tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36060280232897598522024-03-12T23:01:11.539-07:00Duran Duran to Timeless Rock History - www.ddworldwide.info/ddttrhddrockhallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11557145725450201328noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606028023289759852.post-19518572448613611802022-12-03T12:23:00.001-08:002022-12-03T12:23:35.961-08:00Interview with Eric Alexandrakis - SPECIAL DDTTRH REPOST<p><i>This is another interview I am so happy DDTTRH was able to do early on, with Eric Alexandrakis who came out highly supportive of our effort and raising awareness for the band and the Rock Hall. It's nice to be able to share it again so many years later after the band's induction. We lost the original date of this interview, but we do know it was sometime between June and November of 2010. Enjoy! ~Kirk, DDWW</i></p><p><i>Foreword by Anitra Delorenzo (aka Ladyaslan)</i></p><p><i>ERIC ALEXANDRAKIS Is classically trained since the age of 6, and originally discovered by Duran Duran's John Taylor, [composer, producer, multi-instrumentalist] Alexandrakis has had dozens upon dozens of his songs licensed to various media. Also a pioneer in digital copyright protection [Alexandrakis produced the first digitally watermarked CD while in graduate school (technology developed by bluespike.com)], he is also a critically acclaimed Indie artist having three times entered the top 40 radio charts in the Adult Contemporary genre.</i></p><p><i>Eric has recently guest stared on Showtime’s hit show Dexter and has popped up on Oxygen’s Reality TV show ‘Bad Girl’s Club”! He set some time aside to interview with me about…well a potpourri of VERY COOL things from movies to music we covered it all and he is a REAL treat to chat with and a REAL inspiration to anyone that feels they could use some sunshine in their life!</i></p><p><i>Here is Eric Alexandrakis; have a seat and ENJOY~</i></p><p><b>LadyaslanDDTTRH: </b></p><p>Do you think Duran Duran deserve to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?</p><p><b>Eric Alexandrakis:</b></p><p>Well they do meet the requirements, and considering how much of an impact on music and pop culture they have had, it’s a no brainer.</p><p><b>LadyaslanDDTTRH: </b></p><p>Are you a self taught musical talent or were you classically trained? At what age did you start to play music?</p><p><b>Eric Alexandrakis:</b></p><p>When I was a tiny tot, I would always try to make music out of anything I could find. I took classical piano lessons from age 6 to 16, and got heavily interested in John Williams, Mozart and Thomas Edison. In between I picked up as many instruments as I could get my hands on, while taking art classes, theater classes…then had my first recording session at age 16. From then on, I became heavily interested in production/sound engineering and learning everything I could about everything musical. So I’m a mix between schooled and self-taught. Mostly self-taught.</p><p><b>LadyaslanDDTTRH: </b></p><p>What is your favorite Duran Duran song and video?</p><p><b>Eric Alexandrakis:</b></p><p>It’s hard to pick, but “New Moon On Monday”, “Ordinary World” and “Big Bang Generation” tends to stick out today. It might change tomorrow. “Big Bang” more so because of the killer production.</p><p>Videos…love what Nick Egan did with “White Lines”…those scratchy plates of color that are also in “Live Forever” by Oasis,…the black and white bits…the editing in “Too Much Information”, and what Ellen Von Unwerth did with color in “Electric Barbarella”…especially the super 8 bits in the beginning…I think they were super 8. I have one of her books, she’s really cool.</p><p><b>LadyaslanDDTTRH: </b></p><p>How would you describe the specific style and sound of your music to any New Wave/ Electro/ fans that hadn't’ heard your music before?</p><p><b>Eric Alexandrakis:</b></p><p>Since I write a lot of for TV, it tends to vary according to what someone wants. What I enjoy playing with the most is a sort of electro/rock vibe, where I blend electronic elements, with acoustic ones to create color and tension. I’m a big fan of early 60’s, 70’s albums that sound raw and almost like they were done in one take with imperfections. John Lennon’s first solo album has a sound to it especially that I love. I like to retain that in some things, but I also love totally perfect sounding records that have uniqueness, like the ones that come out of Anthony Resta’s Studio Bopnique. That’s the best sounding stuff coming into the world today that I know of.