The 1980’s was characterized by a wave of new bands which breakthrough into the mainstream occurred after releasing video songs to be aired through the, at the time, newborn MTV and VH1.
Duran Duran is one of those successful New Romantic groups that achieved fame mixing visual presence with music. Formed in 1978 in Birmingham, England, the band' was named after the Barbarella film villain "Dr. Durand Durand".
Duran Duran began recording demo tapes in 1980 while playing in their native city’s clubs until they were included as an opening act for Hazel O'Connor, a fact that brought the attention of two record companies, Phonogram Records and EMI, the Beatles' company.
Duran Duran signed to EMI and the band's reputation was built through a number of music videos featuring quality recordings and members' fashionable style like none of their competitors, including ABC, Ultravox, Culture Club, and Spandau Ballet.
During four years MTV, BBC, VH1, and other emerging music TV channels featured Duran Duran's videos including "Hungry Like a Wolf", "Union of the Snake", "Rio", "Girls on Film", "The Reflex", "The Chauffeur", and many others that raised the band to popularity.
Duran Duran's debut album was released on June 1981 hitting number 3 on the UK charts and number 10 on Billboard's Top Ten, selling six million copies worldwide.
All of the band's albums have topped both the British and American charts. Duran Duran's discography includes:
- "Rio" (1982)
- "Seven and the Ragged Tiger" (1983)
- "Notorious" (1986)
- "Big Thing" (1988)
- "Liberty" (1990)
- "Duran Duran The Wedding Album" (1993)
- "Thank You" (1995)
- "Medazzaland" (1997)
- "Pop Trash" (2000)
- "Astronaut" (2004)
As video music became more common on TV, Duran Duran's popularity declined but the band has kept a loyal fanbase through the time. The band is actually working on their forthcoming album, "Red Carpet Massacre", scheduled to be released in November of 2007.
Duran Duran also performed at the Concert for Princess Diana in July of 2007 in Wimbledon Stadium after being introduced by Prince William, who said Duran Duran was one of his mother's favorite bands.
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