Ace of Base

Biography

Ace of Base is a Swedish pop group that achieved worldwide success in the 1990s. The original lineup consisted of siblings Jonas "Joker" Berggren, Malin "Linn" Berggren, and Jenny Berggren, along with their friend Ulf "Buddha" Ekberg. The group's sound is characterized by a mix of pop, reggae, and dance music.

Formation and Breakthrough

The origins of the band trace back to 1987 when Jonas Berggren formed a band with two friends. His sisters, Linn and Jenny, joined as vocalists. After a few lineup changes and names, the group settled on Ace of Base. In 1992, they signed with Mega Records in Denmark. Their debut single "Wheel of Fortune" was a success in Denmark, but it was "All That She Wants" that brought them international fame. This reggae-infused track caught the attention of producer Denniz PoP, who helped shape their sound.

Happy Nation / The Sign

Ace of Base's debut album, "Happy Nation," was released in Europe in 1992 and became a massive hit. For the U.S. market, the album was retitled "The Sign" and released in 1993 with a revised tracklist that included new songs. The album and its title track went to number one on the Billboard charts in the United States. The album is one of the best-selling debut albums of all time, with sales of over 21 million copies worldwide. It produced three No. 1 singles in the U.S.: "All That She Wants," "The Sign," and "Don't Turn Around."

Subsequent Career

The band's second album, "The Bridge" (1995), was also successful, achieving platinum status in 14 countries. It featured hit singles like "Beautiful Life" and "Lucky Love." Their third album, "Flowers" (released as "Cruel Summer" in the U.S. in 1998), saw a decline in sales compared to their previous efforts but still enjoyed success. In 2002, they released their fourth album, "Da Capo," which marked a return to their original pop-reggae sound but received little promotion.

Lineup Changes and Hiatus

By the late 1990s, Malin "Linn" Berggren expressed a desire to step back from the spotlight and officially left the group in 2007. Jenny Berggren, Jonas Berggren, and Ulf Ekberg continued as a trio for a time. In 2009, Jenny also departed to pursue a solo career. Jonas and Ulf recruited two new singers, Clara Hagman and Julia Williamson, and released the album "The Golden Ratio" in 2010. However, this new lineup was short-lived. The group has been largely inactive since 2012 but has never officially disbanded. In 2015, they released "Hidden Gems," a compilation of unreleased tracks and B-sides.