Roxette interview - Per Gessle (part 2)

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Per about Marie exploring her voice, grunge music, their musical identity, a changing music industry, differences between generations, Marie having to stop touring, his solo album Small Town Talk, personal songs.
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Video interview with singer and songwriter Per Gessle who is also one half of Swedish pop duo Roxette. FaceCulture spoke with Per about his early musical influences, collecting records, New Wave music, becoming a performer, a 60s style of songwriting, sudden international success with Roxette, Look Sharp! and Joyride, staying in Stockholm, Marie exploring her voice, grunge music, their musical identity, a changing music industry, differences between generations, Marie having to stop touring, his solo album Small Town Talk, personal songs, and a lot more! (26/06/2018)

[@redjohn44]

This guy still has that 80-90s rockstar look. Even the rockstars from that era dont look like rockstars from those periods anymore.

[@MaverickM1]

Poor guy, so many losses in a short period of time and now Marie too. I wish you strength Per.

[@biggreenbananas8929]

MaverickM1 He looks and sounds strong, still so positive, cheerful, and likeable after all these years..

[@oliviabentley6576]

I know what those losses feel like Per. My youngest nephew passed away at 27 in 8-12-07, my Gran 9-24, she was buried on my Birthday 9-27-07, my Mom had stroke 10-18-07, my Dad passed 10-30-07. All in 3 months. I'm just now remembering to breathe. I am a photographer, writer and student of life now. Just coming out of my darkness that I believe would have taken my life if it werent for my husband. He and my Faith have brought me thru. Its 13 years in August. I think with Per words of encouragement and the looks he and Marie shared warm my heart, then I'm taken back to the time we met. It was magic.........

[@pergesslelover6053]

Thank you

[@neriashleycabajar1985]

you bet, he even lost his family!

[@dalevansant5196]

A genuine artist with a generosity of spirit that is exemplified by his professionalism and obvious talent that he expresses in a most articulate way.

[@lazarus30001]

Oh Per Gessle, how much truth lies in your words. Love your stuff with Roxette; changed my life.

[@Etoac]

Such a good musician, so humble and interesting! So very sad that Marie is not here anymore... but we will always love them for what they have done and been!!!

[@paulericson6871]

best song writer Ever! I'm one of those "daily bases people". I look just like him and was twice mistaken while shopping in the western US back in the day haha.... We are here in this world to experience, the good the bad the agony and the ecstasy, and no poet ever said it better than Per.

[@biggreenbananas8929]

His eyes and voice are forever young. 💖

[@AuthorPalessa]

WOW, that's a lot of loss. Now with Marie...man. Still, Roxette is and always will be one of my favorites. Joyride was cement for me and Roxette. LOVE them. Per and Marie, always!

[@largol33t1]

Per, I'm very saddened and sorry to hear of Marie's passing. I've listened to your music since I was a teen and still listen to it today. I understand how heartbreaking this is but your fans are still here to support you and we know she fought health problems for many years. I'm glad she can rest in peace. I also want to send my condolences to her husband and two children. Roxette's music has been a huge part of my life and always will be...

[@briansergeant]

If Max Martin can win the Polar Music Prize then Per Gessle should get one too for his services to Swedish music. Roxette's success opened the door for other swedish artists from Ace of Base to Zara Larsson to make it big outside the nordic neighbourhood.

[@jamie514]

CrashBoomBang is the dark horse Roxette album and I love it. Never knew the origin story of Sleeping In My Car till now. Watching this interview in the aftermath of Marie's death, I think I'll play that CD tonight. #LoveIsAll

[@matthewchild]

Your music is still very much alive today. I'm still a huge fan. Please keep on writing and recording. The world needs it now more than ever.

[@Spankyblack69]

Par was talking about how people prefer to hear the old songs first before the new songs. Its nothing personal about them or their talents. But we here those old songs and bring us back to a better time. A better world. And we all hate to have these things fade away in our lives.

[@joyridef6830]

What a legend!!! Great interview and very sad to hear that might not be ROXETTE anymore.

