ROME, ITALY (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Despite pleas from Rome officials to postpone a concert scheduled for Tuesday night at the Rome Palalottomatica, Queen decided the show must go on.
After the death of Pope John Paul II, the government-appointed commissioner for the city’s funeral arrangements, Guido Bertolaso, said that it would be bad taste for the band to play while the country was in deep pain and prayer. Soccer matches and a regional election in Italy have all been cancelled.
Although the band forged on and decided to play anyway, the did open the show with a moment of silence in respect for the late pontiff.
The show was one stop on their recent tour with former Bad Company frontman Paul Rodgers filling in for the late Freddie Mercury on vocals. They have an almost completely sold out tour continuing around Europe that will take continue through May. Last month, they played at the 46664 benefit concert to help raise money to fight AIDS in Africa organized by Nelson Mandela. –by CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