</p><p><b>LadyaslanDDTTRH: </b></p><p>What contributions do you feel Duran Duran has made to the world of music and fashion in the past 30 yrs?</p><p><b>Eric Alexandrakis:</b></p><p>The thing about DD is that their contributions go well beyond the obvious, and I think only mentioning that part isn’t really an accurate representation.</p><p>The musical style has always been a unique approach, but what makes them more unique than any other artist is how their careers have merged musical elements, with fashion, design, technology, artistic evolution and “extracurricular activities”. By the latter I mean things like side projects, John’s fashion designs with Juicy, Simon’s work with Nick Wood (which by the way, most people probably don’t know this but SYN is the most in demand music production house in Japan, perhaps even Asia), Nick’s side projects/art, Roger’s DJ’ing… I also like how their musical style was stretched during the 90’s, which is always an important thing for artists to do.</p><p>You also have technological firsts. Most of the general public has no idea that a Duran Duran song was the first track to be downloaded off of the internet via Liquid Audio. Aside from everything else they’ve done, if being the first downloaded band in history isn’t worthy of induction into the rock and roll hall of fame, then the whole thing is a sham.</p><p>There are a ton of interesting/important accomplishments that the general public has no idea about, as when a band like DD becomes as big as they have…more than once…the largeness of the image tends to supercede the other stuff. I’d like for all them (as a band and as individual artists) to be recognized for more than just the obvious. One just needs to look.</p><p><b>LadyaslanDDTTRH: </b></p><p>What Duran Duran song would you like to remake if you could and why?</p><p><b>Eric Alexandrakis:</b></p><p>I have no idea, I wouldn’t even bother. More fun to listen to the records.</p><p><b>LadyaslanDDTTRH: </b></p><p>Tell us about the digitally watermark CD that you support in regards to copyright protection…</p><p><b>Eric Alexandrakis:</b></p><p>One of my best friends invented the digital watermark (bluespike.com), and came to my department head when I was in graduate school at The University of Miami School of Music to test his technology out on a release. I was producing an album for the school’s record label, and we had decided to embed the technology within the cd as a test. I was super excited about it because it was obvious what the impact would be, so Scott Moskowitz (the inventor) and I became really great friends, and together we oversaw some of the initial testing. Over the years I watched it evolve, was involved in some additional testing, and it’s amazing to see how it’s applied today. I remember several years ago sitting in Berlin reading a newspaper article about how a rough cut of the first “Hulk” movie had been put online illegally. Due to the technology embedded within the promo, I think the FBI was able to trace the kid that did it in like less than a week. Now it’s everywhere.</p><p><b>LadyaslanDDTTRH: </b></p><p>Tell us how you met and rock out with your unique and innovative crew: Steve Ferrone, Warren Cuccurullo, and Anthony J Resta? What is your favorite creation the four of you have created together thus far?</p><p><b>Eric Alexandrakis:</b></p><p>We all have this common thread, DD, and my music production/licensing company. My company represents/works with a lot of high profile artists, and those three guys were people I wanted to work with. We became friends over the years, and since I already do composing and licensing of my own material to various media, I thought it would be cool to create a scoring collective of sorts to try something new. I’ve been anti-collaboration for years due to some bad experiences, but I’ve started to snap out of that. Plus when you have access to those types of musical abilities, it’s very hard to not want to immerse one’s self in their talents to learn from the best. I consider myself a life-long student of music, more than anything.</p><p>We started planning the project early last year, but had a few bumps along the way as everyone is involved in lots of things, so getting together is always difficult. A few demos were being passed around, which were really cool, but due to commitments it was hard to get locked down. We had a 5th member early on as well, Roger O’Donnell of The Cure, who had too many commitments and had to drop out right before the 5 of us had made plans to have some sessions in LA. He’s a great friend and super amazing talent, you should check him out.