Roxette
Roxette is a renowned Swedish pop rock duo formed in 1986, consisting of Marie Fredriksson and Per Gessle. Both were already accomplished musicians in Sweden, with Fredriksson having a successful solo career and Gessle being the lead singer and songwriter for the band Gyllene Tider. The duo came together under the guidance of EMI's CEO, Rolf Nygren, and released their debut single "Neverending Love" from the album Pearls of Passion, which was a hit in Sweden.
Roxette's international breakthrough came with their 1988 album Look Sharp!, which featured two Billboard Hot 100 number-one hits: "The Look" and "Listen to Your Heart." Their success continued with the song "It Must Have Been Love" from the Pretty Woman soundtrack and the 1991 album Joyride, which sold eleven million copies worldwide. Roxette became Sweden's second-best-selling music act after ABBA, with global sales between 75 and 80 million records.
The duo faced a hiatus in 2002 when Fredriksson was diagnosed with a brain tumor, but they reformed in 2009 and continued to release music and tour until 2016. Fredriksson retired from touring due to health issues and passed away on December 9, 2019. Despite her passing, the legacy of Roxette's music continues, with Per Gessle leading a live revival of their hits alongside Swedish singer Lena Philipsson in 2025. Roxette's impact is marked by numerous international hits and significant sales certifications, particularly in Germany, the UK, and the US.
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