In Memoriam
Marie Fredriksson
May 30, 1958 – December 9, 2019 · aged 61
Pop Rock · Soft Rock
Marie Fredriksson was the soaring, unmistakable voice of Roxette, the Swedish pop-rock duo that conquered the global charts in the late 1980s and 1990s. Born in 1958, Fredriksson possessed a uniquely powerful, emotive vocal style that could flawlessly transition from catchy, upbeat pop anthems like 'The Look' to massive, sweeping power ballads. Her definitive performance on 'It Must Have Been Love,' featured on the 'Pretty Woman' soundtrack, became one of the most successful heartbreak anthems of the decade, cementing Roxette as one of Sweden's greatest musical exports after ABBA. Beyond her incredible vocal talent, Fredriksson was a symbol of immense resilience. Diagnosed with a severe brain tumor in 2002, she fought a grueling battle for survival. Against all odds, she eventually returned to the stage and the studio, continuing to tour until 2016 when her health finally forced her to stop. She passed away on December 9, 2019, at the age of 61. Her powerhouse vocals remain a defining sound of 90s pop radio.
Milestones
It Must Have Been Love, The Look, Listen to Your Heart
Also remembered in 2019
- Ginger Baker (1939–2019)
- Juice WRLD (1998–2019)
- Keith Flint (1969–2019)
- Nipsey Hussle (1985–2019)