Superproducer MARK RONSON was overwhelmed when he took to the stage with his boyhood heroes DURAN DURAN for a unique collaboration in France on Wednesday (02Jul08) - calling the experience utterly "surreal".

Ronson joined forces with the Rio hitmakers for the Smirnoff Experience - an intimate one-off show in Paris, France. The DJ/producer re-worked the band's classic tracks in front of a delighted crowd including Hollywood actress Eva Mendes and fashion designer John Galliano.

And the Grammy-winner admits he was initially terrified about joining the group on stage - as he has idolised the British band since he was a child.

He tells Wenn, "I was really f**king nervous. Duran Duran are one of my favourite bands. This has to be one of the highlights in life for me. It's pretty f**king surreal."

Duran Duran frontman Simon Le Bon was also delighted with Ronson's performance, he adds, "He had a lot of crazy ideas which all seemed to work out. So many, in fact, that what was supposed to be a thirty-minute set turned out to be an hour and a half! It was really magical!"

courtesy contact music