Five Records That Changed My Life, Part 78: Anette Olzon
Anette Olzon made it big as lead singer for Nightwish from 2007 until 2012. In recent years, the Swedish vocalist has continued to create music as a solo artist and with the bands The Dark Element and Allen/Olzon. Her most recent solo album, “Strong”, was released in September 2021. Roppongi Rocks’ Stefan Nilsson caught up with Anette to find out what five albums made her a fantastic fanatic on stage who loves to hear the audience roar.
ABBA “Arrival” (1976)
“The first-ever LP I bought. I was seven years old taking my bicycle to the gas station where they sold this amazing album. Even if all songs on the album are great, the ones I sang most to were ‘When I Kissed the Teacher’ and ‘Tiger’. The music and the voices of Agnetha and Frida have always been a big inspiration since then. The way ABBA makes the melodies and their multi-layered harmonies are something I love and copy in my own music.”
Def Leppard “Hysteria” (1987)
“This album was my favourite when I was 16 and me and my best friend always listened to it when getting ready for a party. It’s just a killer album for me. Back then I didn’t listen to metal but I loved hard rock. All the songs are great on this album but my favourites are ‘Animal’ and ‘Pour Some Sugar on Me’.”
Barbra Streisand “Guilty” (1980)
“As I’ve always listened to voices and singers as inspiration, Barbra has been a big influence with her amazing voice and a technique when she sings that I love. This album is also one where one of my favourite singers is with her: Barry Gibb. I sang in talent shows back then and I sang ‘Woman in Love’ in some of them. An important album to me and always will be.”
Michael Jackson “Thriller” (1982)
“Can’t do my top five without this album. I loved Michael so much, and even before this in Jackson Five, but this album is my favourite. I remember how great the videos were too, like movies. I went to my dance classes back then where we tried to dance just like Michael. The album doesn’t have a bad song and his feeling both in the arrangements of the songs and the vocals are just as good as it gets. I dreamt of being able to be as cool as Michael when I’d get to do a cool video for MTV one day.”
Donald Fagen “The Nightfly” (1982)
“This album was actually one my older brother Peter brought home. I must thank him for that because of how much I love it. This is just so good and I sang so much to it and the funky sound with the brass instruments and the electronic cool sounds together with the great vocals and harmonies. Well, it’s just pure perfection to me, still.”
