Biography
By the close of 1984, Duran Duran's dominance had left the group utterly exhausted after relentless touring and hit-making. Although a full year of respite from collective obligations had been intended for 1985, the quintet instead splintered into a pair of parallel ventures. One was the Power Station, uniting Duran Duran's John Taylor on bass and Andy Taylor on guitar with vocalist Robert Palmer and former Chic drummer Tony Thompson. The other, Arcadia, brought together the remaining members Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, and Roger Taylor.
The Power Station's origins were entirely unforeseen. While John Taylor was romantically involved with model and groupie Bebe Buell, he proposed creating a funk-infused take on T. Rex's "Bang a Gong (Get It On)" to feature her voice, enlisting Andy Taylor and Tony Thompson for the effort. Following the couple's breakup prior to the session, the three proceeded anyway, having already laid down demos of original material and envisioning contributions from multiple prominent vocalists. Robert Palmer's participation on a single number proved so compelling that he ultimately performed across the entire eight-track album.
Released in the first months of 1985, the self-titled debut achieved significant commercial traction thanks to two major singles blending rock and dance elements: the original "Some Like It Hot" and the T. Rex cover. This swift success led the quartet to schedule a tour in support, yet Palmer withdrew mere days ahead of the opening date. Initial overtures to Paul Young, fresh from his success with "Everytime You Go Away," gave way to the selection of ex-Silverhead singer Michael Des Barres. Even after performing at the expansive Live Aid festival in July 1985, the musicians opted to disband once the road dates concluded. Far from restoring their energy, the interlude saw Andy Taylor and Roger Taylor depart Duran Duran soon after, while Palmer scored major 1980s successes including "Addicted to Love" and "Simply Irresistible." Nearly a decade later, the classic lineup reunited to release Living in Fear in 1996, though it did not match the impact of the first record.
The Power Station's origins were entirely unforeseen. While John Taylor was romantically involved with model and groupie Bebe Buell, he proposed creating a funk-infused take on T. Rex's "Bang a Gong (Get It On)" to feature her voice, enlisting Andy Taylor and Tony Thompson for the effort. Following the couple's breakup prior to the session, the three proceeded anyway, having already laid down demos of original material and envisioning contributions from multiple prominent vocalists. Robert Palmer's participation on a single number proved so compelling that he ultimately performed across the entire eight-track album.
Released in the first months of 1985, the self-titled debut achieved significant commercial traction thanks to two major singles blending rock and dance elements: the original "Some Like It Hot" and the T. Rex cover. This swift success led the quartet to schedule a tour in support, yet Palmer withdrew mere days ahead of the opening date. Initial overtures to Paul Young, fresh from his success with "Everytime You Go Away," gave way to the selection of ex-Silverhead singer Michael Des Barres. Even after performing at the expansive Live Aid festival in July 1985, the musicians opted to disband once the road dates concluded. Far from restoring their energy, the interlude saw Andy Taylor and Roger Taylor depart Duran Duran soon after, while Palmer scored major 1980s successes including "Addicted to Love" and "Simply Irresistible." Nearly a decade later, the classic lineup reunited to release Living in Fear in 1996, though it did not match the impact of the first record.
Albums
Live
