Europe is a Swedish rock band formed in 1979 in Upplands Väsby near Stockholm. The lineup consists of Joey Tempest (vocals), John Norum (guitar), John Levén (bass), Mic Michaeli (keyboards), and Ian Haugland (drums). The band rose to worldwide fame in the mid-1980s as one of the leading hard rock and glam metal acts, known for their melodic guitar riffs, soaring vocals, and lush arrangements.
Their breakthrough came with their third album The Final Countdown (1986), which became a global phenomenon. The title track topped charts around the world, became one of the most recognizable rock anthems of all time, and helped sell more than 15 million copies of the album. Other hits from the record include Carrie and Rock the Night. Earlier albums such as Europe (1983) and Wings of Tomorrow (1984) had already established them on the Scandinavian scene, but it was The Final Countdown that propelled them to international stardom.
Their follow-up album Out of This World (1988), featuring the hit Superstitious, continued their commercial success, while Prisoners in Paradise (1991) reflected the decline of the glam metal era. After a long hiatus, Europe reunited in 2003 with new material, releasing Start from the Dark (2004), which showcased a more mature, modern sound. They went on to release Secret Society (2006), Last Look at Eden (2009), Bag of Bones (2012), War of Kings (2015), and Walk the Earth (2017), proving their relevance well beyond their 1980s heyday.
Over more than four decades, Europe have sold over 25 million albums, performed on some of the world’s biggest stages, and received numerous awards. Their live shows bring together their iconic 1980s hits with newer material, keeping their music fresh and connecting with both longtime fans and new audiences.
