Latest news with #AceofBase
Edinburgh Live
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
extremist gang warnings, Eurovision rejection and reclusive lifestyles
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Ace of Base, the creators of some of the most memorable Europop tunes of the 90s, have a history as colourful as their music. Their journey, from modest beginnings in Sweden to encounters with gangland threats and even an unsuccessful Eurovision bid, is nothing short of a rollercoaster ride... The electro-pop outfit hailing from Scandinavia was born in Gothenburg in 1987, comprising siblings Jonas, Linn and Jenny Berggren, with Ulf Ekberg rounding off the quartet. Starting out in the local club scene, the group initially found it tough to make their mark, given the Swedes' preference for heavy metal—a stark contrast to their techno beats. However, their fortunes changed when their single, Wheel of Fortune, hit the charts, paving the way for their next release, All that She Wants, to catapult them to global stardom. The track went platinum and dominated the UK charts for three consecutive weeks in 1993. (Image: Phillippe Caron/ Getty) Their winning streak continued with hits like The Sign, becoming a club anthem worldwide in the early 90s. But, as quickly as they ascended to fame, they faded into obscurity just as swiftly, reports the Daily Record. The last sighting of the group was during a series of concerts between 2007 and 2009, where they performed as a trio without Linn. Since then, the original band members have all embarked on vastly different journeys. Jenny Berggren Jenny, a former member of the band who left in the late 00s, was the only one to pursue a solo music career and also ventured into writing. In 2009, she penned her autobiography Vinna hela världen, which translates to 'To Win the World' in English; however, a translated version never saw publication. Her solo musical journey began in 2010 with the release of her single, Here I Am, which peaked at number 14 on the Swedish charts. She followed up with another single, Gotta Go, and her debut album, My Story, within the same year. (Image:) Additionally, Jenny made an attempt to represent Denmark at the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest with her track, Let Your Heart B Mine, but did not secure the nomination. In 2024, she joined Ulf in the documentary, Ace of Base: All That She Wants, which delved into the band's history. During the programme, she shared a harrowing incident from the early '90s when an intruder broke into her home and threatened her with a knife. Reflecting on the terrifying event in an interview with People, Jenny remarked: "I think that was when the star was born in me. I wanted to sing. I had to calculate with all the dangers, and I just realised, 'No, I want to sing. This is what I want'." Ulf Ekberg Ulf Ekberg has since shifted his focus to nurturing tech start-ups in Sweden. In a conversation with ABC, the ex-musician observed: "There's so many tech companies in Sweden, especially Stockholm. "I'm interested in creating a sector in technology and music. I'm building companies, and it's been a fantastic last five years. It feels like everything is exploding here. We are in a lot of different sectors, but we try to keep it to the creative sectors as much as possible; movies, TV, music and entertainment, which are obviously very close to my heart." (Image: Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage) In the documentary from the previous year, Ulf also reflects on his past association with a far-right extremist gang in Sweden during his teenage years, expressing profound remorse for this period in his life. In an interview with People, he elaborated: "I think it's a very important topic to talk about because it is a very angry world we live in right now. It's much more angry than when I was a teenager." He continued, sharing his hope that his story could inspire others: "I hope that maybe that part of this documentary can show that even if you are completely lost, you can always find your way and it's never too late - which, I was blessed with a second chance in my life." Jonas and Linn Berggren Post-band life has seen Jonas and Linn Berggren retreat from the limelight, with Linn particularly shunning public attention. Jonas briefly resurfaced at an event featured towards the end of the documentary, whereas Linn opted to contribute through a letter, which Jenny reads out in the concluding episode. However, the band did reunite for a one-off gig on their 30th anniversary. Much to the joy of numerous fans, they returned to headline the 90s Nostalgic Electric Circus festival in Canada, donning black lace and flower-inspired attire.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Ace of Base now as iconic 90s band suffer Eurovision failure and knifeman terror
