Doncaster band pay tribute to Viola Beach members killed in car crash

Members of Doncaster rockers Bang Bang Romeo have spoken out about their memories of hanging out with Viola Beach members Kris Leonard, River Reeves, Tomas Lowe, Jack Dakin and manager Craig Tarry following the fatal crash in the early hours of Saturday near Stockholm.

Bass player Joel Phillips, of Bang Bang Romeo credited Viola Beach manager Craig Tarry with helping him and his band members with their careers.

Manager Craig Tarry and all four members of Warrington-based band Viola Beach, all aged between 19 and 32, were killed when their car plunged more 82ft from a bridge into a canal just hours after the band had played their first gig abroad.

Joel Phillips said: "I'm absolutely in a state of shock and completely heartbroken with the dreadful news I received earlier this evening.

"Viola Beach, genuinely the nicest set of lads you could ever meet. Impossible to not get along with, constant happy go lucky vibe about them, always smiling.

"I'll forever fondly remember us jamming Bob Marley with a homeless man outside Kentish forum at 4 in the morning after the Kooks & Hidden Charms show, despite the fact you were had to be back in the studio recording the following morning. You were on the cusp of doing so many great things and this is all just so cruel."

"Craig Tarry , you were the hardest working man in the music industry I have ever come across, all hours all over the globe making the magic happen.

"Countless times you've helped me and the band out with advice, contacts and always selflessly had time to help anyone else you could, never out of self gain, purely because you wanted everyone to succeed.

"I'm tearing up again now, you were a lion mate and fiercely loyal to your friends and your acts. Massive unsung hero. Such a genuine passion and love for music and so many of my favorite memories were created with you and your other act my dear friends The Hidden Charms boys.

"I can't believe I'll never see that big Cheshire Cat grin or that excitable bob again when one of your acts were playing. I wish you could see how many people you've inspired, but you were so humble you'd never believe it.

"We all shared the same dream and for it all to be stolen away from you all when you were so close to achieving such great things just isn't fair, I can't make sense of this, I just feel sick. My heart is broken. Long live Viola Beach."