Ola Brunkert, ABBA's Long-time Drummer, Has Passed On

ABBA was formed by four vocalists named Bjorn Ulraeus, Benny Anderson, Agnetha Faltskog, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. In 1972, their first song called People Need Love was released. The group that at this time was known as Bjorn & Benny, Agnetha & Anni-Frid. They entered a Eurovision Song Contest and placed third. With a new name (which was an acronym of their names), ABBA would, in 1974, enter the Eurovision Song Contest again but this time with the song Waterloo, they won. The song Waterloo would top the charts in Europe and even placed in the top ten in the United States.

Success continued with ABBA producing songs such as Mamma Mia, Fernando, and Dancing Queen which would become a number one hit in the United States.

I specifically remember this song being played on my sister's record player and for my 6^th birthday, I received my first record ever which was ABBA. I would dance and sing for what seemed like forever. When my record finally became so scratched that I could not play it, I then got the tape for Christmas and to this day, ABBA remains one of my favorite bands. After Dancing Queen, ABBA released songs such as Money, Money, Money, Knowing Me, Knowing You, and Take a Chance on Me. The last live concert that was performed by ABBA was in Japan in 1980. The success of ABBA was not only due to the four vocalists, the success also had to do with the instrumentalists who played with the group. One main session drummer for the group was named Ola Brunkert, who was originally from Stockholm.

Ola joined the band in 1972 before they were officially ABBA and when they released their first song.

Previous to joining ABBA, Ola was a member of a Blues Band named Slims Blue Gang. In the 1960's he joined a pop group called Science Poption. Ola would be one of two members of the group who was featured on all of the album covers in addition to performing on tour with ABBA in 1977, 1979, and 1980. His credits include the Albums ABBA, ABBA-The Album, ABBA Live, Arrival, Ring Ring, Super Trouper, The Visitors, Voulez-Vous, and Waterloo.

His last known session with the group was in October of 1981 when they recorded One of Us. After the last session, Ola moved to Majorca, Spain where he has lived for the past 20 years. However, his love for music would not stop and he joined the local jazz band. Last year, he became a widower after his wife passed away leaving only him and their son. Who would have known that only a short year later he would be joining his wife in the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Telegraph, a UK newspaper reports that Ola walked through a glass door, his neck was severed and as he tried to leave his home to seek medical attention, he collapsed in his garden and bled to death. His neighbor would find the body and alert authorities who confirmed the tragic accident. Upon hearing the news about the former drummer for ABBA, Bjorn made statements to the press such as, "he was one of the best".

While ABBA's unique quartet of voices was beautiful in itself, adding instrumentalists with the group is what made them a success. Without them, there would have been no ABBA and without ABBA, there would have been no Dancing Queen, which for me through life has been a savior on many levels. While Ola may be gone, he will never be forgotten.

I can only hope that when I reach the pearly gates, I will hear the soft beat of his drums and while he is resting in peace, I will never forget the man who contributed to one of my favorite bands who will now join other legendary performers such as Ritchie Valens, Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, and the Big Bopper. Together in our hearts they become legends in our minds and through the music they left behind, they will forever live in our hearts and in our souls.