Roxette

Roxette is a Swedish pop rock duo formed in 1986 by Per Gessle and Marie Fredriksson. Before forming the band, both were successful musicians in Sweden; Gessle was part of the band Gyllene Tider, and Fredriksson had a solo career. Their first single, “Neverending Love,” quickly gained popularity in Sweden, but their international breakthrough came with the 1988 album Look Sharp!. This album made Roxette a global sensation, especially with hits like “The Look” and “Listen to Your Heart,” which topped the US charts. Another major hit was “It Must Have Been Love,” re-released in 1990 as part of the Pretty Woman soundtrack. Their most successful album, Joyride (1991), sold over 11 million copies worldwide, with the title track and the single “Fading Like a Flower” reaching high chart positions. Throughout the 1990s, Roxette released several more successful albums including Crash! Boom! Bang! and Tourism, while touring globally. In 2002, Marie Fredriksson was diagnosed with a brain tumor, which led to a hiatus. Despite health challenges, Roxette reunited in 2009 and continued performing until 2016. Fredriksson passed away in 2019, but Per Gessle continues his music career, announcing Roxette’s return with a new lead singer. Roxette has left an indelible mark on pop music, selling between 75 and 80 million albums worldwide and remaining popular to this day.