Twenty five years after the formation of Duran Duran, the five original members: Simon LeBon, Nick Rhodes, John Taylor, Andy Taylor and Roger Taylor, are back together again.
With the same undeniable musical chemistry and signature style that originally propelled them to the top of the charts, the band reunited in 2001, since which time they have signed a new recording deal, released a brand new studio album, ‘ASTRONAUT’, toured the world, filmed one of their spectacular concerts for a live DVD, ‘LIVE FROM LONDON’, and been given a string of highly prestigious Awards in recognition of their work - both past and present. With wonderfully infectious songs, excellent musicianship, thrilling arrangements and raw and edgy vocals, the band’s latest material is quintessentially and unmistakably “classic Duran Duran for the new millennium.”
Duran Duran have sold over 70 million records to date and have had an extraordinary career that has made them one of the most successful groups of the past few decades. They fused pop music, art and fashion to an unprecedented degree and single-handedly took music video making to a new level. They transformed what had previously been a simple marketing tool into what is now one of the music industry’s most valuable assets. With exotic locations, beautiful girls and stunning visuals, Duran Duran set a whole new standard. Their success followed years of hard work and relentless touring. Good looks, great style and a wealth of confidence completed the package.
They wrote classic, timeless pop songs combining rock guitars with infectious melodies and memorable lyrics. They played to sold-out audiences around the world and broke box office records everywhere they went. The media compared them to the Beatles as hysteria preceded them, both on stage and off. They tapped into the mood of the times and captured an army of adoring fans.
Now they are doing it all over again.
Formed in Birmingham, England in 1978, by keyboardist Nick Rhodes and bassist John Taylor, Duran Duran’s sound was inspired by the soul music of their youth, the vibrant New York underground music scene of the 70’s (the New York Dolls and Velvet 
Underground), the iconic David Bowie and avant garde bands like Roxy Music. They shot to fame as part of the “Second British Invasion” of the 1980s that included groups like Spandau Ballet, Human League, Ultravox and Culture Club – and yet they always stood apart – delivering an electric live show, pushing the boundaries of new technology and enduring longer than any of their peers.
Their eponymous debut album sold more than 2.5 million copies in 1981 and spawned the hit single ‘Planet Earth’. That same year, they became the first pop act to do a 12″ remix (also ‘Planet Earth’) and to release a controversial video for the dance mix of ‘Girls on Film.’ that was subsequently banned by both MTV and the BBC.
Classic chart-toppers such as ‘Hungry Like the Wolf’,’ ‘Rio’ and ‘Save A Prayer’ followed on their multi-platinum, sophomore release RIO as the band shot to another level of success with their exotic and groundbreaking videos. It was during this time that Princess Diana declared Duran to be her favorite band, and friends like artists Andy Warhol and Keith Haring lent their support. By now the music had traveled outside the UK and the band were enjoying global success.
By 1983 ‘Hungry Like the Wolf’ (which was filmed in Sri Lanka by director Russell Mulcahy) had become one of the most played videos on MTV. Later that year ‘Is There Something I Should Know’ went straight to No. 1 in the UK and hit No. 4 in the US.
The band’s third album, 1984’s SEVEN AND THE RAGGED TIGER earned Duran Duran their first Stateside No. 1, with ‘The Reflex.’ That same year, Rolling Stone magazine christened the band “The Fab Five,” as their single ‘Union of the Snake’ exploded around the world.
By now, the band were playing sold-out arenas and breaking box office records everywhere they went. Awards, hits, and global branding became the norm. As one successful single followed the next, it seemed like they could do no wrong.
In 1985 an invitation to write for the movie ‘A View to a Kill’ earned the group another first when their song became the only Bond theme tune to make it to No. 1 (an accomplishment that still stands today).
With Duran’s success still riding high, John and Andy took a break from the band to team up with Robert Palmer, Chic drummer Tony Thompson and bassist Bernard Edwards to form the Power Station. At the same time, Nick, Simon and Roger embarked on their own side project, Arcadia, with guest performers Grace Jones, Sting, David Gilmour and Herbie Hancock. Both released just one album.
In July 1985, after some time apart, the five members of Duran Duran got back together to play in Philadelphia at the historic Live Aid concert. Although no-one knew it at the time, this would turn out to be the final performance of the original lineup and would mark the end of an era.
