April Fan of the Month: KC!

I became a fan in 1984 when I was 14 years old. I was introduced to the band by my friend, Amy. I would spend the night at her house and we would play music and watch MTV all night long. She played Seven and the Ragged Tiger and I saw the video for The Reflex for the first time. I. WAS. HOOKED. I immersed myself in all things Duran Duran after that. I spent my money, earned from baby-sitting, and bought all their cassette tapes and every Teen Beat, Tiger Beat, Bop, 16….pretty much any magazine that had John Taylor (my boyfriend & future husband) on the cover. It didn’t take long to cover my entire bedroom (walls & ceiling) with Duran Duran posters.

I loved their upbeat sound, their totally rad look (boys wearing make-up!) and their visually stunning videos. There wasn’t anything I didn’t love and obsess about. I never got to see them in concert when I was younger because I didn’t live near a large metropolitan area where  awesome concerts would take place and my mom was not a cool mom that would drive me. By the time I could drive, Duran Duran were not touring America. (sigh)

My obsession carried me through high school, college and adult hood. I moved to Fort Worth, TX in 2001 to take a job at an interior design firm and that is where I met my BFF and fellow DD uber fan, Honor. Our first chance to see them in concert happened on November 24, 2003 at The Majestic Theatre in Dallas when the boys reunited with Andy. IT. WAS. AMAZING!! I will never forget the euphoric feeling seeing them live for the first time after being a fan for nearly 20 years. Tears were shed and I felt 14 all over again.

From that moment on, Honor and I saw them in concert as often as we could. We’ve had two favorite fandom experiences. Both happened at the WinStar Casino in Thackerville, OK on March 18, 2011.  DD played there right before they released the All You Need Is Now album. The band was also staying at the hotel so we stalked them after concert. We watched them eat a late dinner and then we followed Simon to one of the bars inside the casino. When he left the bar, we followed him to the elevator and got on with him. Before I continue with this story, I feel compelled to let you know that Honor is the Vice President of the firm where we work so that means in every day life she has her shit together. But not during the elevator moment because instead of pushing the button for the top floor….she reaches over and pushes level 2.. LEVEL. TWO. Seriously?! WTF?! So our very short ride with Simon consisted of two grown-ass women smiling and giggling at him like fools. We had on DD t-shirts so he knew that we knew who he was. He just smiled back. No one said a word. Ugh. Pathetic. We did redeem ourselves the next morning where we had our second fandom experience. We just happened to be checking out of the hotel at the same time as the band. Simon and Anna were at the front desk and Nick was graciously taking pictures nearby with other fans so we managed to get our picture with him. We were much more composed and were able to thank him for a great concert. We didn’t see anyone else and our car had just arrived out front by the valet so we headed outside. As we were putting luggage in the trunk, out comes John and Roger! Both of them walked right by us. We made eye contact, said hello and they smiled at us and said hello in return. Woo-hoo!! It was surreal.

We have had numerous DD concert experiences together over the years and each time is almost like the first. I feel youthful, so full of joy and it makes me happy to be sharing these experiences with Honor. I can’t imagine doing this without her. It’s something that I will treasure forever.

Fun facts about me:
Favorite songs: The Reflex, Save a Prayer, Reach Up for the Sunrise (it really is super hard to pick a favorite…they have too may fantastic songs)
Favorite album: Seven and the Ragged Tiger
Favorite side project: Power Station (because John and Robert Palmer)
Favorite band member: John Taylor (I graciously allowed Gela to marry him. It’s fine. I’m fine.)