Jenny Berggren (born Jenny Cecilia Berggren, 19 May 1972, Gothenburg, Sweden) was one of the lead singers of the Swedish pop band Ace of Base. Her brother Jonas is a current member and her sister Malin is a former member. In early 2010, Berggren began her solo career with the digital download single "Free Me."Contents [hide] 1 Biography 1.1 Early life 1.2 Role in band 1.3 Personal life 1.4 Current activities 2 Discography 2.1 Singles 3 Vocals 4 Writing 5 References 6 External links
[edit] Biography [edit] Early life
Jenny was born in Gothenburg and she is the third of three children born to Göran Berggren, an X-ray technician, and Birgitta Berggren. She was raised in a Christian family in the Gothenburg suburbs.
All three Berggren children took music lessons, and Jenny, along with her older sister Malin, practiced violin. Educated to become a teacher, Berggren studied classical music and sang for her church choir with her sister.
During the late 1980s, the Berggren siblings, along with Johnny Lindén and Nicklas Tränk, formed the techno band Tech Noir. The group eventually became Ace of Base. Berggren also attended university, with the intention of becoming a teacher. This plan fell apart when Ace of Base was signed to Danish label Mega Records, with the band's debut album eventually selling more than 23 million copies worldwide. [edit] Role in band
Berggren's original role in the band was equal with her sister, Linn, although the first singles chosen by the record company had Linn singing most of the lead vocals. In the early years, she and Linn only had a minor role in the production or writing of any of the band's first songs.
Berggren was quite unprepared for the spotlight; fans have described her early television appearances as resembling a "deer in the headlights". Later, with sister Malin's sudden withdrawal from the spotlight, Berggren was forced into a more prominent role.
On the night of 27 April 1994, Berggren and her mother were attacked in their home by a crazed woman who had followed Berggren home.[1] Berggren's mother was stabbed in the hands, and the woman, a 21 year old German named Manuela Behrendt, was banned from ever returning to Sweden.
Berggren composed several songs for the band's The Bridge album, including "Ravine", a song about the 27 April attack, as well as "Wave Wet Sand" and "Experience Pearls". She continues to compose songs for the band's albums, and a few of her compositions have been included on each successive album. [edit] Personal life
Although a member of a prominent band, Berggren continues to volunteer her time to various humanitarian charities. She also has staged several Christian concerts, and sings in churches.
On 18 September 2004, Berggren married her long-time boyfriend Jakob Petrén, a Swedish pianist.[2] They have two children together, a son and a daughter.[3] Her husband belongs to an old and in Sweden very well known Swedish family of high academic scholars and scientists, statesmen and politicians. Berggren and her family currently reside in Gothenburg. [edit] Current activities
Berggren toured with Ace of Base in 2008 and 2009, and worked on a new album with the group, which resulted in it being shelved. Since her indefinite hiatus from the band, she has become increasingly involved with her own personal projects, such as her own autobiography, and a solo album titled "My Story", due for release, September 15, 2010.[4] Most recently, Jenny offered a new song, "Free Me", as a free download from her website. [edit] Discography [edit] Singles This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (May 2010) Year Title Peak chart positions Album SWE FIN UK GER 2010 "Free Me" (Free digital download.) - - - - My Story. "Here I Am" 14 - - -
[edit] Vocals
Berggren has contributed vocals for all Ace of Base songs except: "All That She Wants" (Malin Berggren, Jonas Berggren, and Ekberg) "Happy Nation" (Malin Berggren, Jonas Berggren, and Ekberg) "Dimension of Depth" (instrumental) "Dancer in a Daydream" (Malin Berggren only) "Whispers in Blindness" (Malin Berggren only) "Everytime It Rains" (Malin Berggren only) [edit] Writing
Berggren has contributed music and lyrics to the following Ace of Base songs: "Hear Me Calling" (with Jonas Berggren, Malin Berggren and Ekberg) "Ravine" "Wave Wet Sand" "Experience Pearls" "He Decides" "Love In December" (with Jonas Brerggren, Malin Berggren and Ekberg) "Beautiful Morning" (with Malin Berggren and Jonas Berggren) "Change With the Light" (with Malin Berggren, Jonas Berggren and Ulf Ekberg) "What's the Name of the Game" (with Malin Berggren, Jonas Berggren, Ekberg, Harry Sommerdahl and Jonas von der Burg)
Solo album: "Free Me" (Internet-only download) "Here I Am"