</p><p>We’ve only really been full-on planning and solicitation wise since about April of this year, and that’s been mostly organizational and paperwork related. We have a lot of interest, so now it’s a matter of moving into the next stage of promo, which we are almost at. We’re also working on new music (long distance for now), and will probably get together once Steve is off the road and has rested from his round the world twice in a few months stint! It’s incredibly exciting, as we aren’t limited to one approach or style, and don’t have to answer to anyone but ourselves.</p><p><b>LadyaslanDDTTRH:</b></p><p> If you could have a sit down with any member of Duran Duran who would it be and what would be topic of discussion? ( I have a feeling you have done this already ha-ha )</p><p><b>Eric Alexandrakis:</b></p><p>Being artists and adventurists…if that’s even a word, I’d take them to hike the Gorge of Samaria in Crete, and to the Minoan Palace of Knossos. That would stimulate lots of interesting discussion I think.</p><p><b>LadyaslanDDTTRH: </b></p><p>When can fans expect the single “Mediterranean Sea” with John Taylor of Duran Duran to be released? What is the theme of the song and how did you both contribute to the genesis of this song?</p><p><b>Eric Alexandrakis:</b></p><p>You’ve really done your homework! “Mediterranean Sun” will be out next Summer, and probably end of this year in Australia, as their Summer is in December. Promo can take ridiculously long to plan, and this is part of a new album project of mine called “Terra”. It’s a travel themed album, whose over 30 songs were written and recorded in a matter of hours. 97% of the whole album was done in one take. I’ve been releasing a new single every two weeks since Spring, and I have an EP called “Terra Firma” coming out on August 30th via iTunes.</p><p>The song came about when I was on the beach in Rethymno (Crete) filming over exposed shapes, waves and pretty girls with black and white super 8 film. The chorus came to me then, and the rest just flowed. I asked John if he would mind playing on it, and he graciously said yes. He was going to play on another one as well called “London Girls”, but there was no time. Was lucky to have him on one. He’s been very encouraging over the years with my material, and I’ll always be very grateful.</p><p><b>LadyaslanDDTTRH: </b></p><p>If you don’t mind, would you share with our readers the trials and tribulations you went through when you battled cancer ( twice )? What form did you get diagnosed with? Has it changed the way you view life and yourself in general? *My father is a Prostate cancer survivor….going on 10 yrs cancer free, your story hits home with me*</p><p><b>Eric Alexandrakis:</b></p><p>I’m very glad to hear your Dad is doing well. They say if everything is ok for ten years, then you’re in the clear</p><p>I had Hodgkin’s in my chest twice. The first time I kept getting this pain in my left chest, had no idea what it was. With these things we tend to ignore and assume it’ll pass, but it kept getting sharper and lasting longer…sometimes for two weeks straight.</p><p>Finally one day I was lifting some weights and noticed a lump on my chest. I thought that I’d pulled a muscle, as it was really hard and strange. Soon thereafter I was diagnosed and started 6 months of chemotherapy. I essentially had a tumor the size of a fist pushing through my rib cage.</p><p>During the 6 months I had chemo every two weeks, which would leave me nauseated for about 5 days. To keep myself from losing my mind, I recorded an album called “I.V. Catatonia” during the 6 months of treatment on a friend’s borrowed 4-track recorder. It was a lot of fun creating, smashing stuff in the garage, I had very little to work with and borrowed instruments from friends. The album has my chemo nurse on the cover.</p><p>At the same time I was producing a band called Eyes of Pandora, mixing another album and getting ready for pre-production on a record by an artist that had recently been dropped from Atlantic Records. I was probably overdoing it, as I remember being in a big studio having to barf in between my guitar takes. Looking back it was actually quite funny, in a sort of twisted way.</p><p>For about a year I was clear, then it came back. I then had to have a stem-cell transplant, with a month’s stay in a germ free “bubble” in the hospital, with about 8 blood transfusions, chemo, crappy food…but pretty nurses. The day I was admitted, I ended up having a catheter cut and pushed into the side of my throat, pushed into my heart and pulled out of a hole in my chest…without anesthesia…twice! After that, I realized I could handle just about anything.