Arcadia: During a short hiatus in late 1984 and early 1985, three Duran Duran members -- lead singer Simon LeBon, keyboardist Nick Rhodes, and drummer Roger Taylor -- formed Arcadia, a short-lived splinter group which offered an artier version of Duran Duran's new wave synth pop. Arcadia released their only album, So Red the Rose, in 1985, just after Duran Duran's popularity reached a peak. Consequently, the album became a hit based on name recognition alone, as did the single "Election Day," which sailed into the American and British Top Ten. After their brief moment of success, the members of Arcadia re-formed Duran Duran without guitarist Andy Taylor.

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Duran Duran personified new wave for much of the mainstream audience. And for good reason, too. Duran Duran's reputation was built through music videos, which accentuated their fashion model looks and glamorous sense of style. Without music videos, it's likely that the band's pop-funk -- described by the group as the Sex Pistols meets Chic -- would never have made them international pop stars. While Duran Duran did have sharper pop sensibilities than their new romantic contemporaries like Spandau Ballet and Ultravox, none of their peers exploited MTV and music video like the Birmingham-based quintet. Each video the group made was distinctive, incorporating a number of cinematic styles to showcase the band as either part of the jet-setting elite ("Rio") or as worldly adventurers ("Hungry Like the Wolf"). While early videos like "Girls on Film" and "The Chauffeur" sparked controversy in England over their sexual content, their best-known clips were often based on hit contemporary movies. "Hungry Like the Wolf" uncannily recalled Raiders of the Lost Ark, while "Union of the Snake" and "The Wild Boys" brought to mind The Road Warrior. The clever videos helped make Duran Duran's rise to popularity remarkably swift. Between 1982 and 1984, they rocketed from underground British post-punk sensations to teen idols. But their fall from grace was equally fast. By the late '80s, the group's lineup had fragmented, and the remaining members had trouble landing hit singles. Nevertheless, the group pulled off a surprising, if short-lived, comeback in the early '90s as a sophisticated soft rock trio.

Inspired by David Bowie and Roxy Music, as well as post-punk and disco, schoolmates Nick Rhodes (keyboards) and John Taylor (guitar) formed Duran Duran in 1978 with their friends Simon Colley (bass, clarinet) and Stephen Duffy (vocals). Taking their name from a character in Roger Vadim's psychedelic sci-fi film Barbarella, the group began playing gigs in the Birmingham club Barbarella, supported by a drum machine. Within a year, Duffy and Colley both left the group -- Duffy would later form the Lilac Time -- and were replaced by former TV Eye vocalist Andy Wickett and drummer Roger Taylor. After recording a demo, John Taylor switched to bass and guitarist John Curtis joined the band, only to leave within a matter of months. The group placed an ad in Melody Maker, which drew the attention of Andy Taylor, who became their guitarist. However, Duran Duran were still having trouble finding a vocalist. Following Wickett's departure in 1979, a pair of singers passed through the group before Simon LeBon, a former member of the punk band Dog Days and a drama student at Birmingham University, joined in early 1980.

By the end of 1980, Duran Duran had become popular within the burgeoning new romantic circuit in England and had secured a record contract with EMI. "Planet Earth," the band's first single, quickly rose to number 12 upon its spring 1981 release. Immediately, Duran Duran became the leaders of the new romantic movement, becoming media sensations in the British music and mainstream press. The group's popularity increased through their cutting-edge music videos, especially the bizarre, racy clip for "Girls on Film." Although the BBC banned the Godley & Creme-directed video, the single became the group's first Top Ten hit, setting the stage for the fall release of their eponymous debut album. Duran Duran reached number three upon its release and stayed in the charts for 118 weeks. The band quickly followed the album with Rio in the spring of 1982. Rio entered the charts at number two, and its singles -- "Hungry Like the Wolf" and "Save a Prayer" -- became Top Ten hits. By the November release of the U.S.-only remix EP Carnival, the band were superstars in Europe, but only just beginning to make headway in America. Their exposure in the U.S. was helped greatly by the emergence of MTV, which put the group's stylish videos into heavy rotation. MTV's constant playing of the videos paid off, and "Hungry Like the Wolf" became a Top Ten hit early in 1983. Rio followed that single into the Top Ten, eventually selling over two million copies.

