Roxette Lead Singer Marie Fredriksson Dies at 61: Reports

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12/10/2019Updated: 12/10/2019

Marie Fredriksson, the lead singer of pop duo Roxette, died after a 17-year-long battle with cancer, it was reported on Tuesday morning. Fredriksson was 61.

Her management group confirmed to TMZ that she died on Monday. In 2002, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor and received treatment that was successful.

But in 2016, Fredriksson was told by doctors to stop touring and focus on her health.

“Marie leaves us a grand musical legacy. Her amazing voice—both strong and sensitive—and her magical live performances will be remembered by all of us who was lucky enough to witness them,” Dimberg Jernberg Management said in a statement to CNN.

It added: “But we also remember a wonderful person with a huge appetite for life, and woman with a very big heart who cared for everybody she met.”

Former bandmate, Per Gessle, told CNN that she was an “outstanding musician, a master of the voice, an amazing performer.” He said they were friends for more than 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,” he said in a statement. “All my love goes out to you and your family. Things will never be the same.”

According to an Allmusic description, “Roxette were one of the biggest global pop acts of the 90s, selling over 75 million records around the world and dominating the charts with songs like ‘The Look,’ ‘Listen to Your Heart,’ ‘Joyride,’ and ‘It Must Have Been Love,’ all four of which hit the top of the Billboard Hot 100. Hailing from Halmstad, Sweden, Roxette are a duo featuring vocalist Marie Fredriksson and songwriter, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist Per Gessle.