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[space1999]

I was thinking the other day about what a big part of my life Duran Duran has been the past 27 years of my life.   :

So big in fact that if there was no Duran or if I detested the band whom else could possibly have filled some of that void??

In the end the only band that comes even close for me are The Beatles in terms of my love for their music and deep-rooted respect for their musical diversity, creativity, success and evolution of their style and sound.  In fact, the very first song I can ever remember hearing was Hey Jude when I was around 3 1/2 to 4 years old and I still love to hear it.

That being said I went through a Beatles period in my mid-teen's where I listened to them non-stop for a few months and this tailed off about a year or two before Duran came on the scene and ever since I rarely throw on one of their cd's except for every now and then when I need a Beatles fix.

On the other hand I probably have EVER gone only a few weeks at most without listening to Duran.  Many of the other bands that I'm fond of such as The Cars, Thomas Dolby, Naked Eyes, early The Fixx, The Eagles, Seal, late 70's to late 80's Rush, Madonna often are just for certain albums or certain time periods.

Thus, I'd like to hear from my DDF sisters and brothers what band you think might have filled your Duran void (if any) if there had been no Duran in your life.

pimpDaddySPACE

[shortcake85]

Mmm... that's a hard one.  I think it would probably have been Tears for Fears, either them or Fleetwood Mac.

[NastassjaRhodes]

The list would be probably as long as my arm - but here's a few names:

INXS (for a long time, I had seen them perform live more than DD)
The Beatles
The Who
U2
Pink Floyd
Nirvana
Pearl Jam

The above have filled and most of the time replaced DD's place in my heart. But I am still not so much in love with this band right now. I am ready to be wow'd though by some new DECENT music.

Nastassja Rhodes

[Shadoefyre]

Well, if there had been no Duran, my next favorite, Robert Palmer, would have probably flown under my radar and I would have been denied both of my loves!  Robert was a gentleman, songwriter, and amazingly talented musician that wrote and performed some of the most interesting, well-designed music I've ever heard.  His albums "Pride" and "Clues" are profoundly responsible for shaping my teenaged personality into adulthood, perhaps more than any work of Duran's outside the B-side of Big Thing and the entire Arcadia project.

After that, my pick would be Jean-Michel Jarre, one of the most gifted composers the world has ever known.  Much like Warhol was my gateway into avant-garde art and film making, Jarre was my gateway into avant-garde music.  His works "Zoolook", "Rendez-Vous", and "Equinox" opened musical doors for me that gave me a deeper love and understanding of both pop and classical music.  "Zoolook", in particular, opened the door to Laurie Anderson (whom appears on the album), which in turn set me on a path of "educated song makers" such as Laurie's husband Lou Reed (and right back to Warhol), Peter Gabriel, Claus Nomi, and Gary Numan.  Their styles are not as melodic as most people like, but the beauty is in the construction rather than the hook.

Pink Floyd is also a major influence on me.  "Wish You Were Here" was an almost religious revelation for me, as most of Floyd's really dark stuff is.  The portrait of madness that is that beautiful album opened my eyes to the idea of telling stories through melody and metaphor rather than just spelling it out in a way Pumpkinhead can only dream of.  And when I saw them on the Division Bell tour...honestly, that is the closest to a religious experience I've ever had.  I get teary even thinking about how beautiful and perfect and frank and ugly that night was, and I've spent the years since trying to recapture that inexplicable connection I had with the music that night. 

Truthfully, Floyd is probably a bigger influence on my life than Duran at this point, but their hardcore fans are...well, a bit special around the edges.  Even more than us.   

[NastassjaRhodes]

Pink Floyd is also a major influence on me.  "Wish You Were Here" was an almost religious revelation for me, as most of Floyd's really dark stuff is.  The portrait of madness that is that beautiful album opened my eyes to the idea of telling stories through melody and metaphor rather than just spelling it out in a way Pumpkinhead can only dream of.  And when I saw them on the Division Bell tour...honestly, that is the closest to a religious experience I've ever had.  I get teary even thinking about how beautiful and perfect and frank and ugly that night was, and I've spent the years since trying to recapture that inexplicable connection I had with the music that night. 

Truthfully, Floyd is probably a bigger influence on my life than Duran at this point, but their hardcore fans are...well, a bit special around the edges.  Even more than us.   

I saw Floyd on the same tour in Vancouver BC. It was the best concert I have ever been to. Ever. I am thankful that they released a DVD of the London show from this same tour. Even though it isn't the EXACT show I attended - it still is a great DVD to watch and look back with fond memories. My friends and I had our own special pre & post show experiences that just add to the great experience.

Nastassja Rhodes

[JTDuran]

If not Duran...if not Duran...

Tears for Fears - the Hurting was a type of therapy I had never known.  They were also my first concert and Curt Smith is still one of my idols.

INXS - some of the best music and pretty much the nicest guys you could ever meet.  They don't have a single song I don't love.

Morrissey - While he and I aren't so in love anymore, his work with Johnny Marr is genius and Viva Hate brought to the brink of death and then back to life.  Wow.  He read my diary and then wrote some songs.

Sting.   He is my God.


But if not for Duran, my life would be completely different.  I wouldn't have had my adventures, I wouldn't have some of my closest friends, I wouldn't be myself.  I don't like to think about that so much.

[RhondaR]

If not Duran...

You know, that's a fascinating question, for many, MANY reasons.   

