I think far more famous than their Swedish counterparts ABBA (who were inducted). Very well received throughout the world.

Posted by Duane Merrill on Thursday, 11/14/2013 @ 00:10am

"more famous than ABBA"

excuse me?

Posted by GFW on Thursday, 11/14/2013 @ 13:40pm

I have to agree with GFW here, Roxette only beats ABBA in total US #1 songs (4 to 1), and total top 10 hits (6 to 4). You have to factor in that ABBA never achieved the success in the States it did in the rest of the world, globally the foursome was a hit making machine. Roxette versus Ace of Base might be a better Swedish comparison.

Posted by Chris F. on Thursday, 11/14/2013 @ 14:15pm

Duane, it is hard to imagine any entity being 'far more famous' worldwide than ABBA.

Jesus, Mohammad, Muhammad Ali, The Beatles, Mao, a few more I guess.

I will note that I have never heard of 'Roxette'.

Posted by Paul in KY on Thursday, 11/14/2013 @ 15:37pm

Paul in KY,

Did you really never hear of Roxette? I don't think you could escape from "It Must Have Been Love" in 1990. That song was everywhere, even on the Pretty Woman soundtrack. I don't know if the band maintained name recognition, but that song seemed like one of the biggest things of the year it was like trying to avoid "Vision of Love" by Mariah Carey, or "Black Velvet" by Alannah Myles, or "Nothing Compares 2 U" by Sinead O'Connor. Come to think of it 1990 wasn't too bad a year for female singers.

Posted by Chris F. on Thursday, 11/14/2013 @ 17:09pm

Roxette was a band that I hadn't heard of before being introduced to them by a friend around 7-8 years ago. After taking a listen to a few songs, I realized that I actually knew several tunes by the band...just never knew the artist who did them.

The band was really big during late 80's and early 90's on mainstream radio. Chances are you probably heard "It Must Have Been Love", "The Look", "Joyride", "Listen to Your Heart" or "Dangerous" at some point.

They aren't really hall of fame material, but I consider them to be a great pop band! I personally like them much more than ABBA.

Posted by BSLO on Thursday, 11/14/2013 @ 19:12pm

Chris, have never seen 'Pretty Woman' (although I am familiar with basic plot). Listened to alot of cassette tapes back then. Probably have heard song you mentioned at some time or another, just would have not known that Roxette did it.

Will check them out now. Read their Wiki writeup.

Posted by Paul in KY on Friday, 11/15/2013 @ 07:48am

Kind of odd that today (or yesterday) we're talking about Roxette!(?) Is that really true, Paul (in KY), you don't remember them?

As an 80s/early 90s child, I remember when their songs ruled pop radio. Starting with their #1 smash "The Look", which comes with a success story. The song was introduced to America from a Minnesotan who was a transfer student in Sweden. Then there was 'It Must Have Been Love' which of course is mentioned by you guys above. Their #1 smash 'Listen to Your Heart' (one of my favorite songs of '89) was covered by a techno band (D.H.T.) a few years back. Album is pretty good as well.

Their sophomore effort, Joyride, was a success as expected, but unfortunately it was the beginning of the end for the band. 'Spending My Time' was a song that I believe should have been a bigger hit (even though it made the Top 40). After 1991, they were heard from again only once when I remember they contributed a song for the failed 'Super Mario Brothers' movie.

Sad that a band that had a hot streak just 'Faded Like a Flower' (pun intended). I wish I can say they had a HOF worthy career. Sadly, now that I'm in my early 30s, probably nobody under the age of 28 knows about their music since no station I know of plays their stuff.

Posted by Jason Voigt on Friday, 11/15/2013 @ 20:42pm

Roxette deserves a RRHOF nomination in the next 10 years or so. Made monster type hits The Look & It Must Have Been Love as well as Joyride and several hits.

They score high on innovation crafting catchy pop rock songs as a duo. Several #1 hits & Top 40 hits & were innovators in video music with several city scenes & earthscapes.

Roxette crafted lyrically intelligent songs & influenced many Swedish bands & Euro pop bands who came later.

Other than U2, Def Leppard,Counting Crows, Duran Duran,Tom Petty & a few other rock groups , I can't think of many who made better songs than Roxette. Brilliant group. KING

Posted by KING on Saturday, 06/21/2014 @ 14:16pm

ABBA * Roxette * Ace of Base

Posted by Roy on Sunday, 01/25/2015 @ 10:43am

They'll probably get a surprise nomination in the next 10 years or so. They'll never get in. And they shouldn't, as much as I love them.

