I was saddened to read of the death of Marie Fredriksson, one of the duo who formed the Swedish pop/rock group Roxette in the 1980’s. I enjoyed their music at the time, finding it a welcome distraction from some of the nastier events taking place in South Africa back then. Britain’s Daily Express reports:
Roxette singer Marie Fredriksson has died at the age of 61. The Swedish popstar co-created Roxette with Per Gessle in 1986 and was best known for her hits It Must Have Been Love, Joyride, Listen To Your Heart and The Look.
Marie died on Monday morning after suffering from a long-term illness for 17 years.
She previously battled a brain tumour in 2002, having been diagnosed after fainting at home.
She was given a 20 to 25 percent chance of survival by her doctors at the time.
At one point the Roxette singer was declared cancer-free, however, she continued having problems with her health as a result of the radiation damage she received during treatment.
On her solo album “The change” from 2004 Marie sang about her experiences from the period.
Swedish newspaper the Express reports: “Marie Fredriksson is most mourned by her husband Mikael Bolyos and their two children.
“It is with great sadness that we have to announce that one of our biggest and most beloved artists is gone.”
There’s more at the link.
One of the nastier sides of getting older is that one sees so many of the names one knew during one’s youth mentioned in the obituary columns. I guess I won’t rate an obituary in any newspaper (I’m hardly famous!), but it’s a chilling feeling to know that one will be joining them in the “past due” side of the life ledger in due course. Uncomfortable.
In memory of Marie Fredriksson, here are three Roxette numbers that gave me great pleasure back in the 1980’s and early 1990’s. The song “Must Have Been Love” is, of course, from the soundtrack of the very well-known movie “Pretty Woman“.
May Ms. Fredriksson’s sins be forgiven her, and may she rest in peace; and may God grant all of us the same mercy at the end.
Peter
Amen.
Suffering 17 years to die? 61. I'm not quite 59 and won't be for about month or so. I didn't know her or her music. I missed out.