Music Journalist, Universal Music Group Employees Among Victims at Paris Concert Attack
The attack at the Eagles of Death Metal concert in Paris on Friday (Nov. 13) has taken the lives of a reported 87 people. Some of those victims have now been identified.
Guillaume B. Decherf, a French music journalist with 30 years of experience in the industry, was among those killed on Friday. He had written for Les Inrockuptibles since 2008 and recently reviewed Eagles of Death Metal’s Zipper Down. He was 43 and is survived by two daughters.
Thomas Ayad, an international product manager for Mercury Records, was also among the victims at Le Bataclan. Universal Music Group CEO Lucian Grainge confirmed the news in a note to UMG staff on Saturday (via Billboard):
At this point, we have confirmed that Thomas Ayad, an international product manager for Mercury Records lost his life in the attack on the theater. This is an unspeakably appalling tragedy. I cannot even begin to express the depth of my sorrow. On behalf of everyone here at UMG, we extend our most profound sympathies to his parents and all of his friends and family.
In a tweet, Universal Music France CEO Pascal Negre revealed two former employees also died in the attack.
It was previously reported Nick Alexander, a crew member for Eagles of Death Metal, was killed at the concert. He was selling merchandise for EODM and has worked with several other bands, including the Black Keys, Best Coast, MGMT and Fall Out Boy.