History of Avicii in Timeline
Tim Bergling, better known as Avicii, was a Swedish DJ, remixer, and record producer who achieved global fame in the electronic music scene. His career took off at 16 when he shared remixes online, leading to a record deal. Avicii's breakthrough came in 2011 with the hit single "Levels." His 2013 debut album "True" garnered critical acclaim for its innovative fusion of electronic music with diverse genres, charting high internationally. The album's lead single, "Wake Me Up," dominated European charts and reached number four in the US, solidifying his position as a prominent figure in electronic music.
1964: Composition of "Feeling Good"
The song "Feeling Good," which Avicii later reworked, was composed in 1964 by English songwriters Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse.
September 1989: Birth of Tim Bergling
Tim Bergling was born in Stockholm, Sweden in September 1989. His parents were Klas Bergling, a businessman, and Anki Lidén, an actress.
May 2007: Signing with Dejfitts Plays
In May 2007, Avicii signed his first record deal with the label Dejfitts Plays.
2009: Early Music Production
From 2009 to 2010, Avicii was highly productive, releasing numerous tracks and remixes.
October 2010: Signing with EMI Music Publishing
Avicii signed with the European A&R team of EMI Music Publishing in October 2010.
October 2011: Release of "Levels"
Avicii released "Levels" in October 2011, a track that propelled him to mainstream recognition.
2011: Avicii Begins Dating Emily Goldberg
Avicii began dating Emily Goldberg, an American student, in 2011.
2011: Release of "Levels"
Avicii released "Levels" in 2011, which quickly gained international recognition and became a defining track in his career.
2011: Rise to Prominence
Avicii rose to prominence with his hit single "Levels" in 2011.
2011: Avicii and Arash Pournouri Launch House for Hunger Charity
In 2011, Avicii and his manager Arash Pournouri started House for Hunger, a charity dedicated to alleviating global hunger.
January 2012: Avicii Hospitalized for Acute Pancreatitis
In January 2012, Avicii was hospitalized in New York City for 11 days with acute pancreatitis caused by excessive alcohol use.
March 2012: Preview of "Last Dance"
Avicii's single "Last Dance" was previewed on BBC Radio 1's Pete Tong show in March 2012.
April 2012: Release of "Girl Gone Wild" Remix
Avicii's remix of Madonna's "Girl Gone Wild" was released in April 2012.
May 2012: Release of "Superlove"
Avicii and Lenny Kravitz released their collaborative track "Superlove" in May 2012.
August 2012: Release of "Last Dance"
Avicii officially released "Last Dance" in August 2012.
August 2012: Performance at Lollapalooza
Avicii performed at the Lollapalooza festival in Chicago in August 2012.
September 2012: Sold-Out Shows at Radio City Music Hall
Avicii made history in September 2012 by becoming the first DJ to headline sold-out shows at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
October 2012: Release of "Dancing in My Head" Remixes
A remix EP for "Dancing in My Head" was released in October 2012, featuring remixes by Charlie Bernardo and Michael Woods.
December 2012: Premiere of New Songs at Lights All Night
Avicii debuted several new tracks, including some that would later be part of his album "True," at the Lights All Night event in Dallas in December 2012.
2012: Grammy Nomination for "Sunshine"
Avicii received a Grammy nomination for his collaboration with David Guetta on the song "Sunshine" in 2012.
January 2013: Launch of Avicii X You Project
Avicii partnered with Ericsson to launch the Avicii X You project in January 2013, aiming to create the first crowdsourced hit song.
February 2013: Grammy Nomination for "Levels"
Avicii was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording for his single "Levels" in February 2013.
February 2013: Release of "X You"
The Avicii X You project resulted in the release of the song "X You" in February 2013.
March 2013: Future Music Festival Tour in Australia
Avicii headlined the Future Music Festival tour in Australia in early March 2013.
March 2013: Announcement and Premiere of New Tracks from Album True
In March 2013, Avicii announced and premiered new tracks from his forthcoming album True during his Main Stage set at Ultra Music Festival in Miami. The new tracks were experimental, featuring a bluegrass-tinged song 'Wake Me Up', which received mixed reviews.
