The wild boys are returning to Birmingham as part of their UK tour on Friday (May 5). It’s set to be a grand homecoming for the band - who originated in the city - with thousands of fans attending the show.
From working part-time in the former Rum Runner club on Broad Street to becoming a New Romantic singing sensation in the 1980s, while continuing to be a beloved band for millions across the world - Duran Duran have seen it all.
They have had a phenomenal journey and have inspired a whole generation of fashionistas with their unique looks, in addition to their music. Duran Duran knew how to stand apart and make their voices heard.
They have lived out much of their lives in public and most fans would know about their various shenanigans. However, you’d have to be a hardcore Duran Duran fan to know all the strange and wonderful things they have been up to over the years.
So, here are 12 things you probably didn’t know about Duran Duran:
1. Duran Duran have their own board game
Duran Duran inspired a board game in the 1980s. It was called Into the Arena and was produced by US manufacturers Milton Bradley. Players had to match cards with the band’s hit singles and videos. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)
2. Simon Le Bon almost drowned - twice!
The first time he nearly drowned, Le Bon was strapped to a windmill. He was shooting the video for Wild Boys and the windmill malfunctioned. He was stuck under water until divers got him out. The second time, his yacht capsized during Le Bon’s yacht Drum capsized during a race in 1985. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
3. A Duran Duran concert was almost bombed
A bomb was planted at a Duran Duran concert attended by King Charles and Diana. The charity concert, featuring Dire Straits, was at London’s Dominion Theatre in July 1983. Duran Duran’s drummer, Roger Taylor, spoke about the incident that was foiled. He said “finding out about the bomb was the scariest moment” of his life. (Photo - Getty Images)
4. Shooting a video for Duran Duran landed Andy Taylor in hospital
Andy Taylor of Duran Duran was in Sri Lanka shooting for with Hungry Like The Wolf and Save A Prayer but it got him sick. “Don’t fall into a lagoon full of elephant’s urine and wash it all down with more booze and a bucket of chillies,” said Andy Taylor. He was diagnosed with a tropical virus after his shenanigans. (Photo by Jo Hale/Getty Images)