Europe

Rock band, Europe's history is dominated by their 1986 power ballad The Final Countdown, a smash hit all over the world which took them into the world's biggest arenas, a far cry from their humble beginnings in Stockholm. Joey Tempest, John Norum, Pete Olsson and drummer Tony Reno originally got together in a covers band called Force, getting a record contract after winning a talent contest when they changed their name to Europe. Their debut album was released the following year, while their second album Wings Of Tomorrow produced their first international hit Open Your Heart. In 1985 they were invited to write the music for the movie On The Loose, from which came the hit song Rock The Night, and Tempest wrote the Swedish Metal Aid charity song Give A Helping Hand. Massive international success then struck with The Final Countdown - a Number 1 in 25 countries - followed by further hits Carrie and Cherokee, though not everyone like their poppier new direction. Guitarist John Norum left the band, though Europe continued to tour until they split in 1992. However, they reunited with new albums Start From The Dark (2004), Secret Society (2006) and Last Look At Eden (2009).