It’s hard to say exactly what makes something a classic. It’s not just getting famous and then getting old, although that’s similar. The distinction is illustrated nicely in the difference between The Who, a “classic” of rock and roll, and Duran Duran, a band who simply got famous and then got old.
The Olympic Committee has been taking some serious heat today over announcing its selection of Duran Duran to headline the opening ceremonies at the 2012 Olympics in London this summer—as if the Olympic committee didn’t know the difference between a classic and a has-been. But to be fair, the Committee did actually try for The Who first—they tried to reunite the band with Keith Moon, its original drummer. But apparently someone forgot to tell them Moon died in 1978. So, more so than being guilty of bad taste, the Committee seems to be guilty of an embarrassing dearth of rock trivia.
Still, you can’t help but feel they gave up pretty easily. After all, this is England we’re talking about here, a country with more world class bands per capita than anyplace on earth. In fact England is much better at producing world-class musicians than world-class athletes. You don’t even have to dig back in time to find a British classic to play: How about Radiohead? For something more mainstream, couldn’t they have at least gone for Coldplay?
The Olympics arguably would have been better off putting their lineup for the closing ceremonies—New Order and Blur—on in place of the current lineup for opening night. Snow Patrol (from Northern Ireland) and Sterephonics are currently slated to round out the opening ceremonies.
Contact Music points out that Brits were among the global bellyaching over the Duran Duran announcement with novelist and music journalist Tony Parsons tweeting, “Duran Duran to headline Olympic gig. Who is running the 1500 metres – Sebastian Coe and Steve Ovett?”.
Bottom line line is: When you’re England and you’re hosting the Olympics, as long as he’s alive you get Paul McCartney.
May 01, 2012 at 9:12 pm, Kevin Johnson said:
Snore Patrol can eat a bowl of dicks & FUCK COLDPLAY – long live Duran Duran!
May 01, 2012 at 10:38 pm, Sara Birch said:
YES! You should go see them at the Pacific Amphitheater on August 11th. Tickets go on sale tomorrow.
May 01, 2012 at 10:39 pm, Kevin Johnson said:
Sara Birch I'm too old for concerts LOL
May 01, 2012 at 7:32 pm, This & That - The Daily What said:
[...] Duran Duran will headline the opening ceremonies at the 2012 Olympics in London this summer. [...]
May 02, 2012 at 10:14 am, Sue Page said:
The who got famous and old,we all age fact! But don't knock Duran they still kick ass !
May 02, 2012 at 11:37 am, Susan Lawmon said:
as I posted on the comments, Duran are still a current, relevent band, on a huge world tour at the moment whos album went to number 1 in 15 countries, a massive back catologue. Duran have been chosen, and much deserved, deal with it.
May 02, 2012 at 11:57 am, Marie Mason-O'Connor said:
I saw Ann diamond this morning telly slating them I was going mad, would love to them xxxx
May 02, 2012 at 11:34 am, Susan Lawmon said:
*snort* The Who? so they don't have any wrinkles then? Duran are still a current band that happen to be on a huge world tour at the moment, with an album that went to number 1 in fifteen countries, and an amazing back catologue. Duran have been chosen and well deserved, deal with it.
May 02, 2012 at 11:44 am, Susan Lawmon said:
*snort* so The Who don't have wrinkles? Duran are a current and relevent band that are on a huge world tour at the moment, with an album that went to number 1 in 15 countries, and have an amazing back catologue, spanning decades. Duran have been chosen, and well deserved too, deal with it.
May 02, 2012 at 11:52 am, Ben Wheeler said:
I'll just tell the author what I tell everybody else. I'm in my early 20s and along with all the current 'trendy' bands such as The Horrors, Kasabian and Kaiser Chiefs I also listen to Duran Duran. However, given the choice, I'd much rather go and see Duran Duran live and I certainly play their music a lot more. I'll be honest, I had almost written them off after the appalling 'Red Carpet Massacre' album in 2007, but then they released the Mark Ronson-produced 'All You Need Is Now' last year which proved once and for all that they have as much as talent and musicianship as any other band. This album went to number one in fifteen different countries on the iTunes chart within days of release and it has been critically acclaimed by all corners of the industry. Do me a favour – don't insult the legacy of this great band by suggesting that they are somehow unsuitable. 30 years in the business and over 100 million records sold are but only a few of their many accolades, so cut them some slack.
May 02, 2012 at 1:11 pm, Laura Magliola said:
this guy needs to get his facts straight! Duran Duran are getting great success w/ All You Need Is Now, & the tour! Coldplay & Radiohead don't even come close! New Order is done, & what have Blur done lately? (the KID that wrote this must be about 15 or he's just jealous) THIS IS EXCITING NEWS FOR DURAN DURAN! WOOOOO HOOOOO!
May 02, 2012 at 1:52 pm, Ryan Ricks said:
i never liked the who
May 02, 2012 at 2:27 pm, Laura Magliola said:
The Who were good in their time, but they are kinda old; whereas Duran2 are current & still fresh.
May 02, 2012 at 3:38 pm, Jill Hamilton said:
Wow, I agree with you. I think the article calling them "has-been" shows its ignorance.
May 02, 2012 at 5:05 pm, Laura Magliola said:
Alex is the only one that's bummed. all the feedback from the Duranies proves it! Love it!
))
May 02, 2012 at 1:46 pm, Mark Lopa said:
Duran Duran blows away every band (or former band) mentioned in this article. Simon LeBon can outsing anyone on the radio today. The place is going to be rocking that night. Then this silly Alex Moore fool can take his medicine and go retire under some rock.
