roxann said on March 5, 2006 17:30:

This is really sad news, i just wanna take this moment to thank the FC, for all the nice things you guys have done over the years.

I recall a great release party in Köln (aka acting stupid by the bar infront of Åsa), meeting Per in Jönköping, memories i wouldn’t have had otherwise.

Thanks.

Zelda said on March 5, 2006 17:48:

And what’s now?

Will it be a new fanclub? Please, give me an answer!

steven said on March 5, 2006 17:56:

I agree with Roxann...

I too would also like to thank the FC for the work that they have done for the fans over the years.

There have been some great highlights and I am very grateful for their efforts.

It’s is a shame that some fans have experienced issues with merchandise requests, but it’s gratifying that the FC have taken steps to address this and to admit their failings.

The time feels right for a new, perhaps commercial FC to offer a new service.

Jud (moderator) said on March 5, 2006 18:06:

I agree with Steven here, I think a professionally run fanclub is the answer, as I said already sometimes before, the only fanclubs I know that work nowadays are run by companies specialized on these kind of services, or at least by people who get a salary for doing the work.

In any case, good luck! :)

roxgirl_germany said on March 5, 2006 18:55:

Sad to hear. Thanks for the good work over the years.

Anyone in need of a now unemployed FC translator? ;)

klair said on March 5, 2006 19:45:

The ’new’ team have been working really hard to come up with a good fanclub idea, and have been in discussion with the gouda gang about it, long before all this stuff on TDR (and before the meeting).

Unfortunately they have been met with silence from Roxette’s management - and they have no idea why, not even a ’no, there will be no fanclub’, nothing.

It is really sad bacause they are all very passionate & dedicated, very talented, and know how much work is involved. They are very upset for the fans who don’t have regular access to the net, who would rely on their support (through phonecalls letters etc) and the people on the net, who enjoy the wonderful M&G competitions etc will no longer have that opportunity.

I personally would not be interested in a fanclub that was run by someone who was paid to do it, as they don’t care about the artist or the fans, they are just there to make money. But maybe this is the plan from the management now - if so, I would encourage people not to join such a club

However, the ’new initiative’ haven’t given up hope, and will continue to try and get an answer. They ask to remain anonymous for the time being, and please don’t mail me - I won’t tell you who they are either!! (except that they are very very very nice!)

If you are in support of a new fanclub, please just spread your support here there and everywhere! Maybe the management will take notice & speak to them, and you will all get a fanclub you can be proud of.

klair said on March 5, 2006 20:14:

@Judith: I am sure that could be a possiblity, however, I just believe it is a little bit rude not to at least return their mail to say that they are looking into various options, and not just theirs.

The current FC recommended them, and had discussions with them before as well, so it just seems a little odd that they don’t get any feedback at the moment.

The management might even be busy, it is just sad that the old fc had to announce the closure before a new one is announced.

And I trust the people who want to start it. There are plenty of people I know who would only want to do it out of some kind of idea that they can sit back and get freebies & meets etc. and not care about the fans.

Time will tell I guess :)

klair said on March 5, 2006 20:19:

@steven: so you would rather have a fanclub run by someone who knows nothing about Roxette??? And who will charge you a fortune just to access their website (like robbie williams - do you wanna pay £25 just to get concert tickets and read a blog??)

I certainly don’t!

Jud (moderator) said on March 5, 2006 20:38:

There are other fanclubs run by a company or even somebody (which can also be a fan) who makes profit out of it, where you pay a reasonable fee and get for example a small present every year, have a lot of contests going on (including M&Gs, merchandise and the possibility to chat with the artist), sell tickets at special prices or with special conditions (like if you get a FC ticket you can be in the first rows), etc etc

roxtexanet said on March 5, 2006 20:40:

No matter what, I don’t think the successor should be in the business of trying to sell merchandise... they should pick a well-established company like Skivhugget with a proven track record of success in this area and direct all inquiries for merchandise there.

steven said on March 5, 2006 20:48:

@ Klair,

Fair enough :)

Interesting debate you have to agree.

I wonder which way Per will eventually decide?

