Last week I was shocked to read the news that one of my favorite bands in the world, Roxette, was officially ending. Like millions of fans, I was devastated because Roxette means a lot to me. The reason the group decided to call it quits and cancel their Summer tour is Marie Fredriksson’s health, which has been fragile for many years. It is completely understandable and I don’t have the right to complain, we all know that if was up to her she would keep working well into her 100’s. I’ll just take a moment to reflect on all the memories this amazing duo has provided me with.
I first joined the joyride in my teenage years when I still lived in Brazil and my teacher would use Roxette’s Baladas en Espanol to teach us Spanish. I knew many of the songs, as Roxette had hits in South America in the 90’s and early 2000’s, so I asked my teacher to give me a copy of the CD, which she did, and I would listen to it over and over. At the time, I had no internet connection and had no way of searching for more music or more information about the band, and like many people I thought Roxette was in fact Marie’s name. It never crossed my mind that I would one day experience them live, much less meet them! But that is exactly what happened, in 2012, during their Charm School World Tour in Boston (I wrote all about that night in another post).
Roxette has been a huge part of my life for a really long time, being the soundtrack of some of my most memorable moments. Their music and personal history have been incredibly inspirational to me and millions of fans worldwide; it is indeed amazing that Marie decided to keep on singing and touring until she no longer could, I admire her strength and perseverance more than I could ever express. Of course I’m sad to know that I will never see Roxette live again, but there is absolutely no reason to complain. Per and Marie have given me so much, I can’t even dream of asking for more. Their next (and last) album, Good Karma, will come out in June, and I look forward to the album that will be their swansong.
As fans we always want more: another album, another video, another tour, another autograph… but this time I’m at peace with the fact that there will be no more Roxette. Marie’s health should be the most important thing for all fans now, she’s given a lot and it’s time for us to give back. I wish Per and Marie all the best, that she enjoys a long and healthy life with her loved ones, and that he is successful in whatever he decides to focus his genius mind on. The memories of the night I met them are some of the happiest of my life, they are truly priceless and I will forever treasure them. Per Gessle and Marie Fredriksson, Thank you for the Joyride.
