Duran Duran 80s to 2010

I was introduced to the music of Duran Duran at the age of thirteen. My best friend Cindi had just bought the Arena album. Yes, I was a little behind the music scene at the time, but once I listened, I couldn't get enough. Soon I had bought every record album they had made and sold in the United States. My bedroom walls were covered in posters of Duran Duran with individual posters of Simon Lebon tacked up here and there in between. Though I had a tremendous crush on Simon, my main interest was their music. It was different from most of the music being played on the radio and MTV. The lyrics were both personal, political, and philosophically interpretable by my experience and intellect.

John Taylor, Roger Taylor, Simon Lebon, Nick Rhodes, Andy Taylor

Duran Duran was formed in 1978 and rose to fame in the 1980s. Many people remember them by their fashion, and indeed, their manner of dress had a large influence on fashion in the eighties.

I bought up every music magazine featuring DD and collected published bios, tour information, and album news for my scrapbook. I still have the scrapbook, though I have not added to it since "Notorious". I grew up some, though my love for the music - John Taylor's bass guitar, Andy Taylor's lead, Roger Taylor's drums, Nick Rhodes' keyboards, and Simon's oh-so-smooth and unique voice styling has never disappeared. [Simon is also talented with various instruments, though not so great with the tambourine (sorry, Simon, it's true)]

Simon Lebon

Since then, they have released several albums, though the band lost a couple of members for a while and then split up for a few years. Those were sad days for every Duran Duran fan. I comforted myself with the videos and music I had and prayed (yes, prayed) for them to get back together: Dear Lord, please make them get back together - at least long enough to tour so I can finally achieve my dream of going to a concert and meeting Simon in person. Amen. I'm not sure how high that prayer was on God's list of priorities for my life, but eventually, they did get back together.  Their last album, "Red Carpet Massacre" was quite different from their usual type of music and included input from Justin Timblerlake - a surprise to me as I never would have connected him with Duran Duran. They work well together.

Duran Duran's Red Carpet Massacre tour took place while I waited for my first grandchild to be born. Unfortunately, they came to Arizona at the time Jaydalyn was due to be born. My love for my daughter and grandchild kept me from buying tickets. Our Jayda was born on the very day of their concert in Phoenix.

Their latest album "All You Need is Now" will be available on iTunes on the 21st of this month. I've listened to samples from the album and am looking forward to purchasing the entire album. I am sorry to say they have not set any tour dates for the United States as of yet. They will be touring South Africa - wonderful for them, but the trip is impossible for me.  Here's hoping for a U.S. tour that fits in with my schedule - my daughter is pregnant again, so I'm praying for a tour date in Phoenix that fits with my personal schedule. :) (Yes, praying...) I'll need a front row seat and a backstage pass - which also means I'll need extra cash. Since they haven't set any U.S. dates yet, I'm assuming I have some time.

D2 Live from London DVD

Very few people have never heard "Hungry Like the Wolf" or "Rio" and I have yet to meet and like a person who doesn't at least appreciate one of their songs. Last year, I recall being teased and belittled by friends because of my fascination with the group. Those same friends ended up sitting in front of the television, watching the Duran Duran Live from London concert along with me (it wasn't "live" for us). The worst offender begrudgingly murmured, "They put on a good show. Actually, they kinda rock."  Darn straight, they rock, Joe. I may be old, but I have taste. :)

  Sample Duran Duran's music