# Joey Tempest > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Joey_Tempest > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Joey_Tempest.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joey_Tempest > Source revision: 1353926001 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Swedish singer (born 1963) For his self-titled album, see [Joey Tempest (album)](/source/Joey_Tempest_(album)). "Joakim Larsson" redirects here. For the Swedish medical researcher, see [Joakim Larsson (researcher)](/source/Joakim_Larsson_(researcher)). Joey Tempest Tempest performing in 2018 Background information Born Rolf Magnus Joakim Larsson (1963-08-19) 19 August 1963 (age 62) Upplands Väsby, Stockholm, Sweden Genres Heavy metal hard rock glam metal country rock Occupations Singer songwriter musician Instruments Vocals guitar keyboards Years active 1979–present Labels Polar Polydor Sonet Epic Member of Europe Spouse Lisa Worthington ​ (m. 2000)​ Website europetheband.com Musical artist **Rolf Magnus Joakim Larsson** (born 19 August 1963), known professionally as **Joey Tempest**, is a Swedish musician and the lead vocalist of the rock band [Europe](/source/Europe_(band)).[1] He wrote most of the band's hit songs, including "[The Final Countdown](/source/The_Final_Countdown_(song))", "[Rock the Night](/source/Rock_the_Night_(song))", "[Cherokee](/source/Cherokee_(Europe_song))", "[Open Your Heart](/source/Open_Your_Heart_(Europe_song))" and "[Carrie](/source/Carrie_(Europe_song))". ## Early life Rolf Magnus Joakim Larsson was born in [Stockholm](/source/Stockholm), [Sweden](/source/Sweden) on 19 August 1963. When he was eight years old, he would sit in front of the television or radio with a tape recorder and try to capture songs from the UK or US that he liked and listen to them over and over again. He learned how to play the [piano](/source/Piano) and a friend of his father's taught him three [chords](/source/Chord_(music)) (A, D and E) on his sister's [acoustic guitar](/source/Acoustic_guitar).[2] Larsson played [football](/source/Association_football) and [ice hockey](/source/Ice_hockey) and competed in [go-cart racing](/source/Go-cart_racing); he once came in fourth place in the Junior Cart Race, a Swedish championship. Like many of the other Europe members, Larsson grew up in [Stockholm](/source/Stockholm) suburb [Upplands Väsby](/source/Upplands_V%C3%A4sby). His biggest influences were [Thin Lizzy](/source/Thin_Lizzy) and [Led Zeppelin](/source/Led_Zeppelin).[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] During his teens, Larsson played in a number of bands such as Jet, Blazer, Made in Hong Kong and Roxanne. At that time, Larsson alternated between playing rhythm guitar and bass, in addition to lead vocals. ## Career ### Europe Larsson started performing in 1979, creating the stage name "Joey Tempest", inspired by [William Shakespeare](/source/William_Shakespeare)'s [tragicomedy](/source/Tragicomedy) *[The Tempest](/source/The_Tempest)* as well as the song "Sparks of the Tempest" by American progressive rock band [Kansas](/source/Kansas_(band)). He formed the band Force with guitarist [John Norum](/source/John_Norum), bassist [Peter Olsson](/source/Peter_Olsson_(bassist)) and drummer [Tony Reno](/source/Tony_Reno).[3] Force immediately began building a reputation and a fanbase in the suburbs of Stockholm. In 1982, they changed their name to Europe and won the music competition Rock-SM. The first prize was a record deal with Hot Records.[3] With Tempest as the frontman, Europe released its [self-titled debut studio album](/source/Europe_(Europe_album)) in 1983 and *[Wings of Tomorrow](/source/Wings_of_Tomorrow)* in 1984. Tempest wrote the international hit "[The Final Countdown](/source/The_Final_Countdown_(song))"; it topped the sales chart in 26 countries, sold 15 million copies, and was played at the closing ceremony of the [1987 EuroBasket](/source/EuroBasket_1987) and the [1988 Summer Olympics](/source/1988_Summer_Olympics).[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] After *The Final Countdown*, Europe released two more studio albums, namely *[Out of This World](/source/Out_of_This_World_(Europe_album))* (1988) and *[Prisoners in Paradise](/source/Prisoners_in_Paradise)* (1991), before their final concert in March 1992. Europe ended their final tour in [Portsmouth](/source/Portsmouth) and did not perform together again until New Year's Eve, 1999 to 2000.