Duran Duran

Duran Duran

Duran Duran is an English rock band from Birmingham, formed in 1978 and active since then. The group is associated with alternative rock, dance, electro, electronic, new romantic and new wave, and it is also described as an electronic pop rock band. The name comes from a character in Roger Vadim’s sci-fi film Barbarella.

Formation and early line-up

The band is formed by Nick Rhodes on keyboards and John Taylor on bass in Birmingham. Simon Le Bon later becomes the lead vocalist, with Roger Taylor on drums and Andy Taylor on guitar also joining. Stephen Duffy is one of the original singers and founding members, and Simon Colley is the original bassist. After Duffy leaves in early 1979, the band goes through several changes in drummers, guitarists and vocalists before settling on the line-up that breaks through.

Success in the 1980s

Duran Duran becomes closely linked with the 1980s new wave scene, with songs that combine pop hooks and electronic elements. Their early music videos are a major part of their public image, and they develop a glamorous style associated with the new romantic movement. Their visual presentation is shaped with help from stylist Perry Haines and fashion designers including Kahn & Bell and Antony Price.

Their debut single, “Planet Earth,” appears in 1981 and becomes a hit in the UK and Australia. Their first album, Duran Duran, follows in 1981, reaching number 3 in the UK album chart and later achieving platinum status. The album stays in the UK Top 100 for 117 weeks. “Girls on Film” also becomes an important hit from this period, reaching number 5 in the UK and number 11 in Australia.

The follow-up album Rio appears in 1982 and becomes a major international success, reaching number 2 in the UK and number 1 in Australia, and later going double platinum in the United States. Songs such as “Hungry Like the Wolf” and “Rio” receive heavy radio and video play, and the album is widely regarded as a key new wave release. John Taylor gives the album its title, drawing on his idea of Brazil as something exotic and energetic. The band works with director Russell Mulcahy on an eleven-video project connected to the album.

Chart success, film work and awards

The band achieves 30 UK Top 40 singles, 14 of them Top 10, and 21 US Billboard Hot 100 Top 40 singles. They sell more than 100 million records and are among the best-selling music acts in the world. Their song “A View To A Kill” appears in the 1985 James Bond film of the same name and is also a successful single. “Out of My Mind” appears in the closing credits of the 1987 film The Saint.

Duran Duran wins two Brit Awards, including the 2004 award for Outstanding Contribution to Music, two Grammy Awards, an MTV Video Music Award for Lifetime Achievement, and a Video Visionary Award from the MTV Europe Music Awards. They also receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and are inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2022.

Later membership changes and releases

The band does not disband, but the line-up changes over time. Warren Cuccurullo joins from 1989 to 2001, and Sterling Campbell is a member from 1989 to 1991. John Taylor, Roger Taylor and Andy Taylor return in 2001, and the reunited line-up releases Astronaut in 2004. Andy Taylor leaves in 2006.

Later releases include Red Carpet Massacre in 2007, the live Broadway performances in New York City associated with that album, and All You Need Is Now, which is released as a digital and self-released album and is produced by Mark Ronson. In 2015 the band releases Paper Gods, led by “Pressure Off” featuring Janelle Monáe and Nile Rodgers. That album becomes their first US Top 10 album in more than 20 years and reaches number 5 in the UK.