Duran Duran ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL!
When Duran Duran’s self-titled debut album came out in 1981, who could have predicted that they would become one of the biggest bands of the decade, not to mention bona fide international superstars? Since then, they’ve had nearly a dozen Top 10 singles, four consecutive platinum albums, and a string of exotic videos that have spawned countless imitations.
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Duran Duran ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL!
When Duran Duran’s self-titled debut album came out in 1981, who could have predicted that they would become one of the biggest bands of the decade, not to mention bona fide international superstars?
Since then, they’ve had nearly a dozen Top 10 singles, four consecutive platinum albums, and a string of exotic videos that have spawned countless imitations.
But when the group unexpectedly splintered into the bands Arcadia and Power Station in 1985, Duranies around the world held their breath. The Duran clan insisted the individual projects were simply a chance to take a break from the group, but the Police made a similar promise four years ago and they haven’t been heard from as a band since!
“I think if Duran Duran had tried to go back into the studio after our last tour, everything would have grinded to a halt,” Simon LeBon says. ‘‘We did those projects for our own reasons, and it’s a bloody good thing too, that we did it. Otherwise, maybe none of us would have made any kind of record.”
Indeed, it might have been the end of an era, but luckily it didn’t turn out that way. Even though Roger Taylor and Andy Taylor have since left the band to pursue other projects, the remaining Durans stayed together to record Notorious, and it turned out to be one of their best albums to date.
“We’re kind of like the Blob,” John Taylor says regarding the two Taylors who are no longer with the band. “Somebody took a chunk out, and we’ve had to improve to cover if up.”
Sparked by touches of R&B and funk, Notorious proved once and for all that in addition to their fashionable appearances and boyish good looks, Duran Duran are also serious musicians who are willing to take chances. As a result, the group is as big as ever, and talk of more independent efforts is the furthest thing from their minds.
“I think they’re definitely out of our system for quite a long time,” says Nick Rhodes. “We’ve all promised ourselves that after this Duran Duran album and tour we’re going to do another album.”
Simon agrees. “There’s so much work on for Duran right now that it’s not even something that’s going to enter my head.”
The moral here is that all is well that ends well. Duran Duran have survived a temporary split and some personnel changes, proving that determination and perseverence yield great rewards. Now if only Simon LeBon would have a little chat with Sting on the importance of togetherness . . .
Steve Peters
