Musical Notes — Duran Duran

Voiceover by Lawrence Standifer Stevens / Written by Joseph E. Casanova

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Regarded as pioneers of the “Second British Invasion,” new wavers Duran Duran still excite fans worldwide with the release of their newest CD, Paper Gods. The band has confirmed tour dates for the UK and only a handful of shows for the US.

Snappy pop hooks, exotic locations and gorgeous super models helped to make “Hungry like the Wolf,” “Planet Earth” and “Girls on Film” some of the most popular clips ever played on MTV.

Led by front man Simon LeBon, Duran Duran scored two #1 records with 1984’s “The Reflex” and the James Bond movie theme “A View to a Kill” the following year.

Cruising down back country roads and hanging out with friends were the best ways to spend Saturday nights. We traveled from one small town to an even smaller one, where some of my friends and cousins lived.

We’d pick up burgers at the local DQ and head to my buddy David’s house. We’d hop in his parents’ late model Toyota Cressida and cruise down the dustiest dirt roads.

We usually rolled down the windows and cranked up 99.5 KISS-FM as loud as we could. We’d jam out with our favorite head bangers like the Scorpions and Judas Priest. 

“Gilbert, where’s your Blackout cassette?” David was scrambling around in the glove compartment. “Did you leave it in here? I wanna jam out to the Scorps tonight.” 

My cousin ignored him and flipped the radio to KTSA for a double shot of Duran Duran with “Is There Something I Should Know?” and “Rio.”  

We sang along at the top of our lungs. We didn’t care if the cows heard us either.

David tried to change the station but Gilbert slapped his hand and yelled, “Don’t even think it!”

My cousin bragged he could replace Simon LeBon as lead singer. We laughed, “Those howling coyotes think you could too.”