Marcel Jacob was a Swedish musician, best known as the bassist in the hard rock bands Talisman and Yngwie Malmsteen. For a brief period, Marcel also played with the band Europe.
Biography
In 1978, Jacob formed the band Rising Force together with guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen. Three years later Jacob joined the band Force, which later changed its name to Europe, replacing John Levén, who took Jacob's place in Rising Force. During his time in Force, Jacob wrote the song "Black Journey Through My Soul" together with vocalist Joey Tempest. The song was eventually included on Europe's second albumWings of Tomorrow, retitled "Scream of Anger". After spending three months in Force, Jacob traded places with John Levén again, who apparently had issues with Malmsteen. In 1985, Jacob returned to Malmsteen's band to play on the album Marching Out and parts of the following US tour. In 1987, Jacob played on the album Total Control, the first solo album released by Europe guitarist John Norum. Jacob also re-used demo tracks from his pre-Yngwie band Power for several of the songs included on that album. Two years later he formed the band Talisman together with vocalist Jeff Scott Soto. Throughout the years Talisman was Jacob's major effort and the band released several studio and live albums until 2007. In 1992, Jacob played on a song with Lion's Share, "Nothing's Free", which was included on a Belgian compilation and in 1993 he was guest musician on Thomas Vikström's solo album If I Could Fly. Vikström and Jacob had played together with guitar player Tommy Denander and drummer Jake Samuel in the cover band Horny Strings. Later Vikström took the lead singer role. The same year Jacob was guest musician on the album Something Wicked Comes by Billionaires Boys Club. In 1994, he played on The Johansson Brothers' self-titled album. Another band Jacob formed was Human Clay, together with Jeff Scott Soto. They recorded two albums. In 1996, Jacob played on Inspiration, a cover album recorded by Yngwie J. Malmsteen. In the early 2000s, Jacob studied psychology at Stockholm University for a few years. In 2005 Jacob was one of three new players to participate in the Swedish/German hard rock bandLast Autumn's Dream for its second studio album, along with drummer Jamie Borger and keyboarder Thomas Lassar. They were hired to replace John Levén, Ian Haugland and Mic Michaeli, who played on the debut album, but who could not make it this time due to taking part in the Europe reunion. Jacob also recorded Last Autumn's Dream five further studio albums, the latest being Dreamcatcher, which was released on 26 January 2009. Jacob made his last appearance on record with the Swedish studio band Impulsia, on the album Expressions which was released on 24 September 2009 via Impulsia Music and under Riverside Records.
Death
Jacob was found dead from suicide in his home in Kristineberg, Stockholm on 21 July 2009. He was 45 years old. Talisman vocalist Jeff Scott Soto issued the following statement: "It is with deep regret and remorse I, along with fellow members of Talisman, am announcing our brother, longtime colleague and overall greatest musician we've ever played with, Marcel Jacob, is no longer with us as of today, Tuesday July 21, 2009. Marcel took his own life after many years of personal and health issues he was battling."