Duran Duran mania was in full swing across America, with "Is There Something I Should Know" reaching the Top Ten -- it became the group's first English number one that summer -- and the group's first album climbing its way to number ten. Duran Duran capitalized on their popularity by releasing Seven and the Ragged Tiger in time for 1983's holiday season. The record hit number one in the U.K. and number eight in the U.S., spawning the hit singles "Union of the Snake" and "The Reflex," their first number one U.S. hit and their second British chart-topper. The band took an extended break after completing their year-and-a-half-long international tour in the spring of 1984. In November, they released the non-LP single "Wild Boys," which reached number two in the U.K. and the U.S., where it was added to the live album Arena.

By 1985, Duran Duran fever was beginning to cool off, and after the band completed the title track for the James Bond film A View to a Kill, the group went on hiatus. Andy and John Taylor formed the supergroup the Power Station with vocalist Robert Palmer and former Chic drummer Tony Thompson in January, releasing their eponymous debut album in the spring; it spawned the Top Ten singles "Some Like It Hot" and "Get It On (Bang a Gong)." The remaining members of Duran Duran -- Nick Rhodes, Simon LeBon, and Roger Taylor -- responded with their own side project, Arcadia, which released an album called So Red the Rose in the fall of 1985; the album launched the Top Ten hit "Election Day." Early in 1986, Roger Taylor announced he was taking a year-long sabbatical from the group; he never returned. Several months later, Andy Taylor also left, reducing Duran Duran to a trio. Late in 1986, the band released Notorious, their first album in nearly three years. While it was relatively successful, going platinum in the U.S. and generating a Top Ten hit with the title track, it was noticeably less popular than their earlier records. For the remainder of the decade, Duran Duran's popularity continually declined, with 1988's Big Thing producing "I Don't Want Your Love," their last Top Ten single for five years.

The greatest-hits album Decade was released late in 1989, followed several months later by Liberty, the first Duran Duran album to fail to go gold. By that point, former Missing Persons guitarist Warren Cuccurullo had become a permanent member of the group. In 1993, the band returned from a prolonged hiatus with Duran Duran [The Wedding Album], a mature, layered record of lite funk and soulful adult contemporary pop that became a surprise hit. "Ordinary World" and "Come Undone" became Top Ten hits in America, with the former reaching the Top Ten in the U.K. as well; the album itself climbed into the Top Ten on both continents and went platinum in America. Not only did the record restore their commercial status, but it earned them some of their best reviews of their career. The group followed the album with one of their poorest-received efforts, 1995's all-covers Thank You, which managed to go gold in America despite its negative reviews. While Duran Duran was recording the follow-up to Thank You in 1996, John Taylor left the band to pursue a solo career, leaving the group a trio of LeBon, Rhodes, and Cuccurullo. That follow-up, Medazzaland, was released in 1997 but failed to produce any major hits. 2000's Pop Trash suffered a similar fate.

In March 2001, the three Taylors -- Andy, John, and Roger -- met up in Wales and worked with each other for three weeks. Around this time, rumors of a five-member reunion began to circulate. Two months after Rhodes and LeBon denied the rumors, the reunion was confirmed. Duran Duran recorded on and off for a new album over the next three years and also toured sporadically. After signing with Epic, they released Astronaut in October 2004. Red Carpet Massacre followed in 2007.

OUT NOW:

Arcadia, So Red The Rose (Remastered Special Edition)(2 CD/DVD):
Arcadia were formed in 1985 by three members of Duran Duran, Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes and Roger Taylor. They released one album So Red The Rose, which went Platinum, and reached #30 in the UK and #23 in the US. The album featured four singles, Goodbye Is Forever, The Promise, The Flame, and UK/US Top 10 hit, Election Day.

Along with three Duran Duran members, there was also a wide range of famous guests on So Red The Rose including; David Gilmour, Sting (backing vocals on The Promise), Herbie Hancock and Grace Jones (spoken word on The Flame and Election Day).

