Duran Duran welcomed the Strokes’ Nick Valensi at their Paris concert Wednesday night, bringing him onstage to jam with them during their final number, the 1982 classic “Rio.” While the Strokes were playing the last night of their 2026 European tour in Dublin, their founding guitarist — currently on a break from his band — strutted the stage with Simon Le Bon and John Taylor at Accor Arena, adding his long-haired indie-rock grit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Famers’ glitter. So what’s the connection? Valensi is married to Taylor’s ex-wife, the feminist media maven and photographer Amanda de Cadenet, host of The Conversation podcast.
Valensi was already in Paris helping his and de Cadenet’s daughter, Ella, move into a new apartment. (The couple also share a son, Ella’s twin, Sylvain.) So Taylor invited them to see Duran Duran — and asked Valensi to join the band for the encore. The invitation came just 48 hours before the show, but Valensi was ready. I was saying this to John: When you know a song, like you just know it.” Still, Valensi joined the band in the warm-up room when he arrived, just in case. (See our exclusive video below.) Backstage after the show, Taylor and Valensi settled into Taylor’s dressing room, where they playfully pondered exactly how to define their relationship.
But I am the stepfather to your daughter.” “Yes!” Taylor replied. Will you just come on stage and play ‘Rio’ with us?’ — you don’t say no to that. I’m a huge fan.” “And I love your band too,” Taylor said.
That’s always been there. Trending Stories How Melanie C Learned to Embrace Sporty Spice Paris Jackson Calls Estate Executor’s $109 Million Fee Request ‘Offensive,’ Seeks Reduction The Beach Boys Canceled Another Show. A John Stamos Spinoff Group Is Taking Their Spot 58-Year-Old Republican Blames Sending Unsolicited Nudes on ‘Youthful Indiscretion’ Taylor added that Duran Duran were thrilled with how the collaboration went.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
