Ace of Base - Topic

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The Ace of Base story started in the early 90’s when the three Berggren siblings (Jonas, Malin and Jenny) formed the techno band Tech Noir. Next to their rehearsal room, Ulf Ekberg played in another band. Soon, Jonas and Ulf hit it off, started to write and produce together and Ace of Base as we know them were formed. After having recorded a demo of original songs, including ”All That She Wants”, the band went to Stockholm where they visited all major record companies. No one showed any interest. (Jonas later remembered somebody explaining that the songs were ”too obvious, too simple”). Next step was Copenhagen, where Mega Records immediately saw the band’s potential and loved their positive, uncomplicated and slightly reggae-tinged pop music. During the production of their first album the band got to know Denniz Pop, an ex-DJ who had enjoyed international chart success as a writer and producer for Dr Alban. Denniz had listened to the demo of ”All That She Wants” in his car stereo every day going to work at Cheiron studios. Denniz got involved in Ace of Base’s album that was the start for the international recognition of Cheiron and followed by successes like Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, N’sync and Five. Ace of Base’s very first single was ”Wheel Of Fortune”, followed by the major worldwide hit ”All That She Wants”. ”The Sign” and ”Don’t Turn Around” also became international hits. The band first made it in Denmark, then the rest of Scandinavia, Germany, the rest of Europe and Asia before conquering The US and Canada. In all, the debut album ”Happy Nation” (released as The Sign in the US) sold 25 million copies and remains in the Guinness book of records as the best-selling debut album ever. Achieving numerous awards such as 6 World Music Awards, 3 Billboard Awards, 3 America Music Awards, several different European Grammy Awards and two American Grammy nominations! To mention a few! On April 2 1994 both album and single ”The Sign” topped the Billboard Top 100 Charts simultaneously. ”The Sign” remains at number 3 at the Billboard’s Greatest Hits chart (Top 100 Billboard 100th Anniversary August 4th 1958 - June 25 1994), only beaten by Whitney Houston’s ”I Will Always Love You” and Boy’z’2Men’s ”End Of The Road”. When Billboard summed up the most sold albums of the 20th century, ”Happy Nation”/”The Sign” ended up top ten, being the most popular non-American album of all time… ”One thing that was unique is that it was the same versions that were