April 2013: Release of New Album Promo Mix on SoundCloud
On 11 April 2013, Avicii released a promo mix for his new album on SoundCloud, featuring songs from True and his non-album singles, including IDs like 'Black and Blue' and 'Enough is Enough'.
June 2013: Release and Success of 'Wake Me Up'
On 14 June 2013, Avicii premiered his new single 'Wake Me Up' on BBC Radio 1, featuring Aloe Blacc. The song was released on 25 June 2013 and became a major hit, topping charts in over 20 countries.
September 2013: Release of Album True
Avicii's album True was released on 16 September 2013. The single 'Wake Me Up' from the album topped the Spotify Global Chart and became the UK's fastest-selling single of 2013.
October 2013: Ranking in DJ Mag Top 100 DJs List
On 19 October 2013, Avicii was ranked number 3 in the DJ Mag Top 100 DJs List.
November 2013: Winning MTV EMA and American Music Awards
On 10 November 2013, Avicii won the 'Best Electronic' award at the MTV EMAs. On 24 November 2013, he won the American Music Award for Favorite Electronic Dance Music Artist.
December 2013: Release of Singles 'Addicted to You' and 'Lay Me Down'
In December 2013, Avicii released the singles 'Addicted to You' and 'Lay Me Down'. 'Addicted to You' reached number 5 in Australia. He also debuted the track 'Dreaming of Me' featuring Audra Mae.
2013: Release of "Wake Me Up"
Avicii released "Wake Me Up" in 2013, which went on to become a global hit and a defining track in his career.
2013: Release of Debut Album "True"
Avicii released his debut album "True" in 2013, achieving international success and critical acclaim.
2013: "Wake Me Up" Chart Success
Avicii's 2013 hit "Wake Me Up" achieved significant chart success, ranking 13th on the Official Charts Company's chart of the decade and securing the top spot among EDM songs.
2013: Avicii and Emily Goldberg's Relationship Ends
Avicii's relationship with Emily Goldberg ended in 2013.
2013: Pioneering Country and Electronic Music Fusion
In 2013, Avicii was recognized for his pioneering efforts in blending country and electronic music, with hits like "Wake Me Up" and "Hey Brother" exemplifying this fusion. His influence extended to artists like Zedd and Hailee Steinfeld, who followed suit with similar genre-bending tracks.
2013: Composition of Eurovision Song Contest 2013 Anthem
In 2013, Avicii, along with ex-ABBA members Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, composed the anthem for the Eurovision Song Contest 2013. The song was first performed during the Final on 18 May.
March 2014: Collaboration with Madonna and Release of True: Avicii By Avicii
On 8 March 2014, Avicii confirmed a collaboration with Madonna for her Rebel Heart album. On 21 March 2014, he released True: Avicii By Avicii, a remixed edition of his album True.
May 2014: Release of Coldplay's 'A Sky Full of Stars'
On 19 May 2014, Coldplay released their sixth studio album Ghost Stories, featuring the track 'A Sky Full of Stars', co-written and co-produced by Avicii.
June 2014: Release of 'Lovers on the Sun'
On 30 June 2014, 'Lovers on the Sun', a track co-produced by Avicii and David Guetta, was released.
July 2014: Release of Single 'Lay Me Down' and Collaboration with Coldplay
In July 2014, Avicii released his single 'Lay Me Down'. He also co-wrote and co-produced 'A Sky Full of Stars' with Chris Martin from Coldplay.
July 2014: Announcement of Upcoming Album Stories
In July 2014, Avicii revealed to Rolling Stone that he had worked on 70 songs for his next album Stories, featuring collaborations with artists like Jon Bon Jovi, Serj Tankian, and Chris Martin.
July 2014: Performance of FIFA World Cup Anthem
On 13 July 2014, Avicii collaborated with Carlos Santana, Wyclef Jean, and Alexandre Pires for the FIFA World Cup Anthem 'Dar um Jeito (We Will Find a Way)', which was performed at the closing ceremony.
September 2014: Release of 'Lose Myself' and Cancellation of Performances
On 1 September 2014, Avicii released 'Lose Myself', a collaboration with Wang Leehom. On his 25th birthday on 8 September 2014, Avicii canceled all remaining performances for the year due to health concerns.
