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Europe (band)

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Europe
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1979 in Upplands Väsby, Sweden
FounderJoey Tempest, John Norum, Peter Olsson, Tony Reno
Headquarters
Upplands Väsby
,
Sweden
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Joey Tempest (lead singer), John Norum (guitarist), John Levén (bassist), Mic Michaeli (keyboardist), Ian Haugland (drummer)
ProductsStudio albums, live albums, compilation albums, music videos
Websitewww.europetheband.com

Europe is a Swedish rock ensemble that originated in Upplands Väsby in 1979, founded by lead singer Joey Tempest, guitarist John Norum, bassist Peter Olsson, and drummer Tony Reno. Their breakthrough came in Sweden in 1982 when they won the televised Rock-SM (Swedish Rock Championships), surpassing all other competitors.

Since their inception, Europe has produced eleven studio albums, three live records, three compilation albums, and twenty-four music videos. The current roster features Tempest, Norum, bassist John Levén, keyboardist Mic Michaeli, and drummer Ian Haugland.

Europe achieved global recognition during the 1980s with their third studio album, The Final Countdown released in 1986. By that time, their worldwide album sales had reached 10 million copies. They secured two albums within the top 20 of the Billboard 200 chart (The Final Countdown and Out of This World) and placed three singles inside the top 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart: "The Final Countdown", "Rock the Night", and "Carrie", which climbed as high as number 3.

After entering a hiatus in 1992, Europe briefly reunited for a New Year's Eve show in Stockholm in 1999 before officially reforming in 2003. Since then, they have released six additional albums: Start from the Dark (2004), Secret Society (2006), Last Look at Eden (2009), Bag of Bones (2012), War of Kings (2015), and Walk the Earth (2017).

The band experienced a resurgence of interest in the United States following their inclusion in a GEICO cable TV commercial campaign during 2015–2016.

Europe and Wings of Tomorrow (1979–1984)

Initially named Force, the group formed in 1979 in Upplands Väsby, Stockholm, comprising vocalist Joey Tempest, guitarist John Norum, bassist Peter Olsson, and drummer Tony Reno. Tempest has recounted that their early days involved playing cover songs to master their instruments before composing original tracks.[1]

After submitting demos to various record labels, they were advised to adopt shorter hairstyles and perform songs in Swedish to increase their chances of getting signed. Two years later, Olsson departed and was replaced by John Levén, who later joined Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force; Marcel Jacob briefly exchanged places with Levén before returning.[2]

In 1982, Tempest’s girlfriend entered Force into the Swedish rock competition Rock-SM, where they triumphed among 4000 bands with their songs "In the Future to Come" and "The King Will Return". This victory led to a contract with Hot Records. Tempest received the award for Best Lead Singer, while Norum was named Best Guitarist. The band then changed its name to Europe, taking inspiration from Deep Purple's album Made in Europe.[3][4]

Their debut album titled Europe, released in 1983, achieved strong sales in Sweden and Japan, reaching number 8 on the Swedish charts and spawning the Top 10 Japanese hit "Seven Doors Hotel".[3]

The second album, Wings of Tomorrow released in 1984, garnered attention from CBS Records and resulted in an international recording deal by 1985.[3] Tempest noted that this album was crucial for enhancing their songwriting capabilities and instrumental skills.[5] Keyboardist Mic Michaeli joined for live shows and soon became an official member. Due to motivational challenges, drummer Tony Reno was replaced; reportedly a drum machine was used on recordings according to Olsson.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name Ian Haugland then assumed drumming responsibilities.[3]

The Final Countdown (1985–1987)

In 1985, Europe contributed to the soundtrack of the movie On the Loose, delivering the successful track "Rock the Night". Joey Tempest also wrote "Give a Helping Hand" for the Swedish Metal Aid initiative, with all proceeds directed toward famine relief efforts in Ethiopia.

Epic Records reached out to Europe in September 1985, enabling them to work alongside Journey's producer Kevin Elson. This collaboration resulted in the album The Final Countdown, which debuted on 26 May 1986 and became the band's global breakthrough. The album achieved Triple Platinum status in the United States and climbed to number 8 on the Billboard 200 chart. The title song, inspired by a keyboard riff Tempest composed between 1981 and 1982, secured the number one spot in 25 countries, including the UK, France, Spain, and Germany. Additional singles such as "Rock the Night" and the power ballad "Carrie" also enjoyed notable chart success, with "Carrie" reaching number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Guitarist John Norum departed in October 1986 due to dissatisfaction with the album’s keyboard-heavy production and the band's increasingly commercial direction. Preferring a heavier guitar sound, he left to focus on his solo career. Norum was replaced by Kee Marcello during Europe's commercial zenith.

From The Final Countdown, three singles entered the US Top 30. The band supported this release with well-received tours throughout Europe and North America.

