Peter Jöback got his professional break through his collaboration with ABBA's Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson in their musical Kristina från Duvemåla (The Emigrants) at Malmö Opera and Music Theatre. Jöback created the role of Robert, whose theme song ("Guldet blev till sand") broke every record on the Swedish pop charts. The musical was seen by over one million Swedes, and the original cast's CD box became a triple-platinum album and received several Swedish Grammy awards. Jöback received his first Golden Mask for his role as Robert.
In 1997, Jöback released his album Personliga Val, which reached no. 2 on the Swedish album chart.[4] It featured 11 pop-oriented interpretations of songs from famous musicals.
Cameron Mackintosh discovered Jöback's talent and offered him the lead as Chris in Miss Saigon at the Theatre Royal in London's West End in 1997. In 2000, at the same theatre, Jöback created the role of Michael in Macintosh's original production of The Witches of Eastwick.
2000–2005
In September of 2000, Peter Jöback released Only When I Breathe, his first studio album in English. The album reached no. 1 on the Swedish album charts.[5]
Many of Jöback's stage performances and albums have been met with critical acclaim.[citation needed] On his Christmas album, released in 2002, Jöback teamed up with Norwegian singer Sissel Kyrkjebø in a duet of the Irish folk song "Be Thou My Vision" in a Swedish translation titled "Gå Inte Förbi". The duo have since become frequent guests at each other's concerts.
In 2004, Jöback collaborated with the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra conducted by Nick Davies in a project called Storybook. For the project, he performed classic songs in new arrangements. The orchestra and Jöback later released a CD that became a Gold Disc. They also performed two concerts in the Globe Arena and Scandinavium Arena in Sweden. The album made Jöback a star in Norway, where his first solo tour in 2005 was a success with his audience and the media.
2006–2010
From 2006 to 2007, Jöback starred as the Emcee in a production of Cabaret in Stockholm and Gothenburg. He received critical praise as well as his second Golden Mask Tony Award. He had performed as the Emcee before in 2003 at the Gladsaxe Theatre in Copenhagen.
Jöback ended 2008 with a sold-out Christmas tour in arenas in Scandinavia following the release of a new 4× platinum-selling Christmas album. In 2007, he also toured Scandinavia with his platinum-selling studio album with original songs co-written by himself. In January of 2009, Jöback moved to New York City to get new inspiration and make new acquaintances. This resulted in an album entitled East Side Stories, recorded in Woodstock, featuring prominent guests such as Kate Pierson from The B-52's, Sia, Gail Ann Dorsey and the group Betty.
Peter Jöback entered Melodifestivalen 2010, the Swedish pre-selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2010. He received a wildcard from SVT. His song, "Hollow", reached the final of the competition, ultimately finishing in 9th.
2011–present: Success in musical theatre
In 2011, Jöback performed in the finale of The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall. In 2012, Jöback starred as The Phantom in the West End production of The Phantom of the Opera taking over the role from Earl Carpenter. He reprised the role in the Broadway production in April 2013, taking over the role from Hugh Panaro. His last performance as The Phantom on Broadway was on 24 August, 2013, when Panaro took over the role again. However, he has since returned to bring the Phantom to Sweden. The show premiered in September 2016 in Stockholm. In January 2018, Jöback took over the role of The Phantom from Laird Mackintosh on Broadway for the 30th Anniversary, alongside Ali Ewoldt and he left the production again on March 31.[6][7]
On 26 January 2024, it was announced he’d have a month-long run in the West End production of Les Misérables as Jean Valjean from February 13 to March 9.[9] In January and February 2025, he will reprise the role in Sweden as part of the Arena World Tour.[10][11]
Personal life
Peter Jöback is the son of singer Monica Lind.
On 25 June 2010, Jöback married his partner, Oskar Nilsson, at the Cirkus Theatre in Stockholm.[12][13]
Discography
Studio albums
List of studio albums, with selected chart positions