Duran Duran has been forced to cancel their show in Nice, France tonight (June 12), due to the sudden death of Nick Rhodes' father.
In a statement to French fans in Nice, the band says, "the band members are extremely sorry to disappoint fans, but hope that everyone will understand that only such tragic circumstances would keep them from a performance"."Unfortunately, due to the band's European tour schedule and the availability of the venue there is no possibility to move the band's South of France date - but they hope to be able to return on their next Continental run".
On Tuesday night, the band played a world first. They were the very first band in the world to play The Louvre Museum in Paris.
The show was held for the American and International Friends of the Louvre. According to duranduran.com, the benefit was "for the start of an exceptional three-day fundraising effort that will contribute to the restoration of a magnificent Louis XV drawing room, originally created for the Hotel Villemare and that will be featured in the 18th century Decorative Arts Gallery of the museum, which will re-open in 2011".
Simon LeBon said from France, "It's a great honor for us to be asked to perform at this prestigious occasion and we're looking forward to stepped onto a stage in what is undoubtedly one of the world's most significant buildings. We are all great lovers of the arts and have visited the museum's works many times. Helping to raise funds for this incredible institution is a tremendous privilege. Hopefully it will put a smile on the Mona Lisa's face!"
The audience included international fashion figures, European royalty and American businessmen.
