Get It On (Like A Gong)?

It is time for the new album. I am watching old Miami Vice episodes and trying to stay sane during this pandemic. Growing up in South Florida, Miami Vice was, like, the COOLEST show ever. I remember watching it with the family each week. The opening Jan Hammer song still gives me chills actually.

The show and The Power Station were a big part of 1985 for me. My first show was The Power Station and I assumed the band filmed the Miami Vice episode while they were in town. Looking back at the tour dates, that seems unlikely and in the interview below, Michael Des Barres mentions the song in the episode was recorded in Houston, TX which came much later on the tour. It’s a pretty raw version of the song played faster than the studio recording (rumor has it that some of the band were taking some chemicals on the tour that might have sped them up so….).

Now, I might be crazy but in the middle of their appearance, I swear I hear Michael sing – “Get it on, like a gong” instead of bang a gong. Am I going crazy or is that what he sings? Doesn’t matter, really. Des Barres brought such power and showmanship to the band. I think Robert Palmer would have actually dampened the energy of the tour.

I still remember being so excited when Don Johnson joined the band on stage at the Hollywood Sportatorium in 1985 and they sang Rod Stewart’s “Some Guys Have All the Luck” together. Music and television were so intrinsically connected for me in 1985 thanks to MTV and stumbling upon this episode brings back great memories. What are some Duran Duran “appearances” that you fondly remember?

EXCLUSIVE BONUS CONTENT: OK, not really but I still dig this Don Johnson track and Dweezil Zappa’s green guitar seemed so epic at the time. If you don’t remember how huge Don Johnson was in 1985, think about this. Steve Ray Vaughan, Ron Wood, and Dickey Betts played guitar on his album and Bonnie Raitt and Willie Nelson provided background vocals!