Strokes' Nick Valensi Joins Duran Duran Onstage
The Strokes' guitarist made a surprise appearance with Duran Duran in Paris to play 'Rio', while his own band performed in Dublin without him
Nick Valensi, the guitarist of The Strokes, joined Duran Duran on stage in Paris to play their 1982 hit 'Rio'. This unexpected collaboration took place while The Strokes were performing in Dublin without Valensi.
Valensi has a personal connection to Duran Duran through his wife, Amanda de Cadenet, who was previously married to Duran Duran's bassist John Taylor. The invitation for Valensi to join Duran Duran on stage came just 48 hours before the show, but he was ready to perform.
During the performance, Valensi had to deal with a technical issue with his guitar, which caused a brief pause in the show. Despite this, Duran Duran were thrilled with how the collaboration with Valensi went.
## Why it matters The collaboration between Valensi and Duran Duran is significant, given the speculation surrounding Valensi's temporary break from The Strokes. Valensi's appearance with Duran Duran suggests that he is still actively involved in music, even if he is not currently performing with his own band.
The personal connection between Valensi and Duran Duran's John Taylor, through their shared ex-partner Amanda de Cadenet, adds a unique dimension to this collaboration. Taylor's daughter, Atlanta de Cadenet Taylor, is married to Dave Macklovitch of Chromeo, further highlighting the interconnectedness of the music industry.
Valensi's ability to join Duran Duran on stage at short notice and perform one of their most iconic songs demonstrates his versatility and talent as a musician. The success of this collaboration may lead to further opportunities for Valensi to work with other artists, even as his future with The Strokes remains uncertain.
