U2 nixes Paris concert in wake of deadly attacks

(Photo by Paul A. Hebert/Invision/AP, File).

An estimated 118 people have been murdered tonight (Nov. 13) in a terrorist attack at the Bataclan concert venue in Paris, France, where the Eagles of Death Metal were scheduled to perform this evening.

Automatic gunfire was heard outside the theatre after reports that gig-goers had been taken hostage. Initial estimates are that at least 100 people have been killed and 60 seriously injured in what appear to be retaliations related to recent drone attacks on Islamic State rebels in Syria. The death toll is in addition to the at least 53 people who died in shootings and explosions in multiple sites in the city Friday night.

“We are still now trying to determine the safety and whereabouts of all our band and crew”.

Shortly before Paris fell under attack, U2 frontman Bono posted a self-taped video on the band’s Facebook page, promoting the HBO special.

Social media accounts and a few media reports said band members were safe.

The band “stopped playing, hit the deck, and went backstage and exited as fast as they could”, Michael Dorio said.

1. They’ve had a lot of different band members.

Eagles of Death Metal were on a European tour.

Mary Lou Dorio, the mother of the band’s drummer Julian Dorio, revealed to the Washington Post that her son is safe.

Despite the name, it is not a death metal band but rather has worked with music A-listers including the actor Jack Black and Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters and Nirvana fame.

The band’s website lists about two dozen dates slated for the year, including gigs in Rome, Stockholm, Barcelona and Munich. The band was on tour promoting its new album, Zipper Down.

“I don’t know if it was seated or standing but Julian, the lead singer and a few of the crew, there was a door back of the stage that led to a street and they flew out the back door”, Michael Dorio said. “Right now I’m sitting in an interview with my best friend in London at Koko’s Ballroom talking about myself”.

“He nearly seemed to be a good Samaritan telling people to get out of from the cafes and go inside”.

The band members all made it out of the theater safely.