TRIBUTES are pouring in for Warrington band Viola Beach who were all tragically killed in a car crash while on tour Sweden – with an online petition urging the town’s council to create a lasting memorial.
Close friend of the band Jack Lightfoot has launched an online petition which has already exceeded 1,200 names, calling for the council to create an important memorial which will help remember the band.
The petition can be signed by CLICKING HERE
With thousands of tributes being posted across various social media and websites in memory of the four Warrington Indie rockers and their manager who were all killed, a tribute show is also being aired on Radio 1 tomorrow, Monday at 10pm.
The BBC will replay a live session recorded at the Maida Vale Studios in November last year.
Long time supporter of the band, BBC Presenter Huw Stevens, who will host the show, posted on twitter: “So sorry to hear the news about Viola Beach and their manager. The saddest news. Thinking of all their families at this awful time.”
Fans are also urging people to download the band’s last single “Swings and Waterslides” to make it a chart success in memory of the boys who had a strong local following – with a sell-out show scheduled at the Parr Hall next month.
The band, which was backed by Warrington Wolves’ owner and concert promoter Simon Moran, also featured at last summer’s Warrington Festival, when they guested for Pixie Lott. Moran heard about the tragic loss while on business in Los Angeles.
Frontman Kris Leonard, 19, guitarist River Reeves, 19, bassist Tom Lowe, 27, drummer Jack Dakin, 24, and their manager Craig Tarry, 32, all died when a car plunged more than 8o ft from a
bridge into a canal near Stockholm, Sweden, in the early hours of Saturday.
Meanwhile in a statement issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth office, the family of River Reeves spoke of their heartbreak: “We are all heartbroken following River’s tragic death and the circumstances which have seen him lose his life alongside the bandmates and manager he adored and loved being with.
“Viola Beach were on such an exciting journey and River could not have been happier.
“He would have loved to have stuck around for the party.
“All River wanted to do was perform and entertain and to think that he will never make us laugh again with his ridiculous impressions and cheeky banter is beyond comprehension for all his family.”
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office are currently providing support for the families.
To download Swings and Waterslides CLICK HERE
