As the shocking suicide bombing at Ariana Grande’s concert in Manchester, England, continues to reverberate throughout the world, actor John Stamos shared his thoughts on the horrific attack.
Earlier this week, Stamos shared an emotional message on Instagram on Tuesday, revealing he’s staying at a hotel less than half a mile from the Manchester Arena, where 22 people lost their lives and more than 50 were injured in what authorities are now calling a terrorist attack.
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“I can’t help but think of these young kids who just wanted to go to a concert and sing and dance and be taken away if just for the night,” writes Stamos. “I was one of those kids doing the same when I was young hanging out at Beach Boys shows. The songs may be different… but it’s the same joy those young kids felt Monday night in Manchester.”
Concerts, adds Stamos, are “one of the greatest experiences in life — they are enduring symbols of freedom and liberty. You cheer, you sing, you dance. You leave exhausted and exhilarated at the same time. You remember every show you attend. They’re all special.”
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He adds: “I think of all those parents who surprised their kids with tickets and my heart aches. I think of all those fans and how important that show was to them. My heart aches for the victims, their families and music fans everywhere.”
Concluding his message, Stamos says that “Manchester will be in my heart, now and always.”
On Wednesday, Stamos and the band performed at the Open Air Theatre in Scarborough, about 110 miles from Manchester. “Our job as artists is to spread joy and peace and love,” Stamos told the crowd at the show, reports People. “And most importantly to bring people together through the power of music.”
“The violence in Manchester Monday evening was heartbreaking,” added longtime Beach Boys member Bruce Johnston. “Our prayers tonight are with all the victims, the wounded and their loved ones. We stand with the people of Manchester. We stand with all of the U.K.”
That sentiment was echoed by Beach Boy’s co-founder Mike Love. “We stand with all those who cherish freedom,” he told the crowd, estimated at 6,500. “We’ve been bringing young people together for 55 years. We are all those kids at the concert tonight. They are in our hearts forever. Please join us for a moment of silence honouring all affected by this horrific event.”
This led the entire audience to rise to their feet, with the band dedicating its song “The Warmth of the Sun” — written on the morning of JFK’s assassination — to the victims of the massacre.