Swedish Europop group Ace of Base were once some of the biggest names in music, but their story is one that is filled with surprise achievements, failures and regret Ace of Base, the creators of some of the most iconic Europop tunes of the 90s, have had a rollercoaster journey. Their story is filled with everything from humble beginnings in Sweden to gangland threats and even an unsuccessful Eurovision attempt... The Scandinavian electro-pop band was first established in 1987 in Gothenberg, consisting of siblings Jonas, Linn and Jenny Berggren, with Ulf Ekberg rounding off the quartet. They started their journey performing in various clubs around the Swedish city but initially found it tough to gain traction, as heavy metal was the preferred genre for Swedes at the time, quite different from their techno sound. However, after their single Wheel of Fortune hit the charts, their subsequent release, All that She Wants, catapulted them to global fame, earning platinum certification and topping the UK charts for three consecutive weeks in 1993. Their success continued with hits like The Sign, becoming club favourites worldwide in the early 90s. But, just as swiftly as they rose to stardom, they faded into obscurity. The band was last seen performing in a series of concerts between 2007 and 2009 as a trio without Linn. Since then, the original members of the band have all embarked on very different journeys:, reports the Daily Record. Jenny Berggren Jenny, the only ex-member from the band to embark on a solo career after departing in the late 00s, also turned her hand to writing. She released her autobiography, Vinna hela världen, in 2009. However, a promised English version, titled To Win the World, never emerged. Her solo musical journey began with Here I Am in 2010, peaking at number 14 in Swedish charts; she followed up with Gotta Go, and unveiled her maiden album, My Story, that year. 2010 saw another bid for the spotlight as Jenny contended for the honour of representing Denmark in the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 with Let Your Heart B Mine, but didn't secure the nomination. Fast forward, Jenny starred in the 2024 documentary Ace of Base: All That She Wants, telling the band's story alongside Ulf. She reflected on a terrifying incident from the early '90s in which a fan invaded her home and threatened her life by holding a knife to her throat. Reliving the harrowing moment with People, she asserted: "I think that was when the star was born in me. I wanted to sing. I had to calculate with all the dangers, and I just realised, 'No, I want to sing. This is what I want'." Ulf Ekberg Meanwhile, band founder Ulf Ekberg has swapped melodies for tech ventures back home. In conversation with ABC, Ekberg expressed his enthusiasm about the tech buzz: "There's so many tech companies in Sweden, especially Stockholm. "I'm interested in creating a sector in technology and music. I'm building companies, and it's been a fantastic last five years. It feels like everything is exploding here. We are in a lot of different sectors, but we try to keep it to the creative sectors as much as possible; movies, TV, music and entertainment, which are obviously very close to my heart." The documentary last year also saw Ulf candidly discuss his past affiliations with a far-right extremist group during his teens in Sweden, expressing profound remorse for his actions. Speaking to People, he continued: "I think it's a very important topic to talk about because it is a very angry world we live in right now. It's much more angry than when I was a teenager. "I hope that maybe that part of this documentary can show that even if you are completely lost, you can always find your way and it's never too late - which, I was blessed with a second chance in my life." Jonas and Linn Berggren Post-band life has seen Jonas and Linn Berggren shying away from the limelight, especially Linn who has kept her distance from the glare of fame. Jonas briefly emerged to attend an event highlighted at the end of the documentary, while Linn decided to contribute through a letter read by Jenny in the concluding episode. The band, however, did reunite for a one-off celebration on their 30th anniversary. Much to the joy of numerous fans, they returned to headline the 90s Nostalgic Electric Circus festival in Canada, donning black lace and flower-inspired outfits.