I really can't even begin to guess.  I mean, Duran Duran hit me so hard, and are so much a part of everything I do and did throughout all of my growing-up years, I just wouldn't even know.  For me, there IS no other band that has ever even come close.   I *like* lots of other bands, but none of them are even in the same stratosphere as Duran Duran.  I think that's the whole point though when you're a huge fan, isn't it?  You can be a fan and enjoy someone's music, and you can be an even bigger fan and have every album a band has done,  and enjoy going to concerts - and then there's fans who have been around for as long as they can remember, participating on message boards, buying albums that they aren't even sure they really like but have to have because it's part of the musical history of the band AND they are willing to spend ridiculous amounts of time, energy and money participating in the fan community as well as allowing the band to become a huge part of their lives (symbolic or otherwise). 

So, for me I can't even answer the question.  I can't imagine my life (past or present) without Duran Duran, or with some other band meaning as much to me as they have.  That's not being a fanatic, it's being honest - I just don't know how things would have turned out otherwise, and you know - I'm OK with that. 

Like Jessica though - I was/am a Tears for Fears fan.  I also love Depeche Mode, although in both of those cases I have missed seeing them live (I've never seen DM) at various times in my life simply because it was inconvenient to see them at the times they've toured.  With Duran Duran - I've moved mountains when it's been at all possible.  That's the difference. 

I also love Paul McCartney, and I have great respect for him as well as The Beatles.  I have seen Paul 3 times, and I count myself lucky every time I go to one of his shows.  I was not born early enough to ever have seen The Beatles - I can't imagine what that might have been like.  Probably very similar to how I feel about Duran Duran though.   

[Minanda]

I have to back up what Rhonda and Jess said.

There simply is no other band for me.  Yes, I like other bands.  Yes, I have other bands in which I have seen live over and over and have every album.  Yet, I don't participate in message boards or work my life around seeing them live.  They aren't Duran.

[Robin Robin]

I can't really think of another band. Because of Duran, I am who I am now and I don't think any other band could have had such an effect on me. And I would have never known all of you!!!!

Seriously, I wouldn't even have my current job or my business. Even though I stay angry at the band more often than not, they are a part of who I am and have helped shape me in more ways than I can possibly mention.

Now I feel like getting sappy! GROUP HUG!

[MissNovemberTuesday]

My second favourite band is the Doors, followed by Oingo Boingo.  You may see a pattern developing here.  I like innovative bands who create something totally new that changes the face of music.  And yeah, the Beatles are up there somewhere as well.  As for current bands who are still together, I would have to think about it for a while.  I don't know that any ONE band would fill that same void, though there are many I like.

[fansinceIwas9]

I too really can not think of another band. It is Duran Duran who got me through so much in my life and made me who I am also. They have always been something I listen to and watched even though I am not a big fan of pop/techno music. I am more of a rocker chick if you see the rest of my music collection. I do not participate in any other chat rooms/boards for other bands. Nor have I devoted as much time and money collecting the items of any other one band.

I did how ever follow:
Guns N Roses (then Axl became an butt)
Bon Jovi
Metallica
Ratt

[ReflexOz]

...I'll swap the question round and say if not for Bryan Adams....coz he's consistantly been my favourite artist for many years.  My admiration for his music and style has even survived a major line-up change within his band.  Something that didn't happen with Duran.  I go thru major fads with Duran (where I'm so totally into them for a while, but then so totally confused and out of tune with them the next).  It's just different with BA.  I never really stopped listening to his music in all the years I've followed his career.  The Reckless album has been my favourite album of alltime, for many years.  I think it always will be.

Well, if there had been no Duran, my next favorite, Robert Palmer, would have probably flown under my radar and I would have been denied both of my loves!  Robert was a gentleman, songwriter, and amazingly talented musician that wrote and performed some of the most interesting, well-designed music I've ever heard. His albums "Pride" and "Clues" are profoundly responsible for shaping my teenaged personality into adulthood, perhaps more than any work of Duran's outside the B-side of Big Thing and the entire Arcadia project.

...you and me both!  I knew of Robert years ago, but I guess I became more aware of his work with the Riptide album.  After that, I was hooked.  Aside from the music, he just seemed like such a lovely person.  I loved reading/listening to his thoughts in interviews...and also other peoples impressions of him.  Such a fascinating man.  Such a huge loss...

[iamfavre]

Duran by far my favorite.  But then I put a-ha, U2, Spandau and Naked Eyes.

[space1999]

Duran by far my favorite.  But then I put a-ha, U2, Spandau and Naked Eyes.

Another Naked Eyes lover... COOL!  Absolutely love their first self-titled album, the 2nd one, ehh, not so much but that first one is something special.

My 1st true albums (ones that I bought or got as birthday/Xmas gifts) were Thomas Dolby's The Golden Age of Wireless,  Duran's RIO and then Naked Eyes, all on cassette.  Listening to NE on headphones Christmas evening back in the early 80's was an "aural" experience I'll never forget. 

On another note, boy is it ever quiet around here.  I knew I wouldn't be able to stop by very much since the start of the year (work situation is only slightly better, like living life in a dryer most days... I'll tumble for ya and that kind of stuff) but I hope all my fellow DDF'ers are doing ok.  I'm sure new and positive Duran news and better weather will brighten everyone's mood before too long but until then the silence is deafening.

Lastly, I'm with you ReflexOz that BA's Reckless album was a pinnacle of good ole Canadian rock & roll from Bryan and his band.  Run to You is still one of my favourite songs by him and the Summer of '69, well what else can you say but wave that lighter?

PDS

[Robin Robin]

Shhhh... you'll wake everyone up, space! Yeah, no news from the band keeps things a little quiet here. Plus we're all on Twitter and Facebook and talk non-band stuff off this site. I do miss the days when things were busier here, though...