Nanne

A quirky, theatrical performer with an operatic vocal range, Nanne Grönvall is one of Sweden's most original and enduring performers. Her recording career spans over 20 years, including work in the groups One More Time and Sound of Music, followed by a highly fruitful solo career during which she has been a consistent presence on the Swedish charts. Born Marianne Elisabeth Nordqvist in Stockholm in 1962, Nanne started her career in the pop group Sound of Music with her future husband, Peter Grönvall, the son of ABBA's Benny Andersson. The group competed twice in Sweden's most popular TV contest, Melodifestivalen, in which new and established performers compete to represent Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest. The group came in fourth both times, with "Eldorado" in 1986 and "Alexandra" in 1987. Following the breakup of the group, Nanne and Peter formed the trio One More Time with vocalist Maria Rådsten. The group released several albums through the '90s and entered Melodifestivalen in 1996 with "Den Vilda," a closely harmonized ethnic ballad. They won the contest and went on to Eurovision, where they finished third. Nanne began her career as a solo artist in 1998 when she entered Melodifestivalen again with "Avundsjuk," a self-penned song about jealousy between women (the title translates as "Envious"). For her performance of the song, Nanne donned a purple wig and a pair of prosthetic ears very similar to those of Star Trek's Mr. Spock. The song came in fourth, and went on to reach number six in the Swedish charts, her first hit as a solo performer. Her debut solo album, Cirkus Homo Sapiens, followed. A second solo album, 2001's Alla Mina Ansikten, was a commercial failure. That same year, she competed to represent the U.K. in its Eurovision heats with "Men," but...