October 2014: Release of 'The Days'
On 3 October 2014, Avicii released 'The Days', a collaboration with Robbie Williams.
November 2014: Avicii's Management Team Becomes Aware of His Painkiller Addiction
Avicii's management team became aware of his painkiller addiction in November 2014. Despite staging two interventions, they were unable to prevent his tragic passing.
November 2014: Release of 'The Nights' and 'Divine Sorrow'
On 17 November 2014, Avicii released 'The Nights' as part of an EP with 'The Days'. He also collaborated with Wyclef Jean on 'Divine Sorrow' for the 'Share the Sound of an AIDS-Free Generation' campaign.
2014: Avicii and Racquel Bettencourt's Relationship Ends
Avicii and Racquel Bettencourt, a Canadian student and model whom he lived with in California, ended their relationship in late 2014.
2014: Chris Martin Co-Writes "Heaven" with Avicii
Chris Martin co-wrote the song "Heaven" with Avicii in 2014. The song was later completed by Avicii in 2016 and released posthumously in 2019.
2014: Avicii Undergoes Surgery and Develops Opioid Addiction
In 2014, Avicii underwent surgery to have his appendix and gallbladder removed. During this time, he was prescribed opioids for pain, which led to an addiction.
2014: Avicii Music AB's Rapid Growth
In 2014, Avicii's company, Avicii Music AB, experienced remarkable growth, securing its position as the 6th fastest-growing company in Europe, as reported by Inc. magazine.
2014: Leak of "(I'm Still) In Love with Your Ghost"
The song "Ghost," released in 2018, had been leaked online in 2014/2015 under the title "(I'm Still) In Love with Your Ghost," generating buzz among Avicii's fanbase.
March 2015: Live Performance at Future Music Festival
On 2 March 2015, Avicii performed his upcoming single 'Heaven' live at Australia's Future Music Festival, featuring Chris Martin on vocals.
April 2015: Preview of Unreleased Songs on LE7ELS Podcast
On 25 April 2015, Avicii announced on his LE7ELS podcast that he would be playing some of his unreleased songs, including a bootleg of 'Finally' and 'Papa Was a Rolling Stone'.
May 2015: Release of "Feeling Good" Rework and Previews of New Tracks
In May 2015, Avicii released his rework of Nina Simone's "Feeling Good." He also previewed his songs "I'll Be Gone" and "Waiting for Love," the latter co-produced with Martin Garrix. Additionally, he shared three old tracks, "Tracks of My Tears," "Sorry Mr. Atari," and "Time to Get lll," offering a glimpse into his musical journey.
July 2015: Previews of "Stories" Tracks and Album Completion
In July 2015, Avicii provided further glimpses into his upcoming album "Stories" by previewing tracks like "Broken Arrows" and "Can't Catch Me." He also revealed a collaboration with Chris Martin titled "True Believer." After two years of work, Avicii announced the completion of "Stories."
August 2015: Final Singles and Teaser for "Stories"
August 2015 marked the release of the final singles leading up to the launch of Avicii's album "Stories." The tracks "For a Better Day" and "Pure Grinding" were released, accompanied by a teaser video for "Pure Grinding" on Instagram.
October 2015: Release of "Stories" Album
Avicii's highly anticipated album, "Stories," was released in October 2015. The album included popular tracks such as "Broken Arrows," "Ten More Days," and "Gonna Love Ya," further solidifying his presence in the music scene.
2015: Avicii Enters Rehab Facility
Avicii entered a rehab facility in 2015 to address his health issues.
2015: Release of Second Album "Stories"
Avicii released his second studio album, "Stories," in 2015.
2015: Work on "Stories" and "Heaven"
Avicii's collaboration with Carl Falk on his album "Stories" in 2015 included the creation of the track "Heaven," which would later gain attention for its potential posthumous release.
2015: Release of Madonna's Rebel Heart Album
In 2015, Madonna released her Rebel Heart album, which featured tracks co-written and co-produced by Avicii.
2015: Avicii's Influence on EDM Artists
Many EDM artists, including Alan Walker, DubVision, Kygo, Diplo, Sebastian Ingrosso, Felix Jaehn, and Martin Garrix, have cited Avicii as a major influence on their work. Garrix specifically mentioned collaborating with Avicii on the 2015 single "Waiting for Love."
