Roxette reunion on its way says Dutch newspaper
Written by colinvdbel on May 27, 2006 to Roxette.
Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad published the following article today, including a new picture of Per in it’s print edition.
By Stefan Raatgever
AMSTERDAM - With Roxette collegue Marie Fredriksson having recovered from a brain tumor, singer Per Gessle prepares for a reunion of the Swedish pop duo However, he is presently occupied with his nostalgic solo project “Son of a Plumber.”
The metamorphosis of his appearance is noticeable, especially for people who haven’t seen Per Gessle in a long while. His ’coupe-de-exploded hairdryer’, with which Gessle and his colleague Marie Fredriksson gave their hits “Joyride,” “It Must Have Been Love” and “Listen To Your Heart” some extra volume in the nineties, has disappeared. Gessle has a hip haircut now, wears Prada shoes and looks a lot younger than his age of 47.
Roxette has been on hold since Fredriksson’s (48) brain tumor, but this will soon change according to Gessle. The two will record a few songs this summer for a new sampler that will be released near the end of 2006.
It has been four years since Roxette worked together.
Fredriksson’s disease made Roxette’s future insecure.
“There have been times when no one believed Marie was going to survive. She has been in a bad condition,” says Gessle. “Now she’s free of cancer and off her medications, but she has become a different person.”
Fredriksson avoids publicity, spends a lot of time with her husband and two children and records now and then in her home studio. “That’s why it surprised me when Marie asked me on my birthday if there would be a need for new songs during Roxette’s 20th anniversary year.”
Gessle considers the future existence of Roxette to solely depend on Fredriksson. “No, it’s not hard. I’ve accepted it. The decisions are up to her. I’m up for anything – a tour, a new album – but I don’t expect anything. Every small step forward is good news to me.”
In the meanwhile he concentrates on other projects, such as the solo double-album Son of a Plumber, on which Gessle (the son of a plumber) wrote numbers in the style of the era in which he got to know music: the early seventies. The songs which are full of atmosphere still rely heavily on melody, but differ greatly from Roxette’s well-produced pop.
All of this placed Gessle in a new situation, receiving positive reviews for the first time. “All my life I’ve been ’accused’ of making commercial music. Though many people bought my records which received a lot of airplay, the press never was enthusiastic. Now a serious magazine like Rolling Stone gives nothing but praise. I can only laugh about that, since this is probably going to be my worst-selling record ever.”
The album Son of a Plumber is released [in the Netherlands] today.
Harriej contributed to this article. Translation by Colin van der Bel.
Other articles with the same topic
- Roxette live in Yekaterinburg: the set list (March 5, 2011)
- Samara was a smash (March 4, 2011)
- Roxette tour moves south to Samara, Russia (March 3, 2011)
- North America and Australia on the Roxette radar for later this year (March 2, 2011)
- Roxette live in Kazan: a promising start to the World Tour (March 1, 2011)
24 comments
die1ar said on May 27, 2006 21:54:
This is a good article, especially for people that haven’t heard about roxette lately.
Rox-Van said on May 27, 2006 21:58:
“There have been times when no one believed Marie was going to survive. She has been in a bad condition,” says Gessle. “Now she’s free of cancer and off her medications, but she has become a different person.” WOW NO MORE WORDS...
Roxryder-V2002 said on May 27, 2006 22:31:
Thank you, nice reading for a saturday evening.
“That’s why it surprised me when Marie asked me on my birthday if there would be a need for new songs during Roxette’s 20th anniversary year.”
Gessle considers the future existence of Roxette to solely depend on Fredriksson. “No, it’s not hard. I‘ve accepted it. The decisions are up to her. I’m up for anything – a tour, a new album – but I don’t expect anything. Every small step forward is good news to me.”
R.
chrisjankunas said on May 27, 2006 22:49:
Nice article. Nothing new really yet it still seems like new info. June approaches too ! They should be recording soon :)
abysmo said on May 27, 2006 23:30:
Superb interview, nothing new but so many details. One of the best interviews ever.
