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Eagles Of Death Metal frontman denies being turned away from Bataclan

By Andy Malt | Published on Monday 14 November 2016

Eagles Of Death Metal frontman Jesse Hughes has denied claims that he was refused entry to the Bataclan Theatre in Paris on Saturday, where Sting was performing the first show at the venue since attackers opened fire on the audience there a year ago.

As previously reported, Sting’s performance re-opened the venue, with proceeds from tickets sales going to charities set up in the wake of the attacks on Paris in November last year. Eagles Of Death Metal were, of course, performing when gunmen entered the Bataclan during those attacks, going on to kill 89 people inside.

Hughes sparked controversy earlier this year when he said that fewer people would have died if everyone in the audience had been armed, before alleging that security guards at the venue had been involved with the attack.

Speaking to reporters at the weekend, Bataclan boss Jules Frutos said that Hughes and his manager Marc Pollack had been turned away from the show due to these comments.

“They tried to enter the venue and they are persona non grata”, he told the Press Association. “They are not welcome after what he said about the security. Even if [Hughes] came back on what he said. I mean, this man is just sick. That’s all”.

He went on to say that he felt that Eagles Of Death Metal had used the attack to get “promotion” for themselves, adding that they have shown “no respect for the victims”.

Meanwhile, speaking to Agence France-Presse, he said: “They came, I threw them out – there are things you can’t forgive. [Hughes] makes these incredibly false declarations every two months. It is madness, accusing our security of being complicit with the terrorists… Enough. Zero. This has to stop”.

However, speaking to Billboard, Pollack denies that he and Hughes had attempted to get into the Bataclan show, despite being in Paris this weekend, before criticising the venue’s management.

“This day is not about Jesse Hughes or Eagles Of Death Metal”, he said. “In fact, Jesse is in Paris to share in remembering the tragic events of a year ago with his friends, family and fans. This is about recalling the tragic loss of life that happened right in front of his eyes during his show, and this coward Jules Frutos feels the need to soil his own club’s re-opening by spreading false tales to the press, and tainting a wonderful opportunity that could’ve been used to spread peace and love, to further spread mean spirited words of hate. Jesse never even tried entering the club for Sting’s show tonight”.

Sting’s performance on Saturday began with a minute’s silence, the musician saying beforehand in French: “We’ve got two important things to do tonight. First, to remember and honour those who lost their lives in the attacks a year ago. And then to celebrate the life and the music of this historic venue. We shall not forget them”.