Posted by Barry on Monday, 03/21/2016 @ 11:40am

I think if Buffalo Springfield and Cream are in the RRHOF then Roxette should be. Roxette had some monster hits: It Must Have Been Love, Joyride, The Look etc. They also had 1 of the best Unplugged versions. Nobody talks about Roxette's Unplugged but it is exemplary. Probably Top 5 in the Series. This is 1 of the best groups in the last 30 years.

Posted by KING on Sunday, 07/8/2018 @ 20:46pm

You kind of had me with Buffalo Springfield (who I think are vastly overrated), but Cream? Cream is one of the best bands of all-time. They were the band that pretty much started the power trio (them and the Jimi Hendrix Experience), had one of the top 10 guitarists ever, one of the top 10 bass players, ever and one of the top 10 drummers ever. They were pioneers of blues-rock and hard rock, and had songs that defined an era ("Sunshine of Your Love") in particular.

I like Roxette and I think they're one of the more underrated pop groups of the late 80's/early 90's period, but they are nowhere near the level of band like Cream.

I'm not really sure where you got the idea to compare the two frankly. Buffalo Springfield I kind of get who are mostly known for one all-time great song ("For What It's Worth") and who was in the band. But Cream is the second pantheon of 60's rock bands (along with the Byrds, Jefferson Airplane, Grateful Dead, Santana, Moody Blues, the Kinks, etc.)

Posted by Donnie on Sunday, 07/8/2018 @ 22:11pm

Donnie, thanks for saving me the time of writing everything you just did. When I saw Roxette being compared to Cream, my whole body just froze for a few seconds in horror/disbelief. Roxette isn't in the same ballpark or even the parking lot of the ballpark that Cream is in.

Posted by joker on Sunday, 07/8/2018 @ 22:21pm

The incredible duo should have more Essential Songs than The Look. Dangerous, Joyride, Listen To Your Heart, etc. Infectious songs. Brilliant song writing. Other than Brooks & Dunn, Simon & Garfunkel, and a few others, there's not many duos who had Roxette's success. They sell albums and CD's all over the world. Estimated 70-80 million records sold world wide. Like Bryan Adams, they have a global following in concert fans and units purchased Europe and elsewhere. There's such a backlog in bands (Duran Duran, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Leps) to name a few. It would be difficult to pinpoint when Roxette receives a nomination. Hopefully, Marie's health will continue to gain strength. KING

Posted by KING on Thursday, 08/9/2018 @ 11:37am

On Roxette: If I'm not mistaken, Roxette had 4 #1 songs and 2 #2 songs. That's 6 songs in the Top 2. There's probably several groups in the RRHOF that have only 1 #1 song or some no Top 5 hits. I'll try to work in Roxette on my ballot for 2020 but the sheer backlog of quality bands is impressive. Roxette sells records worldwide and 70 million units. Impressive in any market. 10,000 Maniacs great. KING

Posted by KING on Sunday, 08/19/2018 @ 23:17pm

A great band with loads of hits. Like Abba their work spans many continents. My only regret is that I never saw them live.

Posted by Shaun on Sunday, 01/6/2019 @ 13:14pm

I love every song they've ever done. One of my all time favorite band

Posted by Alex on Wednesday, 10/9/2019 @ 19:21pm

They faded as their lead singer Marie was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2002. She passed away today. They were huge in the early 90's. More deserving od being in the RAHOF than a lot who have been nominated...........

Posted by Ian on Tuesday, 12/10/2019 @ 06:59am

RIP Marie Fredriksson

Posted by Roy on Tuesday, 12/10/2019 @ 09:21am

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/roxette-marie-fredriksson-dead-obit-cancer-924609/

Roxette Singer Marie Fredriksson Dead at 61

Singer for chart-topping Swedish outfit was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2002

Posted by Roy on Tuesday, 12/10/2019 @ 09:24am

Rest in Peace Marie Fredriksson, 1958-2019

Posted by Joe on Wednesday, 12/11/2019 @ 14:27pm

I thank youtube for introducing me to Roxette. Marie Fredriksson is among the best singers in the world.Per Gessle of the duo is a great song writer. If ever a a group deserved the RRHOF,,,,,they do.

