I didn’t own Thank You in any form up until about 2 years ago. I did have a couple of songs off of it, but the actual CD didn’t grace my collection until very recently. I’ll go one farther and say that I didn’t even know they’d done that CD until about the year 2004.
When I was younger, I thought they were horrible live. No, I’m not kidding. I had really bad taste back then, apparently. Funny because now I think they’re far better live than on any of their albums!
I’ve said this before, but it bares repeating that when I bought Medazzaland, I literally went through the album, played the opening bit of each song once, and put the CD away. I never got it out again until 2005.
Not only did I not know for sure when John Taylor went solo, I didn’t know he’d done any solo work outside of Duran Duran aside from “I Do What I Do” up until I started hanging out with Amanda. (Sorry John. My loss!)
To this day, I have a difficult time remembering what drummers (aside from Steve Ferrone) took over for Roger in his absence, and I don’t even bother with the bass players after John. I think it’s my brain blocking out what it doesn’t want to acknowledge.
As I’ve mentioned before, I do have a few autographed things. I went to a signing in 2004 at the Virgin Megastore up in LA with my oldest. She was about 8 at the time. I had my Astronaut album signed by all 5, and my daughter had a CD cover signed. After it was signed she put it in her bag and we went to sit down outside. At some point, she sat the bag next to her, and the very next thing we knew – the CD cover was missing. Clearly someone took it from her bag, and she was extremely upset (as was I!). I promised that I would get her another CD cover. I searched and searched and finally found someone selling one on eBay that was absolutely real. We paid over $300 for that CD cover because someone bid me up and then basically dropped it on me at the last second. Yes, it was by far one of the dumbest things I’ve spent money on, but I made a promise and now it sits in a drawer somewhere deep in my daughters bedroom. Wow. Money well spent. My husband hasn’t forgotten that insanity.
We still have the backdrop that was behind the band’s signing table from that signing. No, it’s not signed. It’s up in my daughter’s closet. I plan to steal it when she goes away to college. I have no idea what I’ll do with it.
I have gone through crushes on nearly every band member except one. John. That’s right – I am admitting here on Daily Duranie that there was a very brief time when I even liked Warren a little. *gasps heard ’round the world* It’s true. I can’t say that I had a real crush on him, but I suppose I did find him attractive until I heard some of the more creepier rumors that have gone around about him. Then the reunion was announced and I felt my soul be saved! (We ALL have our dark secrets, people!)
John is the only original member I’ve never had a real crush on, and that is primarily because every other female on the planet has liked him – and I tend to like to be different.
I loved Nick with orange hair, and there’s this one picture with him in a greyish suit and he’s wearing purple eyeliner that I still adore to this day.
I never loved Roger with eyeliner, oddly enough. I think he looks better without most of the time.
Simon is the only band member that I am a little nervous about ever meeting in person (should that ever happen). He is the one I would never approach on my own, and especially not out in public! I’ve stood right in front of him before outside of the rehearsal studio and he was nothing but kind, but he makes me a little nervous. It might have something to do with the immense amount of teasing that I’ve done on his behalf and I figure I’m in for it with him eventually.
Back during the Astronaut tour, I had light up devil horns that I would wear to shows with a few of my friends. Oh yes. Yes I did. I still cringe when I think of them, although at the time they were fun. Those have since been retired.
Oh, here’s a good one – in 2005, we drove from Milwaukee back to Chicago in order to see if we could be “smart” enough to find them in the hotel they were staying at. Well, we did find them. We sat down in the lobby area well away from where they were chatting with other people, and then I thought Nick Rhodes was actually the bass player from Clear Static. I didn’t approach them or anything and it was from across the room, but the fact is – I was sincerely that stupid. 😀 Amanda has sadly never forgotten my comment that “Hey, isn’t that the kid from Clear Static?!?” and I know that it will probably be engraved on my tombstone at some point. I swore I’d never admit that publicly – but now I have. Let the gods shoot me with lightning. It was the hair, Nick!!
