Swedish DJ Avicii has died in Oman at 28

AVICII battled with his health in the years leading up to his shock death.

The Swedish DJ passed away at the age of 28 in Muscat, Oman earlier today.

While the circumstances surrounding his death are currently unknown, the star was open about his health struggles in the past.

He shocked fans in 2016 when he announced he would be retiring from touring for the sake of his wellbeing.

Avicii wrote in an emotional post on his website at the time: “Two weeks ago, I took the time to drive across the U.S. with my friends and team, to just look and see and think about things in a new way.

“It really helped me realise that I needed to make the change that I’d been struggling with for a while.”

In a subsequent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he explained his decision to step back from touring.

“To me it was something I had to do for my health,” he said.

“The scene was not for me. It was not the shows and not the music. It was always the other stuff surrounding it that never came naturally to me.

“All the other parts of being an artist. I’m more of an introverted person in general.

“It was always very hard for me. I took on board too much negative energy, I think.”

Back in 2014, Avicii, whose real name is Tim Bergling, had been forced to cancel a series of shows so he could recover from having his gallbladder and appendix removed.

He also had acute pancreatitis, which was in part due to excessive drinking, but he admitted he felt “free” and “happy” after his decision to retire.

His publicist Diana Baron announced in a statement this morning that the musician was in the Oman capital of Muscat at the time of his death.

Devastated fans have taken to social media to express their shock, revealing they met him in Oman just days before he died.

A popular beach club in Muscat, the Muscat Hills Resort, uploaded a photo of the star with guests just three days ago, with Avicii seen smiling and relaxed as he happily posed with his adoring fans.
 

“It is with profound sorrow that we announce the loss of Tim Bergling, also known as Avicii,” the statement read, Variety reported.

“He was found dead in Muscat, Oman this Friday afternoon local time, April 20th. The family is devastated and we ask everyone to please respect their need for privacy in this difficult time. No further statements will be given.”

 

He won two MTV Music Awards, one Billboard Music Award and earned two Grammy nominations.

He had six top 10 singles in Australia, most notably the 2013 chart-topper Wake Me Up.

His debut album True also reached No. 1 on the ARIA charts the same year.

His death comes just days after he was nominated for a Billboard Music Award for top dance/electronic album for his EP Avicii (01).

He became one of the world’s highest paid DJs; in 2015, Forbes ranked him the sixth-highest-paid DJ in the world with an annual income of roughly $US19 million ($24.7 million).
 

Fellow DJ Calvin Harris was among those paying tribute on Twitter.

“Devastating news about Avicii, a beautiful soul, passionate and extremely talented with so much more to do,” he wrote. “My heart goes out to his family. God bless you Tim x”

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 pic.twitter.com/bmUAVFuNwt

— Calvin Harris (@calvinharrisdj_) April 20, 2018

Sending our hearts and thoughts to friends, family and fans of the incredible @Avicii. Rest In Peace.

— JARED LETO (@JaredLeto) April 20, 2018

Something really horrible happened. We lost a friend with such a beautiful heart and the world lost an incredibly talented musician. Thank you for your beautiful melodies, the time we shared in the studio, playing together as djs or just enjoying life as friends.
RIP @Avicii pic.twitter.com/IGiTYetJcq

— David Guetta (@davidguetta) April 20, 2018

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.

— Rita Ora (@RitaOra) April 20, 2018

Oh my god truly devastated for Avicii very very sad news way to young ... what a talent he was. rest in peace x

— Liam (@LiamPayne) April 20, 2018

No @Avicii ... I can’t even begin to comprehend this. I adore you and I loved traveling and touring Europe with you. You were my friend and a beautiful person. Vegas and Ibiza memories will always be so special to me. RIP you were magic.

— Ruby Rose (@RubyRose) April 20, 2018

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

— DUA LIPA (@DUALIPA) April 20, 2018

Avicii had retired from live performing in 2016, citing health reasons. He had suffered from health problems for several years, including acute pancreatitis, in part due to excessive drinking.

He had his gall bladder and appendix removed in 2014.

In an oft-discussed interview with GQ Magazine, Avicii describes his alcoholism that led to acute pancreatitis as stemming from being “so nervous,” and “(getting) into a habit (of drinking), because you rely on that encouragement and self-confidence you get from alcohol, and then you get dependent on it.”

He posted the following statement on his website last year.

“To me it was something I had to do for my health,” he said. “The scene was not for me. It was not the shows and not the music. It was always the other stuff surrounding it that never came naturally to me. All the other parts of being an artist. I’m more of an introverted person in general. It was always very hard for me. I took on board too much negative energy, I think.”

Bergling was part of the wave of DJ-producers, like David Guetta, Calvin Harris and Swedish House Mafia, who broke out on the scene as lead performers in their own right, earning international hits, fame, awards and more like typical pop stars.

Avicii even collaborated with high-profile acts, producing Madonna’s Devil Prayand the Coldplay hits A Sky Full of Stars and Hymn for the Weekend.

Avicii is the subject of the 2017 Levan Tsikurishvil documentary Avicii: True Stories, “the untold story behind the artist” which tracks his lightning-fast rise to fame following his 2010 hit Levels.

It also delves into his struggle with the relentless touring schedule that comes with being one of the world’s most in-demand DJs.

“It got to a point where it was too much,” he said in the documentary, which shows him working on a laptop from a hospital bed hooked up to IV drips.

“I don’t really like being the centre of attention.”

In September 2017 Bergling discussed his health troubles in an interview with Rolling Stone, lamenting “Why didn’t I stop the ship earlier?”

“Parties can be amazing, but it’s very easy to become too attached to partying in places like [Spanish island] Ibiza,” he said. “You become lonely and get anxieties. It becomes toxic.”

When Avicii announced his retirement from touring in 2016, veteran DJ/producer Laidback Luke, who signed the then unknown Swedish teenager to his label to release his first big hit Ryu, wrote an op-ed for Billboard about “the dark side of DJ stardom”.

“The first few years of heavy touring can have a major impact on a person’s life, health and sanity,” Laidback Luke, real name Lucas Cornelis van Scheppingen, wrote.

“DJs on tour average about four hours of sleep per night, and with drinking, afterparties, adulation and everything that comes with it, it’s easy to lose oneself.

“They make many new friends — at least for the moment — and some find another new friend: alcohol or whichever vice helps them deal with feeling displaced all the time. The pressures of being on the road as a DJ are constant and relentless. Unlike pop, rock or rap, they don’t tour in cycles — they’re always on tour, virtually every week, sometimes every day.”

He added that when he saw Avicii in August 2015, his friend looked “terrible” and “oh so tired”, and he wondered if his friend would join “the infamous ‘27 club’ of music and film stars who died at that age. It sounds horrible but it’s the truth, and I can’t take back the overwhelming sense of frustration I felt.”