Jack Dakin of Viola Beach performing in London in January 2016 (Photo: Alberto Pezzali for Live4ever Media)
The posthumous, self-titled Viola Beach album has gone to number one in the UK.
Made up of nine tracks recorded by Kris Leonard, River Reeves, Tomas Lowe and Jack Dakin before they were tragically killed along with their manager Craig Tarry in a car accident in February, the album replaces the ‘All Over The World‘ best of collection from ELO, which drops to #2.
“The tragedy that ended Craig, Jack, Kris, River and Tom’s lives in Sweden and the pain and sense of loss will never leave us,” the families have responded. “By sending the Viola Beach album to Number 1 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’.”