Roxette's Per Gessle on Marie Fredriksson, their success, Joyride the Musical, & Roxette's new tour.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.ย. 2024
- 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:
• Roxette's Per Gessle o...
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.
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How wonderful to see Per Gessle interviewed! He doesn’t do too many interviews, so this is quite special. Thank you, Steve!
@@themotownboy1 🙏 he was really great in this interview!
This man is a hit machine. Their albums were always unique and never any fillers. Sweden produces the best musicians.
@@BASSER81 he totally is a hit machine. Lovely guy as well!
@@popthehistorymakersYeah always comes across very down to earth and unaware of his talent. I appreciate the artists you interview great channel. Only today I actually now remember you from MTV it just clicked in my head!
@@BASSER81 yeah I know. I don’t recognize myself some days. Love interviewing people, always have, so doing this channel has been a real labour of love. And it helps when people like what I have done, so thx for that!
@@popthehistorymakers Haha I didn’t mean cause you’ve aged!! I’m not getting any younger either 🤣. I think there is a gap in the market for the cohort of people you’re interviewing so stick with it. It will keep growing 💪🏼
@@BASSER81 thx! Same
Sparvöga. The best Marie song ever.
"Today Sweden, tomorrow the world." Yes indeed! Here I am in Singapore my whole life, enjoying Roxette since I was a teenager!!! 🎉
Per is simply a genius and a the master of pop rock music.!! Marie was to me one of the best singers on this planet, her voice goes straight into your system and right into your heart, no other singer have that magic curse. Roxette were the best duo band ever excited. I just wish they had more credit. Roxette for ever!!
A wonderful interview, Steve.
Per is a musical genius. The ability to compose catchy tunes isn't simple. To have a female singer like Marie & the musical connection is one in a billion.
They were a perfect combo. It's still so tragic that we won't seem them together again.
@@yousafsabir7224 agreed
Per is someone who makes me proud of being swedish !
@@randersson3672 true. Get that totally. He’s just a really nice guy
@@popthehistorymakers BTW, this is the best interview I have seen/heard with Per, thanks for a great job.
@@randersson3672 thx 🙏
@@randersson3672 you should be proud of him! Well done Sweden!
Aww, Steve, that was a lovely thing to say to Per at the end. I feel he never gets the recognition he deserves. I missed the start, so will rewatch it all soon. Per and Marie (as well as the Rox band and Gyllene Tider guys) have meant so much to me in my life. I met Per last summer after a GT concert in Sweden, and made such a mess of it! I could barely look at, or speak to him, I was so nervous. I wanted to tell him how much he and Marie have meant, to me, but I never did, so I'm saying it here now!
@@BadMoonandStars well it’s true what I said and I felt he was touched by that. I really liked him, he’s always been true to his music, and the way he talks about Marie is beautiful. Sweet of you to say what they mean to you - hopefully he does read this.
A really great one! Love to see Per on that open hearted way❤
Looking forward to this! PG will always be the best! ✌
Thank u Steve to bring also this Music Legend and his Background Storys to us!
@@agebee I love the fact that he is so open
Fantastic interview! Per seems to be a nice person, Roxette was always criminally underrated. Thank you, Steve!
Thx and true!
Thanks for this great interview with my favorite musician-Per G- so nice to watch you both ...😍❤❤....
@@altheagraham783 thx. Do consider a membership only if you can: th-cam.com/channels/5S9xw1B-ppDXVkAuvRRQtg.htmljoin
THANK YOU PER!! ROXETTE FOREVER!!
Thank you Steve for that great Interview! Both you and Per are big heroes of my youth! We stay young together ✌️
@@Ringo-kw2hd thanks for watching. 🙏
He is a great interview partner. 🎉
One thing that wasn't mentioned in the interview is the Gyllene Tider biopic that has just been released in Sweden. That band has a certain place in Swedish music history. I would say that Gyllene Tider is probabably bigger than Roxette here in Sweden. I saw one of their many reunions at the Ullevi stadium in Gothenburg in 2013. For the encore Marie Fredriksson entered the stage as a surprise guest and sang a duet with Per. It was pure magic!
@@LapsangTe I understand that from a Swedish perspective and my own Swedish friends love Gyllene Tider - but since the podcast’s main audience is the US, Uk and Germany, prioritizing Roxette was my goal in the hour I was given. Hope you enjoyed it nonetheless!
@@popthehistorymakers I enjoyed it a lot! Per Gessle is a very down to earth type of person.
Amazing! Thanks Per for your legacy. You are my hero. And thank you Steve for this fantastic interview!
@@roxettehd2 🙏 😚
Marie Fredriksson was so unique and such a great singer. She captured the soul and hearts of millions.
@@peternilsson7133 totally agree. Beautiful voice. Per talks so lovingly of her - obviously misses the friendship that they had.
