Simon Le Bon has revealed the secret behind the remarkable longevity of Duran Duran, a group that has retained its core line-up for almost five decades.
Speaking to ITV News, Le Bon explained that mutual respect, friendship and an equal sharing of the band’s income have helped keep tensions to a minimum since Duran Duran formed in 1978.
The band’s classic line-up of Le Bon, John Taylor, Roger Taylor and Nick Rhodes remains intact nearly 50 years later, a rarity in the music industry.
Simon Le Bon says equality is key to Duran Duran’s success
According to Le Bon, one of the band’s most important decisions was to divide earnings equally, regardless of who contributed specific songs.
“We like each other, we like working together. We rely on each other for musical ideas, as well. We split all the income equally; it doesn’t matter if you write something or if you don’t write on it, you get an equal share of the publishing.
“And that way, everybody is happy and crucially only the best material gets on the album. It means there’s no resentment for financial reasons within the group. I don’t know how many other bands do that.”
The approach has helped Duran Duran avoid many of the disputes that have caused other long-running bands to fracture over songwriting credits and royalties.
Duran Duran open to another James Bond theme
Le Bon also addressed the possibility of Duran Duran returning to the James Bond franchise.
The band remains the only act to score a UK Number One single with an official Bond theme, thanks to 1985’s A View To A Kill from the film of the same name.
With the franchise now under the stewardship of Amazon MGM Studios, Le Bon said the band would gladly return if given the opportunity.
“Let’s see what Amazon wants to do with it. I’m keeping an open mind. Would we do it? Of course we would. 100 per cent.”
Glastonbury remains on the band’s wish list
Le Bon also reiterated Duran Duran’s desire to perform at Glastonbury Festival, though he made it clear the band would only consider certain slots.
“Absolutely would love to do it. But we’re not going to do it unless we get the right slot. We have been offered the disco tent at three o’clock on a Saturday afternoon and that’s not really where we’re at.”
However, he appeared more receptive to the festival’s prestigious Sunday afternoon Legends slot, previously occupied by artists including Rod Stewart, Kylie Minogue and Dolly Parton.
“That is a kind of headline slot for me. Yeah sure we would do that.”
Las Vegas Sphere and hologram shows among future ambitions
The singer also revealed that Duran Duran remain ambitious despite their longevity.
In a recent interview with The Sunday Times Culture, Le Bon said he would love to see the band perform at the groundbreaking Sphere in Las Vegas.
He also expressed enthusiasm for creating a digital concert experience similar to ABBA Voyage.
“I’d love to do one [hologram show]. But I’d also like to do the Sphere in Las Vegas.”