2015: Leak of "(I'm Still) In Love with Your Ghost"
The song "Ghost," released in 2018, had been leaked online in 2014/2015 under the title "(I'm Still) In Love with Your Ghost," generating buzz among Avicii's fanbase.
January 2016: New Releases and Collaborations
Avicii started January 2016 by releasing his remix of Morten's "Beautiful Heartbeat." This was followed by the release of "Taste the Feeling," a global campaign anthem for Coca-Cola featuring Conrad Sewell. He also collaborated with Coldplay on their single "Hymn for the Weekend."
March 2016: New Demos and Retirement Announcement
At the Ultra Music Festival in March 2016, Avicii debuted several new demos, showcasing his ongoing creativity. However, the same month, he announced his retirement from performing, citing health concerns.
March 2016: Avicii Announces Retirement from Touring
In March 2016, Avicii announced his retirement from touring.
April 2016: Work on Third Studio Album Begins
Following his retirement announcement, Avicii shared his plans to continue working on his music, revealing in April 2016 that he was in the process of creating his third studio album.
June 2016: Release of Collaboration with Otto Knows
June 2016 saw the release of "Back Where I Belong," a collaborative track by Avicii and Otto Knows, demonstrating his continued involvement in music production.
July 2016: Release of "Feeling Good (Avicii by Avicii)" Remix
July 2016 marked the release of Avicii's remix of his own song, "Feeling Good." Titled "Feeling Good (Avicii by Avicii)," the track was initially released exclusively on his official YouTube channel.
August 2016: Final Performance at Ushuaïa Ibiza
In August 2016, Avicii gave his final performance at the Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel, marking the end of an era in his live performance career.
December 2016: New Management and Record Label
December 2016 brought significant changes to Avicii's professional life. He parted ways with his long-time manager and record label, signing new deals with Universal Music Sweden. This signaled a new chapter in his career and the anticipation of his third studio album in 2017.
2016: Avicii Completes "Heaven"
Avicii completed the song "Heaven", which he had co-written with Chris Martin in 2014, in 2016. The song was later released posthumously in 2019.
2016: Avicii Performs "Forever Yours" on his Final Tour
Avicii performed "Forever Yours" during his final tour in 2016, starting with Ultra Music Festival.
2016: Retirement from Touring
Avicii retired from touring in 2016 due to ongoing stress and mental health struggles.
2016: Concept and Design of the Avicii Experience
The Avicii Experience museum, conceived by Avicii's parents, aims to provide fans with a space to remember and celebrate his work. The interactive exhibits, including reconstructions of his childhood bedroom and Los Angeles mansion, offer insights into his musical journey and creative process. The museum also highlights the importance of mental health awareness, particularly within the music industry, and showcases aspects of Avicii's life, including the period leading up to his retirement from touring in 2016.
June 2017: Rita Ora Debuts "Lonely Together"
British singer Rita Ora debuted a semi-acoustic version of "Lonely Together" at a private event in London in June 2017, giving a glimpse of Avicii's upcoming collaborative work.
August 2017: Release of "Avīci (01)" EP
August 2017 marked the return of Avicii with his six-track EP, "Avīci (01)." The EP featured a mix of new and old songs, satisfying fans' anticipation for new material and showcasing his evolution as an artist.
September 2017: Announcement of "Avicii: True Stories" Documentary
In September 2017, a documentary titled "Avicii: True Stories" was announced, directed by Levan Tsikurishvili. The documentary offered an intimate look into Avicii's life, career, and his decision to retire from touring.
2017: Work on "Avīci (01)"
Avicii and Carl Falk continued their collaborative efforts in 2017, working together on the EP "Avīci (01)." This partnership would later become significant in the context of Avicii's posthumous releases.
2017: Release of Documentary "Avicii: True Stories"
In 2017, the documentary "Avicii: True Stories", directed by Levan Tsikurishvili, was released. The film depicts Avicii's struggles with his physical and mental health and the pressure from his management to continue performing live.
2017: Anticipation for Third Studio Album
With new management and a record deal in place, 2017 was met with anticipation for the release of Avicii's third studio album, promising new music from the renowned artist.
