RED CARPET MASSACRE - the new album out 11/13!
Duran Duran’s RED CARPET MASSACRE marks an all time creative high in the band’s illustrious 29-year career. Like all good things, it came to those who waited.
By May 2006, after a two-year tour in support of their previous album ASTRONAUT, Duran Duran had completed 14 songs for a record provisionally titled ‘Reportage.’ But according to singer Simon LeBon “When we sat down and listened to what we had done on our own, we didn’t feel we had a lead track, so we got in touch with Timbaland, who was the only producer out there that we knew we all liked.” America’s most pop savvy producer was more than happy to help and a session was duly set up at the Manhattan Center Studios in New York in September of the same year. What none of the band realized prior to taking off in this new direction, however, was that one of their biggest fans, Justin Timberlake, was also keen to get involved in the project, so when they arrived in the US he made room in the middle of his album release campaign to spend time in the studio with them.
But as if this new collaboration wasn’t enough to really change things up, in the midst of all this, guitarist Andy Taylor split with the band, and with his departure the remaining four band members opted to change tack and start over completely.
Formed in 1978 by John and Nick, early members were:
Simon Culley (bass)
Stephen Duffy (vocals)
Alan Curtis (guitars)
Jeff Thompson (drums)
By 1979, Duffy quit and was replaced by Andy Wickett who was finally replaced by Simon LeBon in late of 1979. Culley, Curtis and Thompson were all finally replaced to make the most famous line-up by late 1979.
Club owners, Michael & Paul Berrow gave the band a shot at their club, Rum Runners in Birmingham. Finding promise in the band they became their managers and led them to EMI Records by mid-1980 and the recording sessions for their debut album, Duran Duran. Their notoriety came in the way of "Girls On Film" whch received great reviews and gave the band a fan following. Their follow-up, "Plabet Earth" and "Careless Memories" gave the band top UK hits before their venture off to America.
America's first Duran sighting came in the way of the risque but memorable "Girls On Film" video. It's underground success led to the release of their first album by early 1982. However the release of their second album was soon on the way which overshadowed the initial release.
Rio immediately hit big in the UK and the American charts by way of the MTV favorite, "Hungry Like The Wolf". Their looks, style and excellent musical arrangements made Duran Duran one of the bigger 80's successes.
Their 1983 release, Seven and the Ragged Tiger continued the fan-based craze of Duranmania. Releases, "New Moon On Monday", "The Reflex" and "Union Of The Snake" all hit platinum success on radio and record sales, not to mention the over-budgeted but striking videos.
But as it were, things would begin a slow decent with the formation of 1985's Power Station with members Andy and Roger Taylor, along with Chic members, Tony Thomso and Bernard Edwards with lead vocals going to Robert Palmer. It furthered other projects for Simon and Nick in their off-shoot group, Arcadia, also in 1985. By 1986 the release of Notorius wouldn't match to the success of the former Duran Duran releases but still made an impressionable chart position. All done without member Roger and Andy.
Andy Taylor would soon venture on his own by way of his 1987 Thunder album as John would release his soundtrack to the motion picture of 91/2 Weeks. The band would strike again in 1988, but only to a lesser success with the release of Big Thing. But it would only prove to be the last of the 80's Duran Duran successes and move them on to a new plateau of success.
By the 90's, Warren Cuccurello (former Missing Persons drummer) and Sterling Campbell would join to produce a fantastic successful comeback with their 92 release, Duran Duran. The trans-Atlantic success of the singles, "Ordinary World", "Come Undone" and "Too Much Information" sparked renewed interest in the groups new sound and modern look.
More albums would get released, namely Thank You in 1995 and more recently Pop Trash but never match even the lesser 80's success. But still, through the release of two Greatest Hits releases and renewed interest in the 80's, Duran Duran remains one of the more prominent entities of the 80's rock scene. Not bad for a band named after a fictional 60's character in a Jane Fonda movie (Barbarella).
A final addition : Cuccurello left the band in the Summer of 2001 as plans commence to reform with all five original members. Recording is planned for a forthcoming release.
Bio written by: mr_mac |
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