AWS frontman Örs Siklósi has passed away at the age of 29. The band, which sang for Hungary at Eurovision 2018, shared the devastating news on Facebook.

“To say the unspeakable, to write what no words can describe. This is what we need to do now. Last June Örs had been diagnosed with leukaemia and now we are deeply saddened to inform you that he passed away yesterday.”

“He wanted to open up about his illness last month, he had planned to release his first solo record this Spring and we were set to make the fifth AWS record and play shows again this Fall. During this period his bravery and dignity were exemplary.”

“His creativity, the depth of his lyrics and his presence on the stage will be greatly missed. Losing him is beyond our reach and he will leave a vast space not just in our lives but in the music scene.”

“Örs was the fire himself, warm hearted companion and friend, an inspiring person whom you could trust and always relay on. He was a true wonder.”

“We’re opening our arms and hearts to his family, his friends and everyone who ever felt touched even through his lyrics.”

“We were all very lucky to have had him in our lives and as much as Örs will be missed by us all, he will remain with us all, every day, as long as we can remember.”

In so many ways Örs was the spiritual and musical rock of the group. His composition for Eurovision 2018 helped make metal accessible to the masses, and told a deeply personal story. His own passing adds a tragic coda to the emotional song.

“Viszlát Nyár” (Goodbye Summer) was inspired by the death of his own father, with the lyrics depicting the struggle and thoughts of a dying man, along with Örs himself trying to process this loss. It carries an important message: we should pay more attention to our loved ones when they are alive.

Örs wrote the lyrics of “Viszlát Nyár” himself. They begin with a dying man talking. most probably to his son, about the legacy that lives on when people die.

“My blood will keep running in your veins/If you won’t trade it away, there’ll be a mark on your heart/ That lifts you to the sky from the ground,” he sang in Hungarian. Another remarkable moment came when Örs vented his anger by screaming “Viszlát” (“goodbye” in Hungarian) during an apparent breakdown.

And while the dying man doesn’t want his loved ones to forget him, or the fact he lives on through them, there’s a clear message that he wants them to move on — and to keep living.

“I’m washed out and weary, you’re still holding on, but, please, let go of me…”

He echoed the sentiments of the song in a message during the Wiwi Jam at Home last May. Looking into the camera, he spoke from the heart: “In these hard times it’s even more important to take care of each other. We should pay more attention to our loved ones because life is short and we never know when any of them can pass.”

Our thoughts are with Örs’s family and bandmates. May he rest in peace.

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Trabdol
Trabdol
3 years ago

Truly devastating, feels like I just lost a childhood friend, my sinceriest condolences and thoughts go to Ors’s family and friends, You will be remembered, friend.

TheDr Mistery
TheDr Mistery
3 years ago

He gave better vocal performance in the semi. Yeah, terrible news. Rest in peace!

Pasadena
Pasadena
3 years ago

Crying.

Kirby
Kirby
3 years ago

Devastating. My condolences to his family and loved ones. May he rest in peace and music.

Tina
Tina
3 years ago

Sad and horrible news. My condolences to his family and everyone who knew him and liked him

Davo
Davo
3 years ago

I was fortunate enough to catch this image of him raising the roof in Lisbon, just as the flames rose. The passion of his voice and the energy of his performance totally won me over to a type of song I wouldn’t normally go for. Rest in Power!

poe-tay-toe-chips
poe-tay-toe-chips
3 years ago

This is a very unpleasant surprise that was completely out of nowhere. I hope the rest of the band is doing alright. I’m not sure what Ors would’ve wanted but I’m sure they can fulfill it.

They were my favorites to win that year. Condolences to his friends and family.

Darren
Darren
3 years ago

Aw that’s sad!
Himself and his bad gave us a memorable performance for Hungary in 2018 that’s for sure.
RIP
Giving love to his friends, family, band mates fans and of course to Hungary.

Otto
Otto
3 years ago

I’m speachless…. your legacy is great. R.i.p my friend

Taco
Taco
3 years ago

Really, really sad to hear this. Awful news, RIP Ors.

Lena
Lena
3 years ago

heartbreaking…..

Anita
Anita
3 years ago

I am shocked.

Sabrina
Sabrina
3 years ago

Those are some awful shocking news. It’s always terrible when this happens and even more when it happens to someone that young and full of life. His performance in Eurovision was great and I’m so sad to find out he won’t be around anymore. 🙁

Emma
Emma
3 years ago

How incredibly sad, he was so young…. Rest in Peace Ors.

Heyey
Heyey
3 years ago

I’m in shock by this news 🙁 My deepest sympathies to his family, friends and loved ones.

Janet
Janet
3 years ago

It’s so sad. At least he is at rest and no longer suffering though 🙁

Janet
Janet
3 years ago

Rest in peace, beautiful soul <3 My thoughts are with your friends and family

Last edited 3 years ago by Janet
Dhana
Dhana
3 years ago

Heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. Such extremely sad news.
I love the song Viszlát Nyár, just listened to it today.

Last edited 3 years ago by Dhana
Hellooooo
Hellooooo
3 years ago

RIP

Raul Lopes Simao
Raul Lopes Simao
3 years ago

This is so sad. Its just horrible.

Ben
Ben
3 years ago

Viszlát, Örs. 🙁

BB111
BB111
3 years ago

This was shocking to me. I could not believe it. Nyugodj békében Örs fantasztikus dalaitok voltak.

