Duran Duran was a band consiting of 5 members- Simon LeBon (lead vocals), John Taylor (bass guitar), Roger Taylor (Drums), Andy Taylor (Guitar), and Nick Rhodes (Keyboards). This fantastic group of men awed audiences with their music in the 80's, recruiting teenagers for groupies, and hitting the charts with 4 different albums. They performed such hits as Planet Earth, Rio, Is There Something I Should Know?, Save a Prayer, Girls on Film, The Reflex, Wild Boys, and Union of the Snake.

In 1985, they split up and became two seperate bands. John and Andy joined Power Station, along with Robert Palmer. Roger, Simon, and Nick became Arcadia. Power Station went farther than Arcadia, having the hit single Some Like it Hot. Nick also worked with the band Kajagoogoo and helped them produce their hit album Too Shy. Then Duran got back together in 1985-6, and wrote the theme song to the James Bond movie, A View to a Kill. This was the only Bond theme song to ever hit number one in the charts. After this, Andy left to become a solo artist, and Warren Cucurullo took his place on a few tracks. He and Roger did not get along, and Roger left the band.

The three person Duran Duran (Simon, Nick, and John) released Notorious in 1896. Andy sued them because he had worked with them on a few tracks, and he did not get the proper credit on the album. Notorious was not as big a hit as their previous albums. In 1988 they released Big Thing which received as much success as Notorious. In 1989, they released a greatest hits album entitled Decade. This album included most of their singles from the past 10 years of music. Then, in 1990, the recruited Sterling Campbell (now with Soul Asylum) as a drummer, and inducted Warren as a full-time member.

This new band of 5 released Liberty, which most people, due to management flaws, did not know about. It was their least successful album. Sterling left Duran in 1991, and in 1993 the 4 person group released another self entitled album, fondly called The Wedding Album by fans and and the band members. This album had Come Undone and Ordinary World on it, which quickly shot up on the charts, making the 14 year old band once again popular. In 1995, they covered Led Zeppelin's Thank You for the LZ tribute album. Then they released their own covers album, Thank You, in 1995. Roger Taylor came back to drum on two different tracks, Perfect Day and Watching the Detectives.

It has come to my attention that John Taylor, bassist of 20 years and co-founder of the band, has packed up his bags and said goodbye to Duran Duran. No longer will we see his smiling face on posters and T-shirts, no longer will we chase him for a picture at a Duran concert. The good news is that we can still see him with Neurotic Outsiders, and his solo projects. We will miss him terribly, and I know that in my heart, he is still a member of Duran Duran.

NEW RELEASES!

It is an exciting time for us Duranies! This being the month of October, we are flooded with Duran releases! First, of course, is the new single, Electric Barbarella. I picked this up yesterday, but it's been out since the last day of September. I suggest you get this, as not only is it a really cool song, but it is an enhanced CD Rom! Mac & IBM compatible, all you need is a duo-speed CD Rom drive to view the new video! A mix of "Out of my Mind" is also contained on it. I love that song, and this mix certainly does it justice.
Next we have the release of a covers album. Not like Thank You, this is the reverse. It is other bands covering Duran Duran songs. I do not have the information of tracks that will be on it, but all you have to do is wait until October 7, 1997 and you can have the album. :) Also, if you live in CA, there will be a tribute to Duran Duran concert which Duran Duran will be attending and playing at. Poke around for more info on that.
Then, finally, we have Medazzaland!!! This long-awaited album is being released on October 14th (one week after the other album). In line with the album is a ring of promotion, and concerts! I'm fortunate enough to live in NY, so I'll be at the Virgin Megastore on the 14th to meet Duran Duran and have an album signed. This will be my first time ever seeing them, and even though they're not playing there, it's going to be an amazing experience. If I get a picture, I'll post it here. They will be on the Rosie O'Donnell show that morning as well, so check your local listings for that.

Links

These are some cool links that I've found. If you know of any links that you think should be on this list, Mail Me the address.

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Last updated on October 5, 1997

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