When you grow up loving a Hard Rock so much it inspires you to become a musician you don’t give up fighting for that big break. After one knock back you come back stronger and lift the bar: next thing you know you’re all lit up on National TV singing a series of great Rock songs on Swedish Idol and winning the competition. There’s only one thing to do after that: you put out a platinum solo album, then join one of the best new Hard Rock bands in Europe – H.E.A.T. You stay with them a dozen years and produce some of the best Hard Rock records of the era.
No that in itself is a great story, but when you then tragically get diagnosed with leukemia and have to give away music to fight the fight of your life you again harness that fight and end up kicking cancer’s arse! It’s all looking good but what happens next? Then the call comes to join Skid Row, record a new album with them and jet out to support Scorpions in the U.S.! Now that has to be the Hard Rock good new story of the decade surely?
I’ve been lucky enough to be watching Erik Grönwall during that ride, and have talked to him many times over the years. He’s a true original. passionate, generous and supremely talented, and a lovely guy to boot. The future looks bright for Erik and Skid Row – the new record ‘The Gang’s All Here’ is the best collection of songs I’ve heard all year. Hope you enjoy the interview.
Catch Skid Row Downunder in December!