Maybe so.
I have this nifty little calendar that Amanda made for me a few years back that tells me what the day is in Duran Duran history. Every morning, I can see what she’s going to post as the daily tidbit before I get online. This is helpful only because I feel like I’m sort of on top of things, and also because sometimes – I even remember what the date is. (Laugh if you must, but it’s reality for me, dammit.) This is the time of year I enjoy most because there are a lot of things on that calendar that I recall in fairly recent memory, so typically as I’m getting ready I’m thinking about whatever was on the calendar for the day. Today I noticed that on this date in 2003, the band received the Q Lifetime Achievement Award. I remember a bunch of those sorts of awards happening in the days of the reunion, and I also remember feeling less-than-elated at the time, which might be contrary to what many others felt. I’m not really sure.
While I don’t specifically remember the Q award, I do remember a couple others. It seemed as though the band was getting honored quite a bit back in 2003 and 2004. I was seeing them in magazines, the whole thing felt a little surreal and even a bit deja vu. If I’d seen them on the cover of Tiger Beat, I probably would have marched right into a therapist’s office for a little one on one time, to be honest. I kept thinking to myself that while the awards were nice and all, it seemed just a little, oh-I-don’t-know….CONTRIVED, maybe?? As a Duranie, I would have had to have been living under a rock not to know that the original band had gotten back together by that time, and I just kept thinking that while all of the recognition was nice enough for the band, did it really took them getting back together in order for it to happen? Really??
The award I remember most clearly was the MTV Lifetime Achievement Award, probably because of the bizarre way it seemed to unfold. The band had come on stage to present Best Dance video, and yet there was Kelly Osborne and Avril Lavigne standing at the podium. Simon, bless him, starts in with the presentation and Kelly, not to be outdone – starts in with HER presentation, talking about their videos, and then says “But you know what f—ing sucks? You never won a VMA!” So then Nick, again – bless his heart – tries to somehow fix the situation and move the process ahead by mentioning that the VMA’s weren’t even around then. By this point, it’s clear that the train had left the station with no one at the wheel. (Wheel? Helm? I don’t even know what drives a train….or what you call it!) And to make matters “even better”, as Kelly is telling everyone to “Check this out” and looks up at the video screen…to no avail…there is no video, and then there IS video but no sound. Because this is the MTV VMA’s….and there is no sound. Fascinatingly poetic, in my opinion. Finally, as the band is standing there looking only mildly bewildered and uncomfortable (as was I, in my seat at home), some guy comes on stage and silently passes them their trophies. Kelly takes the reigns again to loudly announce that on behalf of MTV, here are their Lifetime Achievement Awards. And the crowd goes wild.
Sort of. In a very confused sort of way, although they did stand up and give an ovation. Kind of like I was at home, trying to decide if this was some sort of lame joke, or reality.
The band laughs hysterically, and I couldn’t really blame them because let’s face it – how ridiculously fucked up can one award presentation really get? Especially one that should have happened years prior, although as Nick was kind enough to remind us – they didn’t exist back then. True, so forgive me for what I said before…and what I’m about to say here. It all felt so “last minute” and thrown together – as if they had an extra five awards, didn’t know who to give them to, and decided to just give them to the band at the last second before they went on stage. I’m sure it all didn’t even come about that way, but the trouble was, it felt that way as a viewer. I found a clip of the video online – it’s not very well synched (read: not at ALL synched) with sound/video because it’s from an Italian feed (I couldn’t find one from the US at all!), but you’ll remember as you watch.
Yes, there were plenty of lifetime achievement awards given to the band during that period of time, and yes – there were moments of complete validation for everyone – band and fans alike. In contrast to the VMA train wreck, there were the British Music Awards, which in many ways I felt far exceeded the VMA experience. Not only did I feel as though the award was given at the right place and time, it felt dignified and proper.
This award was everything it was meant to be, and as a fan I could not have been prouder that night when Simon made his speech, when John said thank you to the producers and directors they’d worked with, when Andy took the time to thank the fans, their friends and their families, or when Nick thanked Warren and Wendy, or even when Roger said “Let’s play some music!”
