First, though, a lesson. I'd like to address some logic that fans have used to dimish or to talk away this effort of raising awareness for Duran Duran and their elegibility for Rock Hall induction.
Some fans logic
The Band does not want a place in the Rock Hall, they've said so in interviews.
The Rock Hall is too political...its no place for our guys!
They will get in eventually, so what is the point?
Why should I even do anything to help raise awareness at all?
The Band does not want a place in the Rock Hall, they've said so in interviews
You are right in one sense but not absolutely correct. The band has said that 'being in the Rock Hall' is not important or a 'must have' in their career right now. This was said in a UK Heart Radio interview that was in answer to my very question to them. I believe other members of the band may have been quoted as saying something like 'You shouldn't bother...its too political.' (I believe it was John and he was being nice).
The logic you are missing is that the band has never said they would not accept induction if given the honor. Further, you may not know that this desire to be in the Rock Hall is not something that is that far from their hearts. If you read the last interview we had with the Rock Hall of Fame you will learn that the band has loaned items to the Rock Hall and the Rock Hall has been pleased to show them. Why would they donate items to the Rock Hall at all if they were against it?
Also--for those that know the band, you know this...they are quite humble about taking any honor to themselves, Rock Hall or otherwise. Of course they would say its not that important to them! They would say that about any honor if asked. Plus, if you listen to Simon carefully in that interview...he says there are many bands in there who have less honors than them. He basically admits that his band has stood the test of time and could stand up to many that are already in the hall.
And riddle me this...if the band did not want in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, why would their official website support a mock Rock Hall poll so loudly (speaking of the recent Mercury News poll). The tweets supporting the poll speak volumes. I must say that I was happy to be a Duran Duran fan that day when the poll results were released. Here are the results of that poll if you didn't see them...
http://www.mercurynews.com/entertainment/ci_23038372/rock-and-roll-hall-fame-vote-duran-duran
The Rock Hall is too political...its no place for our guys!
Have you been to Cleveland to visit the Rock Hall? Do you know what its really about? I've been inside a couple of times and toured the exhibits. They are great! They do a good job at showcasing the important contributions of many artists and its incredible to see some of the amazing things they have on display. People can go there and see Rock history displayed before their eyes, and either learn something new or reminisce about the days they watched their favorite artists making that history. And did you read the interview I had with the Rock Hall? All the proceeds of the events they sponsor (including the black tie dinners) goes towards a good cause. They are a non-profit, plain and simple.
They will get there eventually, whats the point?
This is the excuse that angers me the most. I don't know about you, but I would like to see Duran Duran accept Rock Hall induction 'in the flesh' instead of (heaven forbid) post humous. I know this may come as blunt and harsh, but I need to make this point clearly.
I know before I had said 'what is the point of beating on the Rock Hall's doors, they never listen.' Well, I will happily admit that I was proven wrong when fan favorite Rush was inducted this year. I have had the unique pleasure of 'listening to the ground' about other fans' efforts to get their their favorite band in the Rock Hall of Fame and this I know now...all the efforts Rush fans did actually paid off. Rush was inducted and I know there were many happy Rush fans that day.
As an analyst, its a clear association....if what happened with Rush really happened and what the fans did actually helped...this means that the more we raise awareness of Duran Duran for Rock Hall induction...the higher the probability is that they will get in sooner rather than later. I absolutely believe this and I ask you please....as friends of mine...please help support this effort and raise awareness to this great band. There is no time to lose!
Why should I even do anything to help raise awareness at all?
I think you will be happy to know that we have received support from some pretty amazing people. Nathan Stack, from the band Autohypnosis, graciously contributed to the writing on our petition. Mr. Mystere (he has asked that we don't reveal his name as of yet) is a friend of the band and has done work with them. He has translated for us in the past and has been nothing but supportive of us. Then there is Andy Golub. Andy, who is a historian of the band, has been a guiding light to me personally...something that I will always be grateful for. I still remember the first time we made contact and how excited he was to get to know me and our little effort. To this day we still remain friends and I can always count on Andy for an inspiring word.
Someone I don't talk a lot about, but definitely deserves mention is Neil Carlill. Neil works with Warren Cuccurrullo (who we all know). It was from Neil that we first got word that Warren is 'cool' about our effort. I have since met Warren in Second Life (in my guise as 'BilltheKirk'). In fact, you might find this pretty cool...but when I first gave a asked fans to guess about the DDTTRH interview we were waiting on...it was Warren who guessed Bryan. Here is a picture of him and I chatting later that same day:
Julie Ann Rhodes is very good at radiating positive energy, its very apparent if you've ever had a conversation with her. Its thanks to Julie Ann that we changed the intro of our petition to be more upbeat and positive. It is thanks to Mike, our California rep at the time, that we received words of support from her.
Katy Krassner has been very gracious with us. She is always excited when DDTTRH gets Duran Duran's name out in the press. Further, its been a real joy talking to her about over-zealous Duran fans. I still remember that my first contact with Katy was rather curt and business-like. Over the years though, as Katy has seen what we've been doing, I've noticed a lightened mood coming through in our conversations. In fact, when we created a split off (not affiliated with the Rock Hall) effort, Duran Duran Worldwide, Katy was happy to share with us signed posters to use for our promotions. Every now and then we will provide her updates about our effort, and she graciously listens.
Nile Rodgers has also been a great supporter. You will find his name on our petition! He currently follows us on Twitter and although hasn't had time to interview with us, his willingness to put his name in with our effort has been a true blessing.
Someone else I've had the pleasure to work with is Kitty from Gimme a Wristband fame. Recently, when we lost our Publicist, Ladyaslan, Kitty has been helpful to me in editing interviews and making sure I ask questions that are insightful and appropriate. She has also helped me know how to talk with agents who represent stars. I for one have never worked with famous people directly. And I will be the first to admit that I've made some mistakes in my associations with some of them. I liken Kitty's help to being like a fountain of pure spring water that I discover while I'm trekking across a vast arid desert. I would have been lost without her.
Other people I've had the pleasure to talk with are Salvo from Duranasty, Nuno the graphic artist from Portugal, and M. Douglas Silverstein who produced 'Something You Should Know; A Duran Fan Documentary'. I wanted to same some special words about M, actually. I hope we will not mind. When I first met M, we had asked him if we could use some scenes from his documentary for our videos. Through some miscommunications on our end, our Youtube specialist at the time had posted a video including scenes from the documentary without prior consent. Obviously, M was perturbed and so was I. We rectified the problem though and established policies to where this would not happen again. It was really good of M to forgive us and follow up with us for an interview. I can honestly say that this was one of the nicest experiences I have had since starting this effort.
So, why should you even do anything to help raise awareness for Duran Duran and Rock Hall induction at all? The answer is simple. There are many friends of the band that want this for them and Duran Duran certainly deserves it. It is up to us to want them there and supporting this effort is a way to show it. I have told you that I am only in this because I want to give something back to the band that has meant so much to me. Join me in giving back as well. Sign our petition, invite others to sign our petition. If you have hesitated before, don't hesitate now. If you have something to say about the band...interview with us. If you see or read about Duran Duran in the media....let us know and we will add it to our ongoing research.
And you sour grapes out there in the fan community (you know who you are)...its time to become sweet again! Bitterness of the past must be replaced with a more sweet and satisfying future. All of us owe it to Duran Duran and ourselves.
With love,
Kirk Harrington
Captain - Duran Duran to the Rock Hall - Official Effort
www.ddttrh.info







