EUROPE’s JOEY TEMPEST Reflects On JOHN NORUM’s 1986 Departure: ‘It Was A Sad Day Because We Started The Band’

Joey Tempest says John Norum left Europe earlier than the eve of the band’s 1986 tour for “The Final Countdown”. Tempest described the departure as painful because the two had started the band together, and said the pressures of sudden mainstream success contributed to tensions.

Norum had told the band he wanted to try a solo career and was away for two albums; Tempest also mentioned demanding promotional schedules and possible personal or management issues, while stressing he could not speak for Norum. The band recruited guitarist Kee Marcello, and Tempest said he and Norum addressed past problems when they reunited in 2002, agreeing to write together and plan for the long term. Europe have sold more than 15 million albums, and their latest album, “Come This Madness”, was released on 25 September.