are taken from
Europe official website,
John NORUM official website
and verified sources on the web.
MERRY
CHRISTMAS
AND HAPPY ROCKIN'
NEW YEAR
A very merry Christmas
to John and his family, and to his mates in
the band and their families.
Best wishes for a wonderful new year in music, joy, health, harmony
and love to him and to all the Norumaniacs! May the new year bring
you all success and satisfactions. Cheers!
Francesca
December 12th2008:
EUROPE
ON I-TUNES
Due to much demand, we're
pleased to say 'ALMOST UNPLUGGED' is now finally available to purchase in
selected I-tunes stores!
Check your local stores and be sure to tell your friends!
/Europe
December 4th2008:
updatings
John Norum
never confirmed his presence at the event. He'll be in studio next week,
recording the new Europe
album.
November 18th2008:
SECOND THIN LIZZY BASH IN VÄSTERÅS
December 6th and it is the
turn of our Swedish friends to hold their second Thin Lizzy Bash in
Västerås.
John
Norum
will be making a Special Guest Appearance and it is hotly rumoured that
he will be joined by a certain ex-Thin Lizzy guitarist.
When: 6th of December
2008
Where: Västerås, Sweden
Venue: Sigurdsgatan 25
Costs: 200SEK (220SEK at door) approx 22Euro
Hotels: Klipper hotel
http://www.klipperhotel.se
- just say "club rockers" and you will get a great prize
Flights: Ryanair direct from Stanstead-Sthlm Västerås or Ireland,
Germany, Belgium - Sthlm Skavsta.
More info:
info@clubrockers.se
From Brian Robertson
studio report:
Huge
thanks to Sören Lindberg for keeping us up to date with Robbo's latest
recording activities:
"All Les Paul's recorded
today and it sounds great! We're so happy with the outcome of the
session so far and we might even get the chance to get another song down
as well ... acoustics and lead vocals tomorrow. Probably some really
cool overdubs next week and possibly a guest appearance from guitar
wizard John Norum
... we can't wait to carry on with these recordings as they seem to grow
stronger day by day".
August 25th2008:
POLAR MUSIC AWARD
Tomorrow the Polar Music Prize
award will take place in Stockholm at Konserthuset (the Concert Hall).
Pink Floyd will receive a prize and
Norum
and Tempest will perform together with the house band. This will be broadcasted
at Swedish tv4 probably on Thursday, This is a must see for all Pink Floyd
lovers!! There will be other artists as well there and the King and Queen of
Sweden will attend to the ceremony. Last rehearsal starts early tomorrow morning
, cant wait to get there and have good time at work!!
Peter Erixon
And this is the link to watch
the TV4 special: http://www.tv4.se/1.283438?videoId=1.598115
June 25rd2008:
CRAZY DAY IN ITALY/PADOVA (tourdiary by the band)
What a day!
Ian and Norum's guitar tech missed a connection in Zurich (not their fault).
Their driver had to break all kinds of records trying to get to the gig on time
where everybody was nervously waiting. They made it 5 minutes late to the show,
where Ian walked straight up to the drums. Whitesnake band and crew were very
understanding and professionals. The gig in Padova was a success for us, so many
fans had turned up and the audience seemed to have a really great time. After
the show we decided to stay and see Whitesnake play. We talked a lot in the band
about how we used to go to their shows and listen to "Slide it in" all the time
in our tourbus. We also like their new song "Best Years". We watched the whole
show from the side of the stage and we got really into it. Towards the end of
their show Coverdale and Doug Aldrich (git) asked Joey to join them on stage. So
towards the end of "Still of the Night" Joey walked out and finished the song
with David Coverdale. A lot of fun........another crazy day in Italy.........
/Europe
July 20th2008:
AN ALL STARS TRIBUTE DVD to JOHN NORUM
After the Europe
show in Kilafors (Sweden), last Friday night, a tribute double DVD titled "ETERNAL
FLAME - AN ALL STARS ROCKUMENTARY TRIBUTED TO JOHN NORUM FOR HIS 30TH
CAREER ANNIVERSARY" was
delivered to Mr Norum.
