The “Life Goes On” singer’s mom, Christine Begin Nickell, spoke during his celebration of life at the Quarry Amphitheater in Santa Cruz, Calif. on July 25
Credit: John Nacion/WireImage; Oliver Tree/Youtube
NEED TO KNOW
- Oliver Tree’s mom reflected on his childhood at his celebration of life on July 25, describing him as a curious and determined child with a love for music
- She shared their final conversation, recalling his excitement about life and plans for the day before his death
- A foundation and museum will be created in his honor to support emerging artists and preserve his legacy
Oliver Tree’s mom is looking back on her final conversation with her late son.
The “Life Goes On” singer was honored with a celebration of life at the Quarry Amphitheater in Santa Cruz, Calif. on Saturday, July 25, after his tragic death in a helicopter crash that killed five others in June. Tree’s mom, Christine Begin Nickell, took the stage at the event and gave an emotional speech remembering her son.
She began by looking back on choosing a “grounding name” for Tree when he was born. “I wanted to give him roots, but from the beginning, he wanted to soar,” she said. “He was a sweet and mischievous child, and he was a bolter, the kid who wanted to run, explore and not look back.”
“When Oliver was very young, he’d wake before sunrise, park himself in the hallway next to the bedrooms, and sing,” recalled Nickell. “While it was a lovely way to wake up, those years were exhausting, and sleep was precious. Looking back now, I realize those quiet morning performances were his humble musical beginnings.”
She continued, “Oliver grew up hungry, not for food, but for more. We didn’t give him everything he wanted as a child. He had to earn things. But that hunger became fuel, and he decided at a young age he was going to go out and get it for himself.”
Nickell opened up about his difficult childhood and “tough” teenage years, during which he experienced grief following the death of his cousin Wayne and used substances. “At 17, he walked away from drugs and walked toward music, a love that had been with him since he was young, but now had become a serious pursuit,” she explained.
“Once he found music, he created a persona, a moniker, an entire world around it, and he immersed himself in it completely,” added Nickell.
Later in the speech, she detailed her final conversation with Tree. “I texted Oliver the day before he passed and asked how quitting smoking was going for him, as he promised he would give it up once he was on tour,” she said. “He FaceFimed me immediately and let out a huge puff of cigarette smoke in my face.”
Credit: Oliver Tree/Youtube
“But he was so happy and excited about life that day,” continued Nickell. “He told us he was taking a helicopter ride to a house on a mountain top the next day to make music and TikToks with his friends.”
“He loved having epic days, each one more memorable than the last,” she said. “The overwhelming outpouring of love and support since Oliver’s passing has been a profound source of comfort. I have witnessed humanity at its very best.”
Credit: Astrida Valigorsky/Getty
Nickell concluded her speech by acknowledging the “enormous task” Tree left his family in the wake of his death — setting up a foundation called Dr. Oliver Tree’s Extremely Epic Art Grant for Baby Geniuses as well as a museum.
“We will follow through on his wishes as best we can,” she said. “I believe this will be a cathartic endeavor for me and in the years ahead I look forward to hearing the stories of how Oliver’s Grant helped launch the careers of emerging artists. And meanwhile, the show must go on.”
Tree was one of six people who died in a helicopter accident in Brazil on June 14. He was 32.
His celebration of life included speeches from his family members as well as Logan Paul, Ethan Klein, Diplo, Aaron Mercury and more.
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