Biography
Swedish pop outfit Rongedal achieved their commercial breakthrough in 2008 via a self-titled debut album and the chart-topping single “Just a Minute,” which climbed to number five. The ensemble, formed in 2004, centers on identical twins Magnus Rongedal and Henrik Rongedal, both born 16 April 1965 in Molkom, Sweden, while also featuring guitarist Lennart Westberg, bassist Per Dückhow, keyboardist Johan Lyander, and drummer Micke Ajax. Before establishing Rongedal, Magnus had joined forces with Lars Yngve Johansson to launch Big Money, a project that operated between 1989 and 1995 and issued the albums Lost in Hollywood in 1992 and Moonraker in 1994; the latter reached the Swedish Top 30. From 1995 forward Magnus concentrated on session vocal work, lending his voice to recordings by Army of Lovers, Josefin Nilsson, Emilia, Lion’s Share, and Billy Bremner. Henrik pursued comparable backup duties, appearing alongside his brother behind Mendez during the 2002 edition of Melodifestivalen. The siblings first gained notice as composers in 2006 when Gregor’s “Mi Amor,” which they co-wrote, earned a slot in that year’s Melodifestivalen. They subsequently secured a contract with Lionheart International and introduced Rongedal to the marketplace in 2007 through the single “Hey Won’t You.” One year later the track “Just a Minute” was chosen for the 2008 Melodifestivalen, where it became a major success and secured the group’s Top Five placement. Shortly afterward the full-length Rongedal arrived, peaking at number six on the albums chart and yielding the follow-up single “Who Do You Think You’re Foolin’.”