Swedish EDM DJ-producer Avicii was found dead today according to his publicist. Real name Tim Bergling was only 28-years-old. He was best known for mega hits like "Wake Me Up," "Levels" and "Hey Brother."
In a statement his publicist Diana Baron said:
"It is with profound sorrow that we announce the loss of Tim Bergling, also known as Avicii. 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."
In 2016 Avicii announced his retirement from touring citing health concerns. The DJ-producer battled with acute pancreatitis which was partially affected by excessive drinking. In 2014, he took an indefinite hiatus after being hospitalized more than once. During this time he had his gallbladder and appendix removed.
He posted the following message announcing his retirement on his website:
“WE ALL REACH A POINT IN OUR LIVES AND CAREERS WHERE WE UNDERSTAND WHAT MATTERS THE MOST TO US. For me it’s creating music. That is what I live for, what I feel I was born to do.
Last year I quit performing live, and many of you thought that was it. But the end of live never meant the end of Avicii or my music. Instead, I went back to the place where it all made sense – the studio.
The next stage will be all about my love of making music to you guys. It is the beginning of something new.
Hope you´ll enjoy it as much as I do.”
In a 2016 interview with The Hollywood Reporter he explained why he quit touring: “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.”
Avicii continued to make music, having released the six-track EP Avīci (01) just last summer.