ROXETTE
Biography
and Discography
Sweden's
first pop export of the 90s, Marie Fredriksson (b. 30
May 1958, Ostra-Ljungby, Sweden) and Per Gessle (b.
12 January 1959, Halmstad, Sweden) enjoyed
international success thanks to a highly commercial
combination of a striking image and catchy pop/rock
melodies. Gessle became a solo artist in the early
80s having previously played in the new wave band
Gyllene Tider. He was 'discovered' by former Abba
manager Thomas Johannson who was looking for songs
for a Frida album. Meanwhile Fredriksson had
released three popular solo albums. Johannson teamed
them up in 1985 and they became Roxette. Recording at
Gessle's studio in Halmstad, the band released their
debut set the following year. They soon conquered
Sweden, with 1988's Look Sharp! becoming the
second bestselling album in Swedish history. They
broke through in the USA in February 1989 with the
number 1 single 'The Look', which also reached UK
number 7 in April. Subsequent singles 'Dressed For
Success' (US number 14, May 1989), 'Listen To Your
Heart' (US number 1, August 1989) and 'Dangerous' (US
number 2, December 1989) continued the band's
phenomenal success. The ballad 'It Must Have Been
Love', which was used on the soundtrack of the
Richard Gere/Julia Roberts movie Pretty Woman,
became the band's third US chart-topper in April
1990, and also reached UK number 3. 'Joyride' topped
the US chart in March 1991, was a number 1 single
throughout mainland Europe, and reached number 4 in
the UK. 'Fading Like A Flower (Every Time You Leave)'
stalled at US number 2 in June, and signalled the end
of the band's run of US Top 10 singles. 'Almost
Unreal' reached UK number 7 in July 1993, and was
followed into the Top 10 in September by a reissue of
'It Must Have Been Love', but subsequent singles
failed to match the band's early 90s purple patch.
Four new tracks were included on their greatest hits
package in 1995. After a five-year absence, the band
returned in February 1999 with the single 'Wish I
Could Fly' and a respectable new album.ALBUM'SThe Look, Dangerous,
Dressed For Success, Listen to Your Heart, It Must
Have Been Love, Joyride, Fading Like a Flower, The
Big L, Spending My Time, How Do You Do!, Church Of
Your Heart, Queen of Rain, Fingertips '93, Almost
Unreal, Sleeping in My Car, Crash! Boom! Bang!,
Vulnerable, You Don't Under Stand Me, June Afternoon,
She Doesn't Live Here Anymore.
MP3
INDEX
