The music industry continues to evolve, and one ’80s rocker is coming to terms with the idea that traditional bands may no longer be as relevant today. Back in the day, bands were the driving force of music, with rock ‘n’ roll taking center stage at major events and full bands performing live. However, one rocker believes that the concept of bands is becoming increasingly rare.
While performing at the Sanremo Music Festival in Italy, Duran Duran bassist John Taylor expressed his thoughts on the fading presence of bands in modern music.
“The day of the group is almost gone,” Taylor remarked, as reported by the Independent on February 14. “Were there any groups at the Grammys this year?”
It’s true that the 2023 Grammy Awards saw an abundance of solo performers, such as Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Billie Eilish, Sabrina Carpenter, and Chappell Roan. However, the rock and metal categories still had notable bands like the Rolling Stones, Metallica, Green Day, and Pearl Jam.
Despite these exceptions, it’s clear that back in the days when Duran Duran was first emerging, having a full band was much more common. That was long before the Internet dramatically reshaped the music industry. Today, artists don’t need a full band to create music or release songs. The digital music world offers vast opportunities—both positive and negative, depending on one’s perspective.
“We grew up in the ’60s and ’70s, and we saw that dynamic play out onstage and on record, where you have equal partners bringing something special to everything that they do, and we haven’t found a way of improving on that,” Taylor explained. “There’s something very special about our chemistry with each other.”
It’s remarkable to think that the band has been together for over 40 years, having played their first show in 1980. While they’ve earned a spot as a classic rock band, that title is often reserved for legends like Led Zeppelin or the Rolling Stones.
Duran Duran’s longevity is largely attributed to their shared love of music. Frontman Simon Le Bon echoed Taylor’s sentiment, emphasizing what keeps the band strong after more than four decades.
“First of all, we love the music we make together – nobody else makes music like we do,” Le Bon said. “We’ve tried doing things on our own, and it just doesn’t seem as exciting as when the four of us get together and work.”
Le Bon also pointed to the importance of humor in maintaining their bond: “We make each other laugh. I think that’s really important in a long relationship. When we’re under stress, we laugh our way through it and it keeps everything light and fun.”
An important factor in their success is the equitable way they handle finances. “We split all the proceeds equally… we all share equally in the finances,” Le Bon added.
This approach has likely contributed to Duran Duran’s ability to stay together for so many years, as financial disputes are often a major reason for band breakups.
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