Musician's posthumous album by friends tops charts

The family of a musician who died of bowel cancer say he would be "delighted" after an album of songs he wrote, performed by friends and blues legends, topped the charts.

Matt Long, from Dorking, Surrey, died in October 2024 after he was diagnosed with the disease 18 months prior, but a collection of his songs were recorded by musicians, including blues legend Joe Bonamassa.

The album, created by Matt's parents Fiona and Paul Long, raises funds for the Onslow Ward at the Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford and has topped the UK Jazz and Blues Album Chart.

Fiona Long said: "It has been extraordinary really."

She added: "Paul and I were both very excited when we found out. We hoped it would chart but we weren't expecting a number one.

"Matt would have been delighted by that."

The album, titled With a Little Help from My Friends, features songs written by Matt, 29, as well as a cover of the titular track by The Beatles.

Two of the tracks include vocals from Matt Long, who was an award-winning guitarist and frontman for the band Catfish.

Alongside Bonamassa, more than 40 other artists feature on the album, including Walter Trout, Elles Bailey and Paul Jones.

Fiona and Paul Long put the album on pre-sale on 7 November 2025, which would have been Matt's 31st birthday, and it was released in March.

Alongside hitting number one in the Jazz and Blues album charts, it also reached number five in the UK Americana charts and number 18 in the UK Album chart.

Using funds raised from the album, Fiona and Paul Long have been able to donate a handheld ultrasound machine to the Royal Surrey County Hospital, which Fiona said "will make other people's cancer journeys a little easier".

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