Viola Beach’s self-titled debut album has entered at Number One on the Official Albums Chart, as fans have paid tribute to the late band-members this week.
In February this year, the four members of the Warrington band, and their manager were tragically killed when their car fell from a highway bridge into a canal in Stockholm.
In memory of vocalist Kris Leonard, guitarist River Reeves, bassist Tomas Lowe, drummer Jack Dakin and their manager Craig Tarry, the families and friends of the group have released the band’s self-titled collection – and now it has officially claimed the top spot.
In a statement, the band’s family and friends said:
“The tragedy that ended Craig, Jack, Kris, River & Tom’s lives in Sweden and the pain and sense of loss will never leave us. By sending the Viola Beach album to Number One, the public have sent out an important message to the world. The tragic circumstance that met Viola Beach and their manager Craig that fateful night in Sweden will not now define their lives. What will now define their lives and what they will be remembered for, forever, is the music they were so passionate about making together.
For that, we will be eternally humbled and ever thankful to every single person who by buying this glorious album has invested in their lasting musical legacy. The pain will never leave us but neither will the affection shown by every fan. Maybe one day that affection will live longer in the memory than the pain. So from us all, a simple but heartfelt ‘thank you’.”
Viola Beach’s album features nine songs, including the track ‘Swings and Waterslides’, which entered the Official Singles Chart at Number 11 following the news of their untimely deaths.
Since then, a number of acts have paid tribute to the band, including Coldplay’s brilliantly humble and moving performance of the band’s track ‘Boys That Sing’ during their headline slot at Glastonbury in June.
You can read our four star review of the album here. Also, listen to their single below:
