CONTEST – Win the limited edition version of Marie Fredriksson’s biography in English!

It’s amazing that after all these years, Marie’s story is finally out in English too! 1984 Publishing, the US publishing company of the English edition of Marie’s biography, was kind enough to offer us 3 limited edition copies for a contest.

In order to participate, answer the following questions correctly:

  1. In how many languages has Marie’s biography been published before the English edition? 7 (Swedish 2015, German 2016, Czech 2017, Spanish 2019, Hungarian 2020, Portuguese 2021, Russian 2022)
  2. Who wrote the foreword of the English edition? – Jonas Åkerlund
  3. Which song do you get as a bonus track on The Change if you buy the limited edition version and which year was that song originally released? Sea of Love, 2020

You can find the answers to all questions on RoxBlog.

Send an e-mail with your name, address and the correct answers to the questions to roxblog.contest@gmail.com until 23:59 CET, 31st August 2023. The 3 lucky winners will be announced on 1st September 2023. Good luck!

UPDATE on 1st September: the three winners have been picked and informed via email about their winning. Thanx, everyone, for taking part! The winners are Martijn Poortvliet from the Netherlands, Agnieszka Gilewska from Poland and Arnaldo Suarez from Argentina! Congrats!

Contest terms and conditions:
– In order to participate, you have to send an e-mail to roxblog.contest@gmail.com with name, address and correct answers to the 3 questions. We will consider all e-mails we receive until 23:59 CET on 31st August 2023.
– 3 winners will be picked randomly among those who have participated and sent the correct answers.
– You can only participate once. Any attempt to participate twice or more times will lead to your disqualification.
– Prizes won’t be paid out in cash. Prizes will be sent by registered mail only once.
– The winners will be announced on this website, on our Facebook page and will also be notified per e-mail. You’ll be required to answer the e-mail confirming your address.
– RoxetteBlog will not enter into any correspondence regarding the result of the contest and is not liable for any damages, loss or expenses that may result in connection to the prizes.
– By taking part in the contest, personal data (first name, surname, e-mail address and address) will be collected. These data are needed in order to run the contest, particularly in order to match participation applications to their entries as well as to identify and notify the winners. This method of processing data is therefore required pursuant to Article 6 Paragraph 1 lit b of the GDPR to fulfil contractual obligations. The personal data collected will be processed and used by RoxetteBlog only to the extent that is required in order to run the contest. The personal data will be stored for the duration of the contest and – in order to process any claims relating to winnings and damages – for a maximum of 6 months afterwards and they will then be deleted. By participating, you agree to all above mentioned and your name being published on this website, as well as on our social media channels in case you win.

Marie Fredriksson’s biography published in English – official press release

Marie Fredriksson’s Final Memoir – Iconic Roxette Singer Documented Her Influential and Inspirational Life – Due From 1984 Publishing July 25, 2023

New York, NY – Marie Fredriksson’s final memoir, Listen to My Heart: Life, Love & Roxette, will see a worldwide English-language release from 1984 Publishing on July 25, 2023.

The 260-page hardcover is the fully candid and compelling life story of one of rock music’s most resilient lead singers. Given only a few months to live following a harrowing diagnosis in 2002 – Marie boldly forged ahead into a life with newfound courage and inspiration. She continued as both a solo singer and with Roxette, where she performed over 550 concerts to millions of fans, sold 75 million records, and released over 50 singles including several global hits. Stateside, the duo had four #1s with “Listen to Your Heart”, “It Must Have Been Love” (from the film Pretty Woman), “The Look” and “Joyride”. In all, Roxette is Sweden’s biggest music group – second only to ABBA.

Heart-wrenching yet winning, and told with exceptional energy and sincerity, Listen to My Heart sheds new and revelatory light on the life and work of one of our generation’s most talented and courageous artists. Marie passed away in the aftermath of her diagnosis in December, 2019.

Marie wrote her memoir in tandem with author Helena von Zweigbergk. Helena says:

I was so deeply moved by the enormous amount of love that Marie both gave and received over the years, and I know how much this release would have meant to her. It’s a book about strength, love, a remarkable career and a woman who gave life her all, each and every day.

Marie’s family continues:

We know Marie would have been very excited seeing her biography in so many different languages, reaching fans in so many countries. This English version makes her life story available to even more people in the world, keeping her legacy alive.

Filled with behind-the-scenes stories involving everyone from Tina Turner and Elton John to The Rolling Stones and Frank Sinatra, Listen to My Heart also explores her humble family beginnings, an early tragedy in the sudden loss of Marie’s sister, her transition into the music industry as a solo artist, and the formation and challenges of being in one of the world’s most successful pop groups. All while trying to maintain a strong marriage and be a mother to two young children in the face of a life-altering illness.

