Sometimes this fact means that there's a lot of tension between us, because we all have conflicting ideas. The thing which makes us all work well together was that we are five very different individuals.

Duran Duran's first performance with the lineup of Le Bon, Rhodes and the three Taylors was on 16 July 1980 at the Rum Runner. We were like, 'This guy doesn't even know what his potential is.' There was an innocence to it all'. Andy told a journalist, 'Simon came in with this book of poetry and kept coming up with these ideas and melodies. Having written poems and stories during his childhood, the band were impressed with Le Bon's skill with melodies he composed the lyrics and vocal line for 'Sound of Thunder' during his first audition. Le Bon struggled to sing at first and did not fit the band's desire for a singer who, according to Rhodes, was a mix between Reed, Bowie and Iggy Pop. ĭrama student Simon Le Bon was hired as Duran Duran's lead singer in May 1980. Around this time, they were hired as the resident band of the Birmingham nightclub Rum Runner the club's owners Paul and Michael Berrow became their managers. The band performed live throughout 1979, going through numerous lineup changes before securing the lineup of John, Rhodes, drummer Roger Taylor and guitarist Andy Taylor by early 1980. The trio were influenced by David Bowie, the Human League, Ultravox, Lou Reed and Kraftwerk. John Taylor (left, in 2015) and Nick Rhodes (in 2012) founded Duran Duran in 1978.Ĭhildhood friends John Taylor and Nick Rhodes formed Duran Duran in Birmingham, England, in 1978 with Taylor's art-school friend Stephen Duffy. It was remastered and re-released in a 2010 special edition, with bonus demo and live tracks. Retrospective reviews have been more positive, with critics complimenting the band for creating a modern sound that spearheaded the New Romantic movement. Critics felt the band did not stand out from their contemporaries, although some praised the singles. Its initial US release on Capitol subsidiary Harvest Records was unsuccessful a reissue there during the height of the band's fame in 1983 reached the top ten of the Billboard chart.ĭuran Duran initially received mixed reviews.

The sexually-provocative video for ' Girls on Film' was controversial, and generated publicity for the new MTV channel in the United States. Three singles appeared for the album, each promoted with music videos, which helped the album reach number three in the UK and remain in the top 100 for 118 weeks. The cover artwork for the album and singles were designed by Malcolm Garrett.

Le Bon's cryptic lyrics cover topics from youthful torment and confusion to the band's goals and ambitions. Influenced by artists such as David Bowie, the Human League, Japan and Chic, Duran Duran features a mixture of synthesiser-led pop tunes and more atmospheric experimental tracks, with elements of disco, punk and dance. The instrumental tracks were recorded quickly, but vocalist Simon Le Bon initially struggled to sing in the studio, leading to discussions about replacing him before EMI employee Dave Ambrose intervened. Produced by Colin Thurston, it was recorded in London and Oxfordshire between December 1980 and January 1981. Duran Duran is the debut studio album by the English new wave band Duran Duran, released on 15 June 1981 through EMI.

Duran duran album covers