Musician Keith Richards is one of the many people mourning the loss of those killed during the Paris terrorist attacks on Friday, Nov. 13. The 71-year-old singer took to Instagram to share a touching tribute to his friend and Universal Music Group executive Thomas Ayad.
"My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Thomas Ayad. Words cannot express the horror of what happened in Paris. I am horrified by the tragic events that took place in Paris last Friday night," Richards wrote via Instagram alongside a photo of himself with Ayad.
Ayad was one of the 89 people killed in last week's attack at the Bataclan theater during the Eagles of Death Metal concert, The Los Angeles Times reported.
"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," UMG chairman and CEO Lucian Grainge wrote in a note to staffers, according to Billboard.
Rock group Metallica also mourned the loss of Ayad in a lengthy post.
"We had great fortune to work with Thomas Ayad at Universal Music France for the past eight years," read a post on the band's Facebook. "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."
Also mourning the loss of friends during the attacks is British pop band The Vamps. The band - Brad Simpson, James McVey, Connor Ball and Tristan Evans - revealed on their Facebook that they lost two members of their team.
"We want to pass on our deepest condolences to the families and friends of Thomas and Marie who were a huge part of The Vamps team in France and who tragically passed away Friday night in Paris," they wrote. "They will be sorely missed by us and all that knew them. Brad, James, Connor, and Tristan."
McVey wrote on Twitter, "Absolutely devastated to lose incredibly talented and welcoming members of our French record label last night. Incomprehensible #paris."
Also killed was Nick Alexander, merchandise manager for the Eagles of Death Metal. Pop singer Kylie Minogue took to Twitter Monday to express her sadness at news of his death, saying, "Amongst the losses in the devastating tragedy, RIP #lover Nick Alexander. Paris, France.. Toujours."
After the attacks, celebrities including David Beckham, Kim Kardashian, Taylor Swift, French footballer Thierry Henry, actor Hugh Jackman and musician Katy Perry paid tribute to the victims of the French terror attacks by sharing a picture of the Eiffel Tower and offering support to those who have lost loved ones.
"My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Thomas Ayad. Words cannot express the horror of what happened in Paris. I am horrified by the tragic events that took place in Paris last Friday night" - Keith A photo posted by Keith Richards (@officialkeef) on Nov 16, 2015 at 11:47am PST
