Happy Friday, UMFers!

So "UMF" was brought up in the comments in the last thread, thus making it play over and over and over and over again in my head ever since. Rock out with me!

Poll Results! No love for Lenny.

I blame those horrible new Kohl's commercials he's doing, which is making the world agree with me: Lenny is not cool anymore! No Duran covers for him!

As for everyone else, here's the stats on how the voting went:

Prince: 16%
Radiohead: 16%
Chris Brown: 16%
The Red Hot Chili Peppers: 33%
Justin Timberlake: 50%

Not bad! Now we already know Justin's a fan, and has recorded with the boys, but I'd still like to hear him doing an oldie in his style. Maybe a little funky "Proposition"? The Red Hot Chili Peppers could definitely take "Bedroom Toys" to the next level. Chris Brown's smooth pop/R&B blend would translate nicely to "The Seventh Stranger", while Radiohead could make "Lady Xanax" even trippier. Prince...well, he's Prince. I'm going to go way out on a limb and say "Last Chance on the Stairway", just because. His high little screams would fit right in it!

Next poll? How about we pick Duran's next producer?

The Valley...in the sun!

Here's a clip of "The Valley" from earlier this summer at The Joint in Vegas! Really, is there a better place to see Duran (at least in the states)? Ok, so basically ANYWHERE CLOSE is the best place to see 'em.

And congrats to Latin America for the new dates they're getting this fall with the boys!

I'm on a Johnny Quest...

...a quest to find a BAD hairdo on JT, that is! This one comes close. It's still a superior mullet (as far as mullets go), but it's a little wavy, like he's gotten a Toni or Lilt body perm. Kind of the "Aunt Ruth just got her hair blown out" kind of mullet that should be avoided at any cost. Plus, he seems a little "tired". That's what I'm going to think, anyway. Enjoy!



AND, if you get a minute (literally), there's just a little less than an hour to vote in my poll for best male artist to cover a Duran song (over in the sidebar)! Let your voice be heard!

One day left to vote!!

One day left on our "dudes we'd like to see cover Duran" poll over to the left (and down a little)! Let your voice be heard!

Save a Prayer for great hair.

Yet again, JT kicks the mullet up a notch like some sort of cosmetological Emeril.

Proof that they're not too old to be eye candy...

Happy Friday (or early Saturday), everyone! I think this song is about me (it's not, but you are free to think it's about you, too!).

Have a great one!

Here's a bit o' news for you!

I heard a rumor (actually, it's all over the blogs and sites too, so that's good enough for fact, right?!) that there will be a Classic Albums DVD/special based on Rio! This is amazing to me because a) I LOVE that series of DVDs and have been collecting them since they first came out, and b) I have always hoped they'd do a Duran one, of course, and Rio would definitely have been in my top 3 choices (I think Seven and the Ragged Tiger and/or Notorious would have been pretty interesting, too). When will it be released? October 27, of course. Of course.

Part II - the projects, and great JT hair

Ok, so we're not learning anything we haven't already heard from this set of interviews, but WOW. Such. Pretty. Hair. Thank you, John, for consistently taking the mullet to the next level.

Poll Results! Madge wins again!

I am once again proud to have such cool readers. Here are our results for "Who Would You Like to See Cover a Duran song?" (the girlie version):

Madonna - 45%
Britney Spears - 9%
Rihanna - 9%
Feist - 27%
Miley Cyrus - 0% (YES!!!)
Kylie Minogue - 27%

Like I say, you guy didn't let me down. Madge would kick out a dance number, no doubt (My vote would be for "My Own Way"). A new, improved (hopefully) Brit Brit could probably bring something raunchy to the table ("Skin Trade", anyone?), and Rihanna's pop-tinged R&B could elevate "Liberty" to a full out hit. I was SO thrilled to see other Feist fans bringing their vote to the table, so just imagine her whispery take on "Lady Xanax". Kylie Minogue has already done "The Reflex" with Ben Lee, BUT, wouldn't it be great to hear her own take on something like "Astronaut"? Miley Cyrus gets to do nothing, which also makes me very happy. I'm just so tired of hearing about her! Makes me wish Paris Hilton was still in the news...(ok, maybe not THAT much).

For our next poll, let's hit the fellas. Cast your votes and be heard!

The Fabulous Five...always a marketing perk!

Here's Part One of a little mini-series, focusing on, surprise! Video. This is what happens when you become pioneers--no one every lets you forget it!

Every Alice on Earth? Wanna be my new best friends?

Words can't describe how much I enjoy this version of "Rio". Every Alice on Earth? Be my new best friends?

