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2002 was a devastating year for Marie Fredriksson (mostly known for her part of the band Roxette ). She was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. There was a chance of 5% to survive this horrible desease - and she did survive! Two years later Marie released her first and only English solo album - The Change . The disease and the following cure heavily influenced the songs on the record. The Change has become an intense, shattering and hopeful album. In 2019 - after surviving the tumor for 17 years, three more Roxette and four solo records and touring around the world - Marie Fredriksson lost the fight against cancer. She passed away on December 9. Listen to The Change here:

In 2005 the Swedish singer and composer Per Gessle (from Roxette ) released a solo record named Son Of a Plumber . It may be my favorite album of his. The idea was to go on a trip back to the 1960s and 1970s.  Per wanted the record to feel like an LP where you must turn the vinyl after half the record. That is why it consists of 2 CDs with a overall play time of 63 minutes for 25 tracks (!) - including a 5 song spanning junior suite. Sounds quite different than a standard 12 track album, isn't it? If you don't want to try out the full record, start with: - Drowning In Wonderful Thoughts About Her - I Have A Party In My Head - C’mon ... or listen to the whole record here (I strongly recommend headphones):

Some days ago sad news surfaced: Marie Fredriksson , the voice of Roxette died after a 17 years long fight against cancer. Her bandmate and friend for decades - Per Gessle - wrote at his Facebook page:  "Time goes by so quickly. It’s not that long ago we spent days and nights in my tiny apartment in Halmstad, listening to music we loved, sharing impossible dreams. And what a dream we eventually got to share!  Thank you Marie, thanks for everything. You were an outstanding musician, a master of the voice, an amazing performer. Thanks for painting my black and white songs with the most beautiful colours. You were a wonderful friend for over forty years. I’m proud, honoured and happy to have been able to share so much of your time, talent, warmth, generosity and your sense of humour.  All my love goes out to you and your family. Things will never be the same.  P."