Avicii: Ten Facts About the DJ on His Would-Be 37th Birthday
Tim Bergling, known globally as Avicii, rose from a bedroom producer to one of the world's most successful DJs in just a few years. On Tuesday, September 8, he would have celebrated his 37th birthday. To mark the occasion, here are ten facts about the influential artist.
Avicii's real name was Tim Bergling. He adopted the stage name "Avicii" early in his career when his desired online username was already taken. The name is derived from a Buddhist term for the lowest level of hell.
Bergling began producing music on his home computer as a teenager. He shared his tracks and remixes online, quickly gaining attention. By age 18, he was already entering the music industry.
His major breakthrough came in 2011 with "Levels," an international hit that sampled Etta James and propelled him to global fame in electronic music. The rapper Flo Rida later used the same sample in his song "Good Feeling."
Initially, "Wake Me Up," which blended country and electronic music, was met with skepticism and criticism. However, it soon became his biggest hit, topping charts worldwide and reaching the top ten in the US.
Avicii collaborated with numerous major stars, including David Guetta and Nicky Romero. He co-produced Coldplay's "A Sky Full of Stars" and co-wrote Madonna's "Devil Pray."
In 2013, Avicii teamed up with Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA to create "We Write the Story," which opened the Eurovision Song Contest that year in Sweden.
His immense success was reflected in rankings; in 2013, he was named the third-best DJ in the world by DJ Mag. He received two Grammy nominations, and his net worth was estimated in the tens of millions of dollars.
Avicii announced his retirement from touring in 2016 due to health issues, including severe pancreatitis. As part of his farewell tour, he performed in Israel in July 2016 at Rishon LeZion's Amphi Park. His final performance worldwide was about a month later.
On April 20, 2018, Avicii died at age 28 in Muscat, Oman. His family later confirmed he had taken his own life, describing him as a sensitive soul who struggled with the intense pressure and demanding pace of his success. His death highlighted the importance of discussing mental health struggles, even among those who appear to have achieved everything.
In 2019, his family released the posthumous album "Tim," featuring songs he worked on before his death. They also established the Tim Bergling Foundation to raise awareness for mental health and suicide prevention, ensuring his music and personal story continue to inspire important global conversations.