It was realized by 12 Artists
and friends of him, in collaboration with the NORUManiacs Planet.
It is a collection of their thoughts and memories, expressed during a
videointerview, and the whole work needed 18 months to be done. Speakers have
been requested to freely talk about the time spent composing music, rehearsing,
touring, performing live with him, and also to express their opinions on his
artistic skills.
This work was not intended to be
a professional rockumentary and it wasn't planned to be released; it only meant
to be a personal tribute to his achievements, and also a friendly way to
celebrate his 30th career anniversary, since in 1978 both the single
" PUNKJÄVLAR" of the Eddie Meduza and the Roaring Cadillac's band (with John
playing an amazing guitar solo), and the recording of "Väsby '78" (the festival
in Upplands Väsby joined by John with his band WC) were released.
So, a heartfelt thanks for
having worked with genuine enthusiasm and fun at this project goes to:
ARTISTS and FRIENDS
(in chronological order):
Marcel Jacob
(Bassist)
Peter Erixon
(Guitartech)
Nalle Påhlsson
(Bassist)
Ian Haugland
(Drummer)
Michelle Meldrum
(Guitarist)
Michael Amott
(Guitarist)
Pontus Norgren
(Guitarist and sound Engineer)
Thomas Broman
(Drummer)
Glenn Hughes
(Singer/Bassist)
Henrik “Hempo” Hildén
(Drummer)
Janne Stark
(Guitarist/Writer)
Joakim "Jocke Bacon"
Kristiansson (Guitartech)
BANDS and TOURMANAGERS
(in chronological order):
Talisman
(Sweden)
Europe
(Sweden)
Meldrum
(USA/Sweden)
Arch Enemy
(Sweden)
Michael Schenker & Friends
(Germany/Sweden)
Glenn Hughes
(UK/USA)
Hempoland
(Sweden)
Many thanks also to the great
small bunch of madpeople that worked behind the scene.
And last but not least,
a very special thanks to Mr John
Norum, ETERNAL FLAME of inspiration
for Musicians, music lovers and
dreaming souls.
GRATTIS, GUITAR HERO!
June 23rd2008:
NORWAY AND HOLLAND (tourdiary by the band)
Hello again
We arrive in the most northern part of Norway. Very close to where
Norum and Haugland were born. Our dressing room is built like a form of Swedish "tipi" (sami-kåta)
with a roaring fire in the middle and everything. This is a different world.
Very friendly place though. However, the locals do like to drink..... a
lot........We go on stage at midnight. Towards the end of the show at 1:30
(during, start from the dark!!) the sun rises. When we end our show at around 2
o'clock in the morning the sun is up and everyone is wearing sunglasses. This is
a brand new experience.
Early next morning we fly to Holland to play Bospop a big festival just outside
Eindhoven.
Big crowd, probably around 15000. We only get to play for an hour but it's a
good one. Afterwards we check out a few songs with ZZ-TOP. We get reminded how
good they really are, specially the early stuff. Great stage presence and
feeling.
We also get to hang with some other Swedes after the show, The band Opeth. Their
new guitar player is a good friend of
Norum and Leven.
After a few beers we are toying with the idea of making the new Europe album
sound like a mixture of ZZ-top and Opeth. : )
Next morning.......maybe not.......
/Europe
June 23rd2008:
BACK FROM SPAIN! (tourdiary by the band)
Hello everyone,
Back from Spain.....What a crowd! We made the show a little bit different with
Memories and Scream of anger on the set-list. We had a great time during and
after the gig. Always fun to hang out with the other bands after the show.
Check out the pic (under live pictures) of the crowd when we played in Bilbao.
It was taken by an old friend of ours Denis O'Regan. He is now working as KISS
main photographer.
