Gessle

Gessle is a Swedish surname. The name is most commonly associated with Per Gessle, a Swedish musician, singer, and songwriter who has been active in international pop music since the 1980s.

Per Gessle, born in 1959 in Halmstad, is best known as a founding member of the pop rock duo Roxette, formed with Marie Fredriksson. As Roxette’s principal songwriter and guitarist, he helped create a string of international hits, including The Look, Listen to Your Heart, It Must Have Been Love, and Joyride. The duo achieved global chart success during the late 1980s and early 1990s, with successful albums such as Look Sharp! (1988) and Joyride (1991).

Beyond Roxette, Gessle has been a member of Gyllene Tider, a Swedish pop group that enjoyed a long-running career in Sweden since the late 1970s. He has also pursued solo projects and collaborations outside Roxette, contributing to Swedish pop music with a melodic, accessible style.

Gessle’s work is characterized by strong melodic craft and radio-friendly hooks, contributing to Sweden’s international music profile. He has written songs for various artists and participated in projects beyond his own groups. While the surname is relatively uncommon outside Sweden, it remains most prominently linked to Per Gessle and his contributions to Swedish and international pop music.