Roxette was formed in 1986 by Per Gessle and Marie Fredriksson, both of whom were already successful musicians in Sweden before teaming up.
The duo’s breakthrough came with the single 'The Look,' which topped the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States in 1989.
Roxette's second album, 'Look Sharp!,' was a massive success, featuring hit singles like 'Listen to Your Heart' and 'Dangerous,' both of which also reached the top 10 in the US.
The song 'It Must Have Been Love,' originally recorded as a Christmas song, became one of Roxette’s biggest hits after being featured in the soundtrack of the film 'Pretty Woman' (1990).
Roxette is one of the few non-English speaking acts to have four number-one hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including 'The Look,' 'Listen to Your Heart,' 'It Must Have Been Love,' and 'Joyride.'
The duo's name, Roxette, was inspired by a song of the same name by the British band Dr. Feelgood.
Per Gessle was the primary songwriter for Roxette, and his ability to craft catchy pop tunes was a key factor in the duo's international success.
Marie Fredriksson was known for her powerful voice and emotional delivery, which helped define the sound of Roxette’s ballads.
Roxette has sold over 75 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling music acts from Sweden, second only to ABBA.
The duo’s third album, 'Joyride,' was another international success, with the title track becoming a number-one hit in the US and several other countries.
Roxette's music videos were often played on MTV, which helped boost their popularity in the US and around the world.
Marie Fredriksson was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2002, which led to a hiatus for the band, but she made a remarkable recovery and returned to performing.
Roxette reunited in 2009 and continued to tour and release new music, including the album 'Charm School' in 2011, which reached the top of the charts in several countries.
In 2019, Marie Fredriksson sadly passed away after a long battle with illness, but her legacy lives on through her music with Roxette.
Roxette's music continues to be beloved by fans worldwide, and their hits remain staples of 80s and 90s pop rock playlists.