Out of This World and Prisoners in Paradise (1988–1992)

Following up on their previous success, Europe released Out of This World in 1988. The lead single, "Superstitious", peaked at number 31 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached number 9 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, marking Europe's final entry on US charts. The album attained platinum certification in the US and peaked at number 19 on the Billboard 200. Extensive touring followed, including a US tour alongside Def Leppard and a festival appearance at England’s National Bowl featuring acts such as Bon Jovi, Skid Row, and Vixen.

In September 1989, Europe performed covertly under the alias Le Baron Boys at West Hollywood’s Whisky a Go Go. This name was later used for a bootleg containing demo tracks from 1989 to 1990. Two years later, they released Prisoners in Paradise, which received limited attention amid the rise of grunge bands like Nirvana, Soundgarden, Alice In Chains, and Pearl Jam. Though sales were lower compared to earlier records, the single "I'll Cry for You" managed to reach number 28 on UK charts. On New Year's Eve 1991, Europe kicked off a new tour with a performance at Tokyo Dome, sharing the lineup with Tesla, Thunder, and Metallica during their "Final Countdown '91" event.

After ten years of continuous recording and touring, Europe opted for a hiatus following their 1992 tour. Drummer Ian Haugland noted that the group felt it was time to pause and pursue individual ventures. During this break, Tempest, Norum, and Marcello each released solo albums while other members engaged in different projects. Subsequently, Epic Records ended their contract with Europe.

Reunion and Start from the Dark (2003–2005)

Conversations about bringing Europe back together started as early as 1998. Tempest remembered, "Mic and Ian visited me in Ireland," while John Norum reached out from Los Angeles, which led them to contemplate reviving the band.[6] To mark the millennium celebrations, Europe held a special New Year's Eve concert in Stockholm on December 31, 1999, featuring both lead guitarists John Norum and Kee Marcello—a lineup that was unique in the band's history. Their set included classics such as "Rock the Night" and "The Final Countdown".[6][7]

Following numerous reunion speculations, Europe officially declared on 2 October 2003 their intentions to produce a new album and embark on a global tour.[8] The group reassembled with the lineup from The Final Countdown era, with John Norum returning as the exclusive lead guitarist.[6] Tempest highlighted how crucial Norum’s comeback was to rekindling their creative synergy.[1] Kee Marcello opted out due to other commitments and differing artistic directions.[7]

Work on songwriting for Start from the Dark began in early 2003.[6] Tempest expressed their goal to stage a genuine comeback with fresh material. They selected producer Kevin Elson, known for his work on The Final Countdown, appreciating his expertise and shared vision with the band.[6]

During summer 2004, Europe toured various European festivals, mixing their classic hits with new songs like the album’s title track.[6] Released on 22 September 2004—the same day John Norum welcomed fatherhood—Start from the Dark featured a contemporary sound characterized by a drier mix and detuned guitars. Tempest explained their objective was to steer clear of an '80s throwback style and present themselves as a revitalized band.[9] The album achieved sales exceeding 600,000 copies worldwide.[1]

Secret Society and Last Look at Eden (2006–2010)

Europe’s seventh studio effort, Secret Society, was released on 26 October 2006. Joey Tempest described it as "one of Europe's strongest albums to date," emphasizing a more melodic tone compared to the rawness found in Start from the Dark.

On 26 January 2008, Europe performed a semi-acoustic show at Nalen in Stockholm called Almost Unplugged, featuring rearranged versions of their own songs alongside covers from bands that influenced them, including Pink Floyd, UFO, Led Zeppelin, and Thin Lizzy. This concert was broadcast live via their official website and later issued on CD in September 2008 and DVD in August 2009.

Europe shared the stage with Whitesnake as co-headliners in Padua, Italy, on 23 July 2008; during Whitesnake’s encore, Tempest joined David Coverdale on stage. In August that year, Europe supported Deep Purple in Sweden, with guitarist John Norum joining Deep Purple for a rendition of "Smoke on the Water".

On 21 July 2009, Marcel Jacob, former bassist of Force, passed away by suicide at age 45.

Their eighth studio album, Last Look at Eden, was released on 9 September 2009. The title track was issued as a single in June. The band characterized this album as modern retro rock infused with classic rock elements inspired by groovy and funky styles of the 1970s but updated for today’s listeners. The second single, "New Love in Town", became available digitally on 3 September 2009.

Bag of Bones and War of Kings (2011–2016)

On 6 August 2011, Europe served as the headline act for the closing ceremony of the 22nd World Scout Jamboree held in Rinkaby, Sweden, performing before an audience of 40,061 Scouts and Guides, which included King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden and Queen Silvia of Sweden.

Earlier that year, on 12 July 2011, Europe confirmed that Kevin Shirley would be producing their ninth studio album, with recording commencing on 3 October 2011. The band revealed the album's title, Bag of Bones, on 24 January 2012. It was initially released in Japan by Victor Entertainment on 18 April 2012 and subsequently in Sweden by Gain Music Entertainment on 25 April. Upon release, "Bag of Bones" entered the Swedish album chart at number 2 on 4 May 2012 and achieved Gold certification in Sweden by 12 July 2012.

