Dictionary.com says an epiphany is "a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something". I had that after my first Duran Duran concert on October 19, Playhouse Square Cleveland. I must say that it was quite overwhelming the feeling and I felt quite humbled afterward.
Here is the epiphany...
The Rock Hall may not really deserve Duran Duran and its not really necessary that Duran Duran be there. They are legends already, they have made music history already and no honor, induction, and award will make a difference.
I got to see the amazing and beautiful community of Duranies at this concert and I was overwhelmed by the love they had for Duran Duran and the love Duran Duran had for them. Something Simon said during the concert resonated with me. He said something like 'I see a bunch of happy people!'. Thats what its about, what its always been about for them...making people happy.
In life its not about the rewards you get or the 'recognition'...its about the people whose lives you touch, the love you show them, and the happiness you give them. Duran Duran has certainly showed this to their fans. If you think about it, its 'The World' that focuses on such honors...of making someone better than someone else. The lyric from
All You Need is Now comes to mind..."Everybody's gunning for the VIP section...but you're better off in running in the other direction".
The words of Simon when he answered my question during the Heart Rock interview UK also come to mind...quoted from that interview...
Simon: "the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has imposed itself on the industry...and say 'Right! We are setting ourselves up as this body who decide who deserves to be in this Hall of Fame and who doesn't.' And I think its completely bogus. I really do. Especially when you've got you know when you've sold as many records as we have or had as many people come to concerts as the bands who are not mentioned on this list."
And then Roger's comment: "its not something that particularly feels important to us at this moment...like something we 'must have' you know."
I just want to tell Duran Duran and the fans that I get it now. I started this effort just wanting to give back to the band that meant so much to me growing up and means so much to me today. I am left feeling though that I've been giving back the wrong way.
I just want to say sorry to all of you, including Duran Duran, for not seeing it this way sooner. There was something about seeing this band live that has had a changing effect on me....like something awoke in me...a realization...a new happiness.
To be frank, this epiphany leaves me with an identity crisis. I mean what is the point of beating on the Rock Hall's door about Duran Duran? There are other campaigns out there that have done the same thing and they have gotten nowhere. They have focused so much on hating the Rock Hall...continued disappointment with them because their favorite band is snubbed. Even more silly is the notion that one band must get in 'before another'. I mean, its not a race is it? Especially if these bands have already made history, already are legendary, and no award in a Hall can change that.
So I've decided on a few things. One, to completely change the direction and focus of this effort. Who knows, we may even change its name...though it will take some time since we already have a logo, marketing materials, etc. The focus will no longer be on 'getting Duran Duran into the Rock Hall', but of promoting the band...getting people talking about them again...raising awareneness to them and how they've left an indelible impressions on music history and on the hearts and minds of their fans everywhere.
Further, the Rock Hall petition will not go away...there are many beautiful things written on it Duran Duran's loving fans. And since Nile signed it, I would definitely not want to take it down (love you Nile!). It will be though just one of the several things we promote for Duran Duran to to get people buzzing about them again. If you were on last night for example, DDTTRH supported Duran Duran for the People's Choice awards...this direction is consistent with this new direction.
I've also decided we need to focus on music history, understanding it, measuring it, and asking data to tell us how Duran Duran does with it. Don't be surprised if we bring on some data analysts and music researchers within the next year.
I also realized that I've been keeping this effort too close to me (I was an only child growing up...it comes with the territory [:) and that there are people who have served at DDTTRH that have shown amazing commitment, amazing support to the idea of DDTTRH and bringing this fabulous thing to light. I speak of Anitra Delorenzo (Ladyaslan), Kandice Purpura (Petition Duchess), and Christian Helwig. Without them this effort would not be what it is today.
To that note, with this epiphany I would like to officially offer Anitra, Christian, and Kandice permanent lifetime positions as a part of DDTTRH (or whatever name we change to, if we do). There is no one else that I can think of that I'd want to share this fantastic journey with. Of course they can leave at anytime, however I hope I will never behave in such a way that they would want to. I love each of them and consider them my 'friends in Duran', if you will.
The symbol that came to my mind from this epiphany harkens back to one of Duran Duran's albums, I Don't Want your Love...
Much love and respect to all the Duranie community and especially to Duran Duran.
Love,
Kirk Harrington
Currently a member of DDTTRH, maybe something better and above all the nonsense of the 'RH' later
P.S. Christian, Anitra, and Kandice...please let me know if you accept!
