Marie Fredriksson

Marie Fredriksson, born on May 30, 1958, was a renowned Swedish singer, songwriter, pianist, and the lead vocalist of the iconic pop-rock duo Roxette, which she co-founded in 1986 with Per Gessle. The duo skyrocketed to international fame in the late 1980s and early 1990s, producing chart-topping albums such as Look Sharp! in 1988 and Joyride in 1991, along with multiple hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including four number one singles.

Before her success with Roxette, Fredriksson had already made a name for herself in Sweden's music scene. She was a member of the punk band Strul, which was notable for creating its own music festival in 1979. Following the band's dissolution, she formed the short-lived MaMas Barn and began her solo career, releasing her debut album, Het vind, in 1984, followed by Den sjunde vågen in 1986 and ... Efter stormen in 1987.

Roxette's breakthrough came during a period when Fredriksson was less active as a solo artist, with her only release being the non-album single 'Sparvöga' in 1989. However, she later returned to her solo work with albums like Den ständiga resan in 1992 and I en tid som vår in 1996. In 2002, after experiencing a fainting spell at home, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor, which led to a challenging rehabilitation process.

Despite her health struggles, Fredriksson continued to create music, releasing The Change in 2004 and Min bäste vän in 2006, along with the non-album single 'Där du andas' in 2008, which became her first and only solo number one in Sweden. She reunited with Gessle to record more albums as Roxette and embarked on a worldwide concert tour, while also releasing her album Nu! in 2013. Sadly, Marie Fredriksson passed away on December 9, 2019, due to health complications related to her brain tumor.