February 2018: Release of "Ghost" with Daniel Adams-Ray
February 2018 saw the release of "Ghost," a collaboration between Avicii and Swedish singer-songwriter Daniel Adams-Ray (credited as Human). This marked their second collaboration, following "Somewhere in Stockholm" from Avicii's album "Stories."
March 2018: Avicii Works on New Material
In March 2018, Avicii shared glimpses of his creative process, posting previews of himself working on new music with various collaborators. These snippets hinted at the tracks that would later become part of his posthumous album, "Tim."
April 2018: Death of Avicii
Avicii passed away on April 20, 2018, at the age of 28 in Muscat, Oman, where he was on holiday.
April 2018: Dom Tower Performance
In April 2018, a collection of Avicii's songs were played on the carillon within Dom Tower of Utrecht, performed by Malgosia Fiebig.
April 2018: OneRepublic Pays Tribute to Avicii
On April 22, 2018, American band OneRepublic paid tribute to Avicii by performing his hit single "Wake Me Up" during their show in Mumbai.
May 2018: The Voice Tribute
In May 2018, during the finale of The Voice's fourteenth season, Alicia Keys performed "Wake Me Up" as a tribute to Avicii while coaching contestant Britton Buchanan.
May 2018: The Chainsmokers and Halsey Pay Tribute to Avicii at the Billboard Music Awards
On May 20, 2018, The Chainsmokers and Halsey paid tribute to Avicii at the Billboard Music Awards before presenting the award for Top Hot 100 Song.
May 2018: Tiësto's Tribute to Avicii at EDC Las Vegas
On May 21, 2018, Tiësto played a medley of Avicii's songs at EDC Las Vegas. Aloe Blacc joined him on stage to perform "Wake Me Up".
June 2018: Avicii's Funeral
Avicii's funeral was held in June 2018 at the Skogskyrkogården cemetery in Stockholm. He was buried at Hedvig Eleonora Church.
August 2018: Posthumous Album Plans and "Heaven" Update
Following Avicii's passing in April 2018, it was revealed that he had a vast collection of unreleased music. Producer Carl Falk, who collaborated with Avicii on previous albums, shared that he was finalizing the track "Heaven" featuring Chris Martin, hinting at a possible posthumous release along with Avicii's third album.
November 2018: Public Memorial Service
Avicii's family held a public memorial service at Stockholm's Hedvig Eleonora Church in November 2018, drawing a massive turnout of fans. The service featured an orchestral choir performing music connected to his life and concluded with his 2013 hit, "Wake Me Up."
2018: Creamfields Tribute
During Creamfields 2018, Kaleidoscope Orchestra honored Avicii with a special tribute performance, showcasing his most celebrated dance tracks.
2018: Finalization of 'Heaven' with Chris Martin's Vocals
In 2018, the version of 'Heaven' with Chris Martin's vocals was finalized for release on Avicii's posthumous album Tim.
March 2019: Launch of the Tim Bergling Foundation
Avicii's family established the Tim Bergling Foundation in March 2019, dedicated to addressing mental health and suicide prevention. The foundation's mission extends to raising awareness about mental health within the music industry and tackling global issues like climate change.
April 2019: Announcement of Avicii's Posthumous Album "Tim" and Lead Single "SOS"
In April 2019, it was announced that Avicii's album "Tim", which he was working on before his death, would be released on June 6, 2019. The lead single, "SOS", was released on April 10, 2019, with all proceeds going to the Tim Bergling Foundation.
April 2019: Swedish Army Tribute
The Swedish Army's Mounted Royal Guards and Life Guards' Dragoon Music Corps paid tribute to Avicii at Stockholm Palace in April 2019, performing brass renditions of his hits "Without You," "Hey Brother," and "Wake Me Up."
May 2019: Release of Avicii's Posthumous Single "Tough Love"
On May 9, 2019, "Tough Love", the second single from Avicii's posthumous album "Tim", was released.
June 2019: Release of Avicii's Posthumous Album "Tim" and Single "Heaven"
On June 6, 2019, Avicii's posthumous album "Tim" was released. The album included the single "Heaven", co-written by Coldplay's lead singer Chris Martin.
