ROCK

Martin Cooper uncovers the playing pointers when it comes to emulating Europe’s incredible guitarist, John Norum.

Europe was formed in Upplands Vasby, Sweden in 1979, and initially went by the name Force, before changing their name to Europe after singer Joey Tempest heard Deep Purple’s Made In Europe live album. Founding members were Tempest and guitar player John Norum, who are both still in the band today, with the current and long-serving line-up being completed by bass player John Leven, keyboard player Mic Michaeli and drummer Ian Haugland.

Europe gained worldwide success in 1986 after they had been approached by Epic Records to sign a deal, and the album The Final Countdown was released, with Journey and Mr Big producer Kevin Elson at the helm. However, not everyone was happy even among the success, and guitarist Norum left in November of the same year after deciding that he wasn’t a fan of the keyboard-driven sound that the band was moving towards. Norum had been influenced by the likes of Gary Moore and the impression that the late guitarist left on the Swedish rocker can be heard in his lead and rhythm playing throughout his time with Europe. Norum was replaced by fellow Swede Kee Marcello and the band continued to have successs for the next couple of years, albeit not on the same scale as in 1986.

Europe took a break in the late 90s and were subsequently dropped by Epic Records. They reunited in 1999 to play a millennium show on New Year’s Eve with both Norum and Marcello playing guitar. In 2003 they reunited properly, and with Norum as the sole guitarist gained a new lease of life with a heavier sound. They continue to record and tour regularly, recently playing to sold-out venues in celebration of the 30th anniversary of The Final Countdown album, and we hear new material is also in the pipeline.

The track this month draws mainly from the early John Norum era and is a rock track driven by some classic riffs, rhythms and lead phrases. Norum’s influences also cover the likes of Michael Schenker, and he generally leans towards the classic blues-rock style and tone of the 60s and 70s, albeit with some more gain these days. It’s in the key of E minor (E-F#-G-A-B-C-D) although there is an A Major chord being played by the keyboards which includes a C# note as its 3rd. The solo is built around classic blues-rock E Minor Pentatonic (E-G-A-B-D) phrases, as well as the Natural Minor scale.

JOHN NORUM GENERALLY LEANS TOWARDS THE CLASSIC 60S AND 70S BLUES-ROCK STYLE AND TONE

NEXT MONTH Martin looks at the Knopfler brothers’ rhythm and soloing in Dire Straits