[@roxettehd2]

Interesting and emotional interview for all the Roxette’s fans in the world. Thank you so much!

[@anamariavinaccia6027]

can you see the sadness on his eyes when he talks about Marie illness and about the end of working togheder. He loves her I think .😍

[@AmyAndThePup]

ana maria vinaccia I knnow. I noticed how quiet he was when talking about Marie. I wonder when they knew the cancer had come back. Hurts my heart so much. Wish I could hug him or something. :( :( :(

[@anamariavinaccia6027]

LostJedi26 I m from Argentina .Here we are so sad about Marie😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭She became a believer after her ilness. Now she is enjoying THE PERFECT DAY in heaven living wirh my Jesus. I will miss her voice here..God helps Per every day to live his life without Marie.🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@AmyAndThePup]

@@anamariavinaccia6027 Oh! Did she? Thank God for that! Thank you for telling me! I was worried... I knew she'd at least mentioned it somewhere, maybe in a part of her book that was on a website article. I'm so happy to know...does my heart good. Thank You, Jesus.

[@neondemon7617]

@@AmyAndThePup he'd have known during this interview im sure :(

[@oliviabentley6576]

He is very humble and I DO believe he loved her very much as a friend. He carried a lot of the responsibilities of watching her when they performed for signs of anything, fatigue, thirst, everything. How wonderful to have a working partner be so committed to the health and comfort who was so long for him his stafe wife. It's like anyone that loves the other half of an industry. You only want them to feel good. Per pulled her along with the looks he gave her as encouragement to keep pressing forward. Everyone needs a friend like that. We dont always get one tho, do we?

[@avishinka]

Very underrated musician. Love and respect for being such low key.

[@roypadayachy4696]

Important from part 1 is that he said they stayed in Sweden - thats why Roxette is really original and moreover it comes from the heart and when that happens, it's no longer about right/wrong - good/bad, its real, you feel it ! You can see Per is kinda holding back, but I'll say it for him - music today is shit, there is no art, its only business ... But ... Would Roxette succeed today - absolutely, the music is from the heart and it's a trubute to those that influenced them ❤ Thank you Roxette, I ❤ your music from the 90s, I am so sad about Maries passing I hope she is free from all her pain 🙏 Rest In Peace Marie 💐 #Survivor #Roxette 🎸 🌹

[@googlreviews7813]

He is so right, music is presented in such artificial way today. I love listening to music from my childhood which was 80s/90s

[@BrickWorldPictures]

I'm glad he did Small Town Talk, because it's my favourite (solo) album of his.

[@neondemon7617]

Lovely man.him and marie were a perfect match.love them always.rest in peace marie x

[@kellyware5366]

U guys r certainly an inspiration to us all. I have always loved all of your music. My mother and I both are fans of ABBA as well. I live in the US but my "bucket list" includes seeing u and a-ha live in concert!!!!!! XoXo..Kelly

[@skeletankmcgraw7343]

Sleeping Single and Paint, huh? Also some of my favorites from Look Sharp along with Shadow of a Doubt and Chances.

[@Amyb1972]

Thinking of per. She was amazing you both where.

[@marias.8322]

Amazing interview, I love him and now more. He is so nice and humble person, direct and loving music 🎶😘😘

[@tickedoffsheikh8587]

Per you are a great guy. Thanks for the lyrics you provided for Marie's awesome magical voice that made you all the phenomenal Roxette. I grew up in high school with Roxette on my mind. I would write 'Roxette' on my school notebooks. Thats how close and personal I had taken the band. I would listen to the lyrics on audio cassettes, stop and rewind to listen to the song again and again. I wore the lives out of them tapes. Oh, then I would do post mortem on the lyrics to see if I can get inspiration to write a song of a similar nature. Guess what, it never came up to this day! Abundant thanks to you and Marie (so so sad she is not here anymore, RIP Marie) for providing such wonderful songs to the world. Your songs are what shaped my adolescent years in high school : 1989-1994. Those first five albums I revered so much - it's what defined the Roxette sound. Who can remember "Sleeping in my car" was featured on VOA's Music USA with Ray MacDonald. I couldn't get a good reception despite turning the radio in all directions but I heard that aggressive guitar intro. The rest is history. Sir, all the best to you and your future musical endeavours. Above all, please consider Jesus Christ too, if you haven't already. Best wishes.

