Roxette’s Per Gessle on Marie Fredriksson, their success, Joyride the Musical, & Roxette’s new tour.

Born on January 12, 1959, in Halmstad, Sweden, Per Gessle is a celebrated musician, singer, and songwriter, most famously known as one-half of the iconic pop duo Roxette. Alongside Marie Fredriksson, Gessle propelled Roxette to international stardom in the late 1980s and 1990s with an impressive array of hits, including “The Look,“ “Listen to Your Heart,“ “It Must Have Been Love,“ and “Joyride“—all of which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. This achievement helped cement Roxette’s status as the second biggest-selling Swedish band of all time, surpassed only by ABBA. Interview link here: There was, sadly, tragedy in the story of Roxette with Marie Fredriksson’s health struggles and eventual passing. In 2002, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor, which she bravely battled for several years. Despite her illness, Fredriksson continued to perform and record music, displaying remarkable resilience and dedication to her craft. Unfortunately, her health issues persisted, leading to her tragic passing on December 9, 2019. Gessle’s career commenced in the late 1970s with the Swedish band Gyllene Tider, enjoying considerable success in Sweden. Known for his knack for crafting catchy melodies and evocative lyrics, Gessle has been a pivotal figure in the music industry, both as a performer and a composer. Beyond his work with Roxette, he has released several solo albums and continued to leave an indelible mark on the pop and rock music scenes, maintaining a lasting legacy in global pop culture. Per Gessle has announced a Roxette tour in 2025 with Lena Philipsson as singer, and also a musical using Roxette’s songs.