A brand-new SVT documentary series chronicles the success story of Roxette, one of Sweden’s greatest musical triumphs of all time. Together, friends Per Gessle and Marie Fredriksson created a unique and unrivaled collection of pop gems, a musical treasure trove, beginning in 1986, that lives on to this day. Through their own personal footage, photographs and voices, we are taken on a journey from Halmstad to sold-out arenas across the globe.
Marie Fredriksson from Östra Ljungby and Per Gessle from Halmstad met within music circles in the early 1980s. As Per’s career, following his time with Gyllene Tider, began to decline, Marie’s star as a solo artist began to rise. Against all odds, they recorded a song together that actually became a hit: “Neverending Love” (1986). Through their own personal footage, we follow their journey from that first single right up to the moment their major breakthrough, “The Look”, was just around the corner.
When “The Look” breaks through in 1989, Roxette become big in Sweden, but the dream of an international career does not seem to be coming true. It is only when an exchange student in the US manages to get the single played that things start to happen – and when they do, they happen in a big way. Per and Marie embark on a massive promotional tour, and soon more number-one hits in the US follow. Through their personal home movies, we get to follow the journey from “The Look” to “Joyride” – but this immense success also comes at a price.
After taking the world by storm, Roxette has secured its place in pop history, but this success has come at a price. Extensive world tours have taken a toll on their relationship and their records are no longer selling as they once did, despite iconic tracks like “Sleeping in My Car” and “Crash! Boom! Bang!” When Marie Fredriksson falls gravely ill in the prime of her life, everything is turned upside down. Is this the end for Roxette?
All three parts of the documentary will be available worldwide on SVT Play from November 19.