</p><p>The relapse made me paranoid, impatient and a little nuts…and it took several years to get back to “normal”.</p><p><b>LadyaslanDDTTRH: </b></p><p>How did you come to work with John Taylor of Duran Duran &amp; Patty Palazzo ( of Juicy and Punkmaster.com) on John’s solo album Japan ( 1999 )?</p><p><b>Eric Alexandrakis:</b></p><p>I met John at a solo show, gave him some of my tapes, and a few months later he and Patty approached me to sell my first album “9 Demos On A 4-Track” on Trust The Process. I’ve always been heavily into photography, and sent Patty the pics from the show I had met them at, which they put on the site and used in the CD. I’ve admired Patty’s designs for a very long time, and love her Punkmasters line. We’ve been friends ever since.</p><p><b>LadyaslanDDTTRH: </b></p><p>How did you come to have a supporting role in the hit Showtime series Dexter</p><p><b>Eric Alexandrakis:</b></p><p>It was nothing major really, the casting agent called me to do it, and I said ok. It was a new experience doing TV, and more than anything I was curious to see how the whole process worked. Almost got my fingers smashed by a sliding van door during a scene, and had fun with the main cop dude that wears a hat all of the time.</p><p><b>LadyaslanDDTTRH: </b></p><p>What was your overall experience in filming Miami Vice with Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx?</p><p><b>Eric Alexandrakis:</b></p><p>Totally fascinating. Loved watching the process, being directed by Michael Mann, watching him plan out a scene… CF and JF were very cool. JF was gangsta rapping in Bill Cosby’s voice, and CF was either drinking or smoking for 3 days straight. I was in a bunch of scenes, but only one or two made it into the film. Burned my scalp, got slightly dehydrated, and drove some fancy cars. It was a fun experience, but I didn’t like the movie.</p><p><b>LadyaslanDDTTRH: </b></p><p>Tell the readers about how you entered the Top 40 radio charts….when…where…and which songs….</p><p><b>Eric Alexandrakis:</b></p><p>My Christmas song “Here Comes The Snow!” was promoted to U.S. adult contemporary radio, and charted in the top 40 three years in a row. I think it peaked at #22. Every so often someone texts or calls me during the holiday seasons, saying that they are shopping in a store and they hear that song on the speakers. That’s always fun.</p><p><b>LadyaslanDDTTRH: </b></p><p>Anything you would like to share with your fans?</p><p><b>Eric Alexandrakis:</b></p><p>Keep in touch!</p><p><i>Please follow DDATRH on Twitter! (Formerly DDTTRH)</i></p><p><br /></p>ddrockhallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11557145725450201328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606028023289759852.post-43570936401958136002022-11-19T08:43:00.001-08:002022-11-20T07:11:08.146-08:00Interview with LeClair, singer, composer, multi-intrumentalist, producer - SPECIAL REPOST<p>Someone asked me recently about old blogs we had on this site. I know I had kept several of them and deleted others...and I also think Blogger may have truncated many after a certain period of time. I did decide though to keep most of them aside in case they did get lost. This one is special because it is with one of the early DDTTRH supporters, Stefan Leclair.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg62U9D98O35mlcRkze5JmCxPVkrjGLpJNDFG98_WPnALzmxHOqg7qhJW-JrrrwL8aU52Qmkf2jpDpgjkHvOIR2MLxoZU0qn_vRVWhS0MOjroyNipNKZ8uFVAAuDOMIhoHFvvPh2TCe8PEvEcuD8evB-TVElN-EeOth4prkORYZadqwiXeHXG48QN1d/s320/leclair_1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="232" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg62U9D98O35mlcRkze5JmCxPVkrjGLpJNDFG98_WPnALzmxHOqg7qhJW-JrrrwL8aU52Qmkf2jpDpgjkHvOIR2MLxoZU0qn_vRVWhS0MOjroyNipNKZ8uFVAAuDOMIhoHFvvPh2TCe8PEvEcuD8evB-TVElN-EeOth4prkORYZadqwiXeHXG48QN1d/s1600/leclair_1.jpg" width="232" /></a></div>Original post 5/12/2010, Interview by Kirk Harrington DDTTRH<br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Here's a bit about Stephane, taken from his
Myspace profile (</span><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="http://www.myspace.com/stephaneleclair"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #cc3333; font-size: 8pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">http://www.myspace.com/stephaneleclair</span></b></a></span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">):<br />
"Being a music lover with eclectic tastes, Le Clair experimented in many
different musical styles,from funk to experimental progressive Jazz, and
beyond. He also did some dj work, and remixed songs for pop music icons DURAN
DURAN which frontman Simon Lebon and guitarist Warren Cuccurullo (also from
Frank Zappa/Missing Persons) both really loved and talked about using as a
b-side material on their next single to be released from their experimental
Medazzaland album (unfortunately no other single was ever released from that
album since the band parted from EMI records shortly after that). Conversations
with Simon and Warren gave Le Clair the boost he needed to focus even more on
his own songwriting,resulting in the recording of many very personal
acoustic/alternative tracks about life,love,women,sex,war, & peace. Le
Clair is a vegetarian,and tries to support as much as possible the following
causes: Amnesty International,The One Campaign,Peta (+ other animal rights
groups),and other ones against hate, racism,human trafficking,homophobia,&
child labor."<br />
<br />
Stephane's interview:<br />
<br />
<b>[Kirk, DDTTRH]: What contribution do you feel Duran Duran has offered the music
industry over the past 32 years (since their formation in 1978)?</b><br />
[LeClair]: A huge contribution which is still palpable today,and a pretty
diverse one musically speaking. They've managed to record 12 totally different
albums,reinventing their sound and creating something new every single
time,which is not an easy task. I mean,in the mid eighties,Duran was the
biggest band in the world, and instead of repeating the same safe recipe that
made them rich & famous,these music lovers went for exploring new musical
territories,and taking risks (and I take my hat off to them for having the
balls to do that and succeeding so well in doing it). <br />
<br />
Many kids today like the band's earlier stuff and don't give a sh** about the
videos,the image,or whatever. They just like Duran’s music because these are
great pop songs that have aged very well...and by the way (& coming from a
musician’s point of view),playing some of Duran’s material is harder than many
people would think (I even saw Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl admitting that on
youtube lately). Some of their songs have complex structures and unusual chord
progressions,and feature ambitious bass lines,virtuoso guitar playing (the
Cuccurullo years),unorthodox creative synth work,and pretty high perched
vocals.<br />
They influenced a lot of other artists in the eighties,and still do today. I
mean,without Duran, bands like The Killers,Franz Ferdinand,The
Bravery,Keane,White Lies,just to name a few of them,would certainly sound very
different.<br />
<br />
<b>[Kirk, DDTTRH]: What is your favorite Duran Duran video and song?</b> <br />
[LeClair]: Now that is a very hard one to answer,and honestly I can't just name
one of them (that would be like asking me for only one great Beatles or Bowie
song,when we both know they got plenty of great songs)...so I'll give you,let's
say...2 favourite videos (I don’t care that much about videos anyway),and 5
fave songs. That is the shortest number I can give you from such a diverse and
rich catalogue. <br />
<br />
Songs: 1. Ordinary World (they should be inducted in the Hall Of Fame just for
writing this one,it is one of the best ballads ever written).<br />
<br />
2.The Chauffeur : Because this one doesn't sound like any other songs ever
made,which is rare. I adore the infectious ocarina melody in The Chauffeur, and
30 years later,the song has kept every single cell of its uniqueness and
appeal. Like most of their songs,The Chauffeur has brilliantly stood the test
of time.<br />
<br />
3. Come Undone : There is something comforting in the beautiful melody of this
one. Perfect bittersweetness and melancholy. And from a songwriter/producer
point of view ,Come Undone might be the only song featuring that overused drum
loop of the 90’s that still sounds fresh today. One of their best melodies
ever.<br />
<br />
4. Skin Trade (album version,not the single edit) : To me,this is one of
Duran’s musical peak. A Prince/Stones influenced black track that I absolutelly
love. The structure of the song,the chords,and of course that amazing trumpet
solo during the bridge...I mean,this really is music man! Produced by funk
master Nile Rodgers and taken from one of my favourite D2 albums. Another quite
unique song from The Fab 3 (then).<br />
<br />
5.Lady Xanax : Duran has many musical faces,and the one I love the most,
obviously considering my choices, is that rich, darker,intellectual one. Lady
