Jenny Berggren facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jenny Berggren
Berggren in 2018
Background information
Birth name	Jenny Cecilia Berggren
Born	(1972-05-19) 19 May 1972 (age 53) Gothenburg, Sweden
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1987–present
Labels	Ipono/Universal Sweden
Associated acts	Ace of Base

Jenny Berggren (born Jenny Cecilia Berggren on May 19, 1972) is a Swedish singer and songwriter. She is famous for being the former lead singer of the pop band Ace of Base. The group was one of the biggest bands of the 1990s.

Since 1995, Jenny has also written her own songs and performed as a solo artist. In 2010, she released her first solo album, My Story. She is sometimes known as "Jenny from Ace of Base."

Life and Music Career

Early Life and First Steps in Music

Jenny was born in Gothenburg, Sweden. She grew up in a Christian family and was the youngest of three children. Her father, Göran, was an X-ray technician, and her mother was named Birgitta.

Music was a big part of her family's life. Jenny and her older sister, Malin (also known as Linn), both learned to play the violin. Jenny also sang in her church choir with her sister. She originally planned to become a teacher and studied classical music at a university.

Joining Ace of Base

In the late 1980s, Jenny, her sister Linn, their brother Jonas, and their friend Ulf Ekberg started a band. At first, they were called Tech Noir, but they later changed their name to Ace of Base.

Jenny continued her university studies while the band was starting. She also sang backup for a rock band called Masque. But when Ace of Base signed a contract with a record label, she put her teaching plans on hold. The band's first album was a huge success, selling over 30 million copies around the world.

At first, Jenny and her sister Linn shared the lead singer role. However, the record company often chose songs where Linn sang the main parts. Jenny began writing songs for the band's second album, The Bridge. One of the songs she wrote, "Ravine," was about a frightening event that happened at her home in 1994. She also wrote other songs like "Wave Wet Sand" and "Experience Pearls."

Later, her sister Linn decided to step away from the spotlight. Starting with the 1998 hit "Life Is a Flower", Jenny became the main vocalist for the band.

Changes in the Band

Berggren in 2008

After 2003, Ace of Base took a break from the spotlight. During this time, Jenny performed at Christian shows with her husband and sang on an album with a Swedish group called Arose.

From 2007 to 2009, Jenny, Jonas, and Ulf toured together and recorded new songs for a fifth album. However, they couldn't get a record deal for the new music. Jenny then started to focus more on her own solo songs.

Around this time, Ulf and Jonas brought in two new female singers, Clara Hagman and Julia Williamson. They started performing under the name "Ace.of.Base." Jenny stated that she never officially left the band. She explained that all four original members still own the Ace of Base name together.

Jonas later said in an interview that the record company wanted a new lead singer and ended Jenny's contract. Jenny said she wasn't allowed to help write songs for the new album. When asked if she would want to return to the band, she said, "Not right now. It would take some apologies."

In 2016, Jenny confirmed that the original members would not be getting back together to make music. She said, "We're finished working together, but we're not finished being family together."

Solo Career

In 2009, Jenny wrote a book about her life called Vinna hela världen (To Win the World). The book was very popular in Sweden.

She began her solo music career in 2010 by releasing the song "Free Me" online for her fans. Her first official single, "Here I Am", came out in May 2010 and was a top 20 hit in Sweden. Her first solo album, My Story, was released later that year.

In 2011, Jenny competed to represent Denmark in the Eurovision Song Contest with her song "Let Your Heart Be Mine." In 2015, she was a part of the popular Swedish TV show Så mycket bättre, where artists perform each other's songs.

Personal Life

Jenny is involved with many charities and often sings at Christian concerts and in churches.

On September 18, 2004, she married her longtime partner, Jakob Petrén, who is a pianist. They have a son and a daughter and live together in Gothenburg.

Discography

Albums

Singles

Songwriting and Vocals

Songs Written by Jenny

Jenny Berggren has written or co-written many songs for Ace of Base, including:

• Hear Me Calling
• Ravine
• Wave Wet Sand
• Experience Pearls
• He Decides
• Love in December
• Beautiful Morning
• Change With the Light
• What's the Name of the Game
• Pole Position
• Moment of Magic
• Memories Forever
• Immanuel
• Stay With Me
• Wish You Were Mine
• Couldn't Care Less

She has also written many of her own solo songs, such as "Here I Am" and "Gotta Go."

Songs Featuring Other Singers

Jenny provided vocals for almost all Ace of Base songs. A few songs featured only her sister Linn or other band members on lead vocals. These include:

• "All That She Wants"
• "Happy Nation"
• "Dancer in a Daydream"
• "Everytime It Rains"

See also

In Spanish: Jenny Berggren para niños