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] ### Solo career Tempest in 2013 In 1995, Tempest's solo debut album, *[A Place to Call Home](/source/A_Place_to_Call_Home_(album))*, was released.[1] He recalled it his "singer/songwriter album". The album, which was produced by [Dan Sundquist](/source/Dan_Sundquist), was recorded in Stockholm and [London](/source/London) using Swedish musicians.[4] Europe bandmate [John Norum](/source/John_Norum) guest-starred on one of the tracks. Tempest also played guitar on the album. *A Place to Call Home* which went platinum in Sweden.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] Later the same year, he commenced his first European tour as a solo artist. The following year, he was nominated for a "Best Swedish Artist" [Grammy](/source/Grammy_Awards).[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] Four singles were taken from the album, "A Place to Call Home", "Under the Influence", "We Come Alive" and "Don't Go Changing On Me". Tempest's second solo album, *[Azalea Place](/source/Azalea_Place)*, was released in 1997. The next solo album was recorded in [Nashville](/source/Nashville%2C_Tennessee) by producer Richard Dodd, who had produced artists such as [The Traveling Wilburys](/source/Traveling_Wilburys) and [Tom Petty](/source/Tom_Petty). Where *A Place To Call Home* had Tempest writing all the material, the new album was written together with others. Among these were Chris Difford from Squeeze and Will Jennings. "*Azalea Place* was mostly written in the studio and was therefore more improvised and experimental.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] "The Match", "The One In The Glass" and "If I'd Only Known" were released as singles. In the autumn of 2002, Tempest released his third solo album [named after himself](/source/Joey_Tempest_(album)). The production team behind the album was "DeadMono", consisting of Malcolm Pardon and Fredrik Rinman, who had worked with [Eskobar](/source/Eskobar), [Lisa Miskovsky](/source/Lisa_Miskovsky) and [Stakka Bo](/source/Stakka_Bo). Also collaborating on the album were Chris Difford, former Europe member Mic Michaeli and guitarist Adam Lamprell.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] The first session took place in Konk Studios, The Kinks old London studio, where Tempest jammed with the English musicians who had formerly played with Massive Attack.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] This session produced "Magnificent", "Kill For A Girl Like You" (B-side of the first single "Forgiven") and "Sometimes". Work continued in Stockholm, this time with Swedish musicians, including Mic Michaeli. "Superhuman" originated from this session. After that, Tempest kept on working with Adam Lamprell in a temporary studio in London.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] ### Resurrection of Europe Nearly twelve years after disbanding, Europe announced a comeback with the same lineup that made *The Final Countdown*.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] In 2004, they released their sixth studio album, *[Start from the Dark](/source/Start_from_the_Dark)*. The seventh, *[Secret Society](/source/Secret_Society_(album))*, followed in 2006, then *[Last Look at Eden](/source/Last_Look_at_Eden)* in 2009, *[Bag of Bones](/source/Bag_of_Bones_(album))* in 2012, *[War of Kings](/source/War_of_Kings_(album))* in 2015, and *[Walk the Earth](/source/Walk_the_Earth)* in 2017. ## Musicianship Tempest played the keyboards on the first two Europe albums before the band decided to recruit keyboardist [Mic Michaeli](/source/Mic_Michaeli) in April 1984.[3] A couple of years earlier, Tempest had borrowed a keyboard from Michaeli and used it to compose the main keyboard hook of the song "The Final Countdown".[3] After a [jam session](/source/Jam_session) in 1985, Michaeli and Tempest co-wrote the ballad "[Carrie](/source/Carrie_(Europe_song))".[3] Later that year, Tempest wrote the soundtrack for the Swedish film *[On the Loose](/source/On_the_Loose_(1985_film))*, as well as the song "Give a Helping Hand" for the benefit project *Swedish Metal Aid*, in the spirit of [Band Aid](/source/Band_Aid_(band)).[5] The song was produced by future Europe bandmate [Kee Marcello](/source/Kee_Marcello).