Posted by Dave on Wednesday, 01/15/2020 @ 15:28pm

How can you say that Roxette is not as popular or as famous as ABBA? Roxette is the second best group to come out of Sweden. Maybe Roxette didn't have as many number one hits in the United States as ABBA, but maybe Roxette didn't want to have to complete with all of the other groups they were popular back in the 1990's. Or maybe it was America's hatred towards another rock group outside of this country that caused Roxette to not have very many number one hits in the United States. But with the recent death of Marie Fredriksson, I think we owe it to the legacy of Roxette to put them in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. If you were from Sweden, Roxette would already be in the Rock and Role Hall of Fame.

Posted by Helen Cowles on Wednesday, 02/12/2020 @ 08:49am

Roxette, Marie Fredriksson & her band should be in the hall of rock 'n' roll fame! If not---it's all bullshit.

Posted by Al Lombardo on Thursday, 03/19/2020 @ 21:17pm

Why, because she died????

Posted by Mr. XFL on Thursday, 03/19/2020 @ 22:46pm

I think it's a "total disgrace" that Marie Fredrickson hasn't been inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame!!!! As well as Per Gessle!!

Posted by Albert Lombardo on Friday, 04/24/2020 @ 20:23pm

If Roxette/Marie Fredrickson isn't inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame, it's all a sham and a disgrace. They made beautiful music.... Most of today's music is garbage. There aren't beautiful ballads anymore....And Marie did concerts while blind in one eye & fell a lot. For 17 frigging years until she succumbed to her untimely demise at only 61. SHE WASN'T LOOKING FOR "PITY" . SHE FOUGHT FOR 17 YEARS! I. AND A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE BELIEVE THEY SHOULD BE INDUCTED... AND "NOT" OUT OF "PITY"----BUT THE UNDENIABLE UNEQUIVOCAL HUGE SUCCESS OF THE BAND/ROXETTE. IF NOT. IT'S BULLSHIT LIKE THE "ACADEMY AWARDS."

Posted by Albert Lombardo on Tuesday, 05/19/2020 @ 03:14am

If Roxette/Marie Fredriksson isn't inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame, it's all a sham and a disgrace. They made beautiful music.... Most of today's music is garbage. There aren't beautiful ballads anymore....And Marie did concerts while blind in one eye & fell a lot. For 17 frigging years until she succumbed to her untimely demise at only 61. SHE WASN'T LOOKING FOR "PITY" . SHE FOUGHT FOR 17 YEARS! I. AND A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE BELIEVE THEY SHOULD BE INDUCTED... AND "NOT" OUT OF "PITY"----BUT THE UNDENIABLE UNEQUIVOCAL HUGE SUCCESS OF THE BAND/ROXETTE. IF NOT. IT'S BULLSHIT LIKE THE "ACADEMY AWARDS."

Posted by Albert Lombardo on Tuesday, 05/19/2020 @ 03:17am

I think both Roxette and Per Gessle should be inducted. Roxette have 4 us number ones and out of those 4 only one was co written meaning that Per Gessle is the sole composer for 3 number ones and 2 number twos which is astonishing. Roxette has sold over 80 million records and if you tally Per Gessle's sales with Roxette , Gyllene Tider and solo this passes 100 million .also he has had 31 number 1 albums and singles in his native Sweden. Also look sharp and joyride both have international diamond certification. Lastly multiple roxette songs have BMI awards for airplay. The highest is listen to your heart which I'm since October 2020 has been played 6 million times in US radio which equals 62 years straight playing. Insane

Posted by Brad on Thursday, 02/11/2021 @ 23:40pm

Some of the comments I have read here are somewhat disturbing to me. Roxette is a pop music group,a SUPERGROUP, one of the best. I have followed them for 30 years and YES they should already be in the RRHOF, many years ago. The fact that they aren't speaks volumes as to the veracity of this phony organization.
Per is an extraordinary writer/ musician and Marie was kick-ass in her own right. Each also have/had their own separate careers but for the most part their contribution to pop music has been ignored by those who decide what is playable, and what may make THEM lots and lots of money. In my experience with these two superstars, its what you dont hear being talked about that deserves the most merit. Deep cuts selections in their albums are their best contribution, and there are so many of them that I wouldn't know where to start... but just for the hell of it, try checking these deep cuts: " Cooper"," Salvation"," Vulnerable", "Love is All", and about 100 more that you will never hear on the airwaves!
The RRHOF is a senseless sham. Its been nothing but a popularity contest for the past 30 years or more. SO... I have dismissed them as irrelevant many years ago. Unfortunately, Roxette is just one of many, many acts that should already be inducted. So sad.