Another thing I’ll say about seeing them out and about in public or after a show – whenever I’ve gone to where ever I thought they were, I’ve always felt just a little bit (actually a lot) icky about it later. I am obviously not good at stalking and I’m OK with admitting that. I feel like I need a shower afterwards and I don’t enjoy the notion of just sitting around waiting for them. It’s gross and weird. I’m not going to judge others for doing it – just leave me in the hotel bar while you’re doing it and then come back and brag to me about the photos and hugs you’ve gotten. I’ll smile, curse myself, and settle back into my vodka tonic.
Along those same lines of gross and weird, there was a time that I went to see where one of them lived. Let’s just say I traversed the hilly streets around where I believed one of them lived while in an F350 diesel truck with my family. When we got to what I believe was the correct address, my husband shuts off the engine and asks if I’m going to get out of the truck and go take a photo. Every light was on in the house with every window wide open. I immediately yelled some obscenities and told him to start the truck and get out of there! He was dumbfounded. So he starts the truck and proceeds to make what feels like a 50-point turn to get out of the narrow street and we sped away. I felt so sick, so gross…that was the last time I’ll ever do such a thing. There is absolutely no future in stalking for me. I can’t do it and feel good about myself. As I type this, I still cringe and feel horrible. I should probably take another shower.
One more thing I should mention about seeing them out and about – I am rarely ever correct in my “inside information”. To be honest, I never HAVE any “inside information”. I’m just not cool enough to be on the short list that people would call to invite places. I have to laugh as I type that because it’s so true. I’m always amazed at how many people run into them in bars and things, because in my case I’m typically a day late and a dollar short. There have been times when I’ve known exactly where they’re supposed to be, then I get to the place and can’t get in because every other Duranie in the world has already gotten there. Like I said – day late, dollar short! That’s pretty indicative of my luck in general. Amanda is SO much better on her own than when she’s with me, I’ll say that much. It must be my bad karma or something. I typically start out the tour apologizing to her for the bad “band finding” luck she’s about to have, and for the JoSi moments I’m about to block her from viewing at shows. *sigh*
I have to wonder why it is so important to all of us to be where the band is, and I count myself in that crowd. I think that in my case, I just don’t want to be the one left out. Trouble is, I typically am anyway. As I said before, I’ve gotten places where I knew for sure they’d be and ended up waiting outside because I couldn’t get in due to a huge crowd. As we were leaving to go to another bar, I received texts from “friends” inside saying that they saw us and were laughing because we we were stuck outside. It was a reminder of how lovely fellow fans really can be at times, and that I should really just make my own plans and not try to do the “fan thing” after the shows.
Each and every day, I’m still utterly shocked and surprised as to how many people read our blog. I know I’m just a fan like anyone else. I’ve never gotten close to the band, gotten into an afterparty, or been recognized by any one of them – in fact the few times I’ve seen one of them after a show they tend to glance my way with a look that varies between fear and disgust, which is only mildly insulting because I’ve never once rushed any one of them. I guess you can’t hide the Duranie-ness. *sigh* I know I’m a complete geek compared to many fans out there, and my credibility is probably next to zero. I’m not one of the cool kids and never have been. When I see how many people read the blog or even recognize us when we’re in a different country, it’s shocking. Hopefully what I write hits home with someone else out there. I know my writing isn’t academically sound and that my college professors are likely to be in the process of trying to find me so that they can rescind my diploma. I write very much as though I might be having a conversation right in front of you the reader. I do that on purpose – with all of the beautiful slang, pauses and other things I should be shot for utilizing. I want you all to know I’m just like many of you, except I’m crazy enough to admit most of it in writing. I have fun doing it though, and while I could be paying for intense therapy – this is way cheaper.
Be brave enough to admit the crazy that lives within. You’re in very good company. (Hey, at least *I* think I’m good company!!)
-R
Let's see what can I confess?…
~I had never seen the video for “Falling Down” until about a year ago.
~I still haven't watched the entire video for “Out of my Mind”. I'm not sure why.
~OH and I had never watched the video for “Come Undone” until last week.
~I've always, ALWAYS been a John girl.
~I likely have the same address you do for that narrow hilly street. 😉
~I knew about “I do what I do” it's all the other stuff I didn't know about when he left the band. (Sorry John!)
