Michael B. Tretow, the legendary producer and sound engineer behind the globally renowned Eurovision group ABBA, has passed away at the age of 80, his family announced.
A giant in Swedish music, Tretow was much more than just a technical hand behind the scenes — he was a visionary in sound engineering whose creativity helped define the signature ABBA sound.
Members of the iconic European group paid tribute to Tretow, recognizing his deep impact:
“You meant so much to all four of us in ABBA, more than anyone else. I hope and believe you felt that over the years as we worked (and laughed constantly) in the studio. Our music lives on, it seems and it’s you who made it immortal. You were a fantastic inspiration, and also the greatest sound engineer the world has ever seen. I miss you,” said Benny Andersson.
Tretow was largely responsible for some of ABBA’s most iconic hits, including “Ring Ring”, “Waterloo”, and “Super Trouper”. His unique approach to mixing particularly the layering and treatment of drums gave ABBA its distinctive and polished pop sound that continues to captivate generations.
His passing marks the end of an era, but his influence on music and studio production remains timeless.
