Marie Fredriksson, the lead singer of 80’s and 90’s Swedish pop/rock band Roxette, has died at 61 years of age after a 17 year battle with cancer. Fredriksson was originally diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2002, but was able to fight the tumor for some time. In 2009 she was able to resume touring with Roxette and even recorded more music during that time, but in 2016 doctors advised Fredriksson to stop touring and focus on her health. She passed away 3 years later, on December 9th, 2019.

Fredriksson began her music career alone, but eventually teamed up with Per Gessle to form Roxette. During her time with Roxette, the band found national success in their home country of Sweden with the release of their debut album Pearls of Passion in 1986, and international success upon the release of their single “The Look” in 1989. That single would go on to hit number 1 on Billboard’s Top 100 Chart, along with “Listen To Your Heart”, “It Must Have Been Love,” and “Joyride”. A number of other songs by Roxette would go on to dominate radio stations worldwide throughout much of the 80’s and 90’s.

Check out the video of Roxanne’s hit, “Listen To Your Heart,” below: