How Ace of Base overcame gangland death threats, vile abuse and fan attacks to become 90s pop icons

ICONIC 90s pop group Ace of Base faced harrowing ordeals including death threats and fan attacks.

The band's musical journey is explored in a new documentary, Ace of Base: All That She Wants.

Formed in 1987, they had their first worldwide hit with debut album Happy Nation.

Their other notable songs include All That She Wants, Beautiful Life and Cruel Summer.

Behind the success, the band faced terrifying offstage experiences - including threats to their lives.

Here is a look at some of these past instances.

Death threats

Among the band, Ulf Ekberg was the only non-sibling member in Ace of Base.

In his teen years, the musician had been involved with a group of "angry" young extremists.

After deciding to leave that lifestyle behind, Ulf incurred the group's anger - and death threats.

He told The Sun Online: "For a few years, I was part of a very violent gang.

"But I woke up when I was 17, 18, years old, and, realised that 'is this really the life I want'? 

"So I decided to leave these guys behind, but they were very angry.

"They thought I was a traitor, and they came after me very violently. They wanted to kill me."

He continued: "“When [Ace of Base] became famous, they were even more angry.

"And it became a pretty big death threat – they did try to kill me a few times.

“So it was a tough time, because also the whole band was threatened. 

"It was not only me, but they went after me especially.

“We’ve got four people standing on the stage. So of course, it was dangerous for all of us."

Knife attack

In 1994, band member Jenny Berggren faced a terrifying knife attack in her parents' home.

Jenny, now 52, was awoken by a woman holding a hunting knife.

The intruder, who claimed to be fan, held a knife to the singer's throat and grabbed her hair.

Jenny's mother Birgitta received stab wounds in both hands while disarming the attacker.

Speaking to The Sun Online, Jenny said: "There was blood all over the place, my mother got caught..

"So, yeah, that was bad, but also my parents were there, so I wasn't alone.

"I don't know what would've happened if they weren't there."

She added: "I think that night made me a real artist.

"I had to consider what was important for me. And fans were important.

"So after that, I became dedicated to fans, because it was only one person who got crazy one night.

"That wouldn't hurt the other ones who were lovely, fantastic and had great moments and memories from our songs."

Fraught relationship with father

Ulf Ekberg and his father were estranged for a number of years.

Speaking to The Sun Online, the musician said: "When I was a teenager, I lost my relationship with my dad.

"I became a very lost teenager and angry teenager.

"My father was very violent to me and very abusive.

"I left home when I was 16 years old, and didn't speak to him until I was much, much older."

Negative reaction from home country

Although Ace of Base enjoyed worldwide success, their home nation's media response was initially unpleasant.

Speaking to The Sun Online, Ulf outlined how Sweden had been far from impressed with the band.

He said: "Criticism came mainly from Sweden. I mean, I would say only from Sweden, but it was quite loud from Sweden.

"They really said this was the worst thing they ever heard, and they were ashamed to be Swedish because Ace of Base was so crap.

"And hearing that from your home country, it hurts, of course."

He added: "But then, on the other hand, every day, we had news from countries that we reached number one radio stations.

"Top of the Pops asked us to come. Then, after years, America discovered the band as well.

"So, we felt we had the world on our side but not Sweden."

Continuing, the musician said: "We did sell multi platinum records in Sweden as well. We knew we had the fans there.

"It was just the media that was not on our side.

" And it took until just recently, until we started to be accepted."

He added how the Swedish music community showed support upon the documentary's release there.

Ace of Base were inducted into the Swedish Music Hall of Fame in September 2024.

Largely inactive since 2012, the band have not formally disbanded.

They have released demo tracks, while Jenny continues to perform Ace of Base hits in solo concerts.

Ace of Base: All That She Wants premieres in the UK on Viaplay via Amazon Prime on November 18.