Metallica Reveals Personal Loss from Paris Terror Attacks
With more than 129 victims killed in last week’s terror attacks in Paris, the loss was felt deeply around the world, and thousands lost someone to whom they were personally connected. Count Metallica among those personally affected by the tragedy, as Mercury Records’ Thomas Ayad was among the three crew members killed at the Eagles of Death Metal concert at the city’s Bataclan venue. In his role as international project manager for Universal Music France, Ayad has worked extensively with Metallica since the release of their latest album, 2008’s Death Magnetic. A statement from the band read: “While Thomas had the official title of being our ‘project manager,’ we knew him as a member of our METALLICA family, a fan, a friend… and a warm, helpful, supportive familiar face each time we visited France. Friday we lost Thomas, at the Bataclan theatre, in a way that none of us can begin to comprehend. Our thoughts are with Thomas’ friends, family, co-workers and all Parisians during these very difficult times.”
In addition to Metallica, Thomas Ayad worked with dozens of famous artists through his career, including current pop star Justin Bieber and the iconic axeman from The Rolling Stones, Keith Richards. Metallica expressed their condolences on Facebook, including a photo of Ayad with frontman James Hetfield. Bieber remembered the executive in a Tweet, while Richards posted his condolences with a pic with his friend Thomas on Instagram. Check out all three social postings below.
