Duran Duran

Duran Duran are an English new wave band formed in Birmingham in 1978. The group was founded by keyboardist Nick Rhodes and bassist John Taylor, who were later joined by drummer Roger Taylor, guitarist Andy Taylor, and lead singer Simon Le Bon. This lineup became the most commercially successful. The band's name was taken from the character Dr. Durand Durand from the science fiction film Barbarella.

Formation and Early Years

John Taylor and Nick Rhodes formed Duran Duran in 1978 with Stephen Duffy. The classic lineup of Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, John Taylor, Roger Taylor, and Andy Taylor came together in 1980. Emerging from the New Romantic scene, they quickly became known for their distinctive style and innovative music videos. Their debut album, Duran Duran, was released in 1981 and featured their first hit single, "Planet Earth". The controversial video for "Girls on Film" also brought them significant attention.

Breakthrough Success with Rio

The band's second album, Rio, released in 1982, was a worldwide success. Driven by cinematic music videos for songs like "Hungry Like the Wolf" and the title track "Rio", the album became a multi-platinum seller. These videos were heavily featured on the newly launched MTV, which was instrumental in the band's rise to fame in the United States, as part of the Second British Invasion.

Global Stardom and Hiatus

By 1984, Duran Duran had achieved a level of fame compared to Beatlemania, with Princess Diana declaring them her favorite band. Their third album, Seven and the Ragged Tiger (1983), was their only UK number-one album and included the US and UK number-one single "The Reflex". In 1985, they topped the US charts with the James Bond theme "A View to a Kill". Following a performance at Live Aid in 1985, the band went on hiatus, and the original five members would not play together again until 2003.

Lineup Changes and The Wedding Album

After the hiatus, Andy Taylor and Roger Taylor left the band. The remaining members, Le Bon, Rhodes, and John Taylor, continued as a trio for the 1986 album Notorious. They were later joined by guitarist Warren Cuccurullo and drummer Sterling Campbell. The band experienced a resurgence in popularity with the 1993 release of Duran Duran, also known as The Wedding Album. This album featured the hit singles "Ordinary World" and "Come Undone".

Reunion and Later Career

The classic lineup of all five original members reunited in 2001, leading to successful tours and the 2004 album Astronaut, which reached number three in the UK. Andy Taylor left the band again in 2006. The band has continued to release albums, including Paper Gods (2015) and Future Past (2021). In 2022, Duran Duran were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The band has sold over 100 million records worldwide.

Awards and Recognition

Throughout their career, Duran Duran have received numerous awards, including two Brit Awards, two Grammy Awards, and an MTV Video Music Award for Lifetime Achievement. They also have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.