All the best
/Europe
June 8th2008:
BACK FROM SWITZERLAND! (tourdiary by the band)
Hello everyone,
Back from Switzerland! Considering we hadn't played together since Minsk and
everything else that has been going on we were happy with our performance at the
Rocksound festival. A lot of people saw us play and there was a great vibe in
the big arena. To have Queensryche and Alter Bridge to open up for us was a nice
bonus.
We talked about shaking up the set-list a bit for the remaining summer shows,
maybe even for the next one in a couple of weeks.
We also talked extensively about when and how we want record our next CD. We
want to have something out beginning of next year so we can tour again 2009.
See you out there.
Joey, John, John, Mic and Ian.
May 28th2008:
UPDATINGS
The memorial tribute
gig will most likely be in Hollywood and it's planned to be towards the
end of the year, as some of the bands schedules would allow.
Michelle's fans asked for a benefit tribute DVD with the recording of
the gig.
More news will come soon.
May 22nd2008: THE SADDEST NEWS NO ONE WOULD SHARE... R.I.P. MICHELLE...
On Sunday, May 18, Michelle Meldrum, leader of the band MELDRUM and former PHANTOM BLUE guitarist, was rushed to St. Joseph's Hospital in Burbank, California in critical condition. Three days later — yesterday afternoon (Wednesday, May 21) — she passed away as a result of a cystic growth on her brain that had restricted oxygen and blood flow to her brain, rendering her braindead. Michelle had just completed writing and recording MELDRUM's soon-to-be-released third album with drummer Gene Hoglan, along with the group's latest additions, Michele Madden (vocals) and Laura Christine (bass). The surviving bandmembers plan to release the CD later this year in tribute to their fallen bandmate. Those who knew Michelle recognize that she lived every moment for the music and was regarded as both an exceptional guitarist and a nurturer by her associates, friends, family and son. Meldrum, 39, is survived by her parents and three-year-old son Jake Thomas (father is EUROPE guitarist
John Norum). Her family and bandmembers appreciate all the support that has been shown over the past few days through this trying time. A memorial tribute benefit will be announced in the following weeks.
A memorial fund has been set up through Paypal for
donations to her family and son to help offset expenses at MichelleMeldrumFund@gmail.com Michelle's former PHANTOM BLUE bandmate Linda McDonald, who played on MELDRUM's 2007 CD "Blowin' Up The Machine", commented: "Michelle passed away about 6:00 p.m. this evening [Wednesday, May 21] at the hospital. It comes as a complete shock and the impact will be felt by so many. She was a one of a kind and will be sorely missed. I don't really know what to say right now. Thank you for your prayers. I'm sure she heard them all. It is a very sad, sad day."
A Memorial Service will be held
Saturday night in Laguna Beach. Family and friends welcome.
Michelle Meldrum was born on September 28, 1968 in Detroit, Michigan to a family of musicians and actors, and moved to Los Angeles, California at the age of 13. She started her career in music by forming the thrash metal band WARGOD with drummer Gene Hoglan (DARK ANGEL, DEATH, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD), then moved on to become both co-founder and lead guitarist in PHANTOM BLUE. PHANTOM BLUE released its self-titled debut album on Shrapnel Records in the U.S. (Roadrunner in Europe and Japan) and eventually landed a major label deal with Geffen. While her career flourished, Michelle married EUROPE guitarist
John Norum and moved to Sweden to form MELDRUM. After many successful tours with such acts as MOTÖRHEAD and BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, she reunited with Gene in 2006 when he appeared as a guest on MELDRUM album and events. Inspired to once again collaborate, Michelle moved back to America where she and Gene began writing the third MELDRUM album together.
May God take care of her brave and beautiful soul, and may
He give some relief to her relatives and beloved ones...
Rest in peace, lovely girl.
May 21st2008: MICHELLE IS STILL FIGHTING FOR HER LIFE!...
