Ulf Ekberg

Infobox Musical artist
Name = Ulf Ekberg

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Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Ulf Gunnar Ekberg
Alias = Buddha
Born = bda|1970|12|6
Göteborg, Sweden
Died =
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Instrument = Voice, keyboard
Voice_type = Baritone
Genre = Pop, Rock Against Communism
Occupation = Singer, songwriter, producer, keyboardist
Years_active = 1990–present
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Associated_acts = Ace of Base, Commit Suiside
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Ulf Gunnar Ekberg (born December 6, 1970 in Göteborg, Sweden), a.k.a. "Buddha", along with siblings Jonas Berggren (Joker), Linn Berggren, and Jenny Berggren, is a founding memember of the original line-up of Swedish pop group Ace of Base.

Life and career

Ace of Base released its debut album in 1992 and went on to major chart success throughout the 1990s.

Ekberg has produced several artists, TV productions, films and events. He celebrated the Millennium (2000) with Bill Clinton at the White House. [ [http://www.aftonbladet.se/noje/0002/12/ekberg.html Ulf Ekberg om mötet med Clinton] , Aftonbladet, February 12th 2000] [ [http://storylast.fateback.com/articles/biggestusa.html Story meant To Last - Biggest in the USA – and Ekberg Celebrates New Year with Clinton] ] He yearly donates money for cancer research, and often contributes at different charity events. He also actively supports projects that focus on child protection and their future around the world including the HIV problem in Africa. He has been involved with several projects together with UNESCO and Save the Children. [ [http://web.archive.org/web/20070311024756/http://www.happynation.net/articles/021207e.shtml HappyNation.net - LAST CHANCE - Guiden accompanied Ace of Base during the comeback] (web.archive.com)]

After Ekberg experienced the tsunami in Phuket, Thailand he founded the Surin Relief Fund to support effected children by providing facilities to school children and care for orphaned children. [ [http://www.surinrelieffund.com Surinrelieffund.com] ]

He has also, during many years, been a strategic advisor to several global consumer brands and active in many "think tanks" both regarding environmental issues and Global Businesses.

Neo-nazi background and Ekberg's response

In its 27 March 1993 edition, the Swedish newspaper Expressen reported that Ekberg had once been a member of a white power band called Commit Suiside who sang songs with racist lyrical content. Ekberg initially denied having ever been a Nazi. ["Expressen", March 27, 1993] [ [http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/A/Ace_Of_Base/2005/08/24/1186511.html Toronto Sun: Swedish stars holding Aces] ] [http://weeklywire.com/ww/05-08-00/boston_music_4.html The Boston Phoenix: How Swede It Is] ] A compilation of the songs was released on a limited edition CD called "Uffe was a nazi!" by Flashback Records in 1998. The songs on the record are quite explicit. [For instance it contains a Swedish-language cover of Skrewdriver's "Smash the IRA" called "Smash the VPK"; some other lyrics translate "men in white cowls march down the road, we enjoy ourselves when we saw off niggers’ heads" see [http://www.flashback.se/records/ Flashback Records] ]

By the time of the compilation, Ekberg had already acknowledged his history. In the 1997 documentary "Our Story", Ekberg said "I told everyone I really regret what I done. I closed that book. I don't want to even talk about it, that time does not exist in me any more. I closed it and I threw the book away. I took the experience from it, I learned from it. But that life is not me. It's somebody else."

In 1998, Ekberg again confirmed that he had once been part of a Nazi gang. [ [http://wwwc.aftonbladet.se/noje/9806/17/ulfekberg.html Aftonbladet: "Jag är på väg ut ur mörkret"] ]

Personal life

Ekberg dated Swedish model/actress Emma Wiklund in 1994-2000. He currently lives in London with his girlfriend Sambon Johanna Aybar and their sons Viggo and Vincent.

Writing

He has written and produced the following songs:

With Jonas Berggren

*"Wheel of Fortune"
*"All That She Wants"
*"Young and Proud"
*"Living in Danger"
*"My Mind"
*"Dancer In a Daydream"
*"Dimension of Depth" (instrumental)
*"Happy Nation"
*"Voulez-Vous Danser"
*"Waiting for Magic"
*"Münchhausen (Just Chaos)"

With Jonas, Jenny, & Malin Berggren

*"Hear Me Calling"
*"Love In December"
*"Change With the Light"
*"What's the Name of the Game"

With StoneStream & John Ballard

*"Que Sera"
*"Perfect World"
*"Edge of Heaven"
*"Stranger to Love" (Unreleased)
*"Look Around Me" (Unreleased)
*"Angel of Love" (Unreleased)

With John Ballard

*"Mercy Mercy"
*"I Pray"
*"Don't Go Away"

Vocals

Has contributed vocals to the following songs:

*"Wheel of Fortune"
*"Young and Proud"
*"Living in Danger"
*"My Mind"
*"Dancer In a Daydream"
*"Happy Nation"
*"Don't Turn Around"
*"Waiting for Magic"
*"Fashion Party"
*"Münchhausen (Just Chaos)"
*"Hear Me Calling"
*"Perfect World"
*"I Pray"
*"Hallo Hallo"
*"Change With the Light"

References

External links

* [http://www.aceofbase.com/ Ace of Base official website]
* [http://music.aol.com/artist/ace-of-base/43297/biography Ace of Base biography at music.aol.com]
* [http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/ace_of_base/bio.jhtml Ace of Base biography at vh1.com]
* [http://music.yahoo.com/ar-287563-bio--Ace-Of-Base Ace of Base biography at music.yahoo.com]
* [http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/ace_of_base/340830/albums.jhtml#/music/artist/ace_of_base/bio.jhtml Ace of Base biography at mtv.com]
*imdb|0252280
* [http://www.last.fm/music/Ulf+Ekberg Ulf Ekberg at last.fm]