Thanks for making this interview! I LOVED Roxette as a teenager and their concert in Stockholm is the only concert I have ever attended ❤ it was absolutely magical!! And some people I met at the concert I still have contact with (after 30-35 years)!! ❤
@@PernillaArtistic wow that’s really amazing that you stayed in contact with others at the concert after all these years. Thx for watching 😘
Thankyou for this interview Steve.
Roxette have been a big part of my life for the last 30 odd years, there music has carried me throu, a supportive shoulder, a burst of euphoria, sad days and happy times. There music has ran through my veins constantly. I have many pics of them dotted in frames around my house. Theyre never too far away. Simple songs, melodies, amazing voices... especially Marie. No egos just music. Talented musicians who are muched loved.
To me, they ll always be my world. THANKYOU.
I m actually travelling to Per s hotel in sweden next April. Its a bucket list.
The sweet hello. The sad goodbye.
@@gigg11c that’s lovely. Music always accompanies us. And thx for watching. He really comes across as you described, a kind thoughtful person! Enjoy ticking off your bucket list!
I love this intervju With Per :very much❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
@@monanilsson2285 thank you 😊
Oh my....such a lovely interview! Thank you Steve- that indeed was a beautiful surprise to find this interview only by chance. So touching to listen to all these memorys and you are definitely one of my favourite interviewers ever. You provide an empathetic, warm -kinda like bonding vibe that seems to make it a lot easier for people to open up about personal stuff. Love your interviews! Thank you for this special one with one of my favurite musicians from my first "Lieblingsband" Roxette - as we say here in germany. 🤩
Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
@@Fusselinchen82 thank you! Well I’ve had a lot of practice and just love interviewing people, but in the case of Per, I was determined to try and get him to open up. He showed such a lovely heart, with lots of kindness for Marie. I was also touched. Danke sehr! 😊
I really enjoyed this interview from both parts. You were thoroughly prepared, let Per Gessle speak and didn't interrupt him. I love Roxette songs, so it was good to hear interesting stories of him and Roxette. Thank you very much.
@@seedcold 🙏 that is very kind. 🧒
I really enjoyed this interview. Per is a nice person to talk to. Thank you, Steve!
Look Sharp! is one of my favourite albums. The picture sleeve of the album and the singles. The five singles and also the 12 inch remixes from that era are great.
See Roxette in 13 Concerts live since 1989 😊 in Germany
@@frieda0074 wow!!!!
Roxette the best of the best forever and ever band in the world! Thanx for interview.
@@vikolife thx for listening 😚
Fantastic interview! Thank you and Per for this piece! Enjoyed listening a lot!
Tjena Per .. looking good! :)
that was such a nice interview. thank you Steve and thank you my hero Per
@@mathonitorke6764 thx 😘
“Why do you like that particular song?” We LOVE MELODIES.
An amazing interview - Thank you so much, Steve :)
@@Beneaththeglitterball 🙏
Saw Roxete in Manchester on their final tour. It was very moving given Marie's health issues. The audience really appreciated the performance. Roxette are a great band with so many first class songs. Dressed For Success, How Do You Do? and Vulnerable are definitely three of my favourites. Their success was underpinned by talent and drive, not surprising in view of the sad loss of Per's father in 1978. There is often a correlation between losing a parent at an early age and substantial success in a particular field. A surprising number of UK Prime Minister's have lost a parent before they turned 18 though the word success may have to be used advisedly in some cases! Enjoyable and informative interview, replete with trademark Swedish modesty.
@@eightiesmusic1984 perfectly said. If you’ve watched other interviews I focus of childhood trauma and how that often leads to drive (talent is a given), and success! Can’t speak for UK Prime Ministers 😉
@@popthehistorymakers Thanks. Not sure if it is just me but notifications for the channel rarely appear whereas they do for other things I subscribe to. Not seen an interview for a few weeks as usually rely on the prompt. I'm going to do a deep dive back into Roxette this afternoon as a result of the interview.
@@eightiesmusic1984 I had a 6 week break. Might be that
@@popthehistorymakersIt could well be though I think it was intermittent previously. Look forward to more interviews.
@@eightiesmusic1984 I’ve worked out how to send alerts to members so hopefully that’ll work
Great in depth interview! I would really like to hear Per producing the next solo album by Morten Harket if he hasn't retired yet.
I’ve so wanted to get Morten. Interviewed him a lot for mtv years ago and still trying to get him this time for the podcast. Love your idea!
Steve Blame the voice and face off my teenage years…
It’s been a long time no see but it’s nice to see you still around us..
Copenhagen 🇩🇰supports
@@CopenhagenCollabo thank-you! Hope you enjoy the interviews.
@@popthehistorymakers I had to make some food so I didn’t get all the way to the end but I’ll look at it later today..