The manager of former PHANTOM BLUE guitarist Michelle Meldrum — who has spent the past few years as the leader of her own band called MELDRUM — has said that Meldrum is currently in a coma in a Los Angeles hospital and hasn't been officially declared dead yet despite earlier reports to the contrary. According to Dawn Robinson of Dark Moon Entertainment, Michelle is currently in critical condition and is undergoing a number of tests which her family is hoping will result in a miracle that will allow her to "pull through." An official update regarding her status is expected sometime within the next 24 hours.
Thanks GOD, we can still hope! May God help her!
April 29th2008:
MELDRUM announce new lineup and enter recording studio
After teaming up to write,
Michelle Meldrum and Gene Hoglan recently announced MELDRUM's new lineup before
entering the studio to record tracks for their new album in Los Angeles, CA on
April 29.
MELDRUM's new lineup features: Australian metal vocalist Michele Madden
(Tourettes), Laura Christine (Warface), Gene Hoglan (Death, Dark Angel,
Strapping Young Lad) and Michelle Meldrum.
The new album, in which band members will transcend anything previously
recorded, will follow up their last CD Blowin' Up The Machine, which released
last year on Frontiers/Locomotive.
According to Michelle Meldrum, "The new songs are slammin', heavier and more
exciting than ever. I am honoured to work with Michele Madden, she is an amazing
singer with an extremely heavy voice and a huge range. We are venturing into new
territory sonically, and can't wait to perform the new material live. Laura
Christine is beyond awesome and definitely brings a heavy edge with her
background experience from WARFACE, and…well, Gene is a drum god & goof and his
history speaks for itself. It's a new era for the band and it feels great."
Gene Hoglan added, "Both Michelle and I are super-excited to be working with the
amazingly-talented and ultra-gorgeous Michele Madden, and we welcome her with
open arms into the MELDRUM family. We've been writing a ton of new,
ballcrushing, METAL-as-fuck songs in celebration of the leggy one's arrival on
our shores. I've had the utmost respect for her for the past five years, and
always considered Madden to be, in every awesome and cool use of the term, a
rock star. BIG respect, absolutely, and I can't believe I actually get to play
in a band with one of my all-time favourite vocalists. I'm real psyched, and no
one in their right mind is gonna disagree with the fact that this band has just
gotten WAAAY mightier with our new addition. Fuckin' rights."
MELDRUM plan to unveil sneak peaks from their studio sessions on their website
in coming weeks, with news on the new release and tours forthcoming.
For more information go to www.meldrum.nu or myspace.com/meldrumrocks
Michelle Meldrum
ps) Moa is currently working at
her solo projects, and Frida will start working in the band La Puma.
To know more:
www.myspace.com/meetmoa (Moa's My Space),
www.myspace.com/fridarockshard (Frida's My Space) and
www.myspace.com/lapumasweden (La Puma's My Space).
April 25th2008:
EUROPE
LAUNCH DIGITAL TOURBOOK!
The
concert barriers are down and you have been granted
exclusive backstage access into the lives of EUROPE!
IN: EUROPE
allows you to follow the band on the road during their
"Secret Society" Tour and take a glimpse into their
private moments, captured candidly through the lens of
photographer Thomas Larsson.
This stunning 95-page digital tourbook contains 135
high-resolution, printable images, documenting the band
as they roll from city to city, bringing their music to
the people. Enjoy a never-seen-before snapshot of what
goes on before and after the stage shows... and witness
how the band, road crew and the fans follow the dream.
IN: EUROPE
is a collector's keepsake offered exclusively for
download from the band's MP3 store, and is not something
you will want to miss!
Use the
following link to access the store and you too can
become a part of the extended EUROPE
family:
IN:EUROPE
April 19th2008:
CÁCERES, SPAIN (tourdiary by Mic)
The word "cancelled" has not,
until this day, existed in the band Europe's dictionary. But today we sadly
realized we have to add it to the book.
