Details continue to emerge after Swedish DJ and producerAviciipassed away suddenly in Oman last month (April 20). Real name Tim Bergling, the Grammy-nominated EDM star was 28. The official cause of death is not currently known, but reports claim the star took his own life. His family has said: “He could not go on any longer”.
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Avicii’s parents, two sisters and brother went to Oman this week to repatriate his body and have issued two statements following his death. Though he was still making music at the time of his death, Avicii retired from playing live in August 2016, at the age of 26.
What did his family’s statements say?
On April 23, Bergling’s family released their first statement. It read:
“We would like to thank you for the support and the loving words about our son and brother. We are so grateful for everyone who loved Tim’s music and have precious memories of his songs. Thank you for all the initiatives taken to honor Tim, with public gatherings, church bells ringing out his music, tributes at Coachella and moments of silence around the world. We are grateful for the privacy during this difficult time. Our wish is that it continues that way.
With love,
The Tim Bergling Family”
On April 26, the family released a second statement. It read:
“Our beloved Tim was a seeker, a fragile artistic soul searching for answers to existential questions. An over-achieving perfectionist who travelled and worked hard at a pace that led to extreme stress. When he stopped touring, he wanted to find a balance in life to be happy and be able to do what he loved most – music. He really struggled with thoughts about Meaning, Life, Happiness. He could not go on any longer. He wanted to find peace. Tim was not made for the business machine he found himself in; he was a sensitive guy who loved his fans but shunned the spotlight. Tim, you will forever be loved and sadly missed. The person you were and your music will keep your memory alive.
We love you,
Your family.”
What did the police conclude from the post-mortem?
As reported by CNN,“two postmortems were carried out … and [police] can confirm that there is no criminal suspicion in the death”.
The original statement published at the announcement of Bergling’s death reads: “It is with profound sorrow that we announce the loss of Tim Bergling, also known as Avicii. He was found dead in Muscat, Oman this Friday afternoon local time, April 20th. The family is devastated and we ask everyone to please respect their need for privacy in this difficult time. No further statements will be given.”
Avicii’s family have since issued an additional statement, thanking fans for their support.
What do we know about his final days?
According to a newRolling Stone report, Avicii worked with songwriter/producerJoe Janiak for several weeks at his LA home studio before leaving for Oman to visit royal friends in the country.
Janiak says that Avicii “seemed pumped”, adding: “You could tell he had spent a long time figuring out the puzzle, and he was trying to take charge of his life… That’s the shocking thing. He didn’t seem like a guy at the end of his days.”
A day before he travelled to Oman, Avicii allegedly toldJaniak that he would reach out again when back from his trip.
Per Sundin, head of Universal Music Sweden, said of the new music Avicii had been working on: “All his notes were in happy mode…He loved what he had created”.
Incubus guitarist and Avicii collaborator Mike Einziger said that the musician seemed better since retiring from touring. “He didn’t look skeletal,” Einziger said. “He looked healthy, like he’d been out in the sun.”
Has a funeral taken place?
Avicii was reportedly laid to rest in a private funeral in Sweden during June. The DJ was remembered by friends and family during the service, which was held in his native Stockholm.
Close friend Jesse Waits posted a picture of the order of service programme on Instagram. It featured the words ‘Tim Bergling 1989-2018’ and was covered in musical notes.
Why had Avicii retired from performing live?
Throughout his career, Avicii was open about his ongoing health problems. In aninterview with Rolling Stone he revealed thathe had been hospitalised for 11 days in 2012 with acute pancreatitis, a condition associated with excessive drinking.
In the same interview, from January 2014, he confirmed he had been sober for almost a year. Two months after that interview, the DJ was hospitalised in Miamidue to a blocked gall bladder, which he later had removed along with his appendix. In September 2014,he was forced to cancel a string of shows due to health concerns. At the time a spokesperson said that the DJ would recuperate in his native Stockholm until he had recovered enough to work on the follow-up to his 2013 album ‘True’.
The result was ‘Stories’, released in October 2015. Five months later, in March2016, Avicii announced his permanent retirement from performing live.
In 2017 he responded to Mike Posner’s ‘I Took A Pill In Ibiza’ lyric saying: “Mike’s a good friend, so I took it as an honour. And I agree – parties can be amazing, but it’s very easy to become too attached to partying in places like Ibiza. You become lonely and get anxieties. It becomes toxic.”
Who has paid tribute?
Thousands of fans at Coachellajoined DJ Kygo to pay tribute to Avicii over the weekend.
Avicii’s music publisher Sony/ATV Music Publishinghas issued the following statement: “We are mourning the incredibly sad loss of an exceptionally creative talent who we have been honored and proud to represent as one of our songwriters for a number of years. Our thoughts are with his family at this time”.
