As half of the duo Roxette, Per Gessle became one of the most successful Swedish artists of his generation, if not the rock era. With a knack for catchy hooks, Gessle worked diligently to find international success with his music. When the power pop band Gyllene Tider failed to do so -- still becoming one of the best-selling bands in Sweden -- he disbanded the group and tried a solo career. When he finally formed Roxette with Marie Fredriksson in 1986, he achieved that worldwide success, which included U.S. number ones like "The Look" and "It Must Have Been Love."
Gessle was...