You know .. Im just gonna ad (a FEW of) mine and not even read thru yours completly.
I didnt own any of the 90s albums until the beginning of the new millenium
Never mind the solo works. I got Simons and Nicks. I need to complete with Andy and John. Roger is tricky cos I know hes been producing a bit but I need more info on that.
— The above has reasons (some would call it excuses but i dare any one to walk in anyone elses shoes) I became a mother to a autistic child very early and 6 years after I added another son with autism to my collection. So its not as if Ive been just not caring. Its more a question of lack of time and bad bad promoters.
Re the autographed stuff: I dont want it, I dont care for it. The music is the star for me. Wouldnt go to signings either nor would I get my picture taken with anyof them (unless I somehow stumbled and fell infront of a camera) Now I would much rather sit an have a chat about music, witing, inspiration etc. That intrests me. A peek into some artistic minds that I admire beyond.
So if that makes me weird and odd so be it. Ill be over there in the corner enjoying the music 😉
Couldnt sign in with Twitter and was to lazy to open WordPress
Lady S
x
Confessions:
1. My life does not nor has it ever revolved around the Band
2. DD fell off the map for me after the break up and seeing the Wedding Album tour until RCM
3. I did like some tracks on RCM. I liked the concert I happened upon one night while flipping through cable channels. It was quite awesome.
4. I like Timbaland. I like Rap music. I like Missy Elliott, Salt n Pepa (people he started with). I like Eminem now.
5. I don't know much of Chic's repertoire although a major influence on the band, and Nile Rogers having produced DD.
6. I can tell you and sing you every song on the 2 Sex Pistols albums I owned
7. I admit to being a Public Library user, and getting CD's there first to try before I buy…if I buy at all
8. I own Sugarland, Sing Blue Silver, VH1 Duran Duran Rio special on DVD. I also own the 1982-3(?) compilation of videos on VHS.
9. Yes, I still own a VHS player.
10. I hated Sing Blue Silver DVD. It did not portray them in a favorable light. Debauchery mostly. But some scenes where members were completely overwhelmed by US fans.
11. JT and SLB have been my faves, crushing more on JT. Charlie is taller than I thought. Since I am 6' tall, men absolutely have to be at least 2-3″ taller than me to be of interest.
12. I think JT, especially since marrying GN, seems less approachable (perhaps a bit of a snob?) than Simon, whom I see as a regular man, family, working man, interested in what's happening in the world outside Duran.
13. Roger looks more attractive now than he did in the early years.
14. I once asked on DDM whether any of the members had “work” done as they are so very wonderful looking as they age with me, and when I look in the mirror, not living the lives they've had, and I don't look that great.
15. Warren never appealed to me.It was all about his dick and he acted like one most of the time.
16. I would like to sit down and have a chat with individual band members. Not sure about Nick or Roger. Nick is the LEAST approachable of the 4. I don't know anything about soccer, so I wouldn't have anything to talk about with him that wasn't too personal.
17. John has always made me want to learn how to play the bass. Love to have a lesson from him and laugh it up about how horrible I am.
18. Want a tattoo, but aren't I a bit old at nearly 45? I'll stick to my sharpie version.
Last, I am catching up on what I have missed through the years between WA and RCM. I'm at a stage in my life where I can breathe a bit and appreciate life, and have fun!
13.
Deb-I enjoyed reading your confessions! I appreciate how open you are! I gotta comment about a few. First, you think Sing Blue Silver shows mostly debauchery? Where? You barely even see them drink and they never swear. This seems very tame to what we know life was like then for them, or most of them. Second, I have to disagree with you about Simon seeming more approachable as I have seen him be pretty cold to fans who have approached him, so much so that I am with Rhonda. Now, John, I have been able to approach twice and he was very kind both times to me. In truth, though, I have found Nick to be the most approachable and have never heard ANY negative fan meeting with him ever. Nick doesn't like soccer or any sports, for that matter.
-A
The above are all pretty funny (and some true for me as well) so I thought I'd contribute to the Duran Duran Confessions.