The additional DVD was originally released on VHS in 1987. It follows the filming of five clips from the album So Red The Rose and the fascinating combination of directors, locations, behind the scene footage and photographic montages which come together to give an insight into the world of video production. The collection of videos including Arcadias first single Election Day are shown in full, including Dean Chamberlains rarely seen interpretation of the song Missing. All Music guide describe So Red The Rose as The best album Duran never made. $30.00

Tracklisting
CD1 Original album, remastered
1. Election Day (2010 Digital Remaster)
2. Keep Me In The Dark (2010 Digital Remaster)
3. Goodbye Is Forever (2010 Digital Remaster)
4. The Flame (2010 Digital Remaster)
5. Missing (2010 Digital Remaster)
6. Rose Arcana (2010 Digital Remaster)
7. The Promise (2010 Digital Remaster)
8. El Diablo (2010 Digital Remaster)
9. Lady Ice (2010 Digital Remaster)
10. Say The Word (Theme from Playing For Keeps) (7 Edit) (2010 Digital Remaster)
11. Election Day (Single Version) (2010 Digital Remaster)
12. Goodbye Is Forever (Single Mix) (2010 Digital Remaster)
13. The Promise (7 Mix) (2010 Digital Remaster)
14. The Flame (7 Remix) (2010 Digital Remaster)
15. Say The Word (Theme from Playing For Keeps) (Soundtrack Version) (2010 Digital Remaster)
16. Shes Moody And Grey, Shes Mean And Restless (2010 Digital Remaster)

CD2 Bonus disc with rare tracks
1. Election Day (Consensus Mix) (2010 Digital Remaster)
2. Goodbye Is Forever (12 Extended Mix) (2010 Digital Remaster)
3. The Promise (Instrumental)
4. Rose Arcana (Extended ) (2010 Digital Remaster)
5. The Flame (Extended Remix) (2010 Digital Remaster)
6. Say The Word (Theme from Playing For Keeps) (Extended Vocal Remix)
(2010 Digital Remaster)
7. Election Day (Cryptic Cut) (2010 Digital Remaster)
8. The Promise (12 Mix) (2010 Digital Remaster)
9. Goodbye Is Forever (Dub Mix) (2010 Digital Remaster)
10. Say The Word (Theme from Playing For Keeps) (Extended Instrumental Remix) (2010 Digital Remaster)
11. Election Day (Early Rough Mix) (2010 Digital Remaster)
12. Flame Game (Yo Homeboy Mix) (2010 Digital Remaster)

DVD Original VHS, released 1987
1. Introduction (2010 Digital Remaster)
2. Filming Election Day (2010 Digital Remaster)
3. Election Day (2010 Digital Remaster)
4. Filming The Promise (2010 Digital Remaster)
5. The Promise (2010 Digital Remaster)
6. Filming Goodbye Is Forever (2010 Digital Remaster)
7. Goodbye Is Forever (2010 Digital Remaster)
8. Filming The Flame (2010 Digital Remaster)
9. The Flame (2010 Digital Remaster)
10. Filming Missing (2010 Digital Remaster)
11. Missing (2010 Digital Remaster)
12. Credits (2010 Digital Remaster)

OUT MAY 18:

Duran Duran, Duran Duran (Deluxe Edition)(2CD/DVD]):
Duran Duran's eponymous debut album was originally released in 1981, charted at number 3 and remained in the charts for 18 weeks. This deluxe 3-disc edition comprises a 13-track CD album featuring the singles 'Planet Earth', 'Careless Memories' and 'Girls on Film', alongside their accompanying b-sides 'Late Bar', 'Khanada', 'Fame' and 'Faster Than Light'; a Bonus 14-track CD including alternate mixes, demo recordings, Radio 1 sessions and remixes; plus Bonus Region 0 NTSC DVD containing music videos, live TV appearances and a behind the scenes featurette. Presented in a clamshell box [with lift-off lid] complete with an 8-page picture booklet, 5 postcards of individual band shots and a Bonus Folded Poster [30cm x 38cm] as featured in the Japanese original LP. $35.00

CD1:
1. Girls On Film
2. Planet Earth
3. Anyone Out There
4. To The Shore
5. Careless Memories
6. Night Boat
7. Sound Of Thunder
8. Friends Of Mine
9. Tel Aviv

