The Life and Legacy of Avicii: Tim Bergling's Impact on Music and Mental Health Awareness

Introduction

Tim Bergling (8 September 1989 – 20 April 2018), known professionally as Avicii, was a Swedish DJ, remixer, and record producer. He rose to prominence in the electronic music scene and became one of the most influential figures in the industry. Despite his success, Avicii faced significant personal struggles, ultimately leading to his tragic death. This article explores his life, career, and the legacy he left behind.

Early Life and Career (1989–2010)

Tim Bergling was born in Stockholm on 8 September 1989, the son of Klas Bergling, who ran an office supply business, and actress Anki Lidén. He had three siblings: David Bergling, Linda Sterner, and actor Anton Körberg. He started mixing music in his bedroom at the age of eight.

Inspired by his brother, who was also a DJ, he began making music at the age of 16, teaching himself to use a pirated copy of FL Studio. In May 2007, Bergling signed on with the Dejfitts Plays label. He was a member of the Laidback Luke Forums, where he refined his craft and demonstrated his distinct deep house style. By 2009 to 2010, Bergling was a prolific producer, releasing music rapidly. His remixes during this period included "Sound of Now," "Muja," "Ryu," and "Even."

Bergling adopted the moniker Avicii, a respelling of Avīci, which means "the lowest level of Buddhist hell." He chose this name because his real name was already in use on his Myspace page. In 2010, Bergling released the hit song "Seek Bromance," which reached the top 20 in several countries, including Belgium, France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Sweden. He also remixed Nadia Ali's classic single "Rapture" for her album Queen of Clubs Trilogy: Onyx Edition. In October 2010, Bergling signed with the European A&R team at EMI Music Publishing.

Rise to Fame (2011–2013)

In 2011, Bergling's track "Fade into Darkness" was sampled by Leona Lewis on her single "Collide." The sampling was not accredited, leading to controversy as Bergling attempted to block the single's release. The matter was resolved out of court, with "Collide" being made a joint release between Lewis and Bergling. In October 2011, Bergling released "Levels," which launched him into the mainstream. "Levels" reached the top ten in multiple countries and topped the charts in Hungary, Norway, and Sweden.

In 2012, his collaboration track "Sunshine" with David Guetta was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording. On 23 March 2012, Bergling's unsigned single "Last Dance" was previewed on Pete Tong's show on BBC Radio 1 and was later released on 27 August 2012. At Ultra Music Festival 2012 in Miami, he premiered two tracks, "Girl Gone Wild" (Avicii's UMF Remix) with Madonna and "Superlove" with Lenny Kravitz.

Bergling's UMF Remix of "Girl Gone Wild" was released on 20 April 2012, and "Superlove" with Kravitz was released on 29 May 2012. After reaching two million followers on Facebook, Bergling released a new song titled "Two Million" as a free download on his official SoundCloud page. On 27 April 2012, he released "Silhouettes," which peaked at number 5 on the UK Dance charts and number 4 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs.

Bergling was a featured performer on 4 August 2012 at the Lollapalooza festival in Chicago's Grant Park. On 12 August 2012, he released "Dancing in My Head" (Avicii's 'Been Cursed' Mix) on Beatport, featuring vocals from Eric Turner. A radio edit titled "Dancing in My Head" (Tom Hangs Mix) was released on 14 August 2012 on iTunes, followed by a remix EP on 30 October 2012.

On 26 September 2012, Bergling made history as the first DJ to headline Radio City Music Hall in New York City, performing two sold-out shows. He played a preview of his new track with Mike Posner titled "Stay with You." On 29 December 2012, he premiered many new songs at Lights All Night in Dallas, some of which made it onto his first album, True. These unreleased songs included "I'll Be Gone" and "Let It Go."

On the same day, he released "I Could Be the One" with Nicky Romero. After being debuted at his shows almost a year earlier, the track was finally released via Bergling's record label Levels. The new vocal version was accompanied by an instrumental version, a radio edit, and remixes from Audrio and Didrick. On 9 January 2013, Bergling launched the Avicii X You project, a partnership with Ericsson designed to create the world's first "crowdsourced" hit song. Fans could send in sound files over the Internet, contributing to the final product titled "X You," released on 26 February 2013.

Bergling was nominated for a Grammy for Best Dance Recording with "Levels" at the 2013 Grammy Awards. He toured Australia as one of the headline acts in the Future Music Festival alongside The Prodigy and The Stone Roses. In late February 2013, he made his first South American tour, performing in Venezuela, Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, and Chile.

True and Continued Success (2013–2014)

In March 2013, Bergling announced and premiered new tracks from his forthcoming album True, released in September that year, during his Main Stage set at Ultra Music Festival in Miami. The new tracks were experimental, including the bluegrass-tinged song "Wake Me Up," which received mixed critical reviews after the concert. On 11 April 2013, he released a promo mix on SoundCloud containing songs from True and non-album singles.

The EBU and SVT announced on 15 April that Bergling, along with ex-ABBA members Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, had composed the anthem for the Eurovision Song Contest 2013, performed for the first time in the Final on 18 May. On 14 June 2013, the world premiere of "Wake Me Up," featuring vocals from Aloe Blacc, was previewed by Pete Tong on BBC Radio 1. The song was released on 25 June 2013 as the first single from True, which was released on 16 September 2013.

"Wake Me Up" became a massive hit, topping charts in over 20 countries and setting a record of 14 weeks as the number one hit on Billboard's Dance/Electronic Songs list. It was the UK's fastest-selling single of 2013, selling 267,000 copies in its first week. On 19 October 2013, Bergling ranked number 3 on the DJ Mag Top 100 DJs List. He released "Hey Brother" on 28 October 2013, winning his first award for "Best Electronic" at the MTV EMAs on 10 November.

In December 2013, he released "Addicted to You," which reached number 5 in Australia, and "Lay Me Down," featuring Adam Lambert. On 29 December 2013, he debuted "Dreaming of Me" via his LE7ELS podcast. On 28 February 2014, "Wake Me Up" became the first song to surpass 200 million listeners on Spotify.

Retirement and Health Struggles (2016)

In January 2016, Bergling was hospitalized for 11 days in New York City due to acute pancreatitis caused by excessive alcohol use. He was prescribed opioids for pain, leading to addiction. In March 2016, he announced his retirement from touring, citing health concerns. On 28 August 2016, he performed his final show at Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel.

On 22 December 2016, it was announced that Bergling had parted ways with his long-time manager Arash Pournouri and signed with Universal Music Sweden, with plans for a third studio album in 2017.

Posthumous Releases and Legacy (2018–2020)

Avicii died by suicide on 20 April 2018 while on holiday in Oman. His family released a statement describing him as a "fragile artistic soul" who struggled with existential questions and the pressures of fame. His third album, Tim, was released posthumously on 6 June 2019, featuring the lead single "SOS." Proceeds from the album went to the Tim Bergling Foundation, which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention.

In 2020, a biography titled Tim – The Official Biography of Avicii was released, and a tribute concert was held in Stockholm, featuring many artists who collaborated with him. The Avicii Experience museum opened in 2022, celebrating his life and music while raising awareness about mental health issues.

Conclusion

Avicii's life was marked by extraordinary achievements and profound struggles. His music continues to resonate with fans worldwide, and his legacy serves as a reminder of the importance of mental health awareness in the music industry. Through the Tim Bergling Foundation and various tributes, Avicii's impact will be felt for years to come.

Listen to Avicii's Albums in Lossless Audio via Streaming: HERE