Posted by Gene Pedrazzoli on Tuesday, 02/16/2021 @ 12:29pm

Roxette should definitely be in the hall of fame, it's just a pity they didn't make it before Marie Fredriksson passed away , she would have been so happy before her final destination, she was a lovely girl and sang with her heart. Just to finish off , I was a big follower of ABBA , they had great singles so I decided to buy one of their LPs , I wasn't impressed, I like all of Roxette LPs so that's saying something.
Chris R.

Posted by Chris on Thursday, 10/28/2021 @ 17:53pm

Here is another that thinks if Roxette is not inducted and soon it is purely a travesty. It don't get much better with total no.1's and no. 2's. Someone please wake up the voting committee.

Posted by Donnie Sutton on Sunday, 01/2/2022 @ 22:54pm

Okay, I'm not sure how RRHOF chooses their nominees, but if having huge singles is one factor then Roxette should get the induction over Cheap Trick. I mean, I can only name 3 songs from Cheap Trick. Roxette actually scored more number 1 US Hits than most rock band inductees. Roxette deserved at least a nomination. Per Gessels superb songwriting and Marie's incredible vocals are enough to claim a place at the RRHOF.

Posted by Mark Bilugan Albano on Friday, 01/28/2022 @ 22:33pm

I have read all the comments and have come to the conclusion that there are a lot of people out there that have not got a ear for good music, I've listened to ABBA and I must say the singles were great so much so I decided to buy one of there LPs and was totally disappointed with it , now with Roxette I liked the singles and decided to buy there LPs and I must say they are brilliant everyone of the tracks on there albums, this group No question about it should be in the Rock Hall of Fame, just need to know how to get them there that's the question.

Posted by Chris on Thursday, 04/7/2022 @ 18:48pm

I Han never heard of Roxette until sometime in the 80's when I received a promotional cd from, of all places, McDonalds, Crash, Boom, Bang. Wow, I was hooked. However, US radio back then being what it was, I admit to having lost track of Roxette. That was until I began pulling up on line live performances from their various world tours. To see beautiful Marie on stage with Per , and their kickass band made me fall in love. Who else can claim otherwise? Super Hot, amazingly talented, with courage that's hard to believe. RIP Marie.

Posted by Fred Kerrigan on Thursday, 05/5/2022 @ 17:12pm

Check out Songs like "Hotblooded" and "Sleeping in my Car", no US No. Ones, but if that's not Rock'n'roll at it's best, than I don't know...

Posted by Manuel on Monday, 11/7/2022 @ 08:06am

Amazing band that made superbly crafted music. Marie's voice had a beautiful quality that's hard to describe technically, very distinctive. Per is an incredibly gifted songwriter. It's like the music gods brought this duo together. They should have been in the Hall of Fame a long time before Marie's tragic passing.

Posted by Lyndy on Tuesday, 02/14/2023 @ 21:53pm

One of my favorite bands of all time! Maybe because they are one of the few Swedish bands to make it big here in the US, and my grandma was Swedish.There is just something so haunting about their songs and I don't know of many voices like Marie's. Her voice was so gorgeous, nice range. They have my vote for the rock hall. I've been there many times and personally wonder how some of the artists are in there. It pains me to hear people try to cover their songs, Marie's voice just can't be imitated. They need to be inducted!❤️

Posted by Julie on Wednesday, 05/10/2023 @ 21:35pm

Everyone, i mean everyone who is from cassette error rock/pop/country what have you, knows dam near every roxette tune. And bought em! Thats all. Hoo- ah !

Posted by TA on Wednesday, 05/17/2023 @ 02:54am

First introduced to Roxette by MacDonald's restaurant, got a free CD as a prize. Listen to the CD a few times and didn't think much. A year later I listened again and it blew me away. I kept asking myself how could I have not listen to this group. The quality of the songs and lyrics as well as the sound engineering. I was hooked! Then when I found out English was not their first language, I was blown away. I then started to listen to their full catalog and I fell in love with the group. Definitely need to be in RRHOF.

Posted by Sound of Music on Wednesday, 06/21/2023 @ 21:37pm

Well they should definitely be in the RRHOF. They had monster hits all over the world and sold sooo many records. And if you listen to their albums, there are barely any a filler tracks om them, nearly all of their songs could have been singles. Per Gessle is a pop genius and Marie had one of the most wonderful voice in pop/rock. Additionally they were serious musicians, their live performances were spot-on and more rock-'n'-roll than you would have expected.

Posted by Hasi on Wednesday, 09/13/2023 @ 15:07pm