It’s funny though, this morning when I read the “This Day in Duran History”…it wasn’t the British Music Awards that came to mind first. For me it was the VMA’s, and how incredibly overdue and out of place the entire thing felt. How, with every single article I read and award the band received during that time, I kept wondering why it’d taken the rest of the freaking world so long to figure out what I had known all along. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad they all were able to finally sum it up and come out with 5 the way I had, but really – was it ever that tough to understand?
Naturally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that Duran Duran is not the only band in the stratosphere that this has happened with. Hardly. Pick any band/solo artist that was big at one point, settled back into relative obscurity (as far as American radio and media is concerned) and then come back out with the “original band” or God forbid let someone die – and suddenly the world is overcome with an outpouring of emotion and respect that was not to be found previously. It’s not just music that this happens for, either. There is a reason why when an artist dies their work becomes infinitely more collectible with increased value – and no, it isn’t just because there’s a finite amount available. (Although obviously that is certainly part.)
Don’t get me wrong, I was thrilled to see the band have their moments and I know they still have plenty ahead. I was overjoyed to finally have some validation as a fan from some of these (to be blunt) idiots that wrote them off decades earlier as being a band for little girls. But, when it was all said and done, those awards did nothing to show me I was right about the band all along. I already knew how unique, special and worthy they were, and how incredible it is that they continue making the music that is still a very rich part of the soundtrack to my life.
-R
Hi there Rhonda, I read this post with amused interest as coincidentally, I had just watched an interview on youtube(can't for the life of me remember which one now, but it was filmed in the last two years) where Nick talks with some amusement about the MTV Lifetime Achievement Award they received. — I'll try to find that video link for you soon (If not for the fact it's 5am where I am now on the other side of the world and need to get some sleep soon! I would glady dig it up for you! LOL!)
I know what your post focussed on the way the award could have been better executed. I do agree, but perhaps some insight on what Nick said about the award will shed some light on why it was so weird.
I recall Nick saying that their manager at the time, Wendy,asked if the band would like to present an award at the MTV awards. The band was 'iffy' and resistant to it – as MTV was a big part of their beginnings and vice versa – yet, MTV had never given them anything at all in over 20 years. So it would be strange for them to be there giving an award.
Wendy managed to convince/ encourage them to give the award, citing that it may lend some support for Justin Timberlake whom they were working with then, etc. So they weren't keen on going in the first place.
So they went on and they had absolutely no idea, no clue — none of them had a clue that it was the lifetime achivement award.
Nick added with incredule that he didn't know how Wendy had managed to keep it completely quiet.The band was completely shocked. But all in all Nick felt it was a very nice surprise.
So yes, execution could've been better, but the band did like the surprise and how it was staged (probably after getting over the shock! Hahaha!)
Am just glad that at the end of it all, they did feel good about it and appreciated the surprise. =) I guess, it must be quite hard keeping something like this quiet in their circles.
I do apologise if you knew about the above. =) The DD fan base knows so much about the band, I'm still amazed. I've loved DD music for years, just pegging them as one of the best bands on my list and loving their music.Never did go any further in interests with the band.
So I'm a very new fan, and a big soft spot for Nick (after the Olympics!) Hence, by some strange power, I seem to remember stuff he says in interviews these days! ROFL!
Got to go can catch the ZZzs! Love your blog! And happy belated 2nd birthday!
I don't watch MTV (or MuchMusic anymore) (Since when did they stop playing music??). But the VMAs …wow. AWKWARD. And you are right… completely disrespectful. The Brit awards, that was the honor they deserved.
And you are so right.. I was teased mercilessly as a teen for liking Duran Duran… and in my hindsight, I can tell my vulnerable self that it was okay. You have taste! 😀 (Back then, I was a bit blinded by the handsome looks and such… but Duran never compared to any of the boy band garbage that came later.)
