And in September 2012, he became the first DJ to headline New Grammy-nominated single “A Sky Full of Stars.” “He did a York’s Radio City Music Hall. lot for pop music,” says collaborator Andy Sherman of Dutch Avicii embraced taking stylistic risks at a time when many trio Shermanology. of his contemporaries were more hesitant. He weathered fan Avicii appeared to be on a trajectory to the top — the criticism over his polarizing Ultra 2013 main-stage set, which freshest hitmaker in a scene that fetishizes youth and thirsts featured material from his forthcoming debut album, True, for crossover. But performing up to 250 shows per year had played with a live bluegrass band complete with taken a toll on his health. He was diagnosed banjos, fiddles and soul/country singers Aloe “He with acute pancreatitis, in part due to heavy Blacc, Audra Mae, Mac Davis and Dan Tyminski. drinking, and was forced to cancel shows Avicii was unapologetic in an open letter touched in 2014 for the removal of his gallbladder published shortly after, doubling down that True and appendix. After returning to the road in “is about experimentation and about showing the lives 2015, Avicii struggled with severe anxiety the endless possibilities of house and electronic and canceled all remaining tour dates before music... people will soon see what it’s all about.” of millions releasing his sophomore album, Stories, that The album’s strong commercial debut fall. The LP did not match its predecessor’s (No. 5 on the Billboard 200) vindicated his around commercial success, peaking at No. 17 on sentiment, producing three Billboard Hot 100 the Billboard 200. singles, including global smash “Wake Me Up!” the world.” Avicii: True Stories painted a harrowing Masterfully fusing electronic, country and folk portrait of the artist’s saga during this period. A elements and paving the way for future cross- —Pasquale Rotella particularly haunting scene shows him venting genre collaboration, the song topped charts in about getting resistance from his management 22 countries and reached No. 4 on the Hot 100. (It remains the and agency for canceling his tour dates: “I have told them this: ‘I most Shazamed track of all time.) Another single, “Hey Brother,” won’t be able to play anymore.’ I have said, like, ‘I’m going to die.’ hit No. 16 on the Hot 100 and rode an understated remix to I have said it so many times. And so I don’t want to hear that I country radio crossover (No. 59 on the Country Airplay chart). should entertain the thought of doing another gig.” True’s triumph also transformed Avicii into one of pop’s Avicii’s retirement from touring in March 2016 shocked the most in-demand producers. In 2014, he co-produced three world, but few believed he would never return to the stage. He songs for Madonna’s Rebel Heart album, as well as Coldplay’s seemed to reluctantly acknowledge as much in an emotional open letter to fans, writing, “One part of me can never say never. I could be back... but I won’t be right back.” Collaborator Nicky Romero remembers him as “such a talented guy that was not ready to perform for so many people. He was the one that wanted to make the music but not so much the one who wanted to be onstage all the time.” “To me, it was something I had to do for my health,” Avicii told The Hollywood Reporter of his decision in April 2016. “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.” Avicii parted ways with Pournouri in December 2016. In August 2017, he released Avīci (01, the first of three EPs intended to constitute his third album, including collaborations with Rita Ora, AlunaGeorge and Billy Raffoul, who raved about his work ethic: “He wanted to make sure every word was right.” “Everybody thought he was in a better place, especially the last two months,” says Romero. “It was a shock to everyone because it felt like he was picking up, making music and back in the studio again.” Industry players remember Avicii as a singular talent with a far-reaching impact. “As a dance-music icon, he touched the lives of millions around the world and broke down barriers between genres like dance music and country,” says Insomniac Events founder Pasquale Rotella. Adds LiveStyle CEO Randy Phillips: “It is impossible to replace such great NA: TIM MOSENFELDER/GETTY IMAGES. and unique talent.” Despite the toll the scene took on Avicii, his outlook on electronic music stayed optimistic until the end. Even as he pulled back from the public eye, he remained committed to pushing the genre forward. “The music is still growing, it’s still evolving,” he told The Hollywood Reporter. “That’s why, in a way, I had to make the decision I did. Because I don’t feel Clockwise from opposite page: Avicii in that EDM is going to stop.” 2017; at his Stockholm studio in 2011; his Billboard cover in 2013; with Madonna at the Ultra Music Festival in Miami in 2012. Additional reporting by Dave Brooks and David Rishty. AVICII: SEAN ERIKSSON. STUDIO: LARS PEHRSON/TT/SIPA USA. MADON MAY 5, 2018 | WWW.BILLBOARD.COM 23.