Gyllene Tider

Gyllene Tider
Gyllene Tider in Stockholm 2004.
Background information
Origin	Halmstad, Sweden
Genres	Pop, rock
Years active	1976–1985 (temporary reunions in 1995-1996, 2004, 2010 and 2013)
Labels	EMI, Capitol Records
Associated acts	Roxette, Son of a Plumber, Audiovisuellt Angrepp, Grape Rock
Website	www.gyllenetider.se
Members	Per Gessle Mats Persson Micke Andersson Anders Herrlin Göran Fritzon

Gyllene Tider (Swedish: [ˈjʏlˈlɛnə ˈtiːdər], Golden Ages) is a Swedish pop group headed by singer, guitarist and songwriter Per Gessle. Few Scandinavians would not recognize the band's most famous song "Sommartider", often played on the radio during late spring and early summer. The band is well known for its catchy choruses and light-weight lyrics about summer, teenage love and life in a small town in Sweden.

In 1976, Per Gessle met Mats Persson, a member of the band Audiovisuellt Angrepp, forming the duo Grape Rock. Later Micke Andersson, Anders Herrlin and Göran Fritzon joined and the quintet was born. The group's name was changed to "Gyllene Tider", alluding to Mott the Hoople's song "The Golden Age of Rock 'n' Roll". In the following year, the band had become local celebrities in Halmstad for their Christmas concerts. Taking advantage of this they released their quite rare vinyl EP, Billy, selling about 900 copies. In 1980, the LP Gyllene Tider was released, becoming a huge success in Sweden. "Flickorna på TV2" ("The girls on TV2") was the album's biggest hit.

The second album, released in 1981 under the name Moderna Tider (Modern Times), also enjoyed huge success, and was followed by a national tour. The following year Puls (Pulse) was released, with the hits "Sommartider" ("Summer times") and "Flickan i en Cole-Porter-sång" ("The girl in a Cole Porter song").

The group tried to break through to the American market in 1984 with the album Heartland (a six track mini version of the album The Heartland Café released in Sweden) under the name "Roxette"; however, the album flopped, selling only about 8,000 copies. The name Roxette was later used by Per Gessle to name his successful collaboration with Marie Fredriksson. In 1985 Gyllene Tider officially broke up.