In 1986, Roger Taylor and Andy Taylor left the band – Roger to pursue a more private life, away from the spotlight, and Andy to embark on a solo career. After several months of searching for a new guitarist, Andy was replaced by Warren Cuccurullo (who had previously played with Missing Persons and Frank Zappa). Later that year the new lineup teamed up with producer Nile Rodgers, to record the funk-based album, NOTORIOUS. The album’s title track topped the charts, propelling the album to multi-platinum status. Fourteen years later, the same song was sampled by Sean “Puffy” Combs on the posthumous Notorious B.I.G. release, ‘Born Again.’
But the band’s immense success did not end there… NOTORIOUS was followed by BIG THING (in 1988), and the release of DECADE in 1990 – celebrating their previous ten year’s work. Their sixth studio album, ‘Liberty’ came out later that year – with new drummer Sterling Campbell replacing two-time collaborator Steve Ferrone.
In 1993, Nick, Simon, John and Warren went back into the studio to record a new album. Better known as the WEDDING ALBUM (because the album artwork featured photos of their parents’ weddings) the CD spawned the award winning smash ‘Ordinary World’ and its equally acclaimed follow-up ‘Come Undone.’ Garnering them some of the best reviews of their career, and the prestigious Ivor Novello songwriting award, the WEDDING ALBUM sold more than four million copies around the world, and brought the band a new generation of ardent ‘Duranies.’
THANK YOU Duran Duran’s covers album followed in 1995, and gave the band a chance to pay homage to many of the great artists that inspired and influenced them over the years. The album included tributes to Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five, Led Zeppelin, Iggy Pop and Lou Reed, amongst many others, and received rave reviews from both fans and the artists themselves.
In 1996, after two decades of being with Duran Duran, John Taylor left to pursue various solo projects. The following year, the band contributed, ‘Out of My Mind’ to the film version of ‘The Saint’ and released MEDAZZALAND which Taylor had played on before leaving. The album featured ‘Electric Barbarella,’ the first song ever to be sold in a download format across the Web.
In 2000, after the release of two Duran tribute albums (featuring artists as diverse as Kylie Minogue and Ben Lee on one and the Deftones and Goldfinger on the other), Hollywood Records put out POP TRASH CD, which the band supported with an extremely successful international tour, that featured the first use of ‘augmented reality’ technology in a live concert. At the end of the tour, Warren left the group to return to Missing Persons.
With the most recent world tour behind them, Simon took a well-earned break at the start of the new millennium, while Nick joined long-time friend and collaborator Stephen Duffy, as The Devils, to work on their debut album,DARK CIRCLES (released in late 2002).
Over the years many people tried to encourage the original members of Duran Duran to reform to capitalize on the obvious chemistry that existed between them. While they were busy pursuing other, individual interests, however, this never happened. In 2000, with the band’s silver jubilee fast approaching, the timing felt right and conversations were initiated. At first the talk was only of a reunion tour, but once in a room together again the creative juices started to flow. As 2003 rolled around Duran’s original ‘Fab Five’ went back into the studio to embark on their first album together in almost eighteen years. Charged by the challenge of “taking back their crown,” Simon, Nick, Andy, Roger and John worked relentlessly to complete the material featured on their critically acclaimed album ASTRONAUT, released worldwide on October 11/12, 2004, and featuring the hit singles ‘(Reach Up for the) Sunrise’ and ‘What Happens Tomorrow’.
The ASTRONAUT Tour that followed, from 2004 - 2005, saw the band once again selling out arenas around the world and playing some of the most prestigious events on the music calendar. Five record-breaking nights at London’s Wembley Arena, capacity crowds at LA’s Staples Centre and NY’s Madison Square Garden, performances at both Live 8 in Italy and on the Superbowl from Houston, appearances on both the UK and US Fashion Rocks shows, the Nobel Peace Concert in Norway and Andre Agassi’s 10th Anniversary Grand Slam Charity Event for Children in Las Vegas. And alongside this, months of touring, playing in front of packed, ecstatic houses, and the release, at the end of 2005, of the band’s first full length live concert DVD, LIVE FROM LONDON.
When you add up their chart successes, the awards, the album and singles sales, the number of concert tickets they have sold, the stadiums they’ve filled, the ground-breaking videos they’ve made, and the influence they’ve had on generations of musicians, theirs’ is a story that only a handful of artists, such as U2, the Rolling Stones, and Madonna, can tell.