Alex
Alex
3 years ago

this is SHOCK. Was it known that he had leukemia or the diagnosis happened recently?

Very sad news RIP!

Adam
Adam
3 years ago
Reply to  Alex

It was known that he had a serious disease. The band made an online concert at december without him. Everybody tought that he will go trought it since he took the medicine very well but he cought a virus and his immune system couldn’t keep it any longer.

Robert
Robert
3 years ago

So sad.. RIP Ors!

Gergana
Gergana
3 years ago

It breaks my heart to learn these news. I was hoping to see AWS live some day and hear Örs’ vocals. The fact that many great musicians pass away at such a young age is so sad.
R.I.P. Örs, thank you for the music!

Last edited 3 years ago by Gergana
Andi
Andi
3 years ago

Woah, that’s a shock. Rock in peace.
Was he already sick back in 2018?

Last edited 3 years ago by Andi
Mar vic
Mar vic
3 years ago
Reply to  Andi

no..he got sick around june 2020

Eurotrash
Eurotrash
3 years ago
Reply to  Andi

Not sure how long exactly his illness had gone on but he was diagnosed in June last year.

Andi
Andi
3 years ago
Reply to  Andi

@Marvic & Eurotrash
Thx

Nate
Nate
3 years ago

May the ground be light to him… That’s so sad

Héctor
Héctor
3 years ago

I’m shocked right now.

RIP Örs.

He’ll be giving great shows up there.

MTD
MTD
3 years ago

OMG.

RIP.

Poor soul.

nathalieM
nathalieM
3 years ago

And didn’t he just get married recently? What a horror for his loved ones…
Wow I am beyond shocked.I followed him on Insta and I had no idea he was sick. This is so tragic.
AWS are the reason why I got so interested in Hungarian language and later met my now fiance. I am literally moving to Hungary soon and my fiance and I’s engagement wish was to see them play live together after the pandemic. I am beyond gutted and bowling my eyes out. I just can’t believe this. Poor guy.

MyronT.
MyronT.
3 years ago

RIP

Neil
Neil
3 years ago

omg he was so young…. Rest in Peace
You will be rock’n and rolling in Heaven <3

Heartbeater
Heartbeater
3 years ago

RIP

Tonks
3 years ago

What a sad news I watch this performance before few days, I sand prays for his friends and family and all Eurovision fans.
Rock in peace Örs

Joe
Joe
3 years ago

That’s horrible news. “Viszlat nyar” really grew on me, and a lot of it was through Ors’ amazing performance and kind attitude during interviews. He was a great person and a talented musician, and he’ll be deeply missed.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
3 years ago

What can you even begin to say when something like this happens? More than his music or his song that he brought to ESC, I’ll remember the absolute fun he had during his Eurovision experience and the fact that he got to share that with his good friends in AWS. They looked like they were having the best time, every time we saw them.
God bless.

bunga seroja
3 years ago

This is so sad.. rest is peace

Ashton Schier
Ashton Schier
3 years ago

RIP Örs.

Jo.
Jo.
3 years ago

RIP 🙁

Sam
Sam
3 years ago

Absolutely heartbreaking news, I loved there song from the ESC and listened to some of their other songs, he was really talented and will be missed
RIP ??

Skiwalko
Skiwalko
3 years ago

This… this just isn’t right. I don’t think there’s much more to add here. All I can really say is that I’m very grateful we had the opportunity to hear him sing before it was too late.

Viszlat, Örs, koszonetet mondok a zeneert.

Jonas
Jonas
3 years ago

Awful. I hope people take his advice and appreciate what they have while they still have it.

Ria van de Velde
Ria van de Velde
3 years ago

What a very sad news. 29 is to young to die. Rest in Peace. My condoleances to his family, friends and the other members of AWS.

Lolek
Lolek
3 years ago

How incredibly sad. Thank you for bringing us some amazing music Örs.

Richard
Richard
3 years ago

This is so very sad, he was clearly a very talented young man and they were a brilliant and unexpected highlight of 2018. Condolences to the band, friends and family.

Ethan
Ethan
3 years ago

No words… rest in peace young man, thank you for an absolutely unforgettable ESC performance and I’m sorry for all your family and friends.

ESC8
ESC8
3 years ago

I am in all honesty devastated by these news. RIP Örs Siklósi. I will never forget your 2018 performance

Colin
Colin
3 years ago

Yesterday was a hard day to go through. First one of my favorite actors of his generation Christopher Plummer died after a fall. Then I find out that my 2018 winner, absolutely talented Ors Siklosi, passed away at only 29. It’s a devastating loss for music. Sending condolences to his family, friends, band mates and fans. He will be missed, but he will certainly be remembered. Thank you for everything, Ors.

Lacrymea
3 years ago

I can’t even put to words how this has hit me. This is sad beyond belief…

Ákos
Ákos
3 years ago
Reply to  Lacrymea

I just saw the news, insane… In tears rn.

Dennis
Dennis
3 years ago

This is probably the musician death that hit me the hardest. Met Örs in person in 2019, he was such a funny, energetic and bright soul- not to mention an unbelieveably talented musician. Sending all my thought to his family and fellow bandmates, this must be so hard for all of them. Rip