Marie Fredriksson of Roxette has passed away at 61

BBC

Roxette singer Marie Fredriksson has died aged 61, her manager has confirmed.

The Swedish star achieved global success in the 1990s with hits like Joyride, The Look and It Must Have Been Love, from the film Pretty Woman.

A statement said the singer had died on Monday, 9 December "following a 17-year long battle with cancer".

"You were the most wonderful friend for over 40 years," her bandmate Per Gessle said. "Things will never be the same."

Fredriksson was first diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2002, after collapsing in her kitchen following a workout.

The tumour cost her the vision in her right eye - but after three years of treatment, she returned to public life and toured successfully again with Roxette from 2008 to 2016.

However, the cancer eventually returned: Fredriksson's family said she had died following a recurrence of "her previous illness" earlier this week.

'Magical live performances'

"Thank you, Marie, thanks for everything," said Gessle in a heartfelt statement.

"You were an outstanding musician, a master of the voice, an amazing performer. Thanks for painting my black and white songs in the most beautiful colours. You were the most wonderful friend for over 40 years.

"I'm proud, honoured and happy to have been able to share so much of your time, talent, warmth, generosity and sense of humour. All my love goes out to you and your family."

"Marie leaves us a grand musical legacy," added her manager Marie Dimberg.

"Her amazing voice - both strong and sensitive - and her magical live performances will be remembered by all of us who were lucky enough to witness them. But we also remember a wonderful person with a huge appetite for life, and woman with a very big heart who cared for everybody she met."

Wasn't the hugest Roxette fan, but I saw their appeal, and I liked a couple of their songs. May she RIP.

Not long after Carroll Spinney (Sesame Street) and Rene Auberjonois (Star Trek, Benson). Damn...

I really enjoyed their hits late 80's/early 90's, they bring back memories, and she had an iconic look with her blonde cropped hair and beautiful face. Scary to think she was just 3 years older than I am. She reminds me of a blond version of Rachel Maddow in her videos.

"Joyride", the beautiful " It must have been love" and of course "The Look" were very memorable songs. Roxette had other hits but I didn't care for them as much as these 3. "Joyride" was the favorite of mine with "The Look" a close second.

"She says hello you fool, I love you, come on join the joyride, join the joyride". Yeah baby!

And as you said Odo died as well.

RIP

I liked Joyride, The Look and Listen to Your Heart.