Madge is winning!!

In honor of the fact that so far she's winning my poll in the sidebar (:::points to the left:::), and the fact that she turned 50 yesterday (too thin and overly Botoxed or not, still gotta love her and her one piece dance costumes), here's a Duran/Madonna mash-up.

Thanks to all who have voted so far, and to the rest of you, there's still time to get your vote on!

Simon misses his calling as an announcer?

Hopefully it's lovely where you are today (or tonight)! It's sunny and cool here in the midwest US of A, so apparently, I feel sporty!

Here's a fairly recent clip of Simon co-announcing a Chicago Cubs baseball game. I have nothing else snarky to add to that, because it's just too surreal for my limited input. Ok, so it would be weirder if it was Nick doing it, but still...it's pretty weird.

Nick Rhodes for el presidente?!?

I couldn't help it...

SCORE!

In case any of you are interested in getting some great music AND saving a few bucks in the process, we're currently running an 80's Gold Medal Bundle special, featuring Glue: A Tribute to the Music of Duran Duran of course, coupled with our other 2-CD set volumes of Bangs...Sounds of the 80's (that's 5 CDs--68 songs, total), for a crazy low price. It's over when the Olympics are, so jump over there and grab a set for yourself while you still can!

Part III with Nick - Changing is Important.

I get bored, too, Nick. Bored of journalists asking you about your hair color changes. I mean, he's a pretty talented keyboardist and innovator, too, people!

The giggle fit at the end and his anti-Phil Collins stance make this a giggle-out-loud for everyone with a pulse.

Sadly, I think this is the last part of this interview. Who should we spotlight next?

Part III with Nick - The Ultimate Duran Duran Lineup...

Well I can see how Nick felt it was the ultimate lineup at the time (would he have said, "Nah, it'll be the best when the original five get back together in 10 or 11 years!"?). He goes off on MC Hammer in this one (his "can't touch this" is BEGGING to be sampled), and comes to terms with the teen idol phase. You go, adult Nick!

Thank you! (not the album, the expression)

A big thanks to everyone who filled out our little "what's your favorite Duran era?" poll (4 oldschool, 1 Warren/Sterling era, 1 right now! Casino days got NO LOVE!). This probably makes the casual reader think, "Wow, like a handful of people read this blog." Not so! Unless my tracker lies. Speak up, all, and be heard!

To encourage you, here's a new poll, over there (:::points to the left:::):

What big star would you like to see cover a Duran Duran song?

Let your imagination go crazy!

Nick Rhodes Part Deux

I'm a slowpoke this week! Here's Part II of our little Nick series from the Liberty era. I have mixed feelings about that record (I don't listen to it much now, but I really liked it at the time), but I still wish it would have hit bigger. I can still remember rushing to Musicland at the mall on release day to get my cassette tape version. Bah! I think I still have it in storage.

Nick talks about Warhol in this one, which is always brilliant, the NEA freakout, and other things that make me feel very, very old.

Series Time! Subject: Nick Rhodes, circa big blonde hair

It's been awhile since we did a series, and I just haven't given Nick enough time. Part I is from the 1990 Liberty timeframe. Sound quality isn't the best, but the unedited, candid parts make up for it.

John Taylor...bigger and deeper!

Well happy Friday to YOU! I've been exploring ol' Nagel Baby's solo work a lot more lately, so enjoy with me this clip from Japan in '99.

Simon says "Glue"!!

How had I not posted this before? Here's a bit of a long one from the Astronaut era. It makes me sad Andy's not with them any longer, but so glad that at least we all got to see this moment in time where the original five were once again on the same page.

And Simon says "Glue" (at about 4:30 in)! And once again, it's not about "Glue"! And that's ok, because even though John thinks Simon's a dick (quote of the year), I don't. I'll take my product placement any way I can get it, thankyouverymuchcharley.

Super Polka!

I have no idea why I'm digging this so much this morning. I'm thinking this is going to set the tone for a very bizarre week. Enjoy!

New poll!

I want to thank everybody who took the time to answer the poll this past week(s)! I've just added a new one, so feel free to chime in on what your favorite era of Duran Duran is! I swear, none of the information gathered will be used to harm kittens or corrupt villages.

Just an ordinary Sunday...

Here's a little "Ordinary World" for you, circa 2000. This one makes me a little misty. Ok...time to break the mood with some snark...sure looks hot on that stage, doesn't it? And Simon's outfit...Nick's shirt...Warren's Stretch Armstrong costume...ok, sadness averted!