Entrevista banda Europe (Joey Tempest) - English version

ZAPPHY – Let’s get back to the time (1979) when you were only a group of kids thinking about making music. When you guys got together, was it only about having fun or you had in your minds that you could live from music

and become famous?

JOEY TEMPEST / EUROPE - When me and Norum started Force we had that certain confidence you need to have, a feeling that this was for real and we started to rehearse a hell of a lot. We also hung out at parties and went to see gigs together. We had a vision......

ZAPPHY – A lot of people here in Brazil believe that you guys are or American or from Britain. But you are from Sweden, a country which, today. ZAPPHY magazine has been talking to many bands and where really good music is produced. But one question, why did you decide to sing in English and not in your native tongue? Singing in English open mores possibilities to the band or artists?

JOEY TEMPEST / EUROPE - Strangely enough, it felt natural to us. We felt it was the best way to express ourselves in rock-music. At the time we only listened to British rock bands. Our goal was to become a touring band and work all around the world.

ZAPPHY – I still remember when we heard “The final countdown” for the first time here in Brazil. In your CD, “Almost unplugged” (2008), while playing the very beginning of the mentioned music, you talked a little bit about it

and how that famous tune came up. Please explain to the Brazilian readers and to your fans here how did you guys come up with the famous riff, as to become later, one of the most famous riff in the world. It also changed your lives, right?

JOEY TEMPEST / EUROPE - Even though we were a guitar driven rock-band we wanted to experiment a bit with keyboards. When I was in high-school there was only one person who I knew owned his own keyboard. I approached him and asked if I could borrow it. I believe it was a Korg poly 6. There was a sweeping sound on there that inspired me to come up with the Final Countdown anthem. When we were working on our third album I made a demo of the song. The lyric was inspired by David Bowies, Space oddity. The music and rhythm was inspired by British rock.

ZAPPHY – The last CD that was recorded “Last look at Eden”, it took me back to the time when rock was all about rock! Great songs, specially two songs that I have already asked my people to insert them in the playlist: “Last look at Eden” and “New love in town”. The first one, a punch in the belly, pure power and energy. The second one a great ballad! What you wanted when you decided to record this CD? There is a lot of blues inside of the songs, as it can be listened in “In my time”. Is that correct?

JOEY TEMPEST / EUROPE - I think we finally have arrived to a place where we can relax and let go. We now have enough experience in our lives to just let it flow. That’s probably how the blues came out on this record. We did not analyze the procedure, we just let this record happen by itself.

ZAPPHY – Europe is a very famous band here in Brazil, but if I am not100% wrong the band has never been to our country! Is there any chance to the band come here in a tour?

JOEY TEMPEST / EUROPE - Sooner or later I'm sure it will happen. Maybe something like Rock In Rio. Let's wait and see.

ZAPPHY – A final message to all your Brazilian fans and to the readers from ZAPPHY magazine!

JOEY TEMPEST / EUROPE - Fantastic support over the years from Brazil. We know you are out there! Hopefully we'll see you soon. Thanks on behalf of the whole band.

#europe #joeytempest #hardrock