Monday, June 11, 2007

Duran Duran Concert in NY This Weekend....

Personally, I am hoping to see the Red Elvises in Winston-Salem, NC, this weekend but that is because that show is more georgraphically feasible for me since I live in the Greensboro area.

But, for those of you who live closer to the Big Apple and can't get "The Reflex" out of your head (actually now that I mention it, I can't either), Duran Duran will be at The Hammerstein Ballroom on June 17. According the the Duran Duran fan site, there are still balcony and floor seats available.

I must say growing up in the '80s, I came to both like and despise Duran Duran many, many times over. Today, I think one has to give them credit for capitalizing on the MTV music video trend regardless of what one thinks of their music, which to be honest with everyone I like more now than I did in 1985! The band's videos were eye-catching and hip, and helped bring  the '45s on our turn tables to life long before any of us heard of virtual reality.

While researching this entry, I found that Duran Duran was actually classified as a member of the New Romantic subgenre of pop music, which also include Spandau Ballet. Duran Duran was also one of the earliest bands ever to remix their own albums. And, astonisingly enough, they have never officially broken up though original guitar player Andy Taylor is no longer with the band.

DuranDuran was named for the villain in the 1968 Roger Vadim sci film "Barbarella, "which starred a very sexy young Jane Fonda. 

From 1982 to 1986, Duran Duran's massive string of hits included "Girls on Film," "Rio," "Hungry Like the Wolf," "Save a Prayer," "Union of the Snake," and my personal favorite "New Moon on Monday."

Duran Duran was created by keyboardist Nick Taylor. The lead vocals were provided by Simon Le Bon. The band's drummer was Roger Taylor while John Taylor provided bass. None of the Taylors are related.

The band was the personal favorite of the late Princess Diana, and Duran Duran performed at a memorial concert in her honor shortly after her untimely death in 1998.

After performing in New York, Duran Duran will play in Cork, Ireland on June 29_ if you really need an excuse to go to Europe.

Duran Duran is also politically active. Their web site features considerable info on climate control, and they will perform at a Live Earth concert in London on July 7.

For more info:

http://duranduran.com

http://duranduranfans.com

http://duranduranmusic.com

 

James Bond fans: Yes, I suppose I did overlook "A View to a Kill."

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dude, Nick Taylor?! You mean Nick Rhodes.

Anonymous said...

I stand corrected:) I guess....

Anonymous said...

Ahhh, indeed I meant Nick Rhodes.