4th November 1985

[Lady Arcadia]

It amazes me that alot of people who praise Duran Duran so much, remain oblivious to Japan.

There is an easy answer to that, Duran stuck to a commerical 3min pop song, many of Japan's classics last for around 5 minutes plus, it doesn't fix the radio format.

Also Duran embraced the whole marketing thing, there were many pictures and interviews with them in the likes of Smash Hits etc.

Although to be fair, I prefer Japan over Duran Duran (with the exception of Nick and Arcadia of course).

[Sylvian's Beard]

If Japan had released 'Quiet Life' around the same time that Duran Duran released 'Rio', I think they would have really had the breakthrough that they had always been hoping for.

It seems Duran Duran took one or two aspects of Japan and mixed it with great pop music. Alas, Japan were not mean't for super stardom!

[Lady Arcadia]

I had thought something along the same lines... I always believe that if there had been a follow up to Tin Drum, it would have running head to head with Rio. (Live Albums just don't have the same impact as studio releases)

Although saying that, I couldn't imagine David or any of the other guys in the band on a boat in Antigua singing one of their songs!!!

Japan could have easily had stardom, if that was what all of them wanted. Re-read part of the book you recently got - The Last Romantic, David never aimed for that.

[sisterlondon]

Not me!!!

I've got picture of Power Station!!!!

Nath

And me too, haha! I had loads of posters in my wall

[Poisoned_Apathy]

There is an easy answer to that, Duran stuck to a commerical 3min pop song, many of Japan's classics last for around 5 minutes plus, it doesn't fix the radio format.

That's not really true. Duran Duran made radio and single edits of the songs to fit them in the radio format, but the album versions of most of their hit songs are around 4/5 min too.

It's true that Duran Duran involved themsleves into marketing and promotion stuff and Japan didn't...above all, cause they never wanted to do it (or, at least, David didn't want.)

[godisinthesilences]

i just can't see japan going commercial... i'd feel like they were selling out or something. Duran was my favourite group for a very very long time, but i really believe their best music was their first 2 albums. Plus Duran is most definitely concerned with commercial avenues and very much into making their fans happy. They do a lot of work for their fans without seeming resentful of it.

[Burnsjed]

Have to say my fav DD album was DD.
Not that there is anything wrong with Rio.

[Meyrav]

Although saying that, I couldn't imagine David or any of the other guys in the band on a boat in Antigua singing one of their songs!!!

Can you imagine David sitting on an elephant topless?!

[Burnsjed]

or running aroung in a safari style outfit!

[godisinthesilences]

Can you imagine David sitting on an elephant topless?!

or running aroung in a safari style outfit!

Ummmmmm NOOOOOOOOOO and NO WAY! HA HA

[heartofdavid]

Can you imagine David sitting on an elephant topless?!

or running aroung in a safari style outfit!

Ummmmmm NOOOOOOOOOO and NO WAY! HA HA

But then it's difficult to imagine him doing things he actually did:

Sprouting shirtless out of the ground - Red Guitar video

Running around (looking very cute) in a Chairman Mao era outfit - Visions of China video

Wearing harem-style trousers - stage outfit for the last tour

And some of those very early Japan pics, shirtless or partially exposed chest, trousers unbuttoned, strappy ladies sandals...lol!

[godisinthesilences]

Can you imagine David sitting on an elephant topless?!

or running aroung in a safari style outfit!

Ummmmmm NOOOOOOOOOO and NO WAY! HA HA

But then it's difficult to imagine him doing things he actually did:

Sprouting shirtless out of the ground - Red Guitar video

Running around (looking very cute) in a Chairman Mao era outfit - Visions of China video

Wearing harem-style trousers - stage outfit for the last tour

And some of those very early Japan pics, shirtless or partially exposed chest, trousers unbuttoned, strappy ladies sandals...lol!

HA HA HA you really do have a point.... wow it is funny to think about the fact that we've practically seen him shirtless.... LOL who would've thunk it. LOL

[Meyrav]

Can you imagine David sitting on an elephant topless?!

or running aroung in a safari style outfit!

Ummmmmm NOOOOOOOOOO and NO WAY! HA HA

But then it's difficult to imagine him doing things he actually did:

Sprouting shirtless out of the ground - Red Guitar video

Running around (looking very cute) in a Chairman Mao era outfit - Visions of China video

Wearing harem-style trousers - stage outfit for the last tour

And some of those very early Japan pics, shirtless or partially exposed chest, trousers unbuttoned, strappy ladies sandals...lol!

HA HA HA you really do have a point.... wow it is funny to think about the fact that we've practically seen him shirtless.... LOL who would've thunk it. LOL

Now all the girls here are probably gone to check David's chest in the Red Guitar video! Or maybe that pic from the 'behind the scenes' of the Adolescent sex video where David is pulling off his shirt next to the pool!

[heartofdavid]

Or maybe that pic from the 'behind the scenes' of the Adolescent sex video where David is pulling off his shirt next to the pool!

There are more revealing ones than that - dig through the old photos in the galleries here, lol.

Have to give the Duran boys a lot of credit, the way they always looked like they were enjoying themselves in their videos - it seemed such a natural medium for them, unlike Japan (imo).

[Meyrav]

Or maybe that pic from the 'behind the scenes' of the Adolescent sex video where David is pulling off his shirt next to the pool!

There are more revealing ones than that - dig through the old photos in the galleries here, lol.

Have to give the Duran boys a lot of credit, the way they always looked like they were enjoying themselves in their videos - it seemed such a natural medium for them, unlike Japan (imo).

Yes, I know all the pics in the gallery, but the way he pulls the shirt has something sensual in it...and the dark blue background...

About Duran- you're right. And the way Duran can make everyone feel free and happy in their shows also helped them. All of Simon's smiles, comments and winks during the show are so much unlike David.