Summary
Highlights
Ace of Base began as a family band from Gothenburg, Sweden. Initially an amateur group, Jonas, the eldest, formed the band with friends and his sisters, Linn and Jenny. Ulf joined later, completing the iconic quartet. The band struggled to find their place in Sweden's hard rock scene with their unique pop-dance and reggae fusion style. They were eventually signed by a Danish label, Megga, and released 'Wheel of Fortune' in 1992, which was a success in Denmark. Their track 'Mister Ace' (later 'All That She Wants') caught the attention of producer Dennis Pop, who helped them refine their sound. After its success in Denmark, famed producer Clive Davis signed them for the US market, leading to the creation of 'The Sign', which became a massive hit in 1994.
Despite their wholesome image, a shocking rumor emerged in March 1993: Ulf Ekberg, a band member, had been part of a neo-Nazi group in his youth. Initially downplayed as a youthful error, the rumor persisted, especially with the advent of the internet. Accusations escalated, suggesting the band, and even Swedish pop music as a whole, was engaged in a larger conspiracy to spread coded Nazi-sympathizing messages. Even the band's name, 'Ace of Base', was speculated to be a reference to German U-boats and military bases, though the band stated it was inspired by Motörhead's 'Ace of Spades'.
Every aspect of the band's work, including their lyrics, was scrutinized. 'All That She Wants' was interpreted as promoting irresponsible motherhood, while other songs were seen to contain unsettling messages. The song 'Happy Nation' became central to the conspiracy, with its Latin intro and lyrics about a 'happy nation' leading to 'sweet salvation' being seen as a manifesto for a past ideology. Ulf's interview remarks about Berlin being a better center for Europe than London further fueled these theories. The Swedish cultural values of humility and collective good, which influenced their reserved public image, were ironically seen by some as a cover for these hidden agendas.
Ace of Base, unprepared for global fame, faced immense pressure. Ulf repeatedly apologized for his past associations, clarifying that his youthful errors did not reflect the band's current ideology. When 'The Sign' hit number one in the US, Ulf received death threats from extreme right-wing groups who viewed him as a traitor. A terrifying home invasion in 1994, where a fan attacked Jenny and her mother, left Linn traumatized and contributed to her desire to retreat from the spotlight. This incident, combined with negative press in Sweden, made their success feel like a curse.
Linn, despite her powerful voice, recoiled from celebrity. She gradually stepped back, sharing lead vocals less frequently and eventually disappearing from album covers, her face even blurred on 'Flowers'. Although she remained in the band until 2007, she avoided the spotlight. Musically, Ace of Base struggled after their debut. Their second album, 'The Bridge' (1995), sold significantly less than its predecessor despite being more reflective. Their attempt to maintain their fusion style while exploring a deeper sound didn't resonate, and subsequent albums felt increasingly generic and less distinctive, failing to recapture their initial magic.
Despite their struggles and the overshadowing rumors, Ace of Base's first album remains an influential work in pop music. Artists like Lady Gaga and Katy Perry, and many pop-reggae tracks, draw inspiration from their sound. The video concludes by highlighting the unfortunate reality that their legacy is often tainted by persistent rumors, which many still believe. This has unfairly overshadowed their significant contribution to 90s pop music with beautiful and innovative songs, leaving their history parasitized by a persistent and damaging narrative.