In 2013, Europe performed at the Sweden Rock Festival, a show that was recorded and later issued as a double CD, DVD, and Blu-ray Disc set commemorating their 30th anniversary, released in October that year.

To mark the 30th anniversary of their second studio album Wings of Tomorrow in 2014, Europe performed the entire record live during a series of concerts throughout Sweden.

Europe’s tenth studio album, War of Kings, was launched on 2 March 2015 through UDR Records. The album was produced by Dave Cobb, recognized for his work with bands such as Rival Sons. Following the release, Europe embarked on a UK tour in March 2015, co-headlining with Black Star Riders and supported by The Amorettes.

In September 2015, Europe appeared in a prominent US cable television advertising campaign for GEICO, featuring a commercial where they performed "The Final Countdown" within an office break room setting.

Later that year, Europe issued the War of Kings Special Edition alongside a live recording from their performance at Wacken Open Air Festival on 29 July 2015. The digital release came out on 27 November 2015 via UDR Records, with Blu-ray and DVD editions following in early 2016.

November 2016 saw Europe announce the 30th Final Countdown Anniversary Tour to honor the milestone of their best-selling album. This tour included complete live renditions of both "The Final Countdown" and "War Of Kings" albums. The concert held at Roundhouse in London on 12 November 2016 was filmed and subsequently released on Blu-ray, DVD, and digital formats on 21 July 2017.

Walk the Earth (since 2017)

Europe’s eleventh studio album, Walk the Earth, was released on 20 October 2017, available as a CD with an accompanying bonus DVD as well as through digital download.

In celebration of their four decades together, Europe launched the Time Capsule tour in 2023, spanning eight countries across Europe. This tour commenced on 30 September in Lausanne, Switzerland, and concluded on 26 October in London, England.

Musical style and influences

Europe’s sound incorporates elements from genres such as arena rock, hard rock, glam metal, blues rock, and heavy metal. Their musical style is heavily influenced by bands like Whitesnake, Deep Purple, Rainbow, Led Zeppelin, Thin Lizzy, UFO, and the Michael Schenker Group.

Band members

Current members

  • Joey Tempest – lead vocals and rhythm guitar (1979–1992, 1999, from 2003 onward), keyboards and piano (1979–1984, sporadically since 1984)
  • John Norum – lead guitar, backing vocals (1979–1986, 1999, from 2003 onward)
  • John Levén – bass guitar, backing vocals (1981–1992, 1999, from 2003 onward)
  • Mic Michaeli – keyboards, piano, keytar, backing vocals, occasional guitar (1984–1992, 1999, from 2003 onward)
  • Ian Haugland – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1984–1992, 1999, from 2003 onward)

Former members

  • Tony Reno – drums and percussion (1979–1984)
  • Peter Olsson – bass guitar, backing vocals (1979–1981)
  • Marcel Jacob – bass guitar, backing vocals (1981, deceased 2009)
  • Kee Marcello – lead guitar, backing vocals (1986–1992, 1999)

Discography

Studio albums

Awards and nominations

Year Nominee / Work Awarding Body Outcome Ref.
Event / Media Category
1986 The band Rockbjörnen (Sweden) Best Swedish Group Template:Won [10]
Gold Bravo Otto (Germany) Hard 'n Heavy Template:Won [11]
1987 Gold Bravo Otto (Germany) Hard 'n Heavy Template:Won [12]
1988 Gold Bravo Otto (Germany) Hard 'n Heavy Template:Won [13]
1989 Silver Bravo Otto (Germany) Bands Hard 'n Heavy Template:Won [14]
1990 Bronze Bravo Otto (Germany) Bands Hard 'n Heavy Template:Won [15]
2015 Rockbjörnen (Sweden) Best Hard Rock/Metal Template:Won [10]
Classic Rock Roll of Honour (UK) Comeback of the Year Template:Won [16]
2018 Walk the Earth Grammis (Sweden) Best Hard Rock/Metal Template:Won [17]
Year Award Result Ref.
1987 Pan European Awards 1986 (Music & Media) Template:Won Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
Year Award Nominee / Work Result Ref.
2022 YouTube Billion Views Award "The Final Countdown" Template:Won Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name


Additional Recognitions

Year Honor Outcome
2018 Swedish Music Hall of Fame Inducted

Related topics

External resources

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named fireworks-26
  2. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named rockdrömmen
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named 1982-1992 booklet
  4. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named foxnews.com
  5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named metal-express-radio
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named fireworks-18
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named fireworks-17
  8. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Blabbermouth October 2, 2003
  9. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Blabbermouth July 10, 2005
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Rockbjornen
  11. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Bravo Otto 1986
  12. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Bravo Otto 1987
  13. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Bravo Otto 1988
  14. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Bravo Otto 1989
  15. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Bravo Otto 1990
  16. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Blabbermouth Dec 23 2015
  17. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Grammis
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