A bittersweet moment in the cynical world that is modern music this week.
Tragic rockers Viola Beach have topped the album charts with their debut, almost six months after they were killed in a car accident in Sweden.
The families and friends of the hotly-tipped Warrington band released a collection of nine of their songs as a tribute to vocalist Kris Leonard, guitarist River Reeves, bassist Tomas Lowe, drummer Jack Dakin and manager Craig Tarry.
The self-titled album has been released posthumously and beaten off competition from ELO, Drake and Adele to reach number one.
At the time of the crash, which saw their car plunge from a bridge into a canal in Stockholm, Viola Beach were a rising guitar band steadily building a fanbase with a busy live touring schedule, including a number of popular South Coast dates.
The story of a group who never got the chance to realise their potential touched a nerve with many music fans,
Their single Swings & Waterslides peaked at No11 following their deaths in February and Coldplay paid tribute to them during their Glastonbury set by covering their track Boys That Sing.
Dedicating a section of Coldplay's Glastonbury headline slot to them, Chris Martin said: “We’re going to create Viola Beach’s alternate future for them and let them headline Glastonbury with their song.”
The families of the Viola Beach lads were so right when they said the tragic circumstances that fateful night in Sweden will not now define their lives. What they will now be remembered for, forever, is the music they were so passionate about making together.
They've now topped the charts. And played Glastonbury.
If only they could have been here to enjoy the moment - and so many more.
But still, this is a little glimmer of hope and positivity in a tragedy.
Readers who submit articles must agree to our terms of use. The content is the sole responsibility of the contributor and is unmoderated. But we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention. If you wish to complain about this article, contact us here
Readers who submit articles must agree to our terms of use. The content is the sole responsibility of the contributor and is unmoderated. But we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention. If you wish to complain about this article, contact us here
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here