The likes of Calvin Harris, Madonna, Skrillex,Deadmau5, David Guetta, Diplo, Steve Aoki, Dua Lipa, Marshmello, Liam Payne, Craig David, Charlie Puth and more have paid tribute to the late performer. See tributes from Avicii’s peers on social media below:
Devastating news about Avicii, a beautiful soul, passionate and extremely talented with so much more to do. My heart goes out to his family. God bless you Tim x
— Calvin Harris (@CalvinHarris) April 20, 2018
my sincerest and most heartfelt condolences to the friends, fans and families of @Avicii 🙁 Banter aside, nobody can deny what he has accomplished and done for modern dance music and im very proud of him.
— Goat lord (@deadmau5) April 20, 2018
Something really horrible happened. We lost a friend with such a beautiful heart and the world lost an incredibly…
Posted by David Guetta onFriday, April 20, 2018
Words can not describe how I feel right now..I am gonna miss you brother ❤️ pic.twitter.com/AjBgXi5gVR
— Tiësto (@tiesto) April 20, 2018
At a loss for words…Rest easy brother 😪 @Avicii
— marshmello (@marshmellomusic) April 20, 2018
https://twitter.com/TheChainsmokers/status/987414125021196288
https://twitter.com/DUALIPA/status/987386149051273217
devastated at the news of @Avicii passing. working with him was one of my favorite collaborative moments. far too young. the world was a happier and fuller place with his presence and art. sending all my love to his friends and family. Xxdr
— Imagine Dragons (@Imaginedragons) April 20, 2018
#RIPAVICII Dear Tim your family have my most heartfelt condolences. You were my little bro. Love always.
— Nile Rodgers (@nilerodgers) April 20, 2018
Speaking to AP, Nile Rodgers also said he was ‘upset’ after performing with the DJ three years ago. He said: “It was a little bit sad to me because he had promised me he would stop drinking, and when I saw him he was drunk that night.And I was like, ‘Whoa. Dude. C’mon. What are you doing? What’s going on? You said that that was done’. I didn’t even stick around for his performance because it was breaking my heart.”
Oh my god truly devastated for Avicii very very sad news way to young … what a talent he was. rest in peace x
— Liam ☀️ (@LiamPayne) April 20, 2018
Rest in peace @Avicii My heart goes out to your family at this difficult time. x
— Craig David (@CraigDavid) April 20, 2018
https://instagram.com/p/BhzcwRbhjY3/?utm_source=ig_embed
https://twitter.com/charlieputh/status/987387678353010689
I have no words. I remember how amazing it was to make Lonely Together and it felt like just yesterday we were talking. Condolences to Avicii's family, friends, and the fans who supported him. May he rest in peace. Gone too soon. I’m devastated. Heartbroken.
— Rita Ora (@RitaOra) April 20, 2018
Ugh devastating news about Avicii, hard to even believe.. 😢 sending all my love to his family, friends and community of fans.. electronic music is a community. We lost one of it's brightest stars. He made music that was universally loved. Always seemed so kind. Gone way too soon
— Kendrick Shalamar (@atrak) April 20, 2018
I have no words.. RIP Tim 🌹
— Eric Prydz (@ericprydz) April 20, 2018
Can’t believe this, I’m gonna miss you so bad. From your first show where we played together, to all the amazing memories we shared. Thank you for changing the world with your amazing music and for being such an inspiration. I’m gonna miss you brother, until we meet again! ❤ pic.twitter.com/FjJyLA5Ohc
— Hardwell (@HARDWELL) April 20, 2018
. @Avicii was talented and kind, and I was genuinely excited to see what would come next from him. His future most certainly should have been written beyond age 28. I am
heartbroken.
Rest easy Tim.— Kaskade (@kaskade) April 20, 2018
Broken hearted. Such a huge musical inspiration to me and many others. will miss you so much. Rest In Peace Avicii pic.twitter.com/AdU5UzoY90
— Noah Cyrus (@noahcyrus) April 20, 2018
I never got to know Avicii but those who did spoke so highly of him. His talent was huge. A sad loss.
— Zane Lowe (@zanelowe) April 20, 2018
Rest in peace @Avicii 💔
— 🌺ANNE-MARIE🌺 (@AnneMarie) April 20, 2018
OH MY GOD 😭 wow… I’m speechless. May you Rest In Peace my dear Tim 💔 RT @TMZ: #BREAKING: Avicii Has Died at 28 #RIP https://t.co/dvE4cgk9BY
— Laidback Luke (@LaidbackLuke) April 20, 2018
Very sad and scary. What a crazy life. RIP. https://t.co/LSBkIEJ97m
— YASUKE (@flyinglotus) April 20, 2018
RIP Avicii
Never let this game change you. Just because you make music doesn’t automatically mean you all of a sudden need to become famous or a celebrity, or a fashion designer, or a car collector, or a pimp or a slu*t, or the center of attention..always embrace who you are 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/nfHN9RNn8V
— TAPE TAPE & HOUSE EP NOW PLAYING (@LupeFiasco) April 20, 2018
