Halsey and The Chainsmokers honour Avicii at the Billboard Music Awards 2018
LAS VEGAS, NV – MAY 20: Recording artists Alex Pall (L) and Andrew Taggart (R) of The Chainsmokers and Halsey (C) speak onstage during the 2018 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 20, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Bisexual star Halsey and The Chainsmokers paid tribute to Avicii at the Billboard Music Awards 2018 on Sunday.
The trio shared their touching words about the late Swedish DJ and producer before revealing the winner of the Top Hot 100 Song accolade at the Las Vegas-based event.
Alex Pall, of The Chainsmokers, began, saying: “Before we get to the next award, we’d liked to take a moment to talk about our friend Avicii,” before fellow group member Andrew Taggart took over.
“His passing was a great loss for the music world and for us,” Taggart told the audience and viewers at home.
“He was an artist who inspired so many, in so many ways and simply put, he meant so much to us and everyone in the EDM community.”
Halsey, who worked with Avicii on the song “Mine,” went on to emphasise the importance of being available to help those who may be suffering with mental health issues.
“Everyone who worked with him would agree that he was such a joy and it makes this tragedy all the more painful,” the “Bad at Love” singer said. “It’s a reminder to all of us to be there and to support and love all of our friends and family members who may be struggling.”
Halsey previously collaborated with Avicii on the song ‘Mine’ (Getty)
Later on during the ceremony, Pall and Taggart dedicated The Chainsmokers’ Top Dance/Electronic Artist win to Avicii.
During their speech, Taggart explained: “I know everyone that was nominated for this award was massively influenced by him. He is somebody who made us believe this was a realistic career, something we could do with our lives, inspired all of us, influenced our music, influenced pop music, music in general and he will be missed.”
Avicii, whose real name was Tim Bergling, tragically passed away on April 20 near Muscat, Oman. He was 28-years-old.
Less than a week later, his family released an open statement that described Avicii as “a fragile artistic soul, searching for answers to existential questions.”
It claimed that he was “an over-achieving perfectionist who travelled and worked hard at a pace that led to extreme stress” and explained that “when he stopped touring, he wanted to find a balance in life to be happy and be able to do what he loved most – music.”
Avicii passed away on 20 April near Muscat, Oman (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
The emotional letter concluded: “He really struggled with thoughts about Meaning, Life, Happiness. He could not go on any longer. He wanted to find peace.
“[He] was not made for the business machine he found himself in; he was a sensitive guy who loved his fans but shunned the spotlight. The person you were and your music will keep your memory alive. We love you.”
Avicii retired from touring in 2016, after fighting problems such as pancreatitis and appendicitis. In the 2017 documentary entitled Avicii: True Stories, he was seen working from a hospital bed and talked openly about his deteriorating health and the overwhelming pressure he faced with management.
Back in 2014, the “Waiting for Love” hitmaker won a Billboard Music Award for Top Dance/Electronic Song with “Wake Me Up.”
Since then, Avicii has been nominated a further four times. This year, he was posthumously up for Top Dance/Electronic Album.
