Heavy Load hat geschrieben:IN MEMORY OF RAGNE WAHLQUIST
JAN 23rd 1955 - JAN 2nd 2025
STYRBJÖRN WAHLQUIST
My beloved big brother, the musical genius, my life companion, mentor and inspiration has passed away - suddenly and unexpectedly leaving me in a state of shock and deepest grief. My heart is in shatters.
We shared the same artistic passion, vision and fervor, always creating our music together. We inspired each other and developed our music, sound and artwork together; although, he often acted as my mentor. These last years we have been extremely inspired. And, even more so this last year during which we have worked passionately and intensely with our forthcoming album. It is quite far developed. Three songs are completed and mixed and many more are almost done. All are recorded in our own studio which was built by Ragne and me during two years.
When Ragne passed away he was waiting for me to come to the studio to resume our recordings and mixing after our short break during New Years Eve. Just about thirty minutes after having spoken with Ragne on the phone about what we should do in the studio during the day, I received a phone call from a family member who had just found him lying unconscious in the garden and informed me that they had called for an ambulance.
We, the others in Heavy Load, are determined to finish the album and let Ragne's, and our music, reach out to the world. I know, in the depth of my heart, that this is what he wants us to do. In addition, we intend to go on with new albums and new concerts in the same spirit as Ragne.
Ragne I love you and I feel that you will always stand by me, and be with me.
When I compose and play I do it with your heart. When I sing, I sing with your heart.
All my love to all of you, our dear friends around the world.
Styrbjörn Wahlquist
We love you Ragne, you are so deeply missed. A friend, a mentor, a father figure, a brother – I only knew you for around ten years, but in that time, you became all this and more.
Your humor, humility and your unwavering integrity made you someone everyone wanted to have close. You believed in me from the start and gave of yourself without expecting anything in return. Your care shone through in every conversation.
I am grateful for the time together and for everything you taught me. I miss our conversations as much as I miss standing side by side with you, playing and exchanging smiles when Styrbjörn pulled off some extraordinary or unexpected drum fill. It's crystal clear to me, in memory.
I will never forget the times we shared and how you made every moment feel meaningful. You were a true role model, someone to look up to and be inspired by. Your lyrics always hit hard, and now after you're gone they somehow cut even deeper into my heart.
We are absolutely devastated by this loss. My thoughts and prayers are with the family, the rest of the band, and especially your brother, whom I also hold so dearly in my heart.
Ragne, you were a legend – and to me, you always will be.
TORBJÖRN RAGNESJÖ
After just having talked to Styrbjörn about Ragne, with tears running and my voice trembling while trying to talk, I am trying to digest all of this.
Ragne, a dear childhood friend and cousin of mine, as well as an extremely inspiring and creative soul, is gone. I get the shivers down my spine just by writing this very sentence here and now, since it is too much in an emotional sense. And I wonder how much more awful this must be to his wife and daughters, as well as Styrbjörn. My thoughts go unreservedly to them in a time like this.
I cannot stress how much fun and good times we have had together, Ragne, Styrbjörn and I, while growing up, with our childhood families with parents, siblings, cousins, lots of relatives and friends having birthdays, christmases, wonderful midsummer weekends in the Stockholm archipelago together. The list can be made much longer...
I will cherish my time with him, both as a cousin and friend, and as well as a band member. He was always encouraging when I felt I wasn't 'good enough', always a kind word while things were hard, always a good friend.
I salute you Ragne, your friendship and your musical legacy!
You will live on in our memories and your music!
EDDY MALM
Ragne Wahlquist was an enormous role model for me as regards rock music. He was a brilliant guitarist, songwriter and singer. He inspired me immensely. Moreover, he was an incredibly good friend. It was always a pleasure to spend time with him. Sometimes we celebrated Midsummer Eve in the garden of his residence in Åkersberga and sometimes we celebrated New Years Eve - indoors. I have so many fantastic memories from our time together in Heavy Load. It was so incredible outstanding with a gigantic back line and home made pyrotechnics. This spectacular extravaganza came about because of Ragne's and Styrbjörn's visions and efforts. Ragne, I am going to miss you enormously. Rest in peace my very good friend.
From your dear friend Eddy
Unfortunately I couldn´t find a photo right now, so a part of the cover of their great, still recent album should work for now. Be thankful for all the classic old metal bands you are able to see right now! Grab them now and as often as you can, as the last few years have tought us!
Unfortunately I couldn´t find a photo right now, so a part of the cover of their great, still recent album should work for now. Be thankful for all the classic old metal bands you are able to see right now! Grab them now and as often as you can, as the last few years have tought us!