Thanks so much for your message, what an honour that the Mr Steve Blame answer back…
Hope your good and once again thanks for all the great memories and news you brought to us through the MTV back then and now..
Copenhagen🇩🇰 supports
Loved this interview Steve, me and my family had many holidays in Sweden since a small kid in the 80's!
I met both Per + Marie a few times and they were soooo nice and down to earth + were in Stockholm, Gothenberg, Malmo, + in London!☺
My dad still has the hit album-Pearl of Passion in 1986 when in Gothenberg on original CD 💿😎
I was waiting for the convo about the hit single: Must of Been Love in 1987 which was a hit for Roxette in their native Sweden, Belgium, + Norway as you prob know- + then as you know was the soundtrack for: Pretty Woman and re-released in them countries and other countries around the world!
But was meant to be released in Germany as well in 1987 and didnt' end up happening even though EMI Germany asked them to write a song to release there....
Looking forward to the musical. I'm also in UK in England in Kent-Whereabouts are you Steve?? 🙂
@@mikekaraoke that sounds like a nice existence. They were always so polite when I met them ages ago. I’m between Germany and Greece these days, probably moving to Athens
@@popthehistorymakers Yea was great, in Gothenberg Marie remembered my name while Per was like your name is Michael/Mark?? and Marie said his name is Michael and rubbed my cheek and had pic taken wth them both I was 6 at the time and a very fond memory I will alway cherish 😊
When did you last see them both in the flesh apart from your interview with Per??
Oh I see/you go back and forth, I was last in Germany last Spring-Hamburg...
Where did you live in the UK and when did you last vist there??
@@mikekaraoke 30 years ago - about! While at MTV I was in London - looked after mum for many years but after she passed I don’t return very often!
@@popthehistorymakers Blimey, so you not been back to the UK since the 90's??
Even though parts of Germany only takes under 2 hours or just over 3 hours on a plane etc or get Eurostar as you know!
My friends dad worked at MTV in London the 80's/ 90's in the production side of it-very small world....
Sorry to hear you had to look after your mum-was she bed bound??
What is one of your fav cities/towns in Germany??
@@mikekaraoke no mum died 6 years ago and I’ve been this year but mainly in Germany and Greece
Thank you So Much for this ;) Since 1991 Iam Loyal Roxette Fan.
Greets Ollie & HPR.Crew
@@hptvplusofficial my pleasure but to be honest it was also a pleasure for me to talk to Per again after all these years!
@@popthehistorymakers Oh Yes Sure 100 Percent ;) Per is a Genius and Do the Right Thing Caring the Legacy of Marie
@@popthehistorymakers You Know? Tony Mortimer from East 17 Would be Genius for a Interview by you !! ;)
@@hptvplusofficial I’ll try. BTW I’m not doing interviews myself at the moment. I can’t keep up with all my work and moving and …
@@popthehistorymakers Thank you very much ;)
Np I understand 100 Percent of course. Thank you for answer. Have a great evening
Greets Ollie
Thanks for this interview!
@@Cantrushtalent thx for watching
Roxette are my all time favourite band, love them so much I saw them tour in Australia 🇦🇺 and I’m from England 🏴
ahh Steve, so great I found you channel, long time no see, you were my best MTV presenter.
@@Mujcanal 🙏 😘
Such a great interview with such a humble down to earth star. One of the best interviews I've seen I think, really personal. Ive had a few interactions with Per now, from him replying to comments on the Roxette Facebook page, and then he shared my song and music video on it, when they arrived in Auckland, and I got to review their concert with the Daily Roxette fan club and even met their guitarist Christoffer in the street after and then I ended up in his music video "Name You Beaut", which was made from fan submissions, and had a table tennis theme as it was the theme song for the World Cup in Halmstadt. Their music followed me around South America at very poignant times and right before Marie passed, when I was in Santiago. It was uncanny. Soundtrack of my life really.
@@jamesdigbycrompton thx for the compliment and what a sweet story!
Nice vid! For me as a Swede ”Gyllene tider” is a greater band than ”Roxette” Gyllene tider is always huge every summer - its summermusic, partymusic, and ”allsongsmusic” (singalong) and all swedes know all the lyrics. Roxette is more of a sideprodject for me and Gyllene tider is still alive and they tour Sweden every summer🙏❤️🕺🏼
@@bulletnutz6382 Roxette har dock en del bra låtar... Inget fan av Gyllene Tider.
They were brilliant RIP Marie
The biopic about Gyllene Tider was perhaps the biggest Swedish movie in theaters for this summer. Although it's "based on a true story", I recall quite a few episodes about what Per is talking about.
I see a few similarities between him and the creative force behind the Swedish band Ghost, Tobias Forge. He had a many years senior brother who passed away the same day that the first Ghost songs were released on MySpace - and attracted a ton of praise. He called it the best and worst day of his life.
