9:00pm Tuesday 31st August 2010
By Kate Jackson
A MUSICAL tribute to a Colne singer at the town’s Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival has been hailed a success by her family.
Hundreds packed into the Lower Muni in Albert Road to witness the first-ever Jessica Foxley stage.
The family of the 21-year-old former Blackburn Westholme School student, who died with two friends in a car crash in July 2009, had given their support to the unique gathering.
Bands including Gravity, Purple Buddha, The Quattro, The Bluestown Band, The Revenues, Phil Bailey Band and Jax Trio were selected at auditions for full slots on stage, with Crash Landing and Laura Bailey also appearing on the night.
Her mother Margaret Foxley said: “It was a fantastic evening and a real fitting tribute to Jessica, she would have loved it.
“The bands were all so professional and the venue was packed and all our family came along and really enjoyed it.
“We hope that it will be continued in future years.
“It was an emotional evening, I couldn't sleep the night before because I was worried about it.
“I went through something similar before Jess performed, I was nervous for the young performers and was just hoping that they wouldn’t get up on stage and freak out.
“But none of them did, they were so professional and it was a joy to be a part of it all.”
The family is now hoping to set up more projects to benefit young performers aged 17 to 25.
Mrs Foxley said: "We really feel like it is this age group that could do with help achieving their dreams.
"They come out of college and there is nothing to guide them so they just give up.”
Jessica, who was a talented singer, died alongside her boyfriend Tom Petty and Philip Wright, 25, when their car hit a wall in Skipton Old Road, Colne.
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