May 02, 2012 at 1:57 pm, Krissy Stuart said:
Duran Duran are known worldwide and are still going. Get out of your little cocoon.
May 02, 2012 at 7:32 pm, Magdalena Perez said:
Obviously the writer is not a big fan of Duran Duran, and how are they "Has Beens"? Duran Duran is a classic Pop/Rock Band from the 80's. Their concerts are always sold out immediately whenever they are in Chicago, that's why they came back twice within months. I'm glad the Olympic committee went with someone else. Don't get me wrong I like The Who, Coldplay, Paul McCartney, but these artists commonly used for big events like the Superbowl. Duran Duran fan for Life!
May 02, 2012 at 7:32 pm, Magdalena Perez said:
Obviously the writer is not a big fan of Duran Duran, and how are they "Has Beens"? Duran Duran is a classic Pop/Rock Band from the 80's. Their concerts are always sold out immediately whenever they are in Chicago, that's why they came back twice within months. I'm glad the Olympic committee went with someone else. Don't get me wrong I like The Who, Coldplay, Paul McCartney, but these artists commonly used for big events like the Superbowl. Duran Duran fan for Life!
May 02, 2012 at 8:04 pm, Glo Lopez said:
I <3 Duran Duran…they don't know what they are talking about
May 02, 2012 at 9:21 pm, Yolanda Nunez said:
Well,I'm not bummed cause my sister and I are gonna welcome them at Ravinia in August! Chicago loves their Duran Duran.
May 02, 2012 at 9:40 pm, Thomas Miller said:
you are nuts,,, duran duran is the greatest band in the world,, all ypu need is now album is excellent! theyve sold over 80 million records & their live concerts are just awsome!
May 02, 2012 at 9:55 pm, Will Bower said:
Um, hello? Missing the point much, Alex Moore?
Two words: RIO 2016.
May 02, 2012 at 10:30 pm, Shelley Kent said:
I'm a hardcore Duranie so this article sucks. All I have to say is, BUSH? REALLY? WTF. One hit from like 20 years ago, and his wife is a way bigger star than him. THAT should be the shame on the Olympic committee.
May 02, 2012 at 10:32 pm, Jack McLaughlin said:
The whole world of unfun people, that is.
May 03, 2012 at 4:02 pm, Rachel Wilkinson said:
Love Duran Duran and I have got my ticket for the show in Hyde Park. Wild Boys never lose it x
May 03, 2012 at 4:25 pm, Lorraine Molloy said:
I'm liking your comment rather than the posted headline x
May 03, 2012 at 4:35 pm, Rachel Wilkinson said:
Some twit picking up on the blog by the silly hint at the DT. Karen, have you got your ticket? Lorraine and I bought ours from BT per-sale today …. Hope to see you there x
May 03, 2012 at 4:36 pm, Rachel Wilkinson said:
Auto speller changed BINT to hint x
May 04, 2012 at 3:14 am, Bob Brenton said:
Duran Durans best album came out berfore RIO. It was called Nite Romantics and it kicked ass , but they both rocked at the time. If they stick with their oldest material it will be good but you know they will mix in some of there later and even current cheese into it. Either way if the sound/mixer man gets it into the TV feed right , it will be good. Plenty of room for error on this choice , it could be a trainwreck. I will dye my bangs green for this one.
May 04, 2012 at 12:26 pm, Tricia Radke said:
Screw all the haters!! I've been a fan for 30 yrs and support them all the way!!! People don't know s..t. DD released a brilliant CD last yr and still on tour. LOVE THEM THEN NOW AND FOREVER!!!!!!
May 04, 2012 at 8:54 pm, John Zanni said:
Duran Duran Rules! Hate the haters – not the legends!
May 05, 2012 at 3:06 pm, Nicholas Metalytsch said:
how about some tough bands with balls to fit the occasion, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Saxon… would be a better fit for the Olympic Games.
May 31, 2012 at 10:40 am, Jennifer Schiffer said:
They're good, but it seems like they're not trying new sounds and every song sounds like U2. I first heard Yellow when I received tickets in my bth from http://www.ticketwood.com/concerts/Coldplay-Tickets/index.php.
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June 20, 2012 at 9:00 am, George Michael will reunite with Wham! | Death and Taxes said:
[...] the Olympics, where they could round out the ’80s nostalgia theme playing back to back with Duran Duran. But for now it doesn’t seem like additional shows are in the works. However a source tells [...]
June 22, 2012 at 12:27 pm, Danny Boyle’s playlist for Olympics doesn’t include Spice Girls; Mel C totally bummed | Death and Taxes said:
[...] closing ceremonies. A minor scandal erupted when, of all the excellent British acts to choose from, Duran Duran was announced in the opening ceremony.Now another minor scandal (and we’re talking [...]
July 26, 2012 at 3:34 pm, Steven Salzgeber said:
Yes, Long Live Duran Duran! You don't get a career like theirs if you stink. People just cannot get over the fact that when they started out they were 'pretty' and like by a lot of girls. If you're too popular a certain crowd will ALWAYS think it's cool to hate you. Their music is great; I think Duran Duran deserves more praise and appreciation!
July 27, 2012 at 1:13 am, Megan McClure said:
Was the writer of this article high? An old, broken-down Paul McCartney over DD? Blur and New Order over DD? Fraking COLDPLAY? lol The author of this article needs to listen to some Duran and WAKE UP.