Kee Marcello

Kee Marcello

Kee Marcello, born Kjell Hilding Lövbom, is a Swedish guitarist and singer from Ludvika, Sweden. He is best known for his work with the hard rock band Europe, and he also works in several other projects, including solo releases and band collaborations.

Career

Before joining Europe, Marcello plays in a number of Swedish groups, including Stetson Cody Group, Norbom Hilke and Noice. He forms Easy Action in 1983 and records two albums with the band, Easy Action and That Makes One. He leaves Easy Action in November 1986 to replace John Norum in Europe.

With Europe, Marcello records Out of This World and Prisoners in Paradise before the band goes on hiatus in 1992. He had already worked with Europe vocalist Joey Tempest on the charity single “Give A Helpin' Hand” for Swedish Metal Aid.

Solo work and later projects

In 1993, Marcello and former Easy Action drummer Freddie Von Gerber form Red Fun and release a self-titled album with a melodic metal sound and heavy blues influences. His first solo album, Shine On, follows in 1995 and uses a west coast-influenced style. In 1999, he appears as a guest on In Flames’ Colony, playing the second guitar solo on “Coerced Coexistence”.

He forms Kee Marcello's K2 in 2003 and releases Melon Demon Divine. He later continues with solo albums including Redux: Europe, which contains a new title track alongside re-recordings of Europe and Easy Action songs, Judas Kiss, and Scaling Up. He also releases an autobiography, The Rock Star God Forgot, in 2011.

Other collaborations

Marcello remains involved in other projects beyond his solo work and Europe. He is a member of Easy Action and Kee Marcello's K2, and he later joins the band Kee of Hearts, alongside Tommy Heart, Ken Sandin and Marco Di Salvia, with Alessandro Del Vecchio involved in songwriting, direction and keyboards. His brother is Rob Marcello.