| Full Name | Tim Bergling |
| Age | 28 |
| Birthday | September 8, 1989 |
| Death Date | April 20, 2018 |
| Birth Sign | Virgo |
| Born | Sweden |
| Height | 5‘ 11" |
| Net Worth | $50M |
| Avicii | |
| @avicii | |
| @avicii | |
| Youtube | AviciiOfficialVEVO |
Swedish DJ Avicii (real name Tim Bergling) became famous with 2011‘s "Levels". The track‘s explosive popularity made Avicii one of the first EDM artists to achieve massive mainstream success. His innovative blend of electronic and pop infused his music with catchy, uplifting melodies that captured the hearts of fans worldwide.
Early Life in Stockholm
Tim Bergling was born on September 8, 1989 in Stockholm, Sweden. As a child, he was introverted and shy, but found joy in listening to music and began experimenting on his keyboard and mixer. At 16, inspired by Daft Punk and Swedish House Mafia, Bergling started producing his own tracks and posting them on remix sites under the moniker Avicii.
The origins of his stage name come from the lowest level of Buddhist hell in mythology. Bergling chose the unusual moniker in his late teens as a metaphor for the "end of the road" feeling he got from house music meeting its peak and needing something new. Little did he know, his innovative sound would soon reshape the electronic landscape.
Rise to Stardom
Avicii‘s first hit "Seek Bromance" climbed the charts across Europe in 2010. However, it was his 2011 breakout track "Levels" that launched Avicii into stardom. The joyful, soulful song became a massive commercial success, reaching the top ten in over fifteen countries. Tim Bergling had gone from his bedroom in Stockholm to playing rave-sized crowds seemingly overnight.
"Levels" changed the game by being one of the first international EDM hits that resonated with mainstream listeners. According to the LA Times, it "made electronic dance music mainstream and transformed Avicii into one of the genre‘s biggest stars." The song has since become iconic, with its Etta James sample and infectious energy encapsulating Avicii‘s talent for catchy melodies.
More hits soon followed, including club anthems like "I Could Be the One" and the bluegrass-EDM fusion "Wake Me Up" which remains his most streamed track ever. His rapid-fire releases revealed a prodigious talent capable of producing radio-friendly songs without losing his electronic dance roots.
Health Struggles and Early Retirement
However, the constant touring and stress soon caught up to Avicii. In 2012, he was hospitalized for 11 days due to acute pancreatitis caused in part by excessive drinking. After this scare, he began publicly speaking about his health issues and the pressures of fame. In early 2016, he made the difficult decision to retire from touring entirely at just 26 years old.
Avicii hoped quitting touring would allow him to recuperate and refocus his career in the studio. Tragically, his struggles with addiction, anxiety, and fame persisted. But his brief yet legendary career burned bright with creativity. Despite inner turmoil, he channeled his passion into music that made us "wake up" and appreciate the beauty of life.
Lasting Musical Legacy
Avicii‘s genre-blending productions influenced a generation of artists and shaped the pop landscape as we know it. Songs like "Wake Me Up" brought folk elements into mainstream electronic music, proving EDM could be melodic and meaningful. To this day, the track remains Spotify‘s most streamed song ever, with over 1.5 billion plays.
As a musician first and DJ second, Avicii approached electronic music with a sensibility more akin to classic songwriters, uninterested in genres and labels. His timeless songs didn‘t just make people dance, they made us reflect, wander, and feel joy again.
Avicii tragically passed away on April 20, 2018 at age 28, cutting short one of the brightest creative flames in recent memory. But the Innovation, humanity, and emotion of tracks like "The Nights", "Waiting for Love", and "Levels" will live on and continue inspiring future generations.
Avicii: By The Numbers
- 2 Grammy Nominations
- 1st DJ to headline Radio City Music Hall (2012)
- 4th highest grossing DJ Of 2012 at $15 million
- 1.5+ billion streams of "Wake Me Up"
- 3 studio albums released
5 Lesser Known Avicii Facts
- Avicii was a huge fan of soul music pioneer Ray Charles.
- His first ever live show as an EDM artist was at a small Stockholm club when he was just 17.
- He produced an official anthem for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
- Avicii worked odd jobs like shoveling rocks and working in stores before getting famous.
- He was part of the Guinness Book of World Records in 2015 for most streamed song on Spotify.
Why Fans Connected With His Music
More than just a producer, Avicii was a multi-instrumentalist and extraordinary live performer. Fans connected deeply with his music and live shows for many reasons:
- Melodic Songs: Catchy melodic hooks over dance beats gave his music cross-genre appeal.
- Lyrical Depth: Songs like "The Nights" and "Heaven" had lyrics that resonated emotionally.
- Innovative Sound: He spearheaded the folk/EDM combo and merged genres seamlessly.
- Relatable Struggles: Avicii was open about his struggles with fame and health issues.
- Passionate Live Shows: His sets were euphoric experiences filled with energy.
But most importantly, Avicii‘s music contained an inherent sense of hope, wonder, and living joyfully in the present that deeply connected with listeners. For many, his songs were the soundtrack to their best life moments.
Interview With Avicii
In this fictional interview, Avicii reflects on his musical legacy:
Q: What do you hope your fans take away from your music?
Avicii: I hope my music makes people feel something – happiness, sadness, joy, anything really. Connecting emotionally is all I can ask for. Life is fleeting and I‘m just thankful my songs can be part of those special moments.
Q: Was your unique style intentional?
Avicii: Not at all! I never set out to make something unprecedented. I just make music I enjoy by combining influences I love. The fact people connected with my songs is unbelievable.
Q: What‘s your creative process like?
Avicii: Lots of trial and error! I start by improvising melodies on guitar or piano until something sticks. Once I have an idea, I build the track around it. I‘m still learning and improving each time.
Q: What‘s your advice for aspiring musicians?
Avicii: Don‘t limit yourself by genres – open your heart to all styles of music. And don‘t forget to live life to the fullest every day. That‘s where true inspiration comes from.
The Joyful, Fleeting Genius of Avicii
Avicii‘s all-too-brief career profoundly shaped electronic music as we know it today. The young visionary combined his love of melody with club beats to create a new genre. But beyond just innovating sounds, Avicii gave us joyful anthems that made us appreciate life‘s precious moments.
Like a comet blazing brightly across the sky, Avicii dazzled us with his talent before leaving us too soon. Yet the passion, innovation, and emotion of his music endures. His immortal songs continue inspiring new dreamers, just as his heroes once inspired him.
