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.
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.
He gave better vocal performance in the semi. Yeah, terrible news. Rest in peace!
Crying.
Devastating. My condolences to his family and loved ones. May he rest in peace and music.
Sad and horrible news. My condolences to his family and everyone who knew him and liked him
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!
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.
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.
I’m speachless…. your legacy is great. R.i.p my friend
Really, really sad to hear this. Awful news, RIP Ors.
heartbreaking…..
I am shocked.
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. 🙁
How incredibly sad, he was so young…. Rest in Peace Ors.
I’m in shock by this news 🙁 My deepest sympathies to his family, friends and loved ones.
It’s so sad. At least he is at rest and no longer suffering though 🙁
Rest in peace, beautiful soul <3 My thoughts are with your friends and family
Heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. Such extremely sad news.
I love the song Viszlát Nyár, just listened to it today.
RIP
This is so sad. Its just horrible.
Viszlát, Örs. 🙁
This was shocking to me. I could not believe it. Nyugodj békében Örs fantasztikus dalaitok voltak.
this is SHOCK. Was it known that he had leukemia or the diagnosis happened recently?
Very sad news RIP!
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.
So sad.. RIP Ors!
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!
Woah, that’s a shock. Rock in peace.
Was he already sick back in 2018?
no..he got sick around june 2020
Not sure how long exactly his illness had gone on but he was diagnosed in June last year.
@Marvic & Eurotrash
Thx
May the ground be light to him… That’s so sad
I’m shocked right now.
RIP Örs.
He’ll be giving great shows up there.
OMG.
RIP.
Poor soul.
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.
RIP
omg he was so young…. Rest in Peace
You will be rock’n and rolling in Heaven <3
RIP
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
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.
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.
This is so sad.. rest is peace
RIP Örs.
RIP 🙁
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 ??
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.
Awful. I hope people take his advice and appreciate what they have while they still have it.
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.
How incredibly sad. Thank you for bringing us some amazing music Örs.
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.
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.
I am in all honesty devastated by these news. RIP Örs Siklósi. I will never forget your 2018 performance
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.
I can’t even put to words how this has hit me. This is sad beyond belief…
I just saw the news, insane… In tears rn.
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