[3] In 1986 Tempest wrote and produced the album *One of a Kind* for [Tone Norum](/source/Tone_Norum), John Norum's younger sister.[3] Tempest also collaborated with John Norum on the single "We Will Be Strong" from Norum's album *[Face the Truth](/source/Face_the_Truth_(John_Norum_album))* in 1992. This was Tempest and Norum's first collaboration since Norum left Europe in November 1986.[3] After Europe went on hiatus in 1992, Tempest released three solo albums.[6] The first album, *[A Place to Call Home](/source/A_Place_to_Call_Home_(album))* featured a guest appearance from John Norum on the song "Right to Respect". Several songs on the third album, *[Joey Tempest](/source/Joey_Tempest_(album))*, were co-written by Mic Michaeli. In 2024, Tempest appeared on Swedish progressive rock and metal band [Opeth](/source/Opeth)'s on album *[The Last Will and Testament](/source/The_Last_Will_and_Testament)* by providing guest backing vocals on the track "§2".[7] ## Personal life Tempest lives in London with his wife Lisa Worthington and two sons.[8][9] Tempest talked to [Bruce Dickinson](/source/Bruce_Dickinson) about his decision to live in London on the latter's [BBC 6 Music](/source/BBC_Radio_6_Music) radio show in 2009.[10] He does not have any social media pages apart from the official ones for Europe listed on their website.[11] Asked in 2009, by [BBC](/source/BBC)'s Liam Allen, "Are you ever embarrassed by some of the hairstyles and clothes you wore back in the day?", Tempest replied, "Not really, we were very young, we were [MTV](/source/MTV) generation – we were one of the biggest bands on MTV. I just wanted to look like [Robert Plant](/source/Robert_Plant), to be honest."[12] ## Discography Tempest performing in 2018 ### Solo studio albums - *[A Place to Call Home](/source/A_Place_to_Call_Home_(album))* (1995) - *[Azalea Place](/source/Azalea_Place)* (1997) - *[Joey Tempest](/source/Joey_Tempest_(album))* (2002) ### Studio albums with Europe - *[Europe](/source/Europe_(Europe_album))* (1983) - *[Wings of Tomorrow](/source/Wings_of_Tomorrow)* (1984) - *[The Final Countdown](/source/The_Final_Countdown_(album))* (1986) - *[Out of This World](/source/Out_of_This_World_(Europe_album))* (1988) - *[Prisoners in Paradise](/source/Prisoners_in_Paradise)* (1991) - *[Start from the Dark](/source/Start_from_the_Dark)* (2004) - *[Secret Society](/source/Secret_Society_(album))* (2006) - *[Last Look at Eden](/source/Last_Look_at_Eden)* (2009) - *[Bag of Bones](/source/Bag_of_Bones_(album))* (2012) - *[War of Kings](/source/War_of_Kings_(album))* (2015) - *[Walk the Earth](/source/Walk_the_Earth)* (2017) ### Guest appearances - [Opeth](/source/Opeth) – *[The Last Will and Testament](/source/The_Last_Will_and_Testament)* (2024) (backing vocals on "§2") ## References 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-LarkinHR_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-LarkinHR_1-1) [Colin Larkin](/source/Colin_Larkin_(writer)), ed. (1999). *[The Virgin Encyclopedia of Heavy Rock](/source/Encyclopedia_of_Popular_Music)* (First ed.). [Virgin Books](/source/Virgin_Books). p. 444. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-7535-0257-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-7535-0257-7). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** [Paul Stenning](/source/Paul_Stenning) (24 November 2013). Success – By Those Who've Made It. Pg.114,115. In Flight Books. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1628475869](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1628475869). 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-1982-1992_booklet_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-1982-1992_booklet_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-1982-1992_booklet_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-1982-1992_booklet_3-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-1982-1992_booklet_3-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-1982-1992_booklet_3-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-1982-1992_booklet_3-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-1982-1992_booklet_3-7) [*1982-1992*](/source/1982%E2%80%931992_(Europe_album)) (CD booklet). Europe. Epic Records. 1993. EPC 473589-1.