Get Higher Baby

This week, we have a theme to the blog posts.  It is a pretty simple theme and one that we have previewed some by asking for guest blogs.  The theme is about accomplishments, achievements, what to be proud of in terms of your fandom, in terms of being a Duran Duran fan.  We all have things we have done or not done in the name of fandom that we are proud of.  We all have achieved things related to fandom that should be acknowledged.  These achievements or events of pride can vary from fan to fan.  They could be about finally getting that autograph.  Maybe, they are about holding it together in front of the band at a meet and greet.  Perhaps, it is about completing one’s collection on vinyl.  Yet, it could be something as important as going outside of one’s comfort zone to travel to a show or event or meet other local Duranies in person.  Thus, as part of this theme, Rhonda will address hers.  I will address mine and we will have two guest blogs addressing theirs.  Before we dive into what fans might be proud of, let’s stop and think about what the band might be proud of.

I suspect that the first things that come to mind about what the band might be proud would include things involving commercial success, creativity, and larger-than-life projects.  I think we have all heard the story about how John and Nick had these goals of playing Hammersmith in 1982, Wembly in 1983 and Madison Square Garden in 1984.  It would make sense to imagine that they were thrilled when they actually met those goals.  What other elements of commercial success would or could they focus on?  I can imagine that hearing one of their songs on the radio for the first time was a big deal.  The same might be true about the first time they saw one of their videos on TV.  Of course, I’m ahead of the game since they would have first been proud to get a record deal and proud to record their first album.  I would imagine that the first of anything they did in their careers would have been a big deal.  Here, I’m thinking of first tour, first time out of the country, first photo shoot, first interview and more.  Of course, I would imagine that when Planet Earth charted, that was a huge deal.  Likewise, the first time one of their albums went gold and platinum was pretty monumental, I’m sure.  Now that their careers are decades old, perhaps, they could be proud of how many albums they have sold, how many singles and albums have been on the charts, how many concerts they have played, how many albums they have made, etc.  Truly, it wouldn’t surprise me if they chose any of those commercial success indicators to be proud of.  I would be, if I were them.

What about some of the larger-than-life events that they have been a part of?  Obviously, the first event that pops into my head could be Live Aid and, later, Live 8 (with obvious participation in Band-Aid).  Then, of course, they played in front of Prince Charles and Princess Diana and for her tribute show.  A recent event like that could also be the Olympics.  Not only did they play as part of the London games but they also appeared at the Olympic Games in Torino in 2006.  Of course, they have also played many shows for other causes from the Live Earth to Amnesty International to Big Brothers Big Sisters. Perhaps, then, they are proud that they have been able to use their talents and fame to help out causes and organizations that they believe in.  In playing in some of those, they were also able to be a part of history, which is a huge deal.

Yet, perhaps, what they are most proud of is what they have been able to do, creatively.  They have made quite a few albums and it is very obvious that their musical talents have not only attracted thousands of fans all around the world but they have also influenced plenty of other musical artists.  Their sound is distinct and well-known.  People can generally identify Duran’s music when they hear it.  On top of their music, they certainly made their mark with their videos.  Can you imagine what videos might have been like if there were no videos filmed on location, if they were all filmed in some lifeless studio?  What if videos had no storyline of any sort?  Certainly, Duran showed the world that videos could not only be creative but did affect album sales.  Of course, Duran’s creativity didn’t end there as they took their time to create fabulous album covers, used and created fashion to fit their purposes, and developed strong live performances that almost always had something a little bit extra to them.  Oh no, I think no one would debate the idea that Duran has made their mark on the creative world.

In my opinion, they could and should be proud of any and all of those accomplishments.  All of them are pretty substantial in and of themselves and combined, their achievements are almost overwhelming. I don’t know what the band members, themselves, would say is their proud achievement.  My guess is that they would point out whatever project they are currently working on as they always seemed to be focused on the present.  All of this said, I’m not sure I would mention any of those accomplishments first.  I would think of two other accomplishments before I even got to that not-nearly complete list.  No, I might mention their sheer longevity.  There really aren’t many bands to have survived decades.  More to the point, they experienced fame in such an intense way that many, many, most would not have survived and, if they did survive, they wouldn’t be able to still be at the top of their game.  Duran appeared on the scene and never left.  In fact, I think some might argue that they got stronger along the way.  On top of this, they managed to create a very large, very passionate fanbase that has also lasted decades longer than anyone thought it would.  That’s huge.

What do the rest of you think?  What do you think Duran should be most proud of?  Something I mentioned here or something completely different?

-A