Duran Duran Returns to Seoul for Concert

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By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter

Duran Duran returns to Seoul in April for its first concert in the country in 19 years. The British band, hugely popular in the 1980's, is embarking on a world tour to promote its latest album ``Red Carpet Massacre.''

Duran Duran are expected to perform their well-known songs such as ``A View to a Kill,'' ``Wild Boys'' and ``Ordinary World'' during a concert at the Olympic Gymnastics Stadium, Olympic Park on April 17. The group last performed in Seoul in 1989.

Composed of Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, John Taylor and Roger Taylor, Duran Duran was one of the biggest New Wave groups in the 1980's. Since the group was formed in 1978, Duran Duran has sold over 85 million records and had numerous hit singles. They are also known for their stylish image and creative music videos.

In 1981, they released their self-titled debut album, which included the hit song ``Girls on Film.'' The song's music video generated much controversy because it featured topless women wrestling in the mud.

The following year, Duran Duran released their second album ``Rio,'' which included songs ``My Own Way," ``Hungry Like the Wolf," and "Save A Prayer." The group's stylish music videos became a hit on MTV, paving the way for the group to break into the U.S. music industry.

In the next few years, Duran Duran took the world by storm, with sold out concerts and hit songs such as ``Is There Something I Should Know'' and ``A View to a Kill.'' However, the band experienced internal problems as members pursued different projects, and their popularity began to wane in the late 1980's.

In 1993, the band released another self-titled album, which received critical and commercial success with hit songs like ``Come Undone'' and ``Ordinary World.''

Duran Duran's original members reunited in 2001, releasing a new album ``Astronaut'' in 2004. The first single ``(Reach Up for the) Sunrise'' hit No. 1 on the Billboard dance charts.

In October 2006, Andy Taylor left the band once more. The group decided to record a new album, ``Red Carpet Massacre,'' which was released late last year. The album featured collaborations with Justin Timberlake and Timbaland.

Duran Duran's ``Red Carpet Massacre'' world tour will take them to Australia in March, followed by concerts in Jakarta and Tokyo in April, before heading to Seoul.

Sales of tickets for Duran Duran's concert will start on Feb. 20. Tickets range from 60,000 won to 90,000 won. Visit ticket.interpark.com or call 1544-1555.

Courtesy The Korea Times
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2008/02/135_19201.html

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