The people in charge of the festival in Cáceres, Spain decided to cancel today's
festival due to too much rain. (If the festival would have been taking place
somewhere in Scandinavia it would probably not have been cancelled. We’re used
to sliding around in mud and have floods of water in our tents.) But as we
understood it, here they are not used to these amounts of rain and weren’t
prepared for it.
Now here we are, five guys with a top notch crew hungry to rock Spain and work
our asses off. So what to do? We decided to try to find a club in town and
arrange a free gig just for fun (and we heard some of you guys had been driving
for miles from all over Spain to see us) but sadly the promoter said it was
impossible.
Nothing left to do but resign and have a beer I guess…
Ian just knocked on my door and wanted to borrow a mobile phone charger and told
me there’s a bunch of fans in the lobby bar, I guess that will be the
destination for my beverage intake.
We’re sorry for what happened today but it was out of our hands. Nothing we
could do about it. We hope that all you people who was here today have a
possibility to come to Bilbao where we’re playing the 21st of June. I’m sure
it’ll be a blast.
/Mic
PS. Do you remember Bengt ”The
Truck Driver” Smokenomore, mentioned in the tour diary from Belarus? He just
drove for five days with our equipment to Spain and tomorrow he's looking at
five days going back. For what? Nothing. I’m gonna buy him a beer!
PPS. Just heard from our lovely promoter Marta that the main reason for the
cancellation was that the rain undermined the soil upon which the stage was
built. It was all done in the interest of everyone's safety. So no shadow to be
cast on our Spanish festival promoter here.
April 04th2008:
SHOWTIME IN BELARUS (tourdiary by Mic)
First time ever in Minsk, Belarus. Always interesting to visit places where
you’ve never set your foot before.
Minsk was almost entirely rebuilt after the massive destruction during World War
2 but, unlike most cities from that era who suffered the same fate, appeared to
be an unexpectedly beautiful place.
One thing that struck us when chatting to the locals was the unanticipated large
number of people going to University taking Swedish Language classes. Haven’t
seen or heard anything like it anywhere else outside Sweden. Way to go Minskies!
We hadn’t played together since the show at Nalen in January and were a wee bit
rusty. Despite that, and some minor incidents with John’s guitar, the show went
smoothly and the crowd was great. I can’t remember the last time hearing a crowd
chanting "Carrie" in so many different keys at the same time ;)
One last thing: Please send a warming thought to our prominent truck driver
Bengt ”The Truck Driver” Smokenomore, a proud Swedish southerner, who drives our
equipment all over the continent.
After driving for days from Stockholm he was held up for 12(!) hours at customs
on the Belarussian border.
Bengt ”The Truck Driver” had to explain to one evil customs worker exactly what
every single piece of gear was used, for and then wait for the interpreter to
translate it to Belarussian. (All things he didn’t have a clue what it was used
for, the cunning rascal cleverly referred to as ”special effects”.)
Not to mention driving out of Belarus where Bengt ”The Truck Driver” was
welcomed by the same evil customs guy at the border, and experienced the same
treatment (12 hours!) all over again.
So let’s all raise toast to this brave and honourable man! And may he (despite
all) honk his golden horn all over this proud continent for decades to come!
Amen!
/Mic
March 23rd 2008:
HAPPY EASTER!!!
GRATTIS, GUITAR HERO!
Cheers!
February 23rd 2008:
JOHN'S BIRTHDAY!!!
GRATTIS, GUITAR HERO!
Have a great year and stay ROCK!
Cheers!
February 08th2008:
EUROPE ON TOUR 2008: FIRST DATES ANNOUNCED!
EUROPE will perform during some summer festivals. Check the
ON TOUR section and stay tuned!
January 29th2008:
EUROPE BEST LIVE ACT: SWEDISH METAL AWARDS!
Almost 60,000 people voted in the 2008 SWEDISH METAL AWARDS, and EUROPE have won the "BEST LIVE ACT" category! Many congratulations go out to the band! To see more about the awards, visit: http://www.swedishmetalawards.com/
MERRY
CHRISTMAS 