As both individuals and founders of one of the world’s most influential pop groups, the five band members have always pushed the boundaries and set new standards. Looking to set trends, rather than follow them, they have taken risks that others would have shied away from. The results speak for themselves. Contemporary bands such as The Killers, Franz Ferdinand, The Deftones and The Scissor Sisters have taken this into the 21st Century, touting Duran Duran as a major influence in their music.
With the phenomenal success they have already enjoyed and their intense commitment to the future, Duran Duran are uniquely positioned. They are a household name around the world – a recognizable and respected brand to generations of music lovers. They have a rich and colourful past. They have an equally exciting and dynamic future.
Duran Duran Official Website
Duran Duran Official Fan Community
Science Fiction Conventions 101
By Leslie Halpern
So you want to find out the latest gossip about the next “Star Trek” spin-off television series. You need to debate the overlapping qualities between science fiction, fantasy, and horror genres. You’d like to match trivia about the making of the Harry Potter film series. You’re excited about showing off the new Zorro costume you designed and hand-stitched. You can’t wait to “do the time warp again.” It sounds like you’re ready for a sci-fi convention.
You can choose from a large variety of science fiction conventions (either general sci-fi or catering to specific genre such as horror or anime). Nearly every weekend, there’s a convention going on somewhere in the country. The bigger ones offer gaming rooms, panel discussions, special guests, lectures, movie screenings, dances, singing, trivia contests, role playing games, interactive events, Q&A, dealer rooms, auctions, and a con suite (a hospitality room in the hotel or convention center with mingling and munchies). Just check your favorite search engine for “science fiction convention listings” or “sci-fi conventions” to find out some of the available options that suit your schedule and interests.
I’ve attended many conventions in recent years including large events such as Worldcon, Necronomicon, and Megacon. Whether it’s a one-day event or a three-day celebration, here are a few helpful suggestions for newbies attending their first sci-fi convention.
1) Besides the usual items, you might want to pack a costume or two. Some conventions have multiple costumed events (e.g., interactive “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” masquerade party, themed dances). Some attendees dress in one costume for the entire event (Darth Vader, for instance); others dress in different costumes for different events; and some choose to observe rather than participate in costume contests and events. Check the conference schedule for costumed events that interest you and then pack all the accessories (except the weapons) to make the outfit complete. Don’t be too disappointed when someone shows up with a better costume than you!
2) For the packrats out there, bring a tote bag, backpack, purse, or hip bag for carrying essentials like the program guide, camera, notepad, snacks, and freebies (given out at panel discussions or taken from the freebie table at most cons).
3) Wear a watch. Generally events are included on the schedule, but many overlap or run concurrently. Events are scheduled well into the night, so you’ll always need to know what time it is so you won’t miss anything you just have to see. Keep the program guide in a convenient place as you’ll be consulting it often.
4) Bring extra cash, checks, and a credit card for the dealer’s room. Try to support the on-site vendors. The dealers offer unusual sci-fi merchandise and rent the space to be there. Other vendors who rent tables near and around the con area are often panelists and speakers selling their books, magazines, and other merchandise. These vendors typically don’t get paid for attending the convention and offering their expertise during the sessions. Support them as well.
5) If you have a product or service of interest to sci-fi fans, bring your own give-away items (postcards, bookmarks, flyers, magnets, booklets, etc.) for the freebie table.
6) Upon registering at the convention, you’ll be issued a badge. Wear it the entire time you’re there. Even in costume, bring it with you. It’s your security clearance and free admission to everything.
7) If you’re planning on attending the convention simply for the gaming room, you can ignore suggestions 1-5. All you’ll need is a comfortable chair and an extremely large caffeinated drink until you emerge bleary-eyed, days later at the end of the event.
Most importantly at any sci-fi convention, bring a sense of humor. Most of these conventions are run by fans and attended by fans. And don’t forget that “fan” is just a few letters short of “fanatic.”
Copyright 2006 Leslie Halpern
For more movie news visit: http://home.cfl.rr.com/lesliehalpern/leslie_halpern.htm
Central Florida entertainment writer Leslie Halpern wrote the books “Dreams on Film: The Cinematic Struggle Between Art and Science” (McFarland & Company), an analysis of representations of sleeping and dreaming in more than 125 science fiction, horror and other movies and “Reel Romance. The Lovers’ Guide to the 100 Best Date Movies” (Taylor Trade Publishing), which reviews date movies and suggests romantic ideas inspired by these films. Both books are available at Amazon.com (Leslie Halpern) and Barnesandnoble.com (Leslie Halpern)
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