[@spartan7911]

Dress For Success was my inspired song when I got my new career in concierge.

[@jjhrkel]

So open with his thoughts

[@SpaceCattttt]

That's the Swedish way. We'll pretend that we don't exist if you see on us on the bus, but if you ask us something, we'll tell you everything.

[@SuperMarkbrewer]

Fascinating interview and what a charming person he is and comes over as too. Thank you for all those years of great music so trajic the loss now as I write this of Marie's passing a partnership that will be very sadly missed I have been listening to you for many many years but thank you so much for so many years of joy listening to your wonderful music.

[@diana-cy4kj]

Sleeping Single is one of my favourite Roxette songs as well.

[@NightOwlUpNorth]

I love this interview! It's so interesting to hear what goes on behind the scenes! It was sad to hear about Per's family and also that Marie can't perform anymore! However, I'm happy Per continues to write new and wonderful songs! Love you Per Dear 😍

[@biggreenbananas8929]

Lyn K He has such a positive and strong personality. Very Aquarius.

[@oliviabentley6576]

@@biggreenbananas8929 I thought he is Capricorn.

[@jaynealdridge1806]

@@oliviabentley6576 he is

[@amandaripley1851]

Per is my Finest Prize! I can't wait for small town talk!

[@kockoocko4564]

This is probably the best interview with Per I've seen so far. Big thank you to the host for asking good questions, which made this interview so interesting. I agree with Per in many things and I also miss the days, when music was made the "old way". But I still hope one day it will return again, that good old "hand made" music. BTW, my favourite Rox album is Crash! Boom! Bang! 😎

[@BASSER81]

Swedish bands have something no other bands have, it's like an obscure weird drug you can only purchase from Scandinavia. ABBA, Ace Of Base, Roxette, all underrated yet if you check out their material you're so surprised. Marie, like Per, was part of that unique specialty and I tip my hat to her and all her magic. So sad she has passed :( But the music lives on if we all listen.

[@oliviabentley6576]

I would agree with you 100%. Just a very different style. I also see honest and unrehearsed responses in English which is very nice.❤ I hope to someday visit Sweden. As I work to strengthen myself again, that would be a great motivator. Study the language as I work. It's a rhythmic and fluid language, I think. Neither Per nor Marie had translators and responded to the questions very intelligently. No media hype, no real concern about whether or not it was accepted by "the music machine" in the USA. They cannot dictate to Roxette💫what can and cannot be released. Very refreshing and a smart move on their part. They both have good lives and appreciate that freedom. I applaud them and promote their music when I am out and about. Good music, is good music. Theirs is great, right on with the choices to include the others in their projects. I've said it before, its magic💥

[@oliviabentley6576]

It has a wonderful effect in my life.❤

[@BASSER81]

@@oliviabentley6576 Would you believe for the first time I visited Sweden last week! And Denmark. I had always longed too and it was really worth it. Their way of life is inspiring and smart. So to is there music as we both know!

[@oliviabentley6576]

@@BASSER81 I just read your message. That is wonderful news considering the amount of time spent in an airplane. I would have to be heavily sedated I'm afraid. I ran across an entertainer you may have heard. I had not. His name is Eros, from Italy. I wish I could remember the last name considering I've been listening to his music for the last four hours. He does a steamy song with Tina Turner that they could generate electricity between them. Just awesome. I'm curious, did you stay in Per and Asa's Hotel?

[@oliviabentley6576]

@@BASSER81 listen I do, every night, every day I hear them. I was madly in love with Per when the hit USA shores. They were so very kind and Per was attentive and so cute even back then. I had no doubt, they were gonna hit HUGE. I hit our record stores, radio stations, DJs and music stores as well to get advertising material (stand ups, photos any promo material I could find) all of them said, "one hit wonders." I guess this showed them what a fine tuned ear, sharp eyes could see. It's very difficult losing someone you admire. But as Per said, "Life goes on" and for some it does, for some time stops......Pers band is smoking and being the perfectionist he is, I hope he is around a long, long time and I'm here to listen.

