See Private Sessions exclusive photos of Duran Duran.
From their steady climb up the charts in the U.K., to their rise to international superstardom, Duran Duran continues to be an unstoppable force, appealing to generations of fans across the globe. This morning we're pleased to welcome the multi-platinum selling pop supergroup Duran Duran.
Inspired by David Bowie and Roxy Music, as well as post-punk and disco, schoolmates Nick Rhodes (keyboards) and John Taylor (guitar) formed Duran Duran in 1978. By 1980 Simon Le Bon, Roger Taylor and Andy Taylor had joined the group and Duran Duran was poised for take-off.
By the end of 1980, Duran Duran had become popular within the burgeoning new romantic circuit in England and had secured a record contract with EMI. "Planet Earth," the band's first single, quickly rose to number 12 upon its spring 1981 release. Immediately, Duran Duran became a media darling in the British music and mainstream press. The group's popularity increased through their cutting-edge music videos, especially the bizarre, racy clip for "Girls on Film". The single became the group's first Top Ten hit, setting the stage for the fall release of their iconic debut album. Duran Duran reached number three upon its release and stayed in the charts for 118 weeks. The band quickly followed the album with Rio in 1982 which entered the charts at number two, and its singles "Hungry like the Wolf" and "Save a Prayer" became Top Ten hits. By the November release of the U.S.-only remix EP Carnival, the band were superstars in Europe, but only just beginning to make headway in America. "Hungry like the Wolf" became a Top Ten hit early in 1983. Rio followed that single into the Top Ten, eventually selling over 2 million copies. 1983 continued to be a great year for the band and Duran Duran mania was in full swing across America. They released some of their most popular singles including "Is There Something I Should Know", "Union of the Snake" and "The Reflex," their first number one U.S. hit and their second British chart-topper.
By 1985, Duran Duran chose to slow down a bit, and after the band completed the title track for the James Bond film A View to a Kill, the group went on hiatus and worked on individual projects. Late in 1986, the band released Notorious, their first album in nearly three years. It quickly went platinum in the U.S. and generated a Top Ten hit with the title track.
In 1993, the band returned from a prolonged hiatus with Duran Duran, a mature, layered record of lite funk and soulful adult contemporary pop that became a hit. "Ordinary World" and "Come Undone" became Top Ten hits in America, with the former reaching the Top Ten in the U.K. as well; the album itself climbed into the Top Ten on both continents and went platinum in America. Not only did the record restore their commercial status, but it earned them some of their best reviews of their career. In March 2001, Duran Duran reunited and began recording for a new album over the next three years and in addition to touring, they released Astronaut in October 2004.
This morning, after selling over 70 million records and having at least 18 American hit singles to date, iconic band Duran Duran perform their monstrous hits "Notorious" and "Girls on Film" as well as treat us to "Falling Down", "Nite Runner" and "Skin Divers" off their new release Red Carpet Massacre. Plus, don't miss their in-depth conversation with host Lynn Hoffman about their substantial and successful career.
Read the Duran Duran extended biography at BIO.com
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