Duran Duran Facts for Kids

This page is about the band. For other uses, see Duran Duran (disambiguation).

Quick facts for kids Duran Duran
Duran Duran in 1983. Left to right: Roger Taylor (drums), Nick Rhodes (keyboards), Simon Le Bon (vocals), Andy Taylor (guitar) and John Taylor (bass)
Background information
Origin	Birmingham, England
Genres	New wave synth-pop pop rock dance-rock
Years active	1978–present
Labels	Capitol EMI Parlophone Virgin Epic Hollywood Tapemodern Warner Bros. BMG

Members	Nick Rhodes John Taylor Roger Taylor Simon Le Bon

Past members	Stephen Duffy Simon Colley Andy Wickett Alan Curtis Jeff Thomas Andy Taylor Warren Cuccurullo Sterling Campbell

Duran Duran are a famous English pop rock band. They formed in Birmingham in 1978. The group was started by keyboard player Nick Rhodes and bass player John Taylor. Later, they were joined by drummer Roger Taylor, guitarist Andy Taylor, and singer Simon Le Bon. Even though three members share the last name Taylor, they are not related.

In the 1980s, Duran Duran became one of the most successful bands in the world. They were part of a music movement called the New Romantic scene, known for its stylish fashion. They were also pioneers of music videos. Their videos were played often on the television channel MTV, which helped them become huge stars in the United States. This success was often compared to the fame of The Beatles.

Some of their most famous songs include "Hungry Like the Wolf", "Rio", "The Reflex", and "Ordinary World". In 1985, they recorded the song "A View to a Kill" for the James Bond movie of the same name. It became the only James Bond theme song to reach number one on the US charts.

Duran Duran has sold over 100 million records. They have won many awards, including two Grammy Awards and two Brit Awards. In 2022, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They are still making music and performing today.

Band History
Musical Style and Influences
Importance of Music Videos
Band Members
Discography
Images for kids
See also

Band History

Formation and Early Years

John Taylor (left, in 2015) and Nick Rhodes (in 2012) founded Duran Duran in 1978.

Childhood friends John Taylor and Nick Rhodes started the band in 1978. They named the group after a character named "Dr. Durand Durand" from the science fiction movie Barbarella. They played their first shows at a club in Birmingham called the Rum Runner. The owners of the club became their managers.

The band tried out different singers and musicians before finding their classic line-up. In 1980, they found drummer Roger Taylor and guitarist Andy Taylor. Finally, a drama student named Simon Le Bon joined as the lead singer. The group signed a record deal with EMI Records in late 1980.

Success with Music Videos

Duran Duran released their first album, Duran Duran, in 1981. Their first single was "Planet Earth". Another song, "Girls on Film", became a big hit. The music video for "Girls on Film" was very daring for its time and got people talking about the band.

In 1982, they released their second album, Rio. This album made them superstars. It included hits like "Hungry Like the Wolf" and "Save a Prayer". The band filmed colorful music videos for these songs in exotic places like Sri Lanka. These videos were shown constantly on MTV, a new TV channel that played music videos 24 hours a day. Because of this, Duran Duran became very popular in America. The press called them the "Fab Five".

Their third album, Seven and the Ragged Tiger (1983), featured the song "The Reflex", which became their first number-one hit in the United States. In 1985, they released "A View to a Kill" for the James Bond movie. It was a massive success.

Changes and Comebacks

After years of touring and recording, the band members needed a break. They split into two side projects: The Power Station and Arcadia. When they came back together, Roger Taylor and Andy Taylor left the band. Duran Duran continued as a trio with Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, and John Taylor. They released the album Notorious in 1986.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, music styles changed. Guitarist Warren Cuccurullo joined the band. In 1993, they made a big comeback with The Wedding Album. It featured the hit songs "Ordinary World" and "Come Undone". These songs introduced the band to a new generation of fans.

Reunion and Recent Years

Duran Duran performing live in Toronto, Canada, 2005

In 2001, the original five members—Simon, Nick, John, Roger, and Andy—reunited. They went on a sold-out world tour and released the album Astronaut in 2004. The single "(Reach Up for The) Sunrise" was a hit.

Andy Taylor left the band again in 2006. The remaining four members continued to make music. They worked with famous producers like Mark Ronson and Timbaland. They released albums such as All You Need Is Now (2010) and Paper Gods (2015).

In 2021, they released the album Future Past. The following year, Duran Duran was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. During the ceremony, they read a letter from former member Andy Taylor, revealing he was battling serious health issues.

In 2023, the band released a Halloween-themed album called Danse Macabre. It featured new songs and covers of spooky classics. In late 2025, they released a re-recording of their song "Shadows on Your Side".

Musical Style and Influences

Duran Duran's music is often described as new wave, synth-pop, and pop rock. They mix rock music with electronic sounds from synthesizers. Their songs are known for being catchy and good for dancing.

The band was influenced by artists like David Bowie, Roxy Music, and Chic. They combined the energy of punk rock with the rhythm of disco. Keyboardist Nick Rhodes uses many layers of synthesizers to create their unique sound.

Importance of Music Videos

Duran Duran as a trio, in 1986

Duran Duran changed the way music videos were made. Before them, most videos just showed a band playing on a stage. Duran Duran made their videos like short movies. They filmed in jungles, on boats, and in beautiful cities.

They used professional movie cameras, which made their videos look like cinema films. Directors like Russell Mulcahy helped create their famous look. Because their videos were so high-quality, MTV played them all the time. This helped bring British music to American audiences in the 1980s.