Background
He was born in Helsingborg, Sweden but has spent many years on the Canadian west coast. Saxell grew up in the southern Swedish town of Malmö and currently resides on Österlen in Scania.
He was born in Helsingborg, Sweden but has spent many years on the Canadian west coast. Saxell grew up in the southern Swedish town of Malmö and currently resides on Österlen in Scania.
He composed music for the Colin Nutley movie Änglagård - andra sommaren and for the soundtrack of Blådårar. He is co-writer of the Swedish #1 hit song "Johnny G" (by artist Badpojken) with Fredrik Andersson and Ingvar Irhagen. Michael Saxell is co-writer with Craig Jacks on "Back Of A Map Of The Moon", which is included on Terry Jacks Greatest Hits release 2015 "..starfish on the beach - The Terry Jacks Collection".
He has written words and music to Scanian classics Om himlen och Österlen and När en flicka talar skånska.
More than 300 of his songs are recorded by other artists. Michael Saxell has earned 15 gold, 6 platinum and 3 multiplatinum Scandinavian records.
Michael Saxell is featured as lead singer and co-writer of two songs with Keith Reid on the 2008 international release of the Procol Harum lyricist"s album The Keith Reid Project - The Common Thread along with John Waite, Chris Thompson, Southside Johnny, Steve Booker, Terry Reid, Chaz Jankel and Bernie Shanahan. Saxell composed the Lithuanian Grammy winning song of the year "Yra kaip yra" for the artist Mia in 2007 along with co-writers Christian Svensson and Sandra diAmante.
The song was also the most played popular song on Lithuanian popular radio in 2007.
He is co-writer with Randy Bachman on the song Repo Manitoba on Bachman & Turner (Album), formerly of Bachman–Turner Overdrive, September 2010 worldwide album release. Saxell produced and wrote songs for Swedish singer Lill Lindfors" 2005 Electric and Music Industries album release "Här är den sköna sommar", which peaked at number 12 on the Swedish Best Selling album charts. Michael Saxell was warm-up act for British guitar legend Jeff Beck on his 1980 Canadian tour.