Roxette

Sweden, 1986–2016

Swedish pop-rock duo of Per Gessle and Marie Fredriksson, formed in 1986. Known for polished power-pop and rock ballads with global success in the late 1980s and 1990s, including the US number-one hits 'The Look', 'Listen to Your Heart', 'It Must Have Been Love' and 'Joyride'. Fredriksson died in 2019.

MusicRoots documents 5 artists who influenced Roxette and 1 artist Roxette influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.

Who influenced Roxette?

• The Beatles — Per Gessle's songwriting drew on the melodic craft of the Beatles, a foundational influence for Roxette's power-pop.
• Ramones — Gessle said that rather than fellow Swedes ABBA, the Ramones and the punk of the Sex Pistols were more his thing.
• Blondie — Blondie's new-wave pop is among the influences Roxette cited for their hook-driven sound.
• David Bowie — Named by Per Gessle among his influences, with the Beatles and T. Rex.
• T. Rex — Named by Per Gessle among his influences, with the Beatles and Bowie.

Which artists did Roxette influence?

• Ace of Base — Ace of Base drew on the same Swedish melodic-pop craft as Roxette, the reference point their producers used when shaping the band's beat-driven sound.