This isn’t as easy as one might think, and not because I must use description words other than “hot” and “cute” (thankfully, the band is on vacation this month and is nowhere to be found….because this blog could get gushy, and I am really not a fan of them reading this kind of fluff from us anyway.) The fact is, while it’s true I may or may not have a soft spot for certain guitar players, I’ve written so much about that person that I’m not sure there’s much left to say. So this is going to be fun, and I need the writing practice anyway.
I am pretty sure it’s of no surprise to anyone who reads the blog that Dom is my current favorite…and he’s not even a founding member of the band. That alone probably seems like blasphemy to some out there who refuse to acknowledge his presence. (we know you’re out there) The fact is, Dom has earned his way – which is why I think I’m drawn to him. Sure, he got the gig as a result of Andy’s absence due to his father’s death, his illness and later, his parting from the band, but I don’t believe that is something that should be held against him. In fact, I find plenty of fault with the people out there that regularly point that out to me. How is Andy leaving Dom’s fault again? I remember back in 2005 when I saw the band in Chicago. It had already been announced that Andy was sick and that he would not be at the show. Sure, the band could have just canceled the show and risked thousands of Duranies coming for them. Instead, they did the professional thing and found a stand-in. I don’t know about other people, but I am thankful they did that. At that show I didn’t even notice Dom. He stood in the shadows and played the part as written. It was only much later, when it was announced that Andy would not be returning for more shows or albums with the band, that I noticed Dom literally coming out of the shadow and playing on the stage with the band. It was evident that he was still hesitant to share the stage – but as time wore on, he grew more confident. I believe that at least some of that confidence came from fans like myself doing what we could to encourage him and make him feel welcome. Besides, I like cheering for the underdog! In the case of this band, where their loyal fans and followers have been around for over thirty years and still long for the “original fab five” – he had quite a road ahead to prove himself, and he still does with a lot of people.
Dom is one of the most humble, if not THE most humble musician I’ve ever met. I know I’ve mentioned meeting him on an airplane from Chicago to New Orleans in 2006 for the Voodoo festival. He was very nice and seemingly surprised when I congratulated him on his performance the previous evening. Then he asked me where we were all going that night. I laughed as I answered that we were going to a fan get together thing at Club Ampersand in New Orleans – and then I told him he couldn’t go. (Yes, I really did tell him to stay away!) I warned him that DD fans are somewhat rabid, and that it might be pretty overwhelming for him to show. So what does Dom do? He shows up that night. Why? Because he’s still thinking he’s like the rest of us. Um, no my friend – you are not. You are up on stage with the band, and we’re down on the floor screaming for you. See the difference? Well, I think he did that night. He lasted all of about 20 minutes – the entire time being surrounded by a group of well-intentioned if not a little overenthusiastic fans, insisting that he take photos, give hugs and be social – before retreating, stopping to give me a wave and a thumbs up as he left. I watched him leave, kind of chuckling to myself and shaking my head. Silly man, you are no match for Duran fans. Humble yes…but crazy! I never thought I’d actually share that little story here on line, but it’s been so long now – I think it’s just a good example of the man Dom really is, and I truly hope he stays that way. As a fan, someone on the outside looking in – I don’t think it’s especially easy to stay in touch with regular, normal people when you’re a rock star. People always want things from you, and sometimes just as a way of self-preservation, I think they have to kind of retreat to a very small inner-circle – but I can hope that for Dom, it’ll be different.
There are plenty of reasons why I like Dom. I could say it’s his talent, or his looks, or the fact that he takes the time to smile and wink on stage – or even that he agreed to do an interview for Daily Duranie, but I guess I just really like the idea that he’s this guy who came out of nowhere to be in this band without assuming the place was made specifically for him or that he’s better than any other guitarist, meaning he’s got zero ego. I love that. Dom doesn’t even realize that there are Duran fans out there that look at him as though he’s nothing and that he’s just the hired gun and nothing more. He believes all of us are nice people, and that we’re all supportive. I wish that were the case, but I love his outlook. He doesn’t waste his time with bitterness, and I completely admire him for that. I hope others begin to see that he’s a lot more than just a hired hand – including the band themselves – because there are many of us out there that want band pictures including him. He’s EARNED that place, and his writing credit on All You Need is Now, as well as whatever credit he will be receiving on this one, is wholly indicative of that. It’s time to make room for him in those band shots, Duran Duran. I’d like to hear him be included in Katy Kafe’s and start being acknowledged. I’m not saying that I know what is best as far as contractual obligations between Dom and the band – that’s none of my business – I’m just expressing what I’d like to see as a fan of the entire operation. It’s time to include him beyond John Taylor saying “He’s a permanent member, but what he will never be is a founding member.” I think it’s time to stop with the distinctions as far as fans are concerned – those things are well-left behind closed doors – and start including him in the ways that most fans can see and hear. That privilege has been earned many times over by now.
Yet, we’ll likely never hear Dom complain or say those words. That’s just not him. He does his job and keeps going. That’s why I like him. He’s real.
-R
Dom is already plays in the band for more than 6 years unstoppable, so it's pretty fair to be your fav DD member as he also prove his skills.
I agree 1000% Rhonda!!! Well said!
He started playing with the band in December 2004 when Andy became ill and played with them a handful of times between then and 2006 when Andy left. So by my math, that means he's been with them in some capacity for nearly 9 years now. In comparison, according to Wikipedia, Warren started as a session guitarist with Duran Duran in 1986 and was made an official member of the band in June of 1989, after the Big Thing tour.
Granted, I think the band has tried to avoid some of the scorn they and Warren may have received by naming Dom as an “official band member”…but seriously, it's been nine years. Time to get on with it.
No matter, he's still my favorite. Officially. 😀 -R