DURAN DURAN BIOGRAPHY - AGE, MEMBERS, CAREER, SONGS & FACTS

Duran Duran are an English pop rock and new wave band formed in Birmingham in 1978, and nearly five decades on they remain one of the most recognisable names in British pop. Fronted by singer Simon Le Bon, with keyboardist Nick Rhodes, bassist John Taylor and drummer Roger Taylor, the band turned stylish synth-pop into a global phenomenon with Rio and "Hungry Like the Wolf", and their story runs from the nightclubs of Birmingham to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Early Life & Formation

Duran Duran formed in Birmingham in 1978, when keyboardist Nick Rhodes and bassist John Taylor began working together with singer and bassist Stephen Duffy. The band took its name from Dr. Durand Durand, the villain of the 1968 science-fiction film Barbarella, a fitting choice for a group that always paired pop music with a cinematic sense of style.

The classic lineup settled in May 1980, when singer Simon Le Bon joined Rhodes, John Taylor, guitarist Andy Taylor and drummer Roger Taylor. The five musicians combined glamorous looks, danceable rhythms and synthesiser hooks, and quickly became one of the leading acts of the new romantic movement.

Career

The band released their self-titled debut album, Duran Duran, in 1981, and scored their first major hit the same year with "Girls on Film". Their breakthrough came with their second album, Rio (1982), which featured "Hungry Like the Wolf", "Rio" and "Save a Prayer". The songs were matched by cinematic music videos directed by Russell Mulcahy, which MTV played constantly and helped make the band stars in America as well as Britain.

Their third album, Seven and the Ragged Tiger (1983), became their only UK No. 1 album and featured "The Reflex", a single that reached No. 1 in both the US and the UK. In 1985 the band recorded "A View to a Kill", the theme song for the James Bond film of the same name. Notorious followed in 1986, made with Nile Rodgers of Chic, and the band returned to the top of the charts in 1993 with The Wedding Album and its comeback hits "Ordinary World" and "Come Undone".

The classic lineup reunited in 2001, and the reunion album Astronaut (2004) reached No. 3 in the UK. The band have continued to record and tour since then, and their most recent album is Danse Macabre (2023). In 2026, they released the Free To Love: Hot Star Remixes album — Duran Duran, with physical editions out on October 30, 2026.

Awards & Legacy

Duran Duran have sold more than 100 million records worldwide. "Hungry Like the Wolf" won the first-ever Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video at the 26th Grammy Awards in 1984, and the band were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on November 5, 2022, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. They topped the fan vote with 934,880 votes, were inducted by Robert Downey Jr., and performed "Girls on Film", "Hungry Like the Wolf" and "Ordinary World" at the ceremony.

Guitarist Andy Taylor was absent from the induction. Le Bon told the audience that Taylor, who had been living with stage 4 prostate cancer for four years, was unable to attend, a moment that underlined how much the reunion, and the band's long friendship, meant to them.

Watch the Official Video

Watch the official music video for "Hungry Like the Wolf" below.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Duran Duran formed?

Duran Duran formed in Birmingham, England, in 1978, and their classic lineup settled in May 1980.

Who are the members of Duran Duran?

The current lineup is singer Simon Le Bon, keyboardist Nick Rhodes, bassist John Taylor and drummer Roger Taylor. Guitarist Andy Taylor was part of the classic five-piece lineup.

What are Duran Duran's biggest songs?

Their biggest songs include "Hungry Like the Wolf", "Rio", "Save a Prayer", "The Reflex", "A View to a Kill", "Ordinary World" and "Come Undone".

Are Duran Duran in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame?

Yes. Duran Duran were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on November 5, 2022, after topping the fan vote with 934,880 votes.

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