The Eagles of Death Metal concert at the Bataclan in Paris was the site of the most lethal of the ISIS terrorist attacks on Paris Friday. Gunmen shot and killed more than 80 people who had gathered to see the band at a small venue that’s been likened to Webster Hall in New York.
In the wake of tragedy, some of the band’s British fans started a campaign to get Eagles of Death Metal’s cover of Duran Duran’s “Save a Prayer” to the top of the U.K. charts, organizing efforts from a Facebook page that has already amassed more than 8,300 likes. The cover was released on EODM’s latest album, “Zipper Down.”
This may seem like an unorthodox choice at first glance. The lyrics to “Save a Prayer” aren’t particularly solemn — it’s basically a song about a one-night stand.
“Just to address a few who think this campaign is in bad taste… well our question is HOW exactly? It shows us as united in support to those affected,” the group’s organizers wrote. “Some people show they care by praying, we just want to do our bit this way.”
In response to questions about who would profit if the group succeeded, they wrote, “We’re not aiming to give the band any income whatsoever, that’s missed the point of what we’re doing entirely. Ideally we don’t want anyone to gain financially or promotionally. It’s a statement of peace, love, and support, that’s all.”
“Save A Prayer” is currently sitting at No. 37 on the U.K. iTunes chart, and No. 3 on the U.K. Amazon rock chart.
While the band escaped the attack, Eagles of Death Metal merchandise manager Nick Alexander did not. Alexander, 36, was one of the first victims killed in the attack on the Bataclan to be publicly identified. Alexander was also a merchandise manager for the Black Keys, Sum 41 and Panic! at the Disco.
A former girlfriend and American expatriate Helen Wilson was with Alexander in his final moments and described them to the Telegraph.
“Nick was in front of me when we were lying on the ground and somebody moved and they just turned round and started shooting us,” she said. “His back was to me and I couldn’t see what happened and I tried to keep him talking and then I tried to give him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and they [the gunmen] were just sort of in the shadows and they would shoot if anyone said anything. Then he couldn’t breathe any more and I held him in my arms and told him I loved him. He was the love of my life.”
Update: The band posted the following message to Twitter Tuesday morning.
— EaglesOfDeathMetal (@EODMofficial) November 18, 2015