1. Agree with #12 above. I think John seems more removed and distant since marrying again. Sigh… As if I had a chance of breaking through. 🙂
2. I've always been all about John. The cheekbones were sweet nectar to my already flooding hormones, and from the age of 10 they fueled my taste in men. My husband has high cheekbones and a square chin. It made me fall for him instantly. Darn you, John. Or, should I thank you?
3. I've stalked Simon's house on Upper Richmond in London, and ate at his favorite Indian restaurant, twice. With my husband. Hubby photographed me outside his house. Truth, if he would have surfaced, I would have dove under the table or hidden behind a bush in complete embarrassment. As an aside, both times I went by his house there were small groups of 40-ish women sitting on suitcases. Were they expecting an invite to bed down inside? Weird.
4. I thing I would get along with Roger, best. I also think it's no coincidence the “shy”, introverted one has held up the best. He looks divine.
5. I didn't listen to Duran from 1994 to 2004.
6. I've listened to Duran Duran every single day since AYNIN was released last year.
Uh oh..confessions time.
1. I've tried to find them many, many times at hotels.
2. The outside cover on my sophmore yearbook in 1984 is engraved with “charley's key”(b/c simon used to wear a key around his neck)
3. I 'forgot about them' for a good chunk of the 90's. Started to return with their pop trash album (went to see them live again)
4. Still love watching sing blue silver with my bff after drunken nights. It makes me happy. It also works out b/c she's a john girl and i'm a simon girl. We like to discuss their hotness.
5. Seriously considering a DD tattoo, but don't have the nerve yet.
6. I have met them several times, and been a several parties that they have been at. I agree, Simon is the least approachable, and scary. Plus he always has a rude body guard with him. The one opportunity i had to speak to him, i was literally tongue tied.
OH, I thought of another few:
I didn't even buy Pop Trash until AFTER I'd seen them at the House of Blues in 2001. I decided that if I liked anything I heard, I'd buy it. I guess I must have liked the show! 😀
I have cried twice at a Duran Duran concert, and I not proud of either moment, really. The first time was in 2005 at the show in Chicago. (Allstate Arena) I knew they were probably going to play Tiger Tiger and as soon as they played the opening bars, the tears began to flow. It was SO silly and I couldn't control the reaction. I'd waited so long to hear that song… The second time was at the fan show in NYC, 2007. The band wasn't even onstage. They played that CD of the first 4 or 5 songs off the album and I cried as soon as I heard The Valley, it continued on from there, and no – they were not happy tears. LOL They were a sign that I needed a real vacation, that's what they were! 😀 -R
The soccer reference was meant to be about Roger. The comments are all very interesting. And I know what I think and what is real about the band members is just mispercption and assumption, and of course, media bias in how the band and individual members have been portrayed or revealed over the years.
I could see how is could be a twat. I was most impressed with an interview that JT did in October in Germany/ Austria leg. It was THE most honest interview I have ever seen. I loved John even more. So even though I may see him attached to GN perhaps snob was not correct word, maybe just straddles the line of fashion and Duran, thankfully more Duran.
Not having any up close and personal meetings, these are just my assumptions. Public vs. private persona.
I do have admiration for the artistry the band brings together. Such talent.
I have worked with adolescent and young adults with substance abuse problems and court involvement, so all I saw was them being high. This is because I can't take the clinicians lens off Ll the time, even when it comes to my band. Plus, knowing about the early days of coke and lots of alcohol consumption, fame too fast and furious, I saw beyond the kids on tour in the US for the first time.
ok confession time
I didn't buy Pop Trash or Medazzaland at first,got it well after year 2000,and I bought it at a used record store!!
I didn't go to see them live in 1997 cos I was less into them then.But by curiosity I walked around the venue the night of to see the kind of people who'd go.
Worst is I had a great DD tshirt from the 80s that I tried to dye,for some reason,& it didn't work.I ended up throwing it away.NOW I REALLY REGRET IT!
I also have almost no knowledge about some of the other guys who replaced Roger for a while.
I also own almost no items or collectibles from the Pop Trash & Medazzaland era(other than the cds)
Joel
DD Confessions:
Didn't follow them during the 90's. Yeah, like everyone else I purchased the Wedding Album, but besides that, DD was just a fond 80's memory to me. (The thing is, I actually don't like pop or dance music. More of a alternative/folk/blues girl.)
