Brandon Flowers has no regrets about cancelling The Killers tour to race to his dying mother's bedside - insisting the last few hours he spent with her "meant more than anything".
The rockers axed shows in Asia and Australia earlier this year (Jan-Feb10) due to "unforeseen" circumstances, prompting speculation the group was set to split.
It was later revealed the frontman's mum, Jean Flowers, was facing her final days following a lengthy battle with brain cancer. She died on 11 February (10), aged 64.
Flowers reveals his family urged him to carry on with his touring duties, but he was determined to say goodbye to his mother before she slipped away.
He tells Britain's The Sun, "I am still very sad but being with her at the end meant more than anything.
"I was at Las Vegas airport and there was a thunder and lightning storm so our flight to Asia was delayed. I'm a freaked-out flyer as it is - I think it's unnatural - so I decided I was going to fly the next day and wait for a clear sky.
"As soon as I got out of the airport, I got a call from my brother Shane, who told me that the doctors said she has just two weeks to live.
"Shane said my family wanted me to do the tour but I couldn't go. I'm so thankful I cancelled it as my mum was still with it enough to know I stayed to be with her. I'm happy I was there."
And the star is convinced the tragedy has strengthened his bond with the rest of his relatives, adding, "I've also got closer to my family since mum passed. I've been around my dad more than I ever have been, which is nice."