Xanax is a good example how rich and how far musically Duran can go. This could
almost be a Pink Floyd or Radiohead song. Nothing commercial or pop in this
one. A less known gem taken from the alternative/glam Pop Trash album.<br />
<br />
Bonus Track (lol)Save A Prayer (album version,again not the single edit) :
Masters of melody since the beginning. I love the intro,the bass line,the whole
ambiance of it really...a true eighties classic, and always a special moment
during a Duran live show.<br />
<br />
Favorite videos: 1.Girls On Film (uncensored) : I just happen to love ice...a
lot.2.Perfect Day : I like the colors and textures of this one,it is visually
stunning. I love the flower throwing thing contrasting with the words “destroy”
and “hate”. (not to mention that they did an amazing job covering Lou Reed).<br />
<b><br />
[Kirk, DDTTRH]: Has Duran Duran inspired you as a singer/songwriter? Tell us
how!</b><br />
[LeClair]: Their pop sensibility,and well crafted melodies certainly influenced
me, like many other artists that I love who succeeded in creating something new
& unique: Prince,Peter Gabriel,Radiohead,David Sylvian,David Bowie,The
Velvet Underground,The Police,The Beatles,The Stones,Massive Attack,Daniel
Lanois,U2,Björk,etcetera.[DDTTRH]: What are your plans for the future…anything
you would like to share?[LeClair]: Well...one of my older songs “New York In
Smoke” was released a couple of months ago on itunes and other online music
stores. I’m planning on putting many other tracks out there,and hopefully end
up with a few albums of original material...I sure have plenty of diverse
material that needs mixing and mastering since I’ve been doing this for many
years. Music is my life! I’ll also keep supporting Amnesty International,Peta
& other animal rights group,The One Campaign,and such. Trying to make this
world a better place is important to me. As a citizen of this planet,I feel it
is my responsibility to try to do something against injustice of any kind.
..oh,and getting that band from Birmingham into the rock n roll hall of fame
,of course. ;.)<br />
<br />
Thanks Kirk,answering your questions was a real treat.<br />
<br />
To hear Stephane’s music (and a message Simon Le Bon left on his machine when
he did remixes for the band in the past), join his brand new page on facebook :<br />
</span><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/LeClair/18951943148"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #cc3333; font-size: 8pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">http://www.facebook.com/pages/LeClair/18951943148</span></b></a></span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
Or visit his Myspace page:<br />
</span><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="http://www.myspace.com/stephaneleclair"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #cc3333; font-size: 8pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">www.myspace.com/stephaneleclair</span></b></a></span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;">DDTTRH is now DDATRH! Please follow DDATRH on Twitter! @DDATRH</p>ddrockhallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11557145725450201328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606028023289759852.post-28083926131892650362022-11-19T08:27:00.003-08:002022-11-19T08:36:47.332-08:00Interview with Chicanery - SPECIAL REPOST<p>Someone asked me recently about old blogs we had on this site. I know I had kept several of them and deleted others...and I also think Blogger may have truncated many after a certain period of time. I did decide though to keep most of them aside in case they did get lost. This one was special because it was around the time I'd met Warren Cuccurrullo on Second Life. I'd also chatted with Neil Carlill on Facebook and Anitra was able to do this interview with Chicanery (Warren and Neil's band at the time)...</p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13pt;">Interview with Chicanery, interviewed by Anitra Delorenzo (aka Ladyaslan) for DDTTRH</span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigT3x-DwVIOHCkQUVSkvOKC18U1oGdVOdaYX37K9CjNPvafovYKJCw-88oh95_mB3BETsQ7wynPGU87b-6GsTlmQzz4aaBa2JJ5P8skaK-ruqvG_mZ2pyv8QKcuYBQstbRIjJ9g2YhH-NrcOQaz0UhyoAS83dNKhPzcGDHo3VO7OpP0_XmeG7SCRQh/s320/chicanery_2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="219" data-original-width="320" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigT3x-DwVIOHCkQUVSkvOKC18U1oGdVOdaYX37K9CjNPvafovYKJCw-88oh95_mB3BETsQ7wynPGU87b-6GsTlmQzz4aaBa2JJ5P8skaK-ruqvG_mZ2pyv8QKcuYBQstbRIjJ9g2YhH-NrcOQaz0UhyoAS83dNKhPzcGDHo3VO7OpP0_XmeG7SCRQh/s1600/chicanery_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Original posting was 5/21/10<br />
