The DJ admitted that he drank too much on the road
In an interview given before his death superstar DJ Avicii admitted to living on a diet of nicotine, alcohol and airport food while on tour.
Avicii, real name Tim Bergling, admitted he found it difficult to refuse free drinks offered to him at gigs and that he became “dependent” on alcohol for confident performances early in his career.
During the GQ interview he said he drank champagne at night, Bloody Marys in the morning and wine on the plane. The writer noted Avicii was “subsisting on a diet of Red Bull, nicotine, and airport food.”
The DJ said he found it difficult to refuse drinks offered to him for free: “You are travelling around, you live in a suitcase, you get to this place, there’s free alcohol everywhere—it’s sort of weird if you don’t drink.”
He said he relied on alcohol during the early stages of his career, too.
“I was so nervous.
“I just got into a habit, because you rely on that encouragement and self-confidence you get from alcohol, and then you get dependent on it.
“I probably drink more now than I should, but I have a pace. I never drink two days in a row.”
Avicii is said to have drunk champagne and shots throughout the interview and demonstrated a secret gesture he used during performances to indicate to his team he wanted more booze.
In 2014 his gallbladder and appendix were removed, reportedly because of his drinking.
In 2016 he was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis, for which drinking and smoking are both known causes, and retired from touring.
Avicii’s death was announced in a statement by his publicist.
The statement read:
“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.”