@@T1hitsTheHighestNote I believe that a day like that defines your life. When Per said this his father died the same day he got into the newspaper it forever connected success with that pain. Just my belief! Anyhow I loved interviewing him.
Fantastic interview Steve. Thoughtful questions and refreshing to see the honesty. Looking forward to seeing more interviews.
@@JohnnyPolidano thx. There’s over one hundred to choose from! Try Toyah, or Snap! Producer Michael Münzing or this one; MAN PARRISH, Electro Hip-Hop PIONEER w. WARHOL, BOWIE & a WILD TRIP through 80s NYC (18+)
th-cam.com/video/Clk3mTHmUBw/w-d-xo.html
A very interesting interview! 👏💕💕💕👏👏
@@lionelzeta 🙏 ❤️
Ah, of course Steve Blame always making the BEST interviews! I'm only 15 minutes in and I'm really enjoying how fresh the view is and the in depth questions! I love Per and Roxette! Thank you for making this!!
@@rarapas that is so kind of you. As you know you are in my favorite country and I’ll be back in Athens soon!!!
@@popthehistorymakers if you every come up to Thessaloniki, for an event or anything, I'd be stoked to say hi. Cheers! :)
@@rarapas probably be there in November for the film/doc festival!
Marie and Per are my ultimate OTP 🩵 and Roxette will forever hold a special place in my heart.
49:23 - aww, I didn't know he felt that way and that he fought so hard to try and keep her 😁😁 I bet he was thrilled when he wrote Soul Deep for her. haha.
Thanks for this interview, Steve. I liked it.
You got the love from around the world when you got on MTV.
Actually the first time I heard Roxette was on MTV, can’t remember if it was you who introduced them back then but funny too think if it was and then suddenly many years later we’re here connecting again..
Music been a huge friend to me all my life and also thanks too you guys and girls on MTV, especially Maiken Wexø..
Great interview, I’m looking forward to many more in the future.
Copenhagen 🇩🇰still support
@@CopenhagenCollabo Maiken Wexø - we were close friends for a while. I met up with her a few times in Copenhagen but haven’t seen her for a number of years now!
@@popthehistorymakers hope she’s doing well…
Im only turning 50 in few days but you were inspiring to a young man like me back then and also from MTV i knew that i would do something that had to do with music so I learned to play guitar, played in some bands and besides that got to work with concert production since 1989…
😁
@@CopenhagenCollabo so do I. Sounds interesting - concert production - I’ve always loved interviewing artists and that’s why I started this. 50? How young you are!
Great interview.
I still remember (if I have this correct) seeing them on Pebble Mill ( a 1PM daily show) doing their first live appearance on British TV playing The Look. I loved it, and went on to buy their albums for many years afterwards.
@@necronom 🙏 glad you enjoyed it!
The Greatest Interview!
@@lepxs wow thanks so much!!!!!! 😚
Good to hear from Per. I bought the Look Sharp album in the early 90s. There simply isn't a bad track on it! Enjoyed the vid. Cheers
Thanks for this nice interview. Per has always been not only a talented guy but also intelligent. He made the right decisions at the right moments, which proves that his wits are beyond average! Steve’s charms made this conversation quite entertaining too.
@@MrTognio charms? Me? Per is just a really nice guy, you can tell that from how he talks with such affection about Marie.
@@popthehistorymakers I agree with You, Steve. Per is a charming guy too not to mention the way he has shown respect for Marie’s legacy. He’s a true gentleman. I just wanted to give some credit to how entertaining this interview was partly because of your kindness, meaningful questions and never ending smile (by the way, I loved when you mentioned you took care of your mom until her final days.) As for Roxette, we still enjoy their music here in Chile. They have a huge fan base here!!! Hugs from Chile! Michelangelo.
@@MrTognio thanks! That’s sweet. I didn’t know that Roxette were big in Chile though I’m guessing they were big everywhere. Can you share the podcast with the fan groups there? 😚
@@popthehistorymakers I will. Take care Steve!
@@MrTognio you too 😚
I love Roxette!
Steve Blame! Good to see ya.
🙏 ❤
That bit about a good song's intro. I've recently watched an interview with Leeroy Thornhill, and he said more or less the same thing. Not only in music, but for example in film or television. When I hear the first two notes of the "Thames Television" 1960s ident, I think of "The Benny Hill Show" right away or The Ladd Company tree intro with John Williams' tune -> Blade Runner.
@@jeshkam thing is you remember a hit song from the first few notes. That’s the key!
@@popthehistorymakersThe key, literally! But I was just thinking, are there any hit songs with terrible intros lol?
@@jeshkam 😆 probably but that’s a matter of taste I guess!
Look Sharp! is one of my favourite albums. The picture sleeve of the album and the singles. The five singles and also the 12 inch remixes from that era are great.