Europe (band) Biography: Members, Age, Net Worth, Height, Songs, Formation, Nationality

Europe is a legendary Swedish hard rock band formed in the late 1970s, best known for their global anthem “The Final Countdown” from the 1986 album of the same name, which topped charts in 25 countries and sold over 15 million copies worldwide.

Blending melodic hooks, soaring keyboards, and powerful guitars, the band—led by charismatic frontman Joey Tempest—rose from Stockholm suburbs to international stardom, influencing generations of rock fans with hits like “Rock the Night” and “Carrie.”

After a hiatus in the 1990s, they reunited in 2003, continuing to tour and release music that honors their glam metal roots while evolving into modern hard rock.

Profile

• Members Real Name: Joey Tempest, John Norum, John Levén, Mic Michaeli, Ian Haugland
• Stage Name: Europe
• Active From: 1979
• Origin: Upplands Väsby, Stockholm, Sweden
• Active Until: Present
• Nationality: Swedish
• Occupation: Musicians, Singers, Songwriters, Producers
• Net Worth: $50 million to 60 million

Early Life and Members

Europe is a Swedish hard rock band formed in Upplands Väsby in 1979. Its current lineup features Joey Tempest, John Norum, John Levén, Mic Michaeli, and Ian Haugland.

Joey Tempest (Rolf Magnus Joakim Larsson)

• Date of Birth: August 19, 1963
• Age: 62 years old
• Place of Birth: Upplands Väsby, Stockholm, Sweden
• Ethnicity: Swedish
• Religion: Unknown
• Parents: Unknown
• Siblings: Two
• Education: Local schools in Upplands Väsby; no higher education pursued due to music focus
• Early Life: Grew up in Stockholm suburbs playing football, ice hockey, and go-kart racing (placed 4th in Swedish Junior Cart Race). Influenced by Thin Lizzy and Led Zeppelin, he played in teen bands like Jet, Blazer, Made in Hong Kong, and Roxanne, alternating guitar, bass, and vocals before settling on lead singer.

John Norum

• Date of Birth: February 23, 1964
• Age: 61
• Place of Birth: Vardø, Norway (raised in Sweden)
• Ethnicity: Norwegian-Swedish
• Religion: Unknown
• Parents: Unknown
• Siblings: Unknown
• Education: Local schools; self-taught guitarist
• Early Life: Moved to Sweden young; honed guitar skills in local bands, inspired by Ritchie Blackmore and Edward Van Halen. Won Best Guitarist at Rock-SM in 1982 with Force, sparking his professional career.

John Levén

• Date of Birth: October 25, 1964
• Age: 61
• Place of Birth: Stockholm, Sweden
• Ethnicity: Swedish
• Religion: Unknown
• Parents: Unknown
• Siblings: Unknown
• Education: Unknown
• Early Life: Started on bass in local Stockholm groups; briefly joined Yngwie Malmsteen’s Rising Force in 1985 before Europe, bringing technical precision to their sound amid the 1980s hard rock boom.

Mic Michaeli (Gunnar Mathias Michaeli)

• Date of Birth: November 1, 1962
• Age: 63
• Place of Birth: Danderyd, Uppland, Sweden
• Ethnicity: Swedish
• Religion: Unknown
• Parents: Unknown
• Siblings: Unknown
• Education: Unknown
• Early Life: Upplands Väsby native who lent his keyboard to Tempest for “The Final Countdown” riff in 1981. Played in local acts before joining Europe in 1984, co-writing “Carrie” and shaping their keyboard-driven arena rock style.

Ian Haugland (Jan-Håkan Haugland)

• Date of Birth: August 13, 1964
• Age: 61
• Place of Birth: Tromsø, Norway (raised in Sweden)
• Ethnicity: Norwegian-Swedish
• Religion: Unknown
• Parents: Unknown
• Siblings: Unknown
• Education: Local schools; self-taught drummer
• Early Life: Relocated to Sweden early; drummed in Stockholm scene, replacing Tony Reno in 1984 due to motivation issues. Known for energetic solos incorporating classical pieces like Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5.

Formation

Europe formed in 1979 in Upplands Väsby as Force, with Joey Tempest (vocals/keys), John Norum (guitar), Peter Olsson (bass), and Tony Reno (drums). Building a local fanbase, they entered the inaugural Rock-SM contest in 1982—entered by Tempest’s girlfriend against 4,000 bands—and won with “In the Future to Come” and “The King Will Return,” earning a Hot Records deal.

Renamed Europe, Tempest and Norum won individual awards (Best Vocalist and Guitarist). Olsson left in 1981 (replaced by Levén), Reno in 1984 (by Haugland), and Michaeli joined on keys, solidifying the classic lineup for their 1983 debut.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @europetheband
• TikTok Handle: @europetheband
• YouTube Channel: Europe

Personal Life

Joey Tempest

• Height: 6’0″ (183 cm)
• Marriages: Married to Lisa Worthington since 2008
• Children: Two sons
• Dating History: Long-term relationship with girlfriend who entered them in Rock-SM; married Lisa in 2008 after relocating to London for family life

John Norum

• Height: 5’11” (180 cm)
• Marriages: Married (details private)
• Children: Two children
• Dating History: Private; focused on family post-1986 solo shift and 2003 reunion

John Levén

• Height: 6’1″ (185 cm)
• Marriages: Married (details private)
• Children: Not publicly detailed
• Dating History: Low-profile; brief Malmsteen stint highlighted career focus over personal publicity

Mic Michaeli

• Height: 5’10” (178 cm)
• Marriages: Married (details private)
• Children: Not publicly detailed
• Dating History: Private; collaborated with Tempest on solo projects during hiatus

Ian Haugland

• Height: 6’2″ (188 cm)
• Marriages: Married (details private)
• Children: Unknown
• Dating History: Private; hosts radio show on Stockholm’s 106.7 FM Rockklassiker outside band duties

Net Worth

Collective: $50 million to $60 million (USD)

Europe’s fortune stems from over 25 million albums sold globally, with “The Final Countdown” alone generating $20+ million in royalties and licensing (used in films, ads, sports). Peak 1980s-90s earnings hit $20 million from tours and merch; reunion since 2003 adds $2-5 million annually via festivals, Japan/Europe dates, and endorsements.

Individual estimates: Joey Tempest ($20-25 million from songwriting/solos), others $5-10 million each from royalties and side projects. Investments in real estate (Tempest’s London home) and publishing bolster stability amid rock’s ebbs.

Discography

Studio Albums

• Europe (1983)
• Wings of Tomorrow (1984)
• The Final Countdown (1986) – 15M+ sold
• Out of This World (1988)
• Prisoners in Paradise (1991)
• Start from the Dark (2004)
• Secret Society (2006)
• Last Look at Eden (2009)
• Bag of Bones (2012)
• War of Kings (2015)
• Walk the Earth (2017)

Live Albums

• Live from Sweden (2005)
• Almost Unplugged (2018)

Key Singles

• “Rock the Night” (1985)
• “The Final Countdown” (1986) – #1 in 25 countries
• “Carrie” (1987) – #3 Billboard Hot 100
• “Cherokee” (1986)
• “Superstitious” (1988)
• “I’ll Cry for You” (1991)
• “Wings of Tomorrow” (2004)