<br />
Guitarist Warren Cuccurullo, who was a member of Duran Duran for 15 years, and
Neil Carlill, founding member of Delicatessen (Rough Trade/Big Life) debuts
their first pop project since collaborating on TV Mania in the late nineties
with Nick Rhodes of Duran Duran.<br />
<br />
CHICANERY is fusing rich sound-scapes shaped by Warren's legendary tune craft –
densely woven around Neil's ‘tone poet’ vocals and lyrics – Chicanery is both a
revival and a dream of a modern day band…here is DDTTRH's interview with Neil~<br />
<br />
[Anitra, DDTTRH]: What was it like to work with Warren Cuccurullo and Nick
Rhodes in regards to TV Mania? <br />
<br />
[Neil]: It was a little nerve wracking at first, Warren's house (and his
studio) was called Privacy in those days and all the DD music at the time
started life there, it had blacked out windows and Bars for security so I Was a
little intimidated. Once I was inside and I met Warren and Nick they were very
re-assuring and wonderfully nice. I listened through to some of the tracks to
get a feel for the project, I was very excited because the plan was to have
Iggy Pop and Debbie Harry play my parents in the overall scheme.. I still have
a cassette tape of tracks we went over, Big Stress, Money Greed and Power being
2 of them. I would record vocals without the full lyrics so I was just
concentrating on the melodies at first. Mark Tinley was the engineer and it all
took place in the one room with Nick and Warren on the couch and me standing
with headphones, then I'd skip outside into the back garden for a cigarette. I
did bring a little alcohol for myself to give me that little extra confidence!
We had a few sessions like this, worked on several tracks, I got a call once to
come over at very short notice to work on a track called Abducted, this session
involved improvising from scratch over the instrumental, which was a lot of
fun. We talked a lot about music, influences, it was very relaxed.<br />
<br />
[Anitra, DDTTRH]: What does the name Chicanery mean / represent? Is this what
TV Mania morphed into? <br />
<br />
[Neil]: I think Chicanery represents a very human like quality that exists in
each person and in more destructive ways in groups, and societies. The art of
deception, the treachery of manipulation and trickery. It exists all around us,
what we see hides the devious ways people manipulate situations for benefit.
It's a very alluring and devastatingly ruinous way to run the world or a life.
Our Chicanery is in the complexity and multiple layers the music winds through,
the way a hook can draw you into the subterfuge of a lyric. Chicanery also
represents all the vagaries of life Warren and I have experienced since we
started this. TV Mania introduced me to Warren and Chicanery was the result of
12 long years fighting to do what we love.<br />
<br />
[Anitra, DDTTRH]: What does Warren Cuccurullo bring to the music? What do you
bring to the music? What does the music bring to you both? <br />
<br />
[Neil]: Warren brings first and foremost his originality to Chicanery, his
knowledge of music, his virtuosity and his songwriting skills are all wrapped
up in his musical self, which is spiritual and dedicated. He crafts and
improvises in equal measure which allows me to tap into what he is doing and
it's this combination which produces our sound. Songs would usually begin
instrumentally and I would work on words and melodies for them, there are a few
songs (like Midnight Owls) where I started the music off and Warren would just
magically add his own touches to elevate them completely. It's a beautiful
thing to watch and hear. The music for us now represents the journey we have
been on, those rare moments over the 12 years that connected us even when we
were thousands of miles apart.<br />
<br />
[Anitra, DDTTRH]: What challenged you both in making this album? <br />
<br />
[Neil]: It was written and recorded in different places over long periods of
time so that making the album is the history of our connects and disconnects
and how we always managed to come back to it, with many personal upheavals in
the intervals. We both started the album in England and finished it in the USA,
we both left bands we were in, changed our lifestyles, got older, and tried to
cope with the Music Industry as it completely transformed. It's amazing to me
that it's here now out on dPulse Recordings and now having a life on its own.
