Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Endurance Test: Duran Duran, icons of the ‘80s, still draw loyal fans

Julie Moore has never been on an airplane, but her quest to see Duran Duran is about to get her off the ground.

This weekend, the Wolverhampton, England, resident and four of her girlfriends are flying to Las Vegas to see their favorite band play twice at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel.

"My friends had booked the trip at the end of last year," Moore wrote in an email exchange with the Sun this week. "I did not think I could afford it ... but my wonderful hubby came to the rescue and, whoosh! I'm coming to Vegas.

"It'll be the first time I've ever flown. What a way to start!"

For Moore, a loyal "Durannie" since 1981, and millions of other 30-somethings like her around the world, the British band represents an era dear to her heart

"Duran Duran's music takes me back to the '80s when I had some of the best years of my life," Sian Struel, one of Moore's traveling partners, wrote in an e-mail. "Even now when I listen to them, it reminds me of the time when I was young and carefree, without the stress and strains of modern life. It's like a form of escapism."

Although Michael Jackson, Madonna, Prince, R.E.M., U2 and others remain emblematic of the music of the 1980s, Duran Duran stands as the act that perhaps best represents the decade.

The band's songs feature catchy pop melodies, generous helpings of synthesizer, and fun singalong choruses ("Her name is Rio, and she dances on the sand").

"If you were to talk about the music landscape of the '80s, they definitely are one of the bands that defined it," said Mike O'Brian, program director for local '80s-format radio station "Star 102.7" (KSTJ 102.7-FM).

"Chicks liked them, guys liked them, and they took advantage of the music video era, which probably explains what made them as big as they still are today."

Duran Duran's original lineup -- vocalist Simon LeBon, guitarist Andy Taylor, bassist John Taylor, keyboardist Nick Rhodes and drummer Roger Taylor -- reunited in 2003 for their first tour together since 1984. Those live dates included two sold-out shows at The Joint.

That quintet returns to the venue for performances Sunday and Monday nights. At press time, a limited number of tickets remained available for Monday's show.

O'Brian attended one of Duran Duran's 2003 Vegas dates, and said he was impressed with the band's ability to re-create its good-time '80s vibe.

"They're one of the smarter bands. They remember what got them here," O'Brian said. "Their new album (2004's "Astronaut") is good, but the fact of the matter is that they're an '80s band.

"When you see Paul McCartney, you want to see the Beatles stuff and the Wings stuff, and that's also what Duran Duran delivers, their hits."

Although Duran Duran's 2003 shows attracted some youngsters, most of the crowd was comprised of fans in their 30s and 40s, many of whom dial up "Star 102.7" for the songs they remember most.

"I think a lot of people want to hear what they know, what they're familiar with," O'Brian said. "People tell us, 'I love this music. I know this music. I can understand this music. And each song you play means something to me. It makes me think of high school or another time in my life.' "

That's certainly true for Moore.

"The '80s was such a great era to be in," she wrote. "People had hope and money and times were good. The high life could be achieved by many. Today that's just not the case. So to listen to the guys takes you back to when your cares were few and money was to be spent."

Along with Madonna and U2, Duran Duran is one of Star 102.7's core artists. The station frequently mixes songs such as "Hungry Like the Wolf," "Save a Prayer," "Rio," "Girls on Film" and "The Reflex" into its rotation.

That collection of hits stands in contrast to the numerous "one-hit wonders" who made an impact in the U.S. during the '80s and continue to receive airplay today, including A-Ha ("Take On Me"), Dexy's Midnight Runners ("Come On Eileen") and Soft Cell ("Tainted Love").

Moore said there is no comparison between Duran Duran and the typical sound the 1980s are associated with.

"They have and always will my absolute fave," Moore wrote. "They always seem to have songs to suit every mood you may feel, whether it be joy or sadness ... The melodies within the songs are fantastic ... and you just can't help but sing along, something I'm quite prone to doing."

Moore and her travel buddies met up, not surprisingly, through Duran Duran's United Kingdom Web site, www.duranduran.co.uk. Now, that common interest has spawned close friendships, and this weekend's trip across the Atlantic Ocean.

"I am so pleased that they have reformed and are touring again," Kirsty Suggitt, another British fan coming in for the shows, wrote. "I believe that Duran Duran was the quintessential act of the '80s. Their music was fantastic, and they are dedicated to their fans."

Just as their fans remain dedicated to them.

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