[@nakatakafka]

Nice guy. Still making good music.

[@astrosonra6314]

Beautiful interview. Thank you.

[@altheagraham783]

Per is a philosopher, as well as an amazing song writer--😘❤🤟🌻🏁🎸🎸💃....

[@christinafrch904]

Yeaah sådan: -endnu en cool Lennon fan! ;-)......Wish you all the best Per Gessle.

[@theopoiesis]

Genio, un gran compositor y guitarrista

[@crisli7395]

y papazote

[@user-ox9vm9vg2s]

So much true...

[@ChannelAA]

Ecellent interview. Thanks

[@stopbunsen]

Oh shit. That's a lot of close people to lose, including Marie now. Feel for the guy.

[@loltra8289]

Ok, so if i had it right, Roxette aren't over... It's up to Marie to record new songs. As Per said "I'm there". I really hope she recover and decides to record new songs ! I would be satisfied with just one song...

[@SamanthaGJones]

LolTra :(

[@biggreenbananas8929]

LolTra :(

[@zycietosurfing]

I think he knew that Marie won't be able to record new songs, when he said about helping her. Everything is in his eyes, deep sadness.

[@mrmajkl2]

Wonderful interview, thank you so much!

[@ukrajina2022]

Per☀️

[@bmc868]

The look.....best 80's song.

[@diana-cy4kj]

Oh...His mother, brother and sister all died within 3 years of each other...And now Marie as well...

[@KiyokaMakibi]

Holy shit...To loose so many relatives in such a short time, I can't imagine..

[@diana-cy4kj]

KiyokaMakibi Yeah, horrendous...

[@yvonnedutoit5448]

Oh No... Thats really Sad... Very Sad about Marie..😥😥 May she RiP...😍 Has been a Fan since their First Album, and still Love to listen to them All... Condolences to her Family🌹🌹💖💖

[@oliviabentley6576]

He turns to his music to keep him moving forward🙏🏻❤❤❤❤❤

[@kelleygarthwait9346]

How sad 😢

[@austenrichardgeorge842]

I agree on Sleeping Single - it amazes me that that song wasn't a smash pop hit. I feel it was top 2 on that album. But it goes to show you you never know what the people will like.

[@cstattin]

Sticky fingers!! NICE

[@szatanowska]

The fact that young genbereration is not into musical instruments and music in general is both sad and worring.. Son of per should be musical genius if he has a dad like that!

[@dynjarren7523]

He says it all in a nutshell!. When he was younger, he listened to Dark Side of the Moon! His son, at the same age he was, plays video games. Guess what? This new generation coming up don’t learn to play instruments like the guitar 🎸 or piano. So there won’t be much music being made in the future. It’s all about texting and video games. The End.

[@francispaternoster1484]

Jan. 16, 2020 Dyn, In the advertising and social media of this culture (in the United States where I live), and from the conversations I have heard from others, it does seem as though the next generation can not graduate beyond the joystick. (I do not say this to condemn: I grew up playing video games, and have yet to learn to play skillfully an instrument.) However, I know a family of six children, four of which are strong musicians, each trained to play more than one instrument. Also, my brother-in-law and sister have nine children, and eight of them each play an instrument well. There is still hope. Francis P.

[@jamiewattus2253]

Sometimes I feel like I need a whole pack of antidepressants immediately

[@dudzi30]

When I was a kid I loved roxette. I made an effort to like the same music as my friends because it wasn't "cool" to like roxette. I'm in my 40s now and think that kid was cool for liking roxette. Don't conform kids

[@juliataka9110]

Per when marie not sing you have to go at your home.its over.i

[@TommyG0577]

Roxette is over.Per Gessle is not over.

[@lottatroublemaker6130]

No, it is NOT over, even if Marie passed away yesterday. Last year, Per did a tour without her, «Per Gessle’s Roxette», which was great. What a wonderful way of honoring Marie❣️🙌👏🤘