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Duran Duran Turn ‘Rio’ Into a Family Affair With the Strokes’ Nick Valensi
Duran Duran brought Strokes guitarist Nick Valensi onstage in Paris to play “Rio” during the band’s final number, turning the 1982 hit into an unexpected family collaboration. Valensi was in the city helping his daughter move, and Duran Duran bassist John Taylor invited him to the concert and asked him to join the encore.
Valensi is married to Amanda de Cadenet, Taylor’s former wife, and the two described their blended family relationship warmly backstage. The invitation came 48 hours before the show; Valensi said he already knew the song and joined the band for a warm-up. He is currently taking a temporary break from the Strokes’ scheduled tour, though the band is due to perform on Saturday Night Live on 7 November.
In short
- Nick Valensi joined Duran Duran for “Rio” in Paris.
- John Taylor invited his former wife’s husband to play.
- Valensi is temporarily away from the Strokes’ tour.
Explained simply
Duran Duran are a British pop band formed in Birmingham in 1978. “Rio”, released in 1982, became one of their best-known songs, while Nick Valensi is the guitarist for the American rock band the Strokes.
Valensi is married to Amanda de Cadenet, who was previously married to Duran Duran bassist John Taylor. Their families remain close, so the connection between the musicians extends beyond their work. Valensi’s appearance also brought together artists from different generations of rock and pop.