TWO years on Warrington is remembering Viola Beach, the local band who tragically died with their manager when their car mysteriously plunged from a bridge in Sweden.
While all the band died their memory continues to live on in their music.
The band all attended Priestley College and today their memory was honoured with the official opening of the Viola Beach Stage.
Local music promotor Lee Harman, who launched the WArringtonMusic.co.uk five years ago and became friends with members of the band who were regular performers at The Lounge, reflects on the tragedy.
He said: “Is it really been two years? The time remains vivid in my mind, and in the mind of many. Friends, family were lost and times looked dark. Out of such sorrow came so much light.
“Friends reunited, passions reignited, the town stood together. A band from Warrington got a number 1 album!
“Today we celebrate their lives and their passions as our own, because the Boys That Sing will always be a part of us.
The Indie rock band which consisted of Kris Leonard (guitar and vocals), River Reeves (guitar), Tomas Lowe (bass guitar), and Jack Dakin (drums) and their manager Craig Tarry, died when their car plunged from a bridge in Södertälje, Sweden on 13 February 2016, makign headline news around the world.
An inquest into the deaths in December 2016 said the exact facts of the tragedy may never been known, but all five died as a result of a road traffic collision.
Meanwhile the father of one of the band members says the music industry isn’t doing enough to help a charitable festival, set up in the their memory.
Former Penketh High School head Ben Dunne, River Reeves’ father has appealed for big name acts to get involved and support the annual RivFest event, where all funds raised are ploughed back into the local community supporting local talent.
More great music to celebrate the opening of the #ViolaBeach Stage. pic.twitter.com/VamMlTVjA7
— Priestley College (@priestleysfc) February 13, 2018
This is beautiful – great work <3 #ViolaBeach https://t.co/kb8lQ1azcs
— Faisal Rashid MP (@FaisalRashid6) February 13, 2018
We love rock ‘n’ roll!#Warrington #ViolaBeach pic.twitter.com/i4ITQ9BxmT
— Priestley College (@priestleysfc) February 13, 2018
This is why we are here today #Warrington #ViolaBeach pic.twitter.com/IWzjJIcDGq
— Priestley College (@priestleysfc) February 13, 2018
Stage is set for an afternoon of music on our newly-named #ViolaBeach stage. 🎧 🎵 🎶 pic.twitter.com/GdCnsqlnUN
— Priestley College (@priestleysfc) February 13, 2018
Music industry urged to support festival in memory of Viola Beach https://t.co/yDsf44xDDb #ViolaBeach
— Warrington Borough Council (@WarringtonBC) February 13, 2018
Today in 2016 all 4 members of Viola Beach, along with their manager Craig Tarry, died in a car crash. #ViolaBeach pic.twitter.com/045hNgat3l
— Lemonbeats (@LemonbeatsCHNL) February 13, 2018
Coldplay – Boys That Sing (Viola Beach Cover) HD https://t.co/amxEMUSfgs via @YouTube On this day we celebrate the amazing Viola Beach! #rip #ViolaBeach
— Joe Docherty (@JoeDocherty) February 13, 2018
Our thoughts go out the families and friends of the Viola Beach boys and their manager Craig Tarry on this sad day! We urge the #musicindustry to step up! #appeal #violabeach https://t.co/ELCME80M13 pic.twitter.com/QjqtfQSHgT
— Mosaic Digital Media (@yourmosaicmedia) February 13, 2018
Massive Thoughts and Universal Love for Viola Beach and Tarry Today x https://t.co/F0uruSUael #violabeach #craigtarry #warrington
— Last Bee on Earth (@MikeBeeOfficial) February 13, 2018
One Love from all at @winachitribe HQ
Gone from our Lives…
…Alive in our Hearts #ViolaBeach #CraigTarry pic.twitter.com/s8zRQB0943— Winachi Tribe Fans (@winachifans) February 13, 2018
So much potential never fully reached. Two years today 😢 #VIOLABEACH pic.twitter.com/nBTwSluX7n
— William 🦊 (@iamwillmatthews) February 13, 2018
2 years ago we lost 4 top young Warrington musicians and their manager. I got the chance to meet their family and loved ones at the Halliwell Jones after a match and they were brilliant. Thoughts and prayers firmly with them ❤ @Viola_Beach pic.twitter.com/4uhU8bMWZO
— Ashton Sims (@ashtonsims26) February 13, 2018