A book foreword was penned by acclaimed director Jonas Åkerlund, Marie’s longtime friend and colleague. “Marie was my first true break in the industry,” says Åkerlund. “I’ll always be grateful for that—not only because of the projects that followed, but more because of the integrity, focus, and creative generosity that she taught me . . . this book is but one testament to the boundless creativity she exuded throughout her life.” Åkerlund directed Marie and Roxette in nearly twenty music videos and documentaries, and later worked with Madonna, Beyonce, Lady Gaga, and U2.

A limited special edition of the book will contain Marie’s celebrated English-language solo CD The Change (2004), its first physical release in North America, along with Marie’s final recording “Sea of Love” (2017) as a bonus track. Along with the newly remastered music, the limited edition hardcover will contain silver foil gilding and a blue satin ribbon marker.

Book cover photo is by Mattias Edwall, with additional design by Midnight Marauder. Marie Fredriksson created the artwork for The Change album cover.

Both physical editions (plus an ebook) will be available worldwide at local bookstores, plus on-line retailers including Bengans, Amazon.se, Amazon.co.uk, and many more. Store inquiries should be made to Ingram (Europe) and URP (record stores).

Crazy ‘Bout You Baby – new single by Marie Fredriksson

On Tuesday, 30th May, Marie Fredriksson would have turned 65. In the series of jazz and blues singles that were very close to Marie’s heart and that have been released, both before and after Marie’s passing, now comes a cover of Ike & Tina Turner’s song Crazy ‘Bout You Baby. The song was recorded in 2003 at Polar Studios after the recording of Marie’s solo album The Change. As a tribute to Marie and as a thank you to all the fans, the song is now being released – 20 years after it was recorded. It is a reminder of Marie’s versatility and greatness as an artist and how her musical legacy continues to live on.

Listen to the song HERE or on YouTube!

Vocals: Marie Fredriksson
Guitar: Staffan Astner
Drums: Nicci Notini
Bass: Peter Forss
Electric piano: Mikael Bolyos

It’s very sad that Tina Turner passed away 2 days before this release, at the age of 83, after a long illness.

 

Ännu doftar kärlek – tribute concerts to Marie Fredriksson in Stockholm

You might remember that Malmö Live Konserthus organized a tribute concert to Marie Fredriksson during the theme year ”100 women, 100 years” in Malmö in March, 2022. Conductor Christoffer Nobin came up with the idea back then and now he arranges the concert in Stockholm as well. You can buy your tickets for the 3 concerts at Berwaldhallen on 19th, 20th and 21st October 2023 HERE!

Ännu doftar kärlek, the concert will contain songs from Marie’s solo career, as well as Roxette hits. Just like in 2022, Helena Josefsson, Amanda Bergman and Emil Svanängen (Loney Dear) will join Christoffer Nobin to perform the songs together with the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra.

Christoffer Nobin says:

Her songs and lyrics have been able to describe what I myself have not been able to describe, and her voice has aroused an ecstasy and admiration that only few others can achieve. This world artist, at the same time a mysterious rock star and down-to-earth Scanian girl, has reached hearts all over the world with her unique singing voice and genuine expression.

Photo is from the 2022 press release.

Observations by Fredrik Etoall – Roxette, Marie Fredriksson, Per Gessle, Gyllene Tider

An art book including photos of Roxette, Marie Fredriksson, Per Gessle and Gyllene Tider taken by the amazing photographer Fredrik Etoall will be published on 30th June. Observations by Fredrik Etoall – Roxette, Marie Fredriksson, Per Gessle, Gyllene Tider comes in two versions, one standard textile bound book with 176 pages. The second version is the same book delivered in a nice box including a signed art print by both Fredrik Etoall and Per Gessle. The signed and numbered box set is a limited edition of 500 copies, covered with Fancy Linen.

Mr. G says:

I first met Fredrik during a photo session with Roxette at the Scandic Grand Central in Stockholm in January 2012. Marie understandably was very tired and impatient, but that didn’t stop Fredrik from taking some of the finest and most personal pictures ever taken of our band.

I’ve had the privilege to continue working with him on various projects, and nowadays regard him as a good friend. He’s the kind of guy who’s fun to bounce ideas with. And he always speaks his mind. A good quality.

During our two-day session to nail the visual identity for the PG Roxette album ”Pop-Up Dynamo!”, the idea of a photo book with Fredrik’s fabulous images of Roxette, Marie, Gyllene Tider, and myself took shape. I loved it immediately. Fredrik’s craftmanship, artistry, and sensibility hits you on every page. If I could only use two words to describe his work, it would be “timeless quality”. I’m pretty sure you’ll agree.

You can pre-order the book at Bengans. HERE you can see details of the standard book and HERE the box set. The weight is appr. 1 kg. Dimensions: 230 x 320 mm.

The book is published by Tres Hombres Art that will also organize an exhibition of Fredrik Etoall’s photos at Hotel Tylösand from 30th June.