MANILA, Philippines – Paris – and the rest of the world – are still reeling from a series of horrific terror attacks that killed at least 128 people Friday night, November 13.
More than 80 people were killed inside the Bataclan concert hall as gunmen opened fire during a performance by the California rock band Eagles of Death Metal, an attack for which the Islamic State group took responsibility. The music industry was directly touched by the tragedy, with at least 3 employees of Universal Music France, part of the largest global label group, among the dead.
Grieving citizens laid candles, cards, and flowers outside the Bataclan, as did France’s Culture Minister Fleur Pellerin and music megastars U2. (READ: The Bataclan theater in Paris: From music venue to killing ground)
An anonymous man brought a mobile keyboard near the entrance of the Bataclan theater and played songs including John Lennon’s pacifist anthem “Imagine.”
UPDATE: The musician has been identified as German artist Davide Martello, who also performs as Klavierkunst, according to The Guardian. On Davide’s Facebook page, he wrote that after hearing of the violence that occurred, he felt that he needed to visit Paris.
“Hi guys, thank you for your mails. I just got back home in Germany safe and tired from a 24h drive. … Everything started in an Irish pub in Konstanz while I was watching the soccer match between France and Germany. After I saw that insane violence I just followed my heart and went to Paris with my piano. This was one of my most touching moments in my life and I need to rest and reflect about what happened in this short time. I will responde you as soon as I can, I hope you guys understand,” he wrote.
According to the same report, he also played near the location of the Charlie Hebdo killings earlier this year.
Attacks in Paris: he transports his piano and plays before the Bataclan Imagine (Lennon ) pic.twitter.com/SFQBEtOGat
— GHOST_RIDER (@belkacemi) November 14, 2015
He simply played the piano, but fans around the world know the indelible words to the famous song. Perhaps today, we can sing along.
“Imagine there’s no countries / It isn’t hard to do / Nothing to kill or die for / And no religion too / Imagine all the people / Living life in peace…” – with reports from Agence France Presse/Rappler.com
More on the Paris attacks:
- Rockers in Paris attacks to return to US
- Over 128 killed, 180 injured in Paris attacks
- IN PHOTOS: November 13 Paris attacks
- ISIS claims Paris attacks
- The Bataclan theater in Paris: From music venue to killing ground
- U2 cancel Paris concert after attacks
- US band caught up in Paris attacks reported safe
- Witnesses tell of ‘bloodbath’ at Paris rock concert
- Shock, horror for 80,000 fans at Stade de France after Paris attacks
- French search for friends, shelter online after Paris attacks
Global, social media reactions
- New York’s Met Opera sings French anthem after attacks
- Music world in shock over Paris concert massacre
- World leaders condemn Paris attacks, vow to help
- Pope Francis on Paris attacks: ‘This is not human’
- Aquino: ‘Philippines stands shoulder to shoulder with France’
- ‘This time it’s war:’ French press react with horror to attacks
- World mourns and condemns attacks in Paris
- #PrayForParis, #Fusillade trends on Twitter amid Paris attacks
- Celebrities call for support, prayers for Paris
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