“It’s the only guitar I’ve kept from then. I paid $900 for it. Today it might be worth $45,000”: How Europe’s John Norum learned to love The Final Countdown – and the guitar he used to track its iconic solo

Joey Tempest throws his head back in appreciation as John Norum solos during Europe's performance at Sonisphere 2010.

Pre-1986, Scandanavian rock was a minor import for the U.S. – while the sluggish international sales of Europe’s first two albums suggested the Swedes were doomed to their domestic market.

But as guitarist John Norum remembers, everything clicked with The Final Countdown. First came a deal from Epic Records, then the hook-up with Journey producer Kevin Elson and, finally, the hot-streak of singles that beamed the parent album to Number 8 on the Billboard charts.