Joey Tempest

Infobox musical artist
Background = solo_singer
Instrument = Vocals, keyboards, guitar
Name = Joey Tempest

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Birth_name = Rolf Magnus Joakim Larsson
Born = Birth date and age|1963|8|19
Upplands Väsby, Sweden
Genre = Hard rock, Glam metal
Associated_acts = Europe
Notable_instruments =
Years_active = 1979-present
URL = [http://www.europetheband.com/ http://www.europetheband.com/]

Joey Tempest (born Rolf Magnus Joakim Larsson on August 19, 1963 in Upplands Väsby, Sweden) is the vocalist and main songwriter in the Swedish hard rock band Europe. He has written hits like "The Final Countdown", "Rock the Night" and "Superstitious".

Early life

Like many of the other Europe members, he grew up in Stockholm suburb Upplands Väsby. His biggest idols were Thin Lizzy and Led Zeppelin. During his teens, he played in a number of bands such as Made in Hong Kong and Roxanne. At that time he alternated between playing rhythm guitar and bass, in addition to lead vocals. In 1979 he formed the band Force, together with guitarist John Norum, drummer Tony Reno and bassist Peter Olsson. Three years later, Force changed its name to Europe and won the national talent contest "Rock-SM".

Career

Tempest played the keyboards on the first two Europe albums before the band decided to recruit keyboardist Mic Michaeli in April 1984. A couple of years earlier, Tempest had borrowed a keyboard from Michaeli and used it to compose the main keyboard riff in the song "The Final Countdown". After a jam session in 1985, Michaeli and Tempest co-wrote the hit ballad "Carrie". Later that year, Tempest wrote the soundtrack for the Swedish film "On the Loose", as well as the song "Give A Helping Hand" for the benefit project "Swedish Metal Aid". The song was produced by future Europe bandmate Kee Marcello. In 1986 Tempest wrote and produced the album "One of a Kind" for Tone Norum, John Norum's younger sister. Tempest also collaborated with John Norum on the single "We Will Be Strong" from Norum's album "Face the Truth" in 1992. This was Tempest and Norum's first collaboration since Norum left Europe in November 1986.

After Europe went on hiatus in 1992, Tempest released three solo albums. The first album, "A Place to Call Home" featured a guest appearance from John Norum on the song "Right to Respect". Several songs on the third album, "Joey Tempest", were co-written by Mic Michaeli. 2004 saw the release of Europe's comeback album, "Start from the Dark", featuring the band's classic "Final Countdown" line-up with John Norum on guitar. The follow-up, "Secret Society", was released in 2006. Europe will release its next album in 2009.

Personal life

Tempest is currently living in London with his wife Lisa Worthington-Larsson and their son James Joakim.

Discography

Europe

olo albums

*"A Place to Call Home" (1995)
*"Azalea Place" (1997)
*"Joey Tempest" (2002)

Links

* [http://www.europetheband.com/ Europe's Official Site]