I didn't know any of that – believe it or not, and now I feel kind of bad about pointing how bad it was! 😀 Oh well, it's the risk I run sometimes, but now I feel a little more educated, so thanks!! I figured they weren't that excited about presenting an award though, but I can see why they had to use that ruse to get them there. I honestly didn't know that, or at least I don't remember seeing the footage you're talking about where it was explained. My memory can be iffy that way though, and I don't mind admitting that here amongst friends. It's a good thing Amanda is around and she has a fantastic memory! Seriously – there's a reason she keeps the “tour binder” and the hotel keys from me. LOL
I think the award itself was really nice, I do – I just wish they'd gotten it sooner and with a lot more dignity. I think I'm embarrassed in some ways because you know, I'm American and if it hadn't have been for MTV I'm not sure that they would have ever gotten much air play here, and vice-versa Duran Duran did PLENTY for that stupid channel back in the day, and yet the channel completely snubbed them for years. It's pathetic and part of the eat-em-up, spit-em-out attitude that gives the entertainment industry in this country such a bad name. I could rant for days on this one..
Thank you so much for finding the blog and sending your comments!! If you find that clip could you send it to our gmail address? It's dailyduranie(at)gmail(dot)com. I'd love to see it, I think I might know where it was from though…hmm…
Thanks for the birthday greeting, too! -R
I don't think I've watched MTV since I went to college, believe it or not. I graduated from high school in 1988 (dating myself, but I'm over it now…) and I graduated from college in 1993, so I'd already given up on MTV for the most part.
I mostly just enjoy hearing people who gave me a rough time about it when I was a kid tell me how they really like them now. First I hug them and tell them it's OK, that I know how great of a band I am, and then secretly I want to slap them for being so stupid and not hearing it sooner. ;P -R
Deep breath…
Ok…so that sentence in the last paragraph SHOULD read *that I know how great of a band THEY ARE….
My apologies…this is what happens when I try to answer a comment and correct someone's history quiz at the same time. Nice. 😛 -R
Hahaha..Sure, I'll be hunting for that clip and sending it over. (If I can't find it tonight, give me a day or two.) Glad to pitch in something when I can. Though I never thought I would knowing so little about them. LOL…
I guess one of things that struck me about the interview was when Nick stated that MTV had never given them an award, left me shocked. As mentioned being a new fan I was clueless, but I figured, somewhere along the timeline (when I was just growing up and not following them), they got to have received such an award right? Afterall, they were such a hit in the 80s. (I had an inkling they were very popular as my older sis was a big JT fan.)How is it possible?! =)
I do agree with your comments about DD doing so much for MTV back then. Hence, my disbelief when Nick commented as such.
The snubbing is pathetic, even to date, at DD interviews, the channel still gets 'airtime' because the band still talk about their influence in early videos. Oh come on MTV, if an interviewer can see it, why can't you!
Sigh… I guess looking at it from a 'reality bites' perspective, it is possible. There was likely resistances,or parties within the circle that were skeptical DD had more substance, than just pretty faces.
In addition, MTV started from the US. So maybe, there was a little bias going on there. DD is after all a British band.
I just did a quick research online and the first MTV awards was held in 1984. Maybe MTV wanted to be taken seriously/ harness local support, not just mainstream stuff.
1984 was right in the middle of DD orignial 5 'peak'. They were nominted in two categories for The Reflex – and lost to American acts, Van Halen and Herbie Hancock. Even David Bowie and Elton John lost out in these categories. After that things went quieter for the band with respect to rocking the music world (than they did before), going through the band reformations. So there was likely no keen interest in nominating them for any videos in the subsequent years.
Their next nomination in 1993 for best video cinematography which by then, if you objectively look at it, the competition was alot harder in that era.
So yes, perhaps it was about timing or just a ommittee bunch holding the reins somewhere. (I don't know, and in no way intend to accuse. Just highlighting a possible reality.)
Am happy to see at least the Grammys had the class to recognise them with an award back then though! LOL. Something even the New kids on the Block didn't win.
Well, it's MTVs loss…but DD really have the better deal at the end of it all in present day. A multi generation (there are 14 year old fans out there), strong, vocal and supporting fan base, that no amount of awards can buy. Oh, plus of course an international fan base! I mean, look at the votes for the Bond theme poll a week ago? The response from the fans! LOL!
(P.S. working on hunting the clip!)