Family keeps DJ's legacy alive with music release

Calum Leighton started music label Run Da Riddim with friends before he died

The family of a DJ who died in a crash aged 18 said they planned to "keep his legacy alive" by finishing and releasing his music.

Up-and-coming drum and bass musician Calum Leighton from Chippenham, Wiltshire, was killed near Faringdon two years ago. Two of his friends also died at the scene.

Calum’s dad, Andrew Leighton, has asked DJs in Bristol to complete unfinished tracks he found on his son’s laptop after he died.

The songs are being officially released on Friday and will be played for the first time at a live music tribute in Bristol on Saturday.

Calum's dad Andrew Leighton, who is co-managing the record label Run Da Riddim, has a tattoo of his son's name on his arm

Calum and childhood friend Ollie Ley had launched a music label, Run Da Riddim, the day before the fatal crash.

The label is now made up of nine DJs and is being co-managed by Andrew Leighton, who paid tribute to his son.

“He was a DJ and producer, making electronic music at college in Bristol. He had been working on his own tunes and had finished a few of them," said Mr Leighton.

“Luckily we had access to his laptop which had all of his projects on, so we have been carefully going through them and speaking with other DJs and producers that he looked up to and met at events in Bristol.

“We asked them if they would help finish some of his tunes. There are four or five of his tunes that have been completed over the last few weeks.”

Saturday’s event is being held at Lost Horizon and is the second annual tribute for Calum and his two friends.

Calum loved mixing music and socialising with friends, his family said

“One of his old tutors, DJ Badger, is coming to the event to headline,” his father added.

"We want to keep his legacy alive."

Calum's sister Darcey Leighton and friends Olly Ley, Jacob Clements, Callum Whiting are among those supporting the music project

One of the DJs completing Calum’s tracks is Lewis Oram, also known as DJ Oram.

“I know that Calum was pushing to get into the music industry and to start making drum and bass. So to finish off one of the tracks that he started that I’d received from his dad - it’s been a pleasure," he said.

“From what I’d been sent over, you could tell he had the right mind for it and was definitely heading in the right direction.

“I know he was putting the hours and the time into it so with further work towards it, he would have gone really far.

“I’m sure that he would be so happy to see that this has happened for him.”