Europe’s lead singer Joey Tempest turns 61
The Swedish band Europe frontman Joey Tempest composed and sung one of the most popular songs of all time: “The Final Countdown,” a pastiche of Heavy Metal and Synth Pop with a catchy riff, became one of the most iconic rock anthems of the 1980s and topped the sales chart in 26 countries
Europe’s lead singer Joey Tempest turns 61
The Swedish singer and composer Joey Tempest was born Rolf Magnus Joakim Larsson on August 19, 1963, in Stockholm, Sweden. Though first inclined to follow a sports career, having even won junior competitions, the love of music spoke louder to Tempest, in particular through his biggest influence: Led Zeppelin and Robert Plant.
In 1979, he formed a band called Force with friends from Upplands Väsby a suburb of Stockholm, including John Norum. The band later changed its name to Europe, marking the beginning of Tempest’s rise to international fame.
Europe gained significant attention after winning a national talent competition in 1982, which led to the release of their self-titled debut album in 1983. However, it was their third album, The Final Countdown (1986), that catapulted them to global stardom.
The title track written by Tempest, “The Final Countdown,” a pastiche of Heavy Metal and Synth Pop with a catchy riff, became one of the most iconic rock anthems of the 1980s. It topped the sales chart in 26 countries, sold 15 million copies, and remains an airplay favorite to this day. Their 1986 album “The Final Countdown”, which included the title song, also featured other Rock hits for the band, such as “Rock the Night”, the ballad “Carrie” and “Cherokee”.
Throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, Europe released several successful albums, including Out of This World (1988) and Prisoners in Paradise (1991). Despite their success, the band took a hiatus in 1992, during which Tempest pursued a solo career. He released three solo albums: A Place to Call Home (1995), Azalea Place (1997), and Joey Tempest (2002). These albums showcased a more mature and introspective side of Tempest, blending rock with elements of folk and acoustic music.
In 2003, Europe reunited, and Tempest returned to his role as lead vocalist. The band released new albums, such as Start from the Dark (2004) and Last Look at Eden (2009), which were well-received by fans and critics alike. Europe continued to tour extensively, and their live performances proved that they still had the energy and passion that made them famous in the first place.
Joey Tempest married Lisa Worthington in 2000, and the couple has two sons. They have lived in various countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, but Tempest often returns to Sweden, where he remains a respected figure in the music industry.
Look back: The 1986 music video “The Final Countdown” by Europe
Watch more 1980’s related videos
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