QUEEN went ahead with a show in ROME last night (April 4), despite pleas from city officials to postpone the performance out of respect for THE POPE.
Surviving members of the classic rockers are currently on tour with former Free singer Paul Rodgers on vocals, and had a show scheduled at Rome Palalottomatica last night (April 4).
But following the death of Pope John Paul II over the weekend, Guido Bertolaso, the government-appointed commissioner for the city’s funeral arrangements said that to go ahead with the gig would be “in very bad taste right now,” reports the BBC.
He continued: “I think that in this moment of pain and prayer, a concert should not be held in our capital – with all due respect to what others believe.”
Serie A football matches have been cancelled in the wake of the death, campaigning for Italy’s regional elections was halted, and the Italian box office slumped 37%.
However, the band chose to go ahead with the concert. A statement read: “After consultation with local authorities, promoter Barley Arts decided the concert should go ahead. Band opened concert with a minute of silence.”