Watch this space.

crashroxer said on March 5, 2006 21:04:

Oh, now it’s official!!!

Hope to get soon my stuff...

per_mson said on March 5, 2006 23:23:

@Klair: I would prefer a fan club that was really new and not just a fan club ran by friends to the old gang. I think, as I said before here, that the official status should be handed over to EMI and when there is a good solution the official descision should be taken by EMI/D&D. So I don’t see why the recommendations of the old fan club group should mean so much since they after all don’t seem to be so very interested in the whole thing anymore. To be able to recommend someone for a job like this (or any other job as well for the matter) I think you have to be really dedicated to the job in question.
I have nothing against the idea of a professionaly run fan club either. Then we will hopefully see some action and new stuff in the fan shop since this company want profit. And maybe we will even get what we ordered this millenium!! ;)

japeke said on March 6, 2006 01:47:

A very wise decision made by the ex-FC staff.
It took a too long time, full of complaints, not updating the site, well, doing almost nothing... But finally they made the right decision. Thanks for that!

Also thanks for the stuff I bought at the fanshop (and received in time, except only 1 cd), and for the ticket for the showcase in Köln and the mazarin-releaseparty!

Curious about what is going to happen now in rox-land....

Jud (moderator) said on March 6, 2006 06:09:

doesn’t look like anybody is excited about the idea of a new fanclub, maybe there is no need for a fanclub the way we know it anymore, as some point out. Ally might have given us the reason: the average age of the fans is not from 12 to 18 anymore. Another sign we are getting old? :D

And IF, then the new team won’t have an easy task ahead, besides starting a brand new fanclub, get new members etc, they will have to convince everybody that they are not the old team and that they won’t make the same mistakes. I think this time nobody will allow them to go on if they don’t perform as they are expected to.. let’s say everybody will be watching, I’m afraid :/

RobS said on March 6, 2006 07:16:

I can’t see the last news article on roxette.nl. Have they taken down their site already?

Ignore that... i think my browser was having issues.

I’d also like to thank them for their work over the years, who’d know what would have happend if i didn’t join the fanclub back in 1992. I might not be a Roxette fan!! :-O

per_mson said on March 6, 2006 08:18:

Yep, agree as well that there is not really any need for a new Fan Club. What could be fun though is a shop where we can buy merchandise and records. But that could simply be a link from say this page. No need to start a new “empire” because of that. Fanzines and stuff I don’t see the point with anymore since most people after all do have some kind of access to internet. Then this page is perfect the way it is.

purplemedusa said on March 6, 2006 13:08:

nothings... just sweet nothings

coyboyusa said on March 6, 2006 16:18:

the last iteration of the fanclub seemed to have very little involvement from per and marie, and at this point I think it’s easy to say a new club would have no involvement with them...sad to say it but this happens with artists as their appeal over time dwindles, as long as we are fans we don’t need a fanclub to support them :)

little-miss-sorrow said on March 6, 2006 16:38:

sad news.

i want to join those who say thank you for your work. though surely it wasn’t easy sometimes i (speaking for my little self) never had any problems and have a few wonderful memories thanx to the fanclub. feels kind of sad you really quit guys...

Fernanda-Brasil said on March 7, 2006 22:53:

I’m sad aboud it....
I never had problems with them. I always received my orders in time.
I only have to thankyou guys for all this years.

Fernanda

sandyam said on March 9, 2006 15:10:

The fanclub asked for three weeks to allow all the items to arrive. Well, those weeks have passed and I still don’t have my box yet. I have received a message saying that my box is on it’s way but I am soooo sick of these loose promises.
I will give it one more day, Saturday. If the box hasn’t reached me by than I will send a furious email to D&D!!

Jud (moderator) said on March 11, 2006 10:38:

in their message they say they are now sorting out other financial issues, this includes the membership fees people already paid, which will be refunded.

“We are working out the finer details of closing up the shop and sorting out outstanding services (i.e. fanzines). Please do not spam us with requests as to what is happening with your credits. We are fully aware of them and finding the best way to meet everyone’s needs in an efficient and practical manner. Watch this space concerning Fanshop news!”