Duran Duran in the 1980s

Birmingham's answer to Spandau Ballet, were formed in 1978 by Nick Rhodes and John Taylor. The band's name Duran Duran, is taken from the 1968 movie 'Barbarella' a sexy science fiction romp starring Jane Fonda and Milo O'Shea who plays a megalomanic known as Durand-Durand. In one scene, a gang of children in charge of a set of flesh eating robot dolls bear more than a passing resemblance to the group. There was also a nightclub called 'Barbarellas' in Birmingham where Duran Duran made their first appearence, supporting the influential new-wave band, Fashion.

Duran Duran's vocalist at the time was Stephen Duffy who later emerged as a solo artist and had a hit single in 1985 with 'Kiss me (with your mouth)' After Duffy left the group, Duran Duran went through a succession of vocalists and it wasn't until 1980 that they were joined by drama student Simon Le Bon.

Influenced by Bowie and Roxy Music, Duran Duran's image was everything. And like other art school bands of the period, early performances were augmented with slide projections and tape recordings. The band's outrageous fashion sense made a big impact in the UK's second city and they soon secured a residency at the Rum Runner club where keyboard player Nick Rhodes worked as a DJ. It was here that they honed their skill, culminating in several gigs at the notorious Marquee Club in London, a support slot on Hazel O'Connor's UK tour and a signing to EMI records.

In 1981 the 'new romantic' tag began to stick and the group travelled to Nottingham for their first photo session with photographer Andy Earl before embarking on their first headline tour of the UK. The tour coincided with the release of their first single 'Planet Earth' and was quickly followed by the album 'Duran Duran'.

The combination of Roger Taylor's heavy drumbeat and John Taylor's solid basslines gives their debut album a rock feel that is absent from many of their new romantic rivals, a quality that would guarantee them great success in the United States. The album also features 'Is there anyone out there' a track which Simon Le Bon confessed to having strong associations with a poorly attended gig at Derby Assembly Rooms.

Duran Duran were masters of the emerging trend for pop-promos and enlisted the formidable talents of ex 10cc members Kevin Godley and Lol creme for their first pop video 'Girls on Film'. Subsequent big budget productions followed, each one styled different from the last. Their use of exotic locations or elaborate studio sets helped build their image, establish the cerubic Le Bon as a sex symbol (?) and consolidate their position on the international music scene. Their smart suited seafaring shots in the 'Rio' video remains one of the most enduring and glamourous pop-promo images of the decade and certainly helped the group secure the opening soundtrack to the 1985 Bond movie 'View to a kill'.

Eventually the group, branched out into other projects. Le Bon and Rhodes releasing their atmospheric Arcadia album, whilst John and Andy Taylor teamed up with Drummer Tony Thompson and vocalist Robert Palmer to form The Power Station, who also produced some classic songs of the period. In the latter half of the 80s Simon Le Bon and Nick Rhodes reclaimed the Duran Duran name and continued to produce successful dance tracks such as 'I don't want your love' and 'All she wants is'.

Personal Favourites:
Anyone out there
Last chance on the stairway

Links:
www.duranduran.com
www.stephenduffy.com