{{[cite AV media notes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_AV_media_notes)}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_others_in_cite_AV_media_(notes))) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** [*Billboard*](https://books.google.com/books?id=ZggEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA41&dq=dan+sundquist+++record+producer&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjPwJODifOOAxU-k2oFHU8rO_MQ6AF6BAgGEAM#v=onepage&q=dan%20sundquist%20+%20record%20producerd&f=false). Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 19 November 1994. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** [sv:Swedish Metal Aid](https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swedish_Metal_Aid) Swedish Metal Aid. Retrieved 12 December 2018 1. **[^](#cite_ref-fireworks-18_6-0)** ["RATHOLE.com – Fireworks Magazine: Issue 18"](https://web.archive.org/web/20071214221440/http://www.rathole.com/fireworks/18/1.asp). *RATHOLE.com*. Archived from [the original](http://www.rathole.com/fireworks/18/1.asp) on 14 December 2007. Retrieved 15 April 2008. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["MIKAEL ÅKERFELDT Says He Has Talked To JOEY TEMPEST About OPETH And EUROPE Touring Together"](https://blabbermouth.net/news/mikael-akerfeldt-says-he-has-talked-to-joey-tempest-about-opeth-and-europe-touring-together/). *blabbermouth.net*. 4 August 2024. Retrieved 23 November 2024. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Joey Tempest and wife welcome a son"](https://people.com/parents/joey-tempest/). People. 22 March 2012. Retrieved 1 August 2014. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Dubbel bebislycka för Europe"](https://www.aftonbladet.se/nojesbladet/musik/rockbjornen/article19290084.ab). Aftonbladet.se. 4 March 2014. Retrieved 1 August 2014. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-BBC_Online_11_September_2009_10-0)** ["Bruce Dickinson Friday Rock Show: 11/09/2009"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00ml1nq). *[BBC Online](/source/BBC_Online)*. BBC. Retrieved 22 January 2017. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["The Official EUROPE Website"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140922001024/http://europetheband.com/management.html). Europetheband.Com. Archived from [the original](http://www.europetheband.com/management.html) on 22 September 2014. Retrieved 1 August 2014. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-BBC_Talking_Shop_12-0)** Allen, Liam (15 September 2009). ["Talking Shop: Europe's Joey Tempest"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8251386.stm). *[BBC News Online](/source/BBC_News_Online)*. BBC. Retrieved 22 January 2017. ## External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Joey Tempest](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Joey_Tempest). - [Europe's official site](http://www.europetheband.com/) v t e Europe Joey Tempest John Norum John Levén Mic Michaeli Ian Haugland Tony Reno Marcel Jacob Kee Marcello Studio albums Europe Wings of Tomorrow The Final Countdown Out of This World Prisoners in Paradise Start from the Dark Secret Society Last Look at Eden Bag of Bones War of Kings Walk the Earth Come This Madness Live albums The Final Countdown Tour 1986 Extended Versions Almost Unplugged Live at Shepherd's Bush, London Live at Sweden Rock – 30th Anniversary Show The Final Countdown 30th Anniversary Show – Live at the Roundhouse Compilations 1982–1992 Definitive Collection Super Hits 1982–2000 Rock the Night: The Very Best of Europe The Final Countdown: The Best of Europe Videography The Final Countdown Tour 1986 Live from the Dark Singles "Seven Doors Hotel" "Dreamer" "The Final Countdown" "Love Chaser" "Rock the Night" "Carrie" "Cherokee" "Superstitious" "Open Your Heart" "Let the Good Times Rock" "More Than Meets the Eye" "Prisoners in Paradise" "I'll Cry for You" "Halfway to Heaven" "Got to Have Faith" "Hero" "Always the Pretenders" "Last Look at Eden" "New Love in Town" "Not Supposed to Sing the Blues" "Firebox" Related articles Discography Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF GND WorldCat National United States France BnF data Italy Czech Republic Norway Sweden Israel Finland Artists MusicBrainz People Deutsche Biographie Other IdRef --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Joey Tempest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joey_Tempest) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joey_Tempest?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.