Avicii's dad on his son's legacy, psychological well being and survivor's guilt

On April 20, 2018, the world misplaced a music famous person, chart-topping DJ Avicii. Aged simply 28, he tragically took his personal life whereas on vacation in Oman.

For Klas Bergling, he misplaced his son, Tim.

“I miss him each minute,” Klas Bergling shares over a candid, deeply private video name. “In fact, I speak to him every single day. However,” he pauses, “I admit, I get indignant at him generally. Why did you do it? Why did you allow us?”

Avicii rose to fame as explosively because the bouncing synths on his breakout smash Ranges.

The 2011 hit, joyously sampling Etta James’ “good feeling” chorus, catapulted the then 22-year-old Swede to pop superstardom.

Over the subsequent 5 years, as membership dance music advanced into the ever-present, chart-topping style referred to as EDM, with Ranges as its anthem, Avicii grew to become its blond, high-cheekboned poster boy – reportedly incomes $250,000 (£180,000) an evening on tour.

However at 26, he retired from reside reveals. In a private notice to followers, he referenced his bodily and psychological well being with out detailing the complete extent of his struggles, which concerned anxiousness, pancreatitis, alcohol and painkiller habit.

Regardless of a interval of restoration – producing music away from the highlight – Tim continued to wrestle with inside demons in his seek for existential solutions about his life. Two years later, the darkness overcame him a final, fatal time.

Now, his household desires folks to know Tim past the stage lights, releasing an image e book to honour his legacy. It’s a part of the the household’s efforts by way of the Tim Bergling Basis, arrange in his reminiscence in 2019, to open up the dialog across the psychological well being disaster amongst younger folks.

Klas, who fastidiously curated the photographs from Tim’s childhood to his famous person life, explains: “We need to assist folks see past the Avicii fame. That is additionally why we named his posthumous album ‘Tim.'”

Reflecting on the deep connection followers nonetheless really feel, proven by the hundreds of letters and memoriam messages on his web site, Klas says: “Tim meant quite a bit to younger folks – his music, his lyrics, and his particular person.

“At first, I didn’t perceive why, however then a fan stated, ‘Tim was genuine.’ I understood. Many younger folks relate to that authenticity, his honesty, and struggles.”

Tim discovered fame the millennial means, by posting tracks on-line. He adopted the title Avicii in 2008, a reference to Buddhist ranges of hell after discovering his personal title was taken on MySpace.

Signed briefly by BBC Radio 1 DJ Pete Tong after successful a expertise competitors, he caught the eye of DJ Laidback Luke by posting on his discussion board.

However Tim struggled with anxiousness from a younger age, usually having catastrophic ideas and fearing he had most cancers. Hashish use led to fears of insanity, disassociation, and derealisation.

Klas remembers Tim having intense “identification questions” throughout adolescence. After just a few conferences with a psychologist, Tim felt higher. Nevertheless, touring exacerbated his anxiousness.

A textual content message in Tim’s 2021 biography revealed Klas’ issues: “Hello Tim, hoping your inspiration is sufficient for this large tour, with gigs every single day. One must pause and breathe just a little, nevertheless it’s your selection. Kisses and hugs. Your outdated man.”

The hectic schedule took its toll. As Ranges garnered practically 20 million views on YouTube earlier than its official launch, Tim’s tour included performances throughout the US, New Zealand, Australia, and Asia, usually doing a number of reveals in several cities on the identical day.

To appease his nerves, Tim turned to alcohol. “I discovered the magical treatment of simply having a few drinks earlier than occurring,” he stated within the documentary Avicii: True Tales. This dependence grew as he travelled, telling GQ in 2013: “You’re travelling round, you reside in a suitcase, you get to this place, there’s free alcohol in every single place.”

In 2012, he launched into a 26-day US tour, which triggered abdomen pains from his ingesting, resulting in hospitalisation and opioid prescriptions for worsening pancreatitis, beginning a cycle of well being points and habit.

The next yr in Australia, his pancreatitis returned, however he refused gallbladder elimination to keep away from cancelling extra dates and was prescribed opioids once more. His appendix ultimately ruptured, forcing surgical procedure.

Klas emphasises the necessity for systemic change within the music trade, however is cautious to keep away from particular person blame.

“I nonetheless assume that [record] labels, touring folks, brokers and managers ought to actually have a driver’s licence to indicate they’re match. That is the best way artists ought to be dealt with,” he asserts.

Whereas he acknowledges some optimistic modifications since Tim’s demise, noting that “Swedish managers at main labels are extra conscious these days”, he stresses that extra complete measures are mandatory to make sure artist wellbeing.

Tim’s well being issues coincided together with his (now Grammy nominated) industrial success. His debut album True, which launched nation sounds, produced hits like Wake Me Up and Hey Brother.

By 2015, his psychological state had deteriorated with capsule abuse, anger outbursts and erratic behaviour. Regardless of promising his second album Tales can be his finest, his struggles led to delays, on-stage nihilism and clashes with paparazzi.

That summer time, Klas and his administration knew one thing needed to be achieved. With a therapist, they deliberate an intervention in Ibiza. In a Times interview, Klas stated he felt he betrayed his son. I ask what he meant and his eyes effectively.

“You confront your baby who is totally unaware of what is going on to occur.” Tim’s distressed response was evident. “You see that he realises one thing is deliberate behind his again.”

Nevertheless it was mandatory, Klas says. “There isn’t any doubt about doing it, however coming to that time isn’t simple.”

Tim, all the time cussed, appeared confused, pondering he was being criticised regardless of working endlessly. After hours of resistance, he agreed to rehab, telling Klas: “I had determined hours in the past however simply needed to check you.”

Klas smiles, feeling pleased with his son’s “bravery”. After rehab, Tim fought to flee what he described because the “machine that was Avicii” and stop working together with his supervisor.

The Avicii: True Tales documentary, accomplished earlier than his demise, depicted Tim on a seaside, apparently at peace now not touring. The fact of his suicide needed to be added as a jarring post-script.

Klas admits the grief is compounded by the truth that “my spouse and his brothers and sister had been glad that he was enhancing in some ways.”

It “could sound contradictory, however that is the best way it was – he was enhancing”.

Klas explains guilt is “such a giant burden” for survivors, who usually ask, “what have I achieved improper?” He acknowledges, as therapists have instructed him, “many occasions you can’t do something.”

This confusion of loss highlights the common affect of suicide on these left behind in addition to the direct victims. The inspiration’s funding supported Sweden’s new nationwide suicide prevention hotline, with the federal government engaged on laws to raised examine suicide. It’s a part of Klas’ 50-year plan to cement his son’s legacy.

At a tribute live performance, Klas promised to push suicide up the political agenda. “We tried to get as many younger folks there as potential, in addition to politicians.” Klas remembers.

“One of the crucial impactful moments was a giant group of oldsters arising on stage who had misplaced their kids to suicide. It was such a powerful second.”

“Crucial factor is to interrupt the stigma dealing with younger folks. [With] a war-torn, unstable world dealing with the subsequent technology, that’s the place I feel we may be helpful,” he says.

Since Tim’s demise, Stockholm’s enviornment has been renamed the Avicii Enviornment, and Collectively for a Higher Day concert events proceed in his reminiscence.

Reflecting on Tim’s enduring affect, Klas says: “Even when he isn’t with us any extra, he’s nonetheless very a lot with us.”

Avicii: The life and music of Tim Bergling might be revealed by Max Ström on 13 June.