| Code | DS/UK/18678 |
| Name | Duran Duran (1978-) |
| Dates | 1978- |
| Gender | Group (Male) |
| Place of Birth/Origin | Birmingham, England (formed) |
| Relationships | Members:
Nick Rhodes - keyboards, vocals
John Taylor - guitars, bass, vocals
Roger Taylor - drums, percussion
Simon Le Bon - vocals
Past members:
Stephen Duffy - vocals, drums, bass
Simon Colley - bass
Andy Wickett, Jeff Thomas - vocals
Alan Curtis - guitar
Andy Taylor - guitar, vocals
Warren Cuccurullo - guitars, vocals, bass
Sterling Campbell - drums |
| Biography | Duran Duran are an English new wave band formed in 1978. The group was a leading band in the MTV-driven Second British Invasion of the US in the 1980s. The group was formed by keyboardist Nick Rhodes and bassist John Taylor, with the later addition of drummer Roger Taylor, and after numerous personnel changes, guitarist Andy Taylor and lead singer Simon Le Bon. These five members featured the most commercially successful line-up.
When Duran Duran emerged they were generally considered part of the New Romantic scene, along with bands such as Spandau Ballet and Visage. The video age catapulted Duran Duran into the mainstream with the introduction of the 24-hour music channel MTV. Many of their videos were shot on 35 mm film, which gave a much more polished look than was standard at the time. They collaborated with professional film directors to take the quality a step further.. In 1984, the band was an early innovator with video technology in its live stadium shows. The band was one of the most successful acts of the 1980s, though by the end of the decade, membership and music style changes challenged the band before a resurgence in the early 1990s.
Duran Duran has sold over 100 million records, making them one of the world's best-selling music artists. They achieved 30 top 40 singles in the U.K., 14 singles in the top 10 of the UK Singles Chart and 21 in the US Billboard Hot 100. The band have won numerous awards throughout their career: two Brit Awards including the 2004 award for Outstanding Contribution to Music, two Grammy Awards, an MTV Video Music Award for Lifetime Achievement, and a Video Visionary Award from the MTV Europe Music Awards. They were also awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. |