Duran Duran's Keyboardist Turns Into Eggplant; May Have New Gig With California Raisins

Nick Rhodes: Diagnosed with Eggplantitus

Tragedy has struck for Duranies everywhere.

Nick Rhodes, keyboardist and songwriter for '80s supergroup Duran Duran, has been diagnosed with a rare condition which turns the skin purple.

Fans the world over are devastated, reports Duran's lead frontman, Simon LeBon.

"It's horrible, really. The fans are completely devastated, and we are devastated, too. Nick has been a brother to me for the past 30 years, and I intend to stand by him every minute of his new, tragic journey. While we wish that he could continue on indefinitely with the band, reality tells us that this simply will not be possible... as the disease progresses, he will become (less of a human and) more... like an eggplant.

Nick Rhodes seems to be keeping good spirits, despite the disaster.
"Well, you know, I always fancied the color purple," he told Chaperone Party with a giggle. "I guess now you can say it's rather becoming on me."

Former guitarist Andy Taylor sent his condolences to the band, but asked for the press to respect his privacy at this time.

"Look at the bright side," Rhodes purportedly quipped. "I hear the California Raisins are always hiring."