Gessle’s project starts taking shape
Written by tevensso on August 2, 2005 to Per Gessle.
Swedish tabloid Expressen writes today about how 27 year old Helena Josefsson will replace Marie Fredriksson in a new international music project planned by Per Gessle. Nothing of the above has been confirmed, however Helena says to Expressen “Yes, we’ve been in the studio recording some material, but I don’t want to talk about it at the moment.” Also Per’s manager, Marie Dimberg, claims that things are moving but that no direction is set yet.
According to Expressen’s “deeply involved” source the supposed album will be released this winter or next spring, and a tour is almost certain to follow.
Helena Josefsson sings normally in the band Sandy Mouche, but is known to the greater mass as the backup singer on Per’s successful album “Mazarin” and tour.
Helene2000 contributed to this article.
- Expressen’s article (In Swedish)
- Sandy Mouche
Other articles with the same topic
- More than 100 million SEK to Swedish songwriters (June 16, 2008)
- Per enters Swedish album chart (May 25, 2008)
- The word according to Gessle (May 14, 2008)
- Movie with Gessle song wins top award at New York film festival (May 6, 2008)
- Vanilla Ninja records Gessle-penned song (May 5, 2008)
85 comments
imazombieinthem... said on August 2, 2005 08:03:
As long as the project isnt named ’Roxette’ I dont see a problem. Certainly looks like a english solo album now. Marie’s not going to contribute at all? :(
Sparvogamarie said on August 2, 2005 08:12:
Now I have an even bigger reason to not be a Per fan.
Hotblooded said on August 2, 2005 08:14:
Firstly for me no one will ever and can never replace Marie lets make that clear ;)
I think its obvious that this is just another ’Gessle’ project...does it mean the end of Roxette??!!! Who knows...but while we wait I don’t mind to hear something new and different.
Hotblooded said on August 2, 2005 08:16:
Who knows perhaps Marie has told Per she doesn’t have the strength for Roxette anymore and maybe he should do something different???!!! I don’t know just putting it out there ;)
Sparvogamarie said on August 2, 2005 08:19:
I know Per likes to do other projects and I have no problem with that. But starting something with another female singer seems awful like replacing Marie to me. He wouldn’t be stupid enough to call it Roxette but let’s face it, it’ll be her singing and him singing and writing...sounds like Rox to me.
Mari said on August 2, 2005 08:24:
Helena sang already on Mazarin, so? It’s not a duo, Helena doesen’t replace Marie. Expressen just wants to write more dramatic.
Can’t wait the new album and the tour!!!
Rich-UK said on August 2, 2005 08:34:
People are clearly taking exception to the word “replace” here. But for me, if Marie wants time to herself and for her family, then she deserves that. And if Per wishes to continue with his international career with Helena than I can only wish them the very best of luck. All the best, Rich
Sparvogamarie said on August 2, 2005 08:49:
It depends on what this project is. If it’s a solo record with Helena on backing vocals, then nobody will care. But if it’s a two person band with Helena and Per singing in English...well that is replacing Marie. It would be an insult to her as well as Roxette fans.
GT_85 said on August 2, 2005 08:55:
Well, if Marie is too ill for a big comeback. Can´t Per do anything then? Who knows, she might never do a big comeback. Is it better that Per doesn´t do anything then?
I´m 110% sure he has asked Marie about this.
This is very very good news to me.
Hope it will make it a little better on the international charts than “The Change” did ;)
Sparvogamarie said on August 2, 2005 09:01:
GT 85: I don’t care what Per does in terms of solo, GT or otherwise. Of course he should continue his career. But starting a very similar band (if that’s what he’s doing) to replace one that ended because Marie got ill is really poor taste. Go solo or start a completely different band, not a male/female duo. Hopefully he’s not that insensitive, maybe Expressen was just being dramatic and Helena is only a backing vocalist.
**edited to stop ppls misquoting me**
chrisjankunas said on August 2, 2005 09:02:
“ROXETTE ARE PER GESSLE AND MARIE FREDRIKSSON!”
AURYTE said on August 2, 2005 09:11:
Luckily I managed to calm down. The word “replace” sounds aweful :( But Expressen is a tabloid, so they tend to write something very dramatic. But the fact is here if Helena is not a backup singer in Per’s new project, then she will be the “replacement” of Marie. Even the news that the album is likely to be in English doesn’t bring me any joy.
