Roxette lead singer Marie Fredriksson has died at the age of 61 after battling cancer for 17 years.
The Swedish star, who formed the chart-topping band with Per Gessle in 1986, died on Monday morning, her management said.
Per Gessle✔@PartyPleaser
Time goes by so quickly. It’s not that long ago we spent days+nights in my tiny apartment sharing impossible dreams. And what a dream we eventually got to share! I’m honoured to have met your talent+generosity. All my love goes to you+your family. Things will never be the same.
Roxette were best known for hits including Joyride, The Look and power ballad It Must Have Been Love, which featured in the soundtrack for 1990 film Pretty Woman, starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere.
Paying tribute, Gessle said things “would never be the same” without his bandmate.
“Time goes by so quickly,” he said. “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 in the most beautiful colours.
“You were the most wonderful friend for over 40 years. I’m proud, honoured and happy to have been able to share so much of your time, talent, warmth, generosity and sense of humour. – Sky News