The B-Sides:
10. Late Bar
11. Khanada
12. Fame
13. Faster Than Light

CD2:
AIR Studio Version:
1. Girls On Film
2. Tel Aviv

Manchester Square Demo:
3. Anyone Out There
4. Planet Earth
5. Friends Of Mine
6. Late Bar

BBC Radio 1 Peter Powell Session
[Recorded 19th June 1981, Transmitted 11th August 1981 - MONO]
7. Night Boat
8. Girls On Film
9. Anyone Out There
10. Like An Angel

The Night Versions:
11. Planet Earth - Night Version
12. Girls On Film - Extended Night Version
13. Planet Earth - Night Mix
14. Girls On Film - Night Mix

DVD:
The Videos:
1. Planet Earth
2. Planet Earth - Club Version
3. Careless Memories
4. Girls On Film [Long Uncensored Version - Explicit]
5. Girls On Film [Short Censored Version]
6. Night Boat
7. A Day In The Life Featurette

Top Of The Pops:
8. Planet Earth - 5/3/81
9. Careless Memories - 21/5/81
10. Girls On Film - 30/7/81

Old Grey Whistle Test, 7/7/81:
11. Night Boat
12. Anyone Out There

Get Set For Summer, 8/8/81
13. Girls On Film

Multi-Coloured Swap Shop, 27/2/82:
14. Friends Of Mine
15. Girls On Film

OUT MAY 18:

Duran Duran, Seven And The Ragged Tiger (Deluxe Edition)(2CD/DVD): Released in 1983, Duran Duran's third studio album is a 'is an adventure story about a little commando team. 'The Seven' is for us, the five band members and the two managers, and 'the Ragged Tiger' is success. Seven people running after success. It's ambition. That's what it's about.' [Simon Le Bon]. This deluxe 3-disc edition comprises a 9-track CD album featuring the singles featuring the singles 'Union of the Snake', 'New Moon On Monday', 'The Reflex' and 'Tiger Tiger'; a Bonus 13-track CD including non album singles, b-sides and mixes; plus Bonus Region 0 NTSC DVD containing 'As The Lights Go Down' - a film conceived by Duran Duran and Russell Mulcahy, the videos from 'Seven and The Ragged Tiger' and two Top of the Pops performances. Presented in a clamshell box [with lift-off lid] complete with an 8-page picture booklet, 5 postcards of individual band shots and a Bonus Folded Poster [30cm x 38cm] as featured in the Japanese original LP. $35.00

CD1:
1. The Reflex
2. New Moon On Monday
3. (I'm Looking For) Cracks In The Pavement
4. I Take The Dice
5. Of Crime And Passion
6. Union Of The Snake
7. Shadows On Your Side
8. Tiger Tiger
9. The Seventh Stranger

CD2:
1. Is There Something I Should Know
2. Faith In This Colour
3. Faith In This Colour - Alternate Slow Mix
4. Secret Oktober
5. Tiger Tiger - Ian Little Remix
6. The Reflex - Single Version
7. Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me) - Live
8. New Religion - Live at the LA Forum 9/2/84
9. The Reflex - Live at the LA Forum 9/2/84
10. Is There Something I Should Know - Monster Mix
11. Union Of The Snake - The Monkey Mix
12. New Moon On Monday - Dance Mix
13. The Reflex - Dance Mix

DVD:
As The Lights Go Down: A Film Conceived by Duran Duran & Russell Mulcahy
1. Intro: Tiger Tiger
2. Is There Something I Should Know?
3. Hungry Like The Wolf
4. Union Of The Snake
5. New Religion
6. Save A Prayer
7. Rio
8. The Seventh Stranger
9. The Chauffeur
10. Planet Earth
11. Careless Memories
12. Girls On Film

The Videos:
13. Is There Something I Should Know
14. Union Of The Snake
15. New Moon On Monday - E.P. Version
16. The Reflex
17. New Moon On Monday - Movie Version

Top Of The Pops:
18. Is There Something I Should Know? - 23/3/83
19. The Reflex - 26/4/84