With a smooth voice, solid songwriting talent and a polished pop-rock sound, Thomas Helmig has been an influential Danish rocker since the mid-'80s. Having discovered soul music in Detroit as an exchange student, Helmig released his first solo album in 1985—his earnest, Motown-influenced rock earning rave reviews locally and helping to kick off a dynamic career. Soul music has long provided the backbone of his easy-going, melodic tunes, adding a unique flavour to the hard rock anthems and tender acoustic ballads that made him famous.