Mikael Rickfors

Mikael Rickfors built an extensive and multifaceted career that extends well beyond the numerous hit singles and albums he enjoyed in his native Sweden, where he earned recognition as the leading blue-eyed soul singer. His time with the Hollies in the early '70s placed him in the role of lead vocalist, yielding international successes such as "The Baby," "Magic Woman Touch," and "Don't Leave the Child Alone."

Over the ensuing years numerous performers have interpreted his compositions, among them Cyndi Lauper, who included "Yeah Yeah" on her multi-platinum debut album, Percy Sledge with "Blue Night," and Carla Olson's version of "Touch." Three separate artists—Carlos Santana, Jim Capaldi, and Richie Havens—each recorded "Daughter Of The Night," while the Hollies themselves added several more to their catalog: "The Last Wind," "They Don't Realize I'm Down," "Don't Leave the Child Alone," and "Touch." Rickfors has also collaborated in the studio with Percy Sledge, Mick Taylor, Robert Palmer, Carla Olson, and Danish superstar Sanne Salonsen; in addition, he formed one quarter of Grymlings, Sweden's counterpart to the Travelling Wilburys, a supergroup of four Swedish stars that produced two commercially triumphant albums in the early '80s.