Bands remember much-loved Ben at memorial gig

Hundreds of people rocked out at a gig in memory of a young man who died after he was involved in a collision with a taxi on a night out.
Benjamin Thomas WapplesBenjamin Thomas Wapples
Benjamin Thomas Wapples

Benjamin Thomas Wapples, 22, died after being involved in the collision with a Toyota Avensis at about 2.55am on Sunday, November 1.

Police said he got off a train at East Garforth railway station in Leeds shortly before the incident happened.

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Mr Wapples, of Westfield Road, Hemsworth, was a talented musician and played lead guitar in the up-and-coming band New Vinyl.

His bandmates organised a memorial gig for him at Unity Works on Friday, which was headlined by Mr Wapples’ favourite band Dog Is Dead.

The Cribs’ Ross Jarman performed a DJ set and he was joined on stage by bands New Vinyl, Skinny Living and Vinyl Party. Stand up comedian Micky P Kerr also performed.

Ernie Beal’s son Glenn plays guitar in Vinyl Party.

Mr Beal said: “It was a fitting tribute to Ben to have around 200 people turn up.

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“I saw the first couple of bands and they had a really good show. A picture of Ben was projected on the back wall throughout the night.”

New Vinyl’s lead singer Danny Allison said: “Ben was in the band for five years and was a huge part of all our lives. He was like a brother to me.

“Everyone loved him. He was a charismatic guy and just as the band was complete it now feels like we are missing the final piece of the jigsaw.”