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Band Timeline
1978
Formation of Duran Duran
Duran Duran was formed in Birmingham, England, in 1978 by childhood friends Nick Rhodes and John Taylor, along with Taylor's art school friend Stephen Duffy. The band was named after the character Dr. Durand Durand from the sci-fi film Barbarella, which had been recently broadcast on BBC. Initially, roles were divided with Taylor on guitar and vocals, Rhodes on synthesizer, and Duffy on vocals and bass. Their first public performance took place on 5 April 1979 at Birmingham Polytechnic. Early line-up adjustments and performances set the stage for their future success.
1980
Classic Line-up Solidifies and Early Success
By May 1980, the band's line-up stabilized with Simon Le Bon as lead vocalist, Andy Taylor on guitar, and Roger Taylor on drums joining founding members Nick Rhodes and John Taylor. This configuration became the classic Duran Duran line-up. Their distinctive style merged pop rock with New Romantic fashion and synth sounds, quickly marking them as innovators in the emerging MTV-driven Second British Invasion of the US. Their breakthrough began with their self-titled debut album and the major hit single 'Girls on Film' in 1981, boosted by the provocative music video that captured wide attention.
1982
Breakthrough with 'Rio' Album
Duran Duran released their second album 'Rio' in 1982, which became a worldwide hit and cemented their place in 1980s pop culture. The album produced iconic tracks such as 'Hungry Like the Wolf' and the title track 'Rio', both accompanied by cinematic music videos directed by Russell Mulcahy. These videos became defining elements of their popularity, showcasing innovative storytelling and visual style that leveraged MTV's growing influence. 'Rio' established the band as global stars and a pioneering force in music video production.
1983
Chart Success with 'Seven and the Ragged Tiger'
In 1983, Duran Duran released their third album 'Seven and the Ragged Tiger', which became their only UK number one album. The album featured the hit single 'The Reflex', which reached number one in both the UK and US charts. This period marked the height of their fame resembling Beatlemania. Their sophisticated blend of pop rock and new wave, paired with innovative visuals, helped cement their reputation as one of the leading bands of the New Romantic movement and solidified their global appeal.
1985
Major Hit with 'A View to a Kill' and Soundtrack Success
Duran Duran reached a new peak in 1985 when they topped the US charts with 'A View to a Kill', the theme song for the James Bond film of the same title. This achievement not only demonstrated their mainstream appeal but also connected them with the iconic Bond franchise, further expanding their audience. The single's success was a major milestone, underscoring their ability to create chart-topping music while contributing to a major film's cultural legacy.
1986
Line-up Changes and Release of 'Notorious'
Before recording their fourth album 'Notorious' in 1986, Andy Taylor and Roger Taylor left the band, marking the first significant line-up changes. The remaining members Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, and John Taylor continued as a core trio. The album's title track became a top ten hit, showing the band's resilience and continued relevance despite losing two founding members. 'Notorious' reflected a shift in their sound and approach, adapting to changes in the band dynamics and the evolving music landscape of the mid-1980s.
1989-1991
New Members and Moderate Success
In 1989, Duran Duran expanded their line-up by adding guitarist Warren Cuccurullo and drummer Sterling Campbell. This new formation aimed to reinvigorate the band's sound, releasing new material throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s. However, their commercial success during this era was moderate compared to their earlier peak. Campbell left the band in 1991, continuing the pattern of membership changes that would shape the band's evolving identity during this period.
1993
Revival with 'The Wedding Album'
Duran Duran experienced a significant comeback with the release of their 1993 self-titled album, commonly known as 'The Wedding Album'. It featured worldwide top ten hits 'Ordinary World' and 'Come Undone', heralding a return to popularity. This album was pivotal in restoring the band's commercial and critical standing after several years of less impactful releases. The success of these singles introduced Duran Duran to a new generation and demonstrated their lasting appeal and musical adaptability.
1997
John Taylor Departs the Band
In 1997, John Taylor left Duran Duran, marking a major change in the band's membership. Taylor's departure impacted the band's dynamic and creative process, as he had been a founding member and integral to their sound and image. Despite this, the band continued to produce music and perform, navigating through lineup adjustments to sustain their presence in the music industry.
