Biography

CONTEST – Win a signed copy of Staffan Öfwerman’s biography!

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Your Backstage Pass to My Life in Music by Staffan Öfwerman is a truly remarkable biography. Written by Staffan himself, the book chronicles his life as a musician behind several Swedish artists, with a significant focus on his time with Roxette, where he worked as a musician during their peak years. The book is not presented in chronological order; instead, Staffan weaves captivating stories that revolve around similar themes, blending various anecdotes from different periods of his life in an entertaining manner.

Opening with a fantastic experience of performing at a retirement home, the first chapter sets the tone for the book. Your Backstage Pass to My Life in Music also includes a selection of both black-and-white and color photographs. Moreover, readers gain access to a private website where they can explore a treasure trove of Staffan’s photographs taken during his numerous tours. These images are truly unique, never seen before by the public.
Furthermore, the website features a treasure trove of video and audio clips, including demos and unreleased songs. These elements complement the reading experience, offering a multi-dimensional glimpse into Staffan’s extraordinary musical career.

As Staffan shares his journey, the personal touch of the author and his direct involvement in these events make the reading experience even more captivating. The narratives are authentic, coming from someone who was an insider throughout these experiences.
In conclusion, Your Backstage Pass to My Life in Music is an excellent and entertaining book that takes readers on an enthralling journey. Staffan’s firsthand accounts and musical prowess make this biography a must-read for anyone seeking an insider’s perspective.

A great advantage is that the book is written in English. The 286-page biography was published in June 2023 and contains photos as well. It can be ordered HERE!

Everyone who has purchased the book gets access to an online backstage area with exclusive content.

Listen to Staffan’s solo music HERE!

Staffan kindly offered one signed copy for a RoxBlog contest. In order to participate, answer the following questions correctly:

  1. Name at least 3 songs on Roxette’s Joyride album where you can hear Staffan singing backing vocals! – Hotblooded, Fading Like A Flower, I Remember You, The Big L., (Do You Get) Excited?, Church Of Your Heart, Small Talk
  2. What’s the title of the latest single released by Staffan as a solo artist? – Let Us Take You Higher
  3. What’s the title of Ofwerman’s 1987 debut single written by Per Gessle? – Young

Send an e-mail with your name, address and the correct answers to the questions to roxblog.contest@gmail.com until 23:59 CET, 5th November 2023. The lucky winner will be announced on 6th November 2023. Good luck!

UPDATE on 6th November: the winner has been picked and informed via email about his winning. Thanx, everyone, for taking part! The winner is Michael Haskamp from Germany! 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 5th November 2023.
– 1 winner 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 winner 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.

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

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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

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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).

1984 Publishing invite fans to submit scans for the English edition of Marie Fredriksson’s biography

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1984 Publishing have contacted us and they are sending a message to all Marie and Roxette fans. In case you would like to see your scan in the book, send them your pic that meets the criteria. The main focus is on scans of ticket stubs and backstage passes, but read below what else is needed.

Hello Marie and Roxette fans!

This is a bit of a bittersweet request, but 1984 Publishing is seeking Roxette and solo Marie scans of ticket stubs and backstage passes. Of course older dates (’80s & ’90s) are a bit more difficult to obtain.

We’ll be using some of them in the upcoming English-language edition of Marie’s autobiography Listen to My Heart, to be released in 2023.

Shots of posters and marquees are also welcome.

Images can be sent to mjc@1984publishing.com, along with your name. If any are included in the book we will be sure to include your name in the credits.

Any image scans should be in color, and at least at 300 dpi.

We can’t wait to see what you all might have to possibly include! Thanks in advance for all of your help, and we look forward to seeing how this book edition looks in the weeks ahead.

And of course, here’s to Marie’s inspiring story and her ongoing legacy as one of the defining vocalists of our generation.

Cheers,

1984 Publishing
Cleveland, Ohio / USA

More details about the English edition HERE.

Marie Fredriksson’s biography in English – official press release

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We have just received the official press release to the English edition of Marie’s biography, so we share it with you.

Marie Fredriksson’s Final Memoirs Gets English-Language Release
Iconic Roxette Singer Documented Her Influential and Inspirational Life Due From 1984 Publishing April 25, 2023

Cleveland, OH — Marie Fredriksson’s final memoirs, Listen to My Heart: Life, Love & Roxette, will see a worldwide English-language release from 1984 Publishing on April 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 — yet surviving for 17 more years, until 2019 — 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 wrote her memoirs in tandem with author Helena von Zweigbergk. “Ever since co-writing Marie’s memoirs in Swedish, I’ve always been asked about an English-language version; after all, Marie sang primarily in English with Roxette. I’m glad that we finally have that answer,” says Helena. “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.” Helena wrote a new afterword for the book in August, 2022.

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 new 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, Paul McCartney, U2, and Metallica.

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 foil gilding and a satin ribbon marker.

Both physical editions (plus an ebook) will be available worldwide at your local bookstore, plus on-line retailers including Amazon and many more. Store inquiries should be made to Consortium (US), Ingram (US, UK, Europe), PGC (Canada), and URP (record stores). If the title is not available in your country, please contact 1984 via e-mail.

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

             

Listen to My Heart – Hardbound Cover            Listen to My Heart – Limited Edition Hardbound

             

UPDATE on 9th March 2023 from 1984 Publishing: due to production delays affecting much of the book industry, publishing date of the English version of Marie Fredriksson’s biography had to be shifted to 25th July in North America and 27th July in UK/Europe. Other regions should have the release also during that time frame.