Questions
Where does the name Duran Duran come from?
It comes from Dr. Durand Durand, the villain in the 1968 sci-fi film Barbarella. The band reportedly took the name the day after the film aired on the BBC in October 1978.
When and where was the band formed?
Duran Duran was founded in 1978 in Birmingham, England, by bassist John Taylor and keyboardist Nick Rhodes, initially with Stephen Duffy.
Who is in the classic lineup?
The classic five settled in May 1980: Simon Le Bon on vocals, Nick Rhodes on keyboards, John Taylor on bass, Andy Taylor on guitar, and Roger Taylor on drums.
Are the three Taylors in the band actually related?
No. John Taylor, Andy Taylor, and Roger Taylor all share the surname but are not related to one another.
What was their breakthrough hit?
Their first hit was Planet Earth, which peaked at number 12 in February 1981.
What is their most iconic album?
Rio, released in 1982, featured Hungry Like the Wolf, Save a Prayer, and Rio, and it stayed on the US charts for 129 weeks.
Did Duran Duran ever have a number one hit in the US?
Yes. The Reflex became their first US number one in 1983, and their James Bond theme A View to a Kill topped the US chart in 1985.
Which James Bond theme did they record?
They performed A View to a Kill (1985), which remains the only James Bond theme to reach number one on the US chart.
How big were they at their peak?
By 1984 their popularity was compared to Beatlemania, and the British press dubbed them the Fab Five. The band has sold over 100 million records worldwide.
What happened at Live Aid in 1985?
They performed on July 13, 1985, before about 90,000 people and an estimated 1.5 billion TV viewers. Le Bon hit an off-key note reportedly nicknamed the Bum Note Heard Round the World, which he later called his most embarrassing career moment.
What were The Power Station and Arcadia?
In 1984 and 1985 the band split into two side projects. The Power Station paired John and Andy Taylor with Robert Palmer and Tony Thompson, while Arcadia featured Simon Le Bon and Nick Rhodes with guests reportedly including Sting, Herbie Hancock, and David Gilmour.
Why were their music videos such a big deal?
They helped pioneer the MTV era and were called the first rock group to ride in on a video wave. Director Russell Mulcahy made their videos cinematic, and the Girls on Film clip was so controversial that MTV heavily edited it.
Did the classic lineup ever reunite?
Yes. After the original five stopped performing together live from 1985, they staged a full reunion of the classic lineup in 2001. Andy Taylor departed again in 2006, and Dom Brown became the touring guitarist.
Are they in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
Yes, Duran Duran was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022. They have also won two Grammy Awards, two Brit Awards, and have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Are they still charting new music?
Yes. Their 2021 album Future Past reached number 3 in the UK, their highest chart position since Astronaut in 2004, giving them UK top 5 albums across five consecutive decades.