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Huge 90s band Ace Of Base now from Eurovision failure to extremist gang regrets
From being involved in a far-right extremist gang to failing to qualify for Eurovision, the members of hit 90s group Ace of Base have been on quite the journey during their lifetime... Behind some of the best Europop songs of the 90s, Ace of Base have had a wild history. From humble beginnings in Sweden to gangland threats and even an unsuccessful Eurovision attempt, their story has everything... The Scandinavian electro-pop group was first formed in 1987 in Gothenberg, and was made up of siblings Jonas, Linn and Jenny Berggren with the quartet then being completed with founding member Ulf Ekberg. The group began working their way around the clubs of the Swedish city but struggled to take off, with heavy metal being the go-to for Swedes at the time, a far cry from the techno sound. But, after the release of the single Wheel of Fortune broke them into the charts, their next release, All that She Wants, would make them a hit across the world, as the track became certified platinum topping the UK charts for three weeks straight in 1993. They would continue to build on their success with hits like The Sign, becoming staples of clubs across the world in the early 90s. But, just as quickly as they shot to fame, they would as quickly disappear into obscurity. The group were last seen in a series of concerts between 2007 and 2009 as a trio without Linn, but since then the band's original members have all gone down some very different paths: Jenny Berggren After leaving the band in the late 00s, Jenny was the only member to continue recording music with a solo career, as well as turning to writing. In 2009 she published her autobiography, Vinna hela världen, and although an English version translated to 'To Win the World' was due to be released, it never came to fruition. In 2010 she released her first single, Here I Am, which only reached 14 on the Swedish charts before releasing her second single, Gotta Go, and her first album My Story that same year. The same year she was in the running to be the Danish contestant for the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest with her song, Let Your Heart B Mine, but she failed to get through and gain the nomination for the country to go to the event. She also appeared alongside Ulf in the 2024 for the Ace of Base: All That She Wants documentary looking at the band's story. In the show, she also recounts a scary experience when a fan broke into her home and held a knife to her throat in the early '90s Speaking to People about the ordeal, she said: 'I think that was when the star was born in me. I wanted to sing. I had to calculate with all the dangers, and I just realised, 'No, I want to sing. This is what I want'.' Ulf Ekberg Founder Ulf Ekberg has found himself working with and trying to grow tech start ups in Sweden. Speaking to ABC, the former musician said: "There's so many tech companies in Sweden, especially Stockholm. "I'm interested in creating a sector in technology and music. I'm building companies, and it's been a fantastic last five years. It feels like everything is exploding here. We are in a lot of different sectors, but we try to keep it to the creative sectors as much as possible; movies, TV, music and entertainment, which are obviously very close to my heart." In last year's documentary, Ulf also talks about his involvement with the far-right extremist gang in Sweden as a teenager, something that has shown his deep regret for. In the People interview, he added: 'I think it's a very important topic to talk about because it is a very angry world we live in right now. It's much more angry than when I was a teenager. 'I hope that maybe that part of this documentary can show that even if you are completely lost, you can always find your way and it's never too late — which, I was blessed with a second chance in my life." Jonas and Linn Berggren Since the end of the band, two have stepped back away from the public eye with Linn in particular staying away from the spotlight of fame. Jonas made a very brief appearance at an event covered at the end of the documentary, while Linn chose to write a letter which Jenny reads in the final episode. The band however did come back together for a one-off reunion on their 30th anniversary. To the delight of many fans, they came back to headline the 90s Nostalgic Electric Circus festival in Canada dressed up in black lace and flower-inspired outfits.
Edmonton Journal
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edmonton Journal
Dial M for musicals: Moulin Rouge, Mamma Mia! and Michael Jackson part of upcoming Broadway Across Canada season in Edmonton
Article content MJ is followed up by Moulin Rouge, based on the 2001 Baz Luhrmann fever dream starring Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman. The show is a grand spectacle featuring the excesses of 1899 Paris that pays tribute to beauty, freedom and love. The songs run the gamut from 1930s jazz classics to 2010s dance-pop and everywhere in between. On the heels of Mother's Day 2026, BAC presents every mom's favourite, Mamma Mia!, the story of a daughter who, on the eve of her wedding, endeavours to discover the identity of her father. This quest reunites her mother with three men from her past, all set to the music of the best Swedish pop act ever (apologies to Ace of Base), ABBA. Mamma Mia! runs May 12-17.
