Avicii Dies at 28

Rich Wang, Staff Writer

Tim Bergling, better known as Avicii, passed away in Muscat, Oman last Friday on April 20.  Sweden’s public broadcaster says police in Oman have conducted two autopsies on the body of Grammy-nominated electronic dance DJ Avicii, who died Friday at age 28. Public broadcaster SVT, citing information from an anonymous police official in Oman, reported Sunday that the autopsies revealed nothing suspicious and foul play has been ruled out in the performer’s death.

Avicii’s family has released a statement following his death last Friday. The family of the 28-year-old producer spoke out three days after his sudden death. In the statement to press, the family shows their appreciation for his fans and the artist tributes that took place throughout the weekend.

“We would like to thank you for the support and the loving words about our son and brother,” the statement reads. “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.”

Avicii was a pioneer for the EDM genre and collaborated with artists including Madonna, Daft Punk, and Coldplay. His biggest hits include “Le7els,” “Wake Me Up!,” “The Days,” and “You Make Me.” The producer’s work influenced other works as well, including Mike Posner’s 2015 track “I Took a Pill in Ibiza.”

In 2016, he retired from live performances after suffering multiple health issues including acute pancreatitis due to alcohol consumption. He had already had his gallbladder and appendix removed, and he cancelled a series of tour dates in order to recover. Despite retiring, he continued to make music in his studio.

Avicii released a statement about his decision to retire after the release of his last album, Avicii (01): “We all reach a point in our lives and careers where we understand what matters the most to us. For me it’s creating music. That is what I live for, what I feel I was born to do. Last year I quit performing live, and many of you thought that was it. But the end of live never meant the end of Avicii or my music. Instead, I went back to the place where it all made sense – the studio. The next stage will be all about my love of making music to you guys. It is the beginning of something new.”

“It’s been a very crazy journey,” he said of touring to The Hollywood Reporter in 2016. “I started producing when I was 16. I started touring when I was 18. From that point on, I just jumped into 100 percent.” The producer added, “When I look back on my life, I think: whoa, did I do that? It was the best time of my life in a sense. It came with a price – a lot of stress a lot of anxiety for me – but it was the best journey of my life.”