Avicii‘s father made his first public appearance Wednesday (Aug. 15) since his son’s death in April when he accepted the late artist’s Swedish Rockbjörnen award for song of the year in Stockholm. “Without You” was nominated and voted for by fans in the country’s largest music awards ceremony, presented by Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet. Klas Bergling was joined onstage by Avicii’s collaborator Sandro Cavazza.
“I am happy to have been given the opportunity to be here tonight to say thank you for this amazing award that you have rewarded Tim and Sandro and to everyone of you who have voted for ‘Without You,’ an amazing song,” Bergling is quoted as saying in the Aftonbladet report. “But also, and perhaps foremost, to say thank you for all and every amazing tribute you have given Tim and his music. From all his fans and others, from churches, schools, festivals and so many more. It’s been almost incomprehensible and it has warmed our hearts, all of the family, during this hard time, so again a big thank you to everyone.”
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Avicii was found dead of apparent suicide on April 20. He was 28 years old. “Without You” was a single from his last official release, Av?ci (01), in August 2017. He has been remembered by his peers with tribute songs and in DJ mixes at festivals around the world, as well as by fans in public gatherings and forums. His death has sparked increased conversation about mental health and wellness in the dance music community. Following his death, the Bergling family stated that “He really struggled with thoughts about Meaning, Life, Happiness. He could not go on any longer. He wanted to find peace.”
Listen to “Without You” below: