Tim Bergling, the Swedish DJ-producer known as Avicii, died of an apparent suicide, according to his family.
They released a statement about the musician, saying, “He really struggled with thoughts about meaning, life, happiness. He could not go on any longer. He wanted to find peace.”
“Our beloved Tim was a seeker, a fragile artistic soul searching for answers to existential questions,” Bergling’s family said. “An over-achieving perfectionist who traveled and worked hard at a pace that led to extreme stress.”
Bergling had a complicated relationship with his own meteoric success in the music industry.
In 2016, at the height of his fame, he suddenly stopped touring. His family says the decision was because he wanted “to find a balance in life, to be happy and be able to do what he loved most – music.”
“I know I am blessed to be able to travel all around the world and perform, but I have too little left for the life of a real person behind the artist,” Bergling wrote at the time.
On April 20th, Bergling was found dead in Muscat, Oman. He was 28.
Read the family’s full statement below:
Our beloved Tim was a seeker, a fragile artistic soul searching for answers to existential questions.
An over-achieving perfectionist who traveled 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.
Creamsicle
Of course it’s sad when anybody dies, but I am confused why this has been getting so much coverage on gay news blogs. Was Avicii gay? I was under the impression that he had a girlfriend who models.
Vince
I don’t know. He’s kind of hot so that’s usually enough by queerty standards.
chris33133
You may not have heard of him; but his music is played in dance clubs throughout the world. If you’ve ever been to a gay event, the odds are quite good that you’ve heard his music. What is more, he’s influenced a whole bunch of highly successful DJs.
Vince
You mean a circuit party or do they still call them that. I’ve never really been a follower of DJ’s even when I was into the dance circuit. Yes. They’re like celebrities in that world.
Vince
He was doing so many drugs/alcohol his internal organs were shutting down. Me thinks that has more to do with it.
barkomatic
I don’t know, the family’s statement all but confirms suicide. He acknowledged his alcohol problems so I don’t see a reason for a cover up.
alanballs
I really liked and appreciated the heart-felt, eloquent statement released by his family. It was almost poetic. Gosh, I hope my loved one(s) write(s) something like that about me when I croak.
chris33133
My guess is that he was suffering from depression. Either that, or he was dealing with a future of constant medical care and declining health due to his partying while younger. I’ve known people who, in the face of an ever-declining qualify of life, opt to end it. Some have gone off their meds; others have taken affirmative steps.
Having experienced the long-term fall out of a family member’s suicide throughout my family, I really feel for his family.
Vince
Probably both. He was obviously sick from years of drugs and alcohol. In my years of going to these events drugs were a big part of it. Allot of very popular DJs have come out since and talked about their own drug addictions. From what I hear that hasn’t changed much.
I think the truth would be better served then some fantasy of him being a fragile person that was just too much of a perfectionist. The people that follow him or live that lifestyle need to know the consequences.
Gil
You guys I do t think it’s a suicide
It’s the combination of hard drugs and alcohol (escapism for artists with a gentle soul). All the organs collapsed.
Tarutaru
Oh please, I struggled to find meaning in life too. Look, people generally gravitate towards EDM to experience something higher and elevated. Then you realize the only meaning behind it is in your imagination. Which imagination can be a beautiful thing but it’s not real, so when the drugs wear off and you are thrown back into reality you realize you did nothing meaningful to change your life and you get super depressed.
Some people are born ugly diseased impoverished and abused they fight to live. Avicii is a pretty boy with a quality life, talent, money, career, quality girlfriend and family, he has such an advantage but offs himself? Depression is legit and so many people feel empty, but so many people fight it. The pain and conflict are meant to guide you to the solution but if you don’t endure the pain you don’t deserve the solution. If you are conflicted and in pain consider yourself lucky you are not one of those ignorant worthless waist of life people on this planet. Become a fighter AND FIGHT to better this world.
and remember… sobriety is underated. Drugs and intoxication are highly overated and cut the crap about “He can’t go on anylonger” do you know how many people reach that point. Its those that push through and fight that change ANYTHING AT ALL. Also “For the sake of humanity” is over rated. Humanity has to first be something deserving before you destroy all else for the sake of its survival.
Kevan1
Wow people,
This guy obviously had depression issues. A number of us have used drugs as an escape. Those of you who have not, good for you, you are above the rest of us. He was young and troubled. Sometimes the pain is so consuming all else fades. People get stuck and cannot find the end of the tunnel. Sadly the help he needed alluded him, which is nothing but sad beyond words. People who think they know all the answers and have little compassion for those lost in mental illness, good for you. Those who have been through this type of pain, thank God you made it and try to help those who are still stuck. Sometimes we lose those who cannot find a way out, they become so lost that they lose the faith that there is a light at the end. Those who have little understanding or sympathy please keep your cruelness to yourself. Your attitudes and lack of understanding may be the last push for someone over the line to no return. Those with little understanding or compassion, I hope you never have the experience the intense darkness depression brings. Maybe you can find a way to lift people instead of belittling them when they are so in need of understanding and love.