Back in the 80's my entire bedroom, as in every square inch of every wall, was nothing but DD posters and glossies from Teen Beat and such. I look back with a mixture of embarrassment and wistfulness (if only the hubby would let me decorate our bedroom like that today LMAO!)
I frequently daydream about happening to run into individual band members in a public place and the various ways I would approach them in a totally not-psychotic obsessed fan way. What is the best way to say, “ZOMG I lurve you soooo much it's great to meet you can I please have a picture and maybe have your babies?!?!?” LOL seriously though, I do fantasize about meeting them and summoning up the courage to ask for a photo.
Not a day goes by that I don't listen to DD.
Hungry Like the Wolf, The Reflex and Wildboys ~ these concert staples always make me happy, no matter how many times I hear them live.
But I could do without Come Undone and Ordinary World for a few shows.
Save a Prayer has never been my favorite. But now that it is finally out of rotation I find myself missing it.
I only pick up extra shifts at work when there is a DD tour coming up. The only thing getting me through the day is the thought that all of those extra hours will pay for another VIP ticket =)
As angry, disgusted and disillusioned as I am with DDM right now, chances are I will never quit being a member. Getting the first, second or third row for a concert is an amazing experience and worth all the headaches in the world.
Mmmmmmmm, ok lets go for it even if this chronicle is from many weeks ago. When I was a teenager my band was Queen, I love them and still does. When I ws at the university, I was living very poorly, no radio, no record (cd didn't exist by then) no tv. So I wasn't aware of what was going on on music world. When I finished university in 82,I went straight away to Mexico to marry the mother of my two marvelous girls and I lived there again very simply, no tv, no radio no music. During the weekends we were going to her parents house and there I had the oportunity to look at tv a bit. There was a show of clips and one day they made a Duran Duran's special, and when they said that the drummer was Roger Taylor I almost fall appart. What? MY Roger Taylor had quit Queen to go to another band??? I was pissed off. But what was funny is that listening to those songs I couldn't do anything else to think: Damned… this is excellent music! I couldn't imagine that there can be 2 different drummer in two huge bands with the same name… And I become a huge fan! But as mney was still an issue no record came to my home, so I loved them when I had the oportunity. When I came back to live in Canada, things weren't more easy financialy, I decided to return to university study something that suited me better. But at least this time we were having tv and I was looking at their somptuous videos when they were showing them at Musique Plus (our MTV) then I lost them… and suddenly at the radio there ws that incredible song Ordinary World, each time I listen to it I was amazed, still now it is my favorite song ever. But I had no idea it was from the same Band I loved back then. And I lost them again… Years later I was a big fan of The Saint (this was a show when I was a kid and now they were doing a movie with Val Kilmer) My girlfriend of that time (I know…) gave me the cd after we saw the movie. And I fell in love again listening to Out of my Mind. Looking at he name I tought hey I loved this band in the 80's! So I went to the music store and bought Decade. This time I was more than ever hooked! I bought Rio, Duran Duran, SEven rapidly and during a trip to New Orleans I bought The Wedding Album and Medazzaland their new album. Discovered it was them who made Ordinary World and was now obsessed by them. Since that time I become their biggest fan 😉 bought every bootleg possible etc. Strangely I see many people didn't like some of the records but I don't see any difference in quality or spirit between Medazzaland, Pop trash or Rio. I had a little problem with Red Carpet because I don't have many good spirit for guys like Timbaland and Timberlake but still think the album could have been great if it was played in a Duran's way. But I never understood why people are sticked to Andy or Power Station etc, this is so far away from Duran Duran. Arcadia, John's solo this relate to Duran Duran, not the very basic Andy's stuff. But maybe I am also mad about him leaving the band when they were the biggest band alive and again when they were going a bit better in popularity (not in quality, Warren was the best!). Never had any of this feeling toward Roger, he left the band for good reasons, as John later. Oh and by the way Rhonda, The bassist who take care of Duran when John had to go, was Wes Wehmiller. He was a great guy very talented and nice. He sadly died of thyroid cancer at 33 only. http://weswehmiller.net/
Pat