September 2019: Tribute Concert Announcement
In September 2019, a tribute concert for Avicii was announced, scheduled for December 5th, 2019 in Stockholm. The concert quickly sold out, reflecting his lasting impact.
November 2019: Billboard Recognition
In November 2019, Billboard recognized Avicii's impact by including his 2011 hit "Levels" in their list of 100 songs that defined the 2010s.
December 2019: Kygo and Sandro Cavazza Perform "Forever Yours" at Avicii Tribute Concert
In December 2019, Kygo and Sandro Cavazza performed "Forever Yours" together live at the Avicii Tribute Concert in Stockholm.
December 2019: Tribute Concert in Stockholm
The Avicii Tribute Concert took place in December 2019 in Stockholm, featuring renowned artists like David Guetta, Kygo, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Nicky Romero, and Laidback Luke, honoring Avicii's musical legacy.
2019: Posthumous Release of "Tim"
Avicii's third and final album, "Tim," was released posthumously in 2019.
2019: Release of Posthumous Album Tim
In 2019, Avicii's posthumous album Tim was released, featuring the finalized version of 'Heaven' with Chris Martin's vocals.
2019: Tomorrowland Decoration Tribute
The 2019 edition of Tomorrowland featured a tribute to Avicii in the design of the festival's main stage.
January 2020: Release of Avicii's Posthumous Single "Forever Yours"
On January 24, 2020, another posthumous single by Avicii, "Forever Yours", a collaboration with Kygo and Sandro Cavazza, was released.
June 2020: Avicii Tribute Museum Announcement
Plans for an Avicii Tribute Museum in Stockholm were unveiled in June 2020, aiming to open in the summer of 2021.
2020: Announcement of Avicii's Official Biography
In 2020, it was announced that an official biography of Avicii, written by Måns Mosesson, would be released, with proceeds going to the Tim Bergling Foundation.
May 2021: Ericsson Globe Renamed Avicii Arena
In May 2021, Stockholm's Ericsson Globe was renamed Avicii Arena in his honor. The Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra marked the occasion with a performance of "For a Better Day," featuring Ella Tiritiello on vocals.
September 2021: Google Doodle Tribute
Google honored Avicii on his 32nd birthday in September 2021 with an animated Google Doodle featuring "Wake Me Up," coinciding with National Suicide Prevention Week.
November 2021: Release of Avicii's Official Biography "Tim - The Official Biography of Avicii"
A biography titled "Tim - The Official Biography of Avicii" was released in the UK and North America on November 16, 2021.
2021: Continuing Tributes
One year after his passing in 2021, Avicii continued to be remembered by figures like Nicky Romero, DJ Snake, Nile Rodgers, Tomorrowland organizers, and others on social media. Notably, Basshunter dedicated the song "Life Speaks to Me" as a tribute to Avicii.
2021: Postponement of the Avicii Experience
The Avicii Experience, initially planned to open in the summer of 2021, was delayed.
February 2022: Opening of the Avicii Experience
The Avicii Experience, a museum dedicated to Avicii's life and work, officially opened in February 2022 at Space Stockholm. The museum, inaugurated by Prince Carl Phillip, Princess Sofia, and Avicii's father, Klas Bergling, offers fans an immersive look into his career and creative process.
April 2023: Tomorrowland Five-Year Remembrance
Five years after his passing, Tomorrowland paid tribute to Avicii in April 2023 by playing his biggest hits and the album "Stories" throughout the day on One World Radio.
December 2023: Avicii Tribute Concert "Together for a Better Day"
A third tribute concert, titled "Together for a Better Day", was held at the Avicii Arena on December 6, 2023.
February 2024: Release of Avicii's Remix of Zac Brown Band's "Beautiful Drug"
On February 16, 2024, Avicii's remix of Zac Brown Band's song "Beautiful Drug" was released.
April 2024: Death of Emily Goldberg
On April 3, 2024, Emily Goldberg, an American student who dated Avicii from 2011 to 2013, passed away.
June 2024: Premiere of Documentary "Avicii - I'm Tim"
The documentary "Avicii - I'm Tim", directed by Henrik Burman, premiered at the Tribeca Festival on June 9, 2024. The film features interviews with David Guetta, Chris Martin, and Nile Rodgers, among others.
