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Wake me up when it’s all over: RIP Avicii
Social media posts have been awash in grief since Friday night, after the news came that top Swedish music producer and DJ Tim Bergling, aka Avicii, had died at the age of 28. He was in Muscat, Oman, at the time.
“Devastating news about Avicii, a beautiful soul, passionate and extremely talented with so much more to do. My heart goes out to his family. God bless you Tim x,” tweeted Scottish DJ Calvin Harris, also a top name in the music business.
“Such sad news to hear about Avicii passing. Too young and way too soon. My condolences go out to his family, friends and fans x,” posted English singersongwriter Dua Lipa.
The death seemed even more tragic because just days earlier, Avicii was nominated in the Top Dance/Electronic Album category at the upcoming Billboard Music Awards. In fact, in Avicii’s last tweet, he had expressed his happiness on being nominated for this prestigious award. The DJ had stopped live performances due to his ill health, but continued to create music in studios.
Pop legend Madonna, who collaborated with Avicii, paid her respects, tweeting a photo of herself with the DJ.
Singer Rita Ora wrote: “I have no words. I remember how amazing it was to make Lonely Together and it felt like just yesterday we were talking. Condolences to Avicii’s family, friends, and the fans who supported him. May he rest in peace. Gone too soon. I’m devastated. Heartbroken.”
Mike Shinoda of the band Linkin Park wrote: “So sorry to hear about @Avicii. I’m grateful to have crossed paths with him. My love and condolences to his friends and family. #ripAVICII.”
In India, popular DJ Nikhil Chinapa recalls Avicii’s first visit here in 2011 when he did a three-city tour (Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru). “I suggested to event organisers to do an arena kind of concert in India with this young kid named Avicii, and we got him for a fairly nominal amount. He performed in a club in Delhi, which had a broken monitor in the DJ console... But it was in Mumbai that everyone realised who Avicii was and what a massive fan following he has here in India,” he says.
“He will live in his music. But I am hoping that people will realise how difficult it is to be a famous electronic musician. It’s not an easy life, and one has to be very careful about their well-being and not fall into the trap,” adds Nikhil.