2001-2004
Classic Line-up Reunion and 'Astronaut' Album
In 2001, the classic 1980–1985 line-up of Duran Duran reunited, reuniting Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, John Taylor, Andy Taylor, and Roger Taylor. This reunion sparked a series of successful concert tours and revitalized the band's career. In 2004, they released the album 'Astronaut', which reached number three in the UK and charted in the top 40 in several countries. The lead single '(Reach Up for The) Sunrise' was an international dance hit, peaking at number five in the UK, marking a triumphant return to commercial success for the band.
2006
Departure of Andy Taylor and Subsequent Releases
Andy Taylor left the band again in 2006, leading Duran Duran to continue with the remaining members. Despite this, the band maintained a steady release of new albums and music, adapting to changes while preserving their distinctive sound. Over the following years, they released five additional albums, showing their enduring creativity and staying power in the music industry.
2022
Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Duran Duran was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022, a significant recognition of their impact and legacy in the history of popular music. This honor acknowledged their artistic innovation, commercial success, and influence over multiple decades. The induction was accompanied by numerous accolades they had received over their career, including Grammy Awards, Brit Awards, and MTV honors, cementing their status as icons of the music industry.
2023
Release of 'Danse Macabre' Album
In 2023, Duran Duran released their latest album 'Danse Macabre'. This release demonstrated the band's continued relevance and ability to evolve artistically more than four decades after their formation. The album added to their extensive discography and exemplified their commitment to producing new music for their longstanding fan base as well as attracting new listeners.
Albums
Duran Duran
9 tracks
1981
Duran Duran
9 tracks
1981
Rio
9 tracks
1982
Seven and the Ragged Tiger
9 tracks
1983
Notorious
10 tracks
1986
Big Thing
12 tracks
1988
Liberty
11 tracks
1990
Duran Duran
13 tracks
1993
Thank You
12 tracks
1995
Medazzaland
12 tracks
1997
Astronaut
12 tracks
2001
Red Carpet Massacre
12 tracks
2007
All You Need Is Now
9 tracks
2010
Paper Gods
16 tracks
2015
Future Past
12 tracks
2021
Danse Macabre
13 tracks
2023
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Members
Current
Name
Begin
Occupation
Simon Le Bon
N/A
John Taylor
2001
Roger Taylor
2001
Nick Rhodes
N/A
History
Name
Begin
End
Occupation
Roger Taylor
N/A
1985
Sterling Campbell
1989
1991
John Taylor
N/A
1997
Andy Taylor
1980
1985
Stephen Duffy
N/A
1979
Andy Wickett
1979
1980
Andy Taylor
2001
2006
Warren Cuccurullo
1989
2001
Story of Duran Duran
Duran Duran, the iconic English pop-rock band, burst onto the scene in Birmingham in 1978, initially featuring Stephen Duffy (vocals), Nick Rhodes (keyboards), and John Taylor (guitar/bass). After some early lineup shuffles, the classic quintet solidified in May 1980 with the addition of Simon Le Bon (vocals), Andy Taylor (guitar), and Roger Taylor (drums).
Emerging from the New Romantic movement, Duran Duran masterfully leveraged the power of the music video, becoming a cornerstone of the MTV-fueled Second British Invasion of the US in the 1980s. Their impact was undeniable; by 1984, their fame rivaled Beatlemania.
Their breakthrough began with "Girls on Film" (1981), from their self-titled debut album, a controversial music video catapulting them to initial success. However, it was their sophomore effort, Rio (1982), that cemented their global stardom. Russell Mulcahy`s cinematic videos for "Hungry Like the Wolf" and the title track propelled these songs to legendary status. Seven and the Ragged Tiger (1983) followed, becoming their only UK #1 album and featuring the transatlantic chart-topper, "The Reflex." Their success continued with "A View to a Kill" (1985), a US #1 hit from the James Bond film of the same name.
The departures of Andy Taylor and Roger Taylor preceded the recording of their fourth album, Notorious (1986), which still yielded a top-ten title track, despite the significant lineup change.
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