Duran Duran: For One Night Only (Press Release)
Episode: 1 of 1
Sunday, 20 March 2011, 8:30PM - 9:30PM
Entertainment & Comedy
ITV has exclusive access to one of the UK’s most iconic pop bands, Duran Duran, as they celebrate a unique milestone - 30 years in the music industry.
Guaranteed to be the hottest ticket in town, Duran Duran: One Night Only captures this multi award-winning band as they perform at ITV’s London studios before a live audience.
The one-off special will provide an invaluable insight into one of the country’s favourite acts, who have dominated the charts since they first formed in the early 1980s and who have sold more than 80 million records. Taking centre stage in this intimate venue, the band will perform their biggest hits from across their career, as well as tracks from their new, critically acclaimed album, All You Need Is Now.
Hosted by Christine Bleakley, the show will celebrate one of Britain’s biggest music exports as they share a rare insight into their career. With exclusive, never-before-seen archive footage, and in-depth interviews with each of the band members, the programme will provide viewers with a unique perspective on the band and their music; from the early years, when their photographs graced teenagers’ bedroom walls around the world, and the hysteria and mayhem followed them day and night, to the present day.
Speaking about the show Duran Duran lead singer, Simon Le Bon said today: “We are very excited to be a part of the One Night Only series – as we really like the format of the programme. We always enjoy performing in front of a live audience and this show will be the first opportunity for us to play a number of songs from the new album. We’ve spent the last couple of weeks in our rehearsal room working on the arrangements for all the new material and we are looking forward to the show very much.”
John Kaye Cooper, Controller of Entertainment said: “It will be a real treat for ITV viewers to see one of Britain’s most iconic and successful bands of the 80’s celebrating their musical milestone.”
Having exploded onto the charts in 1981, Duran Duran, (now with original band members Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, John Taylor, and Roger Taylor in the group) were quick to make history with the first-ever extended music video, that they made to accompany the 12” dance mix of ‘Girls On Film’. Their second album, ‘Rio’, kept the band at the top of the charts with hits such as ‘Hungry Like The Wolf,’ ‘Save A Prayer’ and ‘Rio’, whilst the band broke new ground with the spectacular videos they were creating on location around the world.
One of the few British acts to break America, their continued success has seen them win a host of prestigious accolades, including Grammys, MTV Awards, Ivor Novellos, a glittering array of multi-platinum records, and no less than five Lifetime Achievement Awards, from MTV, the Brits, the Ivor Novellos, Q Magazine and the Spanish Ondas.
With their latest release – their 13th studio album – the band members have teamed up with Grammy winning producer, Mark Ronson (Amy Winehouse, Adele, Kaiser Chiefs, Lily Allen) and have created a record that is being hailed as a ‘return-to-roots homage to Duran Duran’s most celebrated musical panache’. A nine track version of the album was first released exclusively on iTunes on December 21st 2010, and immediately hit the #1 spot on download charts in 15 countries (including the UK). An expanded, full length, 14 track version of the new record will be released in both physical and digital formats on March 21st 2011.
The band start an 11 date UK arena tour in May, with shows around the world to follow.
Duran Duran: One Night Only is a definitive celebration of one of the UK’s biggest and best loved bands whose contribution to music continues to influence the charts.