Sparvogamarie said on May 27, 2006 23:50:
I agree Rox-Van, reading that line shakes you up. We haven’t been allowed to know how close it was for her. Since the beginning Per has been the only one keeping us informed, I’m really grateful to him because he was in such a difficult position, trying to keep Marie’s privacy and also trying to tell the public what they want to know. I really respect the man, he seems like such a decent guy.
Jud (moderator) said on May 28, 2006 08:42:
Gessle considers the future existence of Roxette to solely depend on Fredriksson. “No, it’s not hard. I’ve accepted it. The decisions are up to her. I’m up for anything – a tour, a new album – but I don’t expect anything. Every small step forward is good news to me.”
> maybe it’s time for some fans to accept it as well ;)
Nice words mr G!
Thanks Harriej for the tip and Colin for the translation!! :)
Floepie said on May 28, 2006 10:43:
Metro had a huge interview on may 12th. in the netherlands. He also said in taht interview that nobody including himself thought that marie would survive. Also lots about Gyllene Tider.
onlywhenidream said on May 28, 2006 10:46:
did anybody see/ hear about the Rolling Stone comments before? I have just had a look on the website and nothing...
Jud (moderator) said on May 28, 2006 11:05:
Floepie and all: here’s the metro article:
http://www.metropoint.com/ftp//20060512_Amsterdam.pdf
Sascha said on May 28, 2006 11:29:
Nice article, quite interesting details. You see that Per’s not only a business partner but also a very good friend of Marie.
abysmo said on May 28, 2006 15:51:
I never knew that it was so bad with Marie. Per said it for the first time now.
cgvazquez said on May 28, 2006 19:02:
I totally agree with Rox Van and Sparvoga. That lines shacked me up.
rox-kuryliw said on May 28, 2006 21:24:
very interesting article, maire was the one who wanted to record new stuff for album by sounds of it.
AURYTE said on May 28, 2006 21:25:
Per looks older than usually on this picture, but he is so handsome at the same time...
Nice article. Though when I read the title, I expected more news about Roxette’s future.
HBrox said on May 29, 2006 00:39:
I think none of us really know how bad Marie situation was. OMG... She is a really strong woman! Knowing that it was her who was interested in a Roxette come back makes me believe that she is more involved in Roxette proyect than I thought.
I totally understand her position now.
tq83 said on May 29, 2006 03:02:
i really respect marie so much, after all she has been thru she even still thinks of us fans to make new songs for the 20th aniversary!! she is truly a amazing woman!!!
after readin this even if we get only 1 more new roxette song ever again.. i will be greatful! If marie wants to just live a normal life with family i will wish her the best!!!
Krischan said on May 29, 2006 04:20:
“Exploded hairdryer” and “good reviews - poor selling figures and vice versa” made me laugh.
The part on Roxette revealed for the first time Per’s feelings in detail. So, one song has become “a few” and release is scheduled somewhen end of the year.
Maybe, people see now how close it was for Marie and her different point of perspective now - but i don’t have much hope. I wonder to what extent her personality changed. Most likely I wouldn’t notice anyhow cause I didn’t know her before either.
big-little-girl said on May 29, 2006 07:16:
”...and looks a lot younger than his age of 47.”
Come on guys, get your eyes examined!!!
Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge Rox-fan, but even my dad who’s turning 69 tomorrow has less wrinkles than Per in his face! I know, that it’s not Per’s fault and even when Per will be 80, he’ll always appear boyish. But come on: A LOT OF people look much younger with 47 (even the ones without facelifting)! I think Per looks much older than 47 and I can’t understand why people (fans) always talk such BS only because it’s Per!
ChrisWilliams said on May 29, 2006 10:01:
@ big-little-girl
Yeah, I was surprised the interviewer (who, I assume, was just doing his job and isn’t necessarily a Roxette fan) said that Per’s looking so young! Per’s a nice looking guy, but if you told me he was 53, I’d believe you :)
Bunio said on May 27, 2006 21:48:
“I’m up for anything” - so are we! :)