Sparvogamarie said on August 2, 2005 09:16:
I didn’t say I don’t care a bit, I said I don’t care what Per does with his career. I just find it bad taste to start a new duo with a new singer (if that IS what he’s doing, we don’t know yet). If Marie has quit, then I wish Per the best finding a new career. But if he just tries to make a Roxette clone, male female pop duo then that’s a bit insulting to Marie whether she supports it or not.
PS. I’m not annoyed, how do you know how I feel when you can’t see me? Just expressing my disappointment in Per if he could just replace Marie like that (again, if that’s what he’s done, if it’s a solo album with Helena backing then good luck to him.)
DGessle said on August 2, 2005 09:21:
I’m really happy that Per will make another album.. Of course I hope a “solo” album because its so difficult to see him singing with another woman... but if Marie doesn’t want to do a Roxette project, why not?!
purplemedusa said on August 2, 2005 09:24:
The word “replace” certainly makes my stomach turn! I hope that this is only an error from Expressen’s side & that Marie WILL feature in Per’s future projects!! Hoping that the MAN himself can shed some light for TDR readers as I (and many others) don’t like the sound of this!
Rox1_4ever said on August 2, 2005 09:28:
no! nO! NO! Please not Helena! But okej...this is what Expressen write...But if its true..How can Per do this?!Is this his way to say that Roxette is over?
ncurran said on August 2, 2005 09:29:
The direct quotes from Helena and Marie Dimberg do suggest that it is more than a back-up singer arrangement this time. I would be extremely pissed off actually if Per launched a new duo with Helena. It is an insult to Marie if this happens. Why cant he make another solo album?
I also have no problem if it is a solo project by Helena that he is writing/producing, but a new group would piss me off, especially when Marie is still recovering.
Bibou said on August 2, 2005 09:32:
I think it’s a good news ! I think that if Per is doing it it’s because Marie isn’t ready to work again with roxette. Finally I don’t think it’s an insult to Marie. In the very beginning of the band she didn’t take roxette seriously.
purplemedusa said on August 2, 2005 09:34:
Neil i’m a 100% with u! I feel like i wanna vomit right now after reading this!!
GT_85 said on August 2, 2005 09:42:
What did you guys think of Roxette and The Lonely Boys?
Gyllene Tider had an english CD, then Per left them for another artist, one that was backup-singer for him earlier.
The lonely Boys are a couple of guys, just like Gyllene Tider. Did you hate that too?
A “new” career with a new audience, how can that be wrong?
Sparvogamarie said on August 2, 2005 09:42:
*Holds a bucket for Purple*
Considering the source - Expressen (which is Swedish for “big fat lying pile of crap”) it probably is their hyped up way of saying Helena is doing backing vocals on Per’s solo album. If he is replacing the cancer patient, then I stand by my earlier posts.
Sparvogamarie said on August 2, 2005 09:47:
GT 85, nobody has a problem with Per doing other bands. He’s done it for years. What some of us have a problem with is if he created a “clone” of Roxette. He can make as many bands as he likes, but to be in another male/female duo doing the same music would be the same as Roxette.
GT and TLB were nothing alike, but yes I think it would be lame if Per made a 5 member rock group of guys. He’d be copying himself, that’s lame.
roxstarLinz said on August 2, 2005 09:58:
I’m sad about this news. Nobody can “replace” MARIE FREDRIKSSON! helena is a nice singer but not a part of Roxette. the people waiting for marie and not helena. i wish her success and luck but not with a formation as duo with per. ROXETTE is not a turn-around-pillow!
andersb said on August 2, 2005 10:00:
This is so great news. To bad Marie not could make it but ofcourse Per has talked to Marie about this, and I think Marie is not ready for a Album and a tour. I also think she said, -go for it PER!
The last thing I want is that Per should sit and wait for 10 years to se if Marie wants to preform again.
Per has written for songs to roxette for many years now. What do you people think that he should do with them. Throw them away,or give the songs to other artist?
No I dont think so. Helena is a great singer (otherwise Gessle havent choosen her) and I think this is gonna be a great album.
Sascha said on August 2, 2005 07:58:
This sentence is terrible: “27 year old Helena Josefsson will replace Marie Fredriksson in a new international music project.” Per can do whatever he wants, specially if Marie isn’t ready, but please don’t build a new duo with Helena! That would be a frosty shower for all rox fans – and Marie as well. Backing vocals are enough... 8-| :-( ;-)
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