Tributes to Carcer City and Bolton drummer Karl Riley

Karl Riley was diagnosed with a brain stem tumour in 2016 but on November 1 he  lost his fight against the illness and in an emotional tribute his  family say he  'made peace with himself' before he died

Karl was a popular musician and member of band Carcer City.

In a tribute his parents, Dave and Glenys and sister Jade spoke about the Bolton drummer, music promoter and manager.

Dave said: “Karl was really well known in the neighbourhood and the Bolton and Liverpool areas, and Manchester.

“He was well known with his band and his drumming, he had been a drummer for a long time.

"I taught him how to play because I’m a drummer and he had a few lessons and off he went.

Karl was a popular drummer from Bolton (Image: Jade Riley)

“He went doing it straight away more or less when he was in his teens, and he began his career playing with a band called Displacement.

“That was one of his first bands and he played at the Alma Inn a lot in town doing all the metal music.

“He was an animal lover, he loved animals, he loved to help the homeless, he was very keen on stuff like that.

“He was a vegan, and he was against slaughtering animals and how they were treated and very much into looking after them and their welfare.”

Dave told The Bolton News how Karl loved drumming right up and continued to play throughout his illness.

He said: “He loved drumming, and when he was part of Carcer City they went to Europe, they went to Europe a couple of times and did an 18-day tour and a 24-day tour.

“After the 24-day tour, he came back, and he was poorly.

“It was 2016 when he was first diagnosed with a brain stem tumour, so they operated at Salford Royal, and they shaved some off and put a shunt in his head to release pressure and then they said it would probably come back and they gave him five years.

Karl was an animal lover (Image: Jade Riley)

“So, then he made peace with himself, he put up a massive fight and we thought he was going to get better and sadly a few weeks ago it started to grow again, it became aggressive the tumour after his chemo, so he made peace with himself, and he wanted to go at the end because he was suffering.

“We’re devastated.”

Karl’s bandmates from Carcer City also paid tribute to him on Facebook, saying they were ‘totally devastated’.

The band posted: “We are absolutely heartbroken to announce the passing of our drummer Karl Riley. We are totally devastated.

“Karl was our longest serving drummer and perhaps one of the most important members.

“He was absolutely instrumental in our success with Infinite//Unknown, he worked tirelessly not only as our drummer but as a manager and PR agent behind the scenes.

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“He was 110% all in, always. He was unapologetically himself all the time, a true multi-dimensional cosmic cowboy from hell who lived and breathed music.

“We will miss you and love you always big man.

“Thank you for so many incredible memories and helping us achieve our dreams - we couldn't have done it without you!

"No, nothing is real, Let me go, no worries no fear, No, nothing is real, In the ebb and flow, I'll always be here"

“R.I.P. Karl Riley”

Following his death, Karl’s family and friends have set up a Go Fund Me page to help raise funds for his funeral.

If you would like to make a donation and help with funeral and memorial costs, you can donate here: https://gofund.me/b3c7691b

Everyone who knew Karl is invited to pay their respects at his funeral and memorial service.

It will take place on Wednesday November 23 at 3.30pm at East Lancs Crematorium, Radcliffe.

There will also be a wake at Church Ward Conservative Club on Castle Street.