How iconic 80s band continued after singer’s death
For many bands the death of its lead singer would mean the end. But for one of the biggest bands of the late 80s, they were determined to continue.
Roxette’s hits were a soundtrack to pivotal moments in many lives.
And, while a lot has changed for the Swedish pop outfit, co-founder Per Gessle is determined to continue delivering the music.
“I know that a lot of people are saying that: ‘You’re so much a part of my childhood, I was raised to these songs, and this was my mother’s favourite ballad’ or whatever,” Gessle said.
“I just pinch my arm once in a while, you know, because it’s such a blessing we have been able to do what I have been able to do. I have been lucky to do it in my life and having affected so many people.”
Gessle, 66, spoke ahead of Roxette’s Australian tour for March.
Fans will get all the hits but with one major change. Singer Marie Fredriksson died in 2019 after fighting brain cancer for 17 years.
Lena Philipsson (pictured left) is now the lead vocalist for Roxette. She represented Sweden, placing fifth overall, at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2024.
“Those eight years 1988 to 1995 that I had with Marie, we were on top of the world,” Gessle reflected.
“Basically, we didn’t leave the American Hot 200 chart for almost four years, we just changed songs. It’s unbelievable when you think about that, so I feel very lucky.
“When Maria passed away in 2016, I didn’t really know what to do with the catalogue and it was a big mess in my mind because I missed her, I still do miss Marie tremendously, but at the same time all those songs are written by me. I just feel like, in the end of the day, there are only two options: To just let go or to do something with it. And I’ve been looking for a partner … I am not looking to start a new Roxette or a new duo.”
Gessle has known Philipsson since the mid-1980s, when he penned her first hit Love Is Eternal.
“She’s actually a superstar here, she’s really big, she’s got an amazing performer and she’s an outstanding singer,” Gessle said.
“And so I just asked her, how about going on tour with me and singing the Roxette songs. ”
“I told her … to do it in her own way. So I think this is going to be a match made in heaven … it is not about creating a new Roxette, this is about paying homage to the Roxette catalogue of songs.”
Roxette’s music is timeless, he said, adding that it will continue to find audiences long after he goes.
“When I started playing in bands, I wanted to be part of the whole pop bubble or whatever you want to call it, the romantic side of pop music, the whole ’60s and the ’70s, I love that,” he said.
“The music I listened to those days, it could be the Beatles, or it could be a Bob Dylan or David Bowie. That music is timeless, it’s classics and suddenly I realised that some of those songs that I wrote are also going to be classics, and that is really mesmerising to grasp. I am basically a music fan who, for some reason, was lucky enough to make it happen with my own stuff.”
Gessle and Fredriksson last played together as Roxette in 2016 on their Neverending World Tour. The Australian dates were in 2015.
With Philipsson fronting the new look Roxette, they will kick off the national tour in Perth on March 5, playing ICC Sydney on March 8.
“It is the old band going to play with me,” Gessle said.
“I just think it is going to be a new chapter basically. But also, life goes on as time goes by. The music industry is not what it used to be in the ’80s and the ’90s. It is a different ballgame now, that is why I am not really interested in writing new songs for Lena or for me because what I am trying to do is to pay homage to the history of Roxette basically.”
Outside of tour plans, Gessle has been busy developing Joyride The Musical, featuring the music of Roxette.
The stage show is currently playing in Malmo, Sweden.
His hope is that the production makes it to Broadway, the West End, and Australia.
“That’s the plan,” he said.
“They are actually talking about Australia as well. I am really positive, we were working on this music for many years now.”
Roxette play ICC Sydney Theatre on March 8.
Originally published as How iconic 80s band continued after singer’s death
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