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How Joey Tempest survived the wild whirlwind of fame, fortune and global success entirely unscathed
Joey Tempest reflects on growing up in Sweden, forming Europe and navigating the band’s rise to international fame while continuing to write and work hard. The interview also introduces Europe’s new album, *Come This Madness*, which Tempest regards as one of the band’s best and says brings together their melodic 1980s sound and the classic-rock style developed later.
Tempest, born Rolf Magnus Joakim Larsson in 1963, began picking out songs on piano as a child and started writing music when he was around eight to ten. Europe’s early line-up grew from a group of local young musicians in Upplands Väsby; keyboardist Mic Michaeli joined full-time in 1985, freeing Tempest to focus on singing and performing. The new album features the band’s core line-up and backing vocals from Ghost’s Tobias Forge and Opeth’s Mikael Åkerfeldt; Tempest lives in London with his wife and two sons.
In short
- Tempest traces his musical beginnings to childhood in Sweden.
- Europe’s new album features its core line-up.
- He calls it one of the band’s best records.
- SEARCH sentence 120-150 chars, count around 130? Social length maybe 172. Output.
Explained simply
Joey Tempest is the singer and songwriter best known as the frontman of the Swedish rock band Europe. Born Rolf Magnus Joakim Larsson in 1963, he grew up playing piano and began writing songs as a child.
Europe formed around a group of young musicians in Upplands Väsby, near Stockholm. Keyboardist Mic Michaeli joined full-time in 1985, allowing Tempest to concentrate on singing and performing as the band reached an international audience.
The band’s sound draws on melodic rock associated with the 1980s as well as the classic-rock approach it developed later. Its latest album features Europe’s core line-up, with guest backing vocals from Ghost’s Tobias Forge and Opeth’s Mikael Åkerfeldt.
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