Go fly away music!!!<br />
<br />
[Anitra, DDTTRH]: What do they mean when one refers to you as a “tone poet”?<br />
<br />
[Neil]: I think the way I write lyrics is very much like Warren playing his
guitar, it's a connection to the sub-conscious a side-stepping of the rational
brain to let what's in you spiritually manifest itself in your creative medium.
I mess with words as they come flying out of my brain uninvited. I think it's
more like prose-poetry sometimes, hypertext, concentrated meaning in a seemingly
abstract construction. It can be a little puzzling but there is a narrative but
not in the literal sense we are used to... You have to absorb and translate...<br />
<br />
[Anitra, DDTTRH]: How have you evolved as an artist since the completion of
this incredible album? <br />
<br />
[Neil]: I think time will always sink its teeth into your tastes, I am
listening to music now I would have shunned as a youngster. Its funny how music
goes in cycles, the new wave bands of today all have their original version
from twenty, thirty years ago, you learn to pick out the originals. I love to
make music and to fool around with words, it's much less a business thing now
(we must chart ! We must have the right image!), it's all about creative
expression and working with Warren will always move and develop that spirit.<br />
<br />
[Anitra, DDTTRH]: What contributions do you feel Duran Duran has offered the
music and fashion industry over the past 30 yrs?<br />
<br />
[Neil]: They have a unique body of work, enormous commercial success and an
enduring place in the hearts of music lovers all over the world. In the early
days they set trends in fashion and branding, and later their sound matured and
gained a complexity that made sure they grew into their new stature as veterans
of the pop game. My wife (Gwen) also claims she would not have been wearing
Tiger striped tights and jazz shoes back in the 80's if it wasn't for Duran
Duran..<br />
<br />
[Anitra, DDTTRH]: What is one of your favorite songs or videos or both by Duran
Duran? <br />
<br />
[Neil]: I would have to say Come Undone for favorite song. Video, probably
Planet Earth as it has an innocence that large amounts of money can not compete
with.<br />
<br />
[Anitra, DDTTRH]: What can the fans of Chicanery look forward to in the coming
months…years? Any concert dates to be announced? <br />
<br />
[Neil]: Yes playing live is next, we are working on getting a tour together and
we have 4 songs in progress for the next album. So more of the same we hope
with fewer interruptions!</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYXm0N2zsWgjfyGaUxhN7ONJNNwItf9Lyi5ONl8MYfzHWrPyxb55IuGlMyTw8ORofRHjzqFp-Rqg2A3w603jpa6NRxFq6c3Q9APnkzwV6NW-55Eg_93k16MsX1bKaM0U9xbr5bAxW3XPi0hST-_f4bF03OqmT4Z62_yLAnzNjRqyc8gqnXE5j4_XDU/s200/chicanery_1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="179" data-original-width="200" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYXm0N2zsWgjfyGaUxhN7ONJNNwItf9Lyi5ONl8MYfzHWrPyxb55IuGlMyTw8ORofRHjzqFp-Rqg2A3w603jpa6NRxFq6c3Q9APnkzwV6NW-55Eg_93k16MsX1bKaM0U9xbr5bAxW3XPi0hST-_f4bF03OqmT4Z62_yLAnzNjRqyc8gqnXE5j4_XDU/w320-h286/chicanery_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The album is now available on </span><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Chicanery/dp/B003FRTRPO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=dmusic&qid=1274471349&sr=8-2"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #cc3333; font-size: 8pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Amazon.com</span></b></a></span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> and at<br />
</span><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="http://www.dpulse-america.info/"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #cc3333; font-size: 8pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">http://www.dpulse-america.info/</span></b></a></span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />DDTTRH is NOW DDATRH. Please follow DDATRH on Twitter! @DDATRH<o:p></o:p></span><p></p><br /><p></p>ddrockhallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11557145725450201328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606028023289759852.post-30649737439758872572017-08-09T17:00:00.000-07:002017-08-10T08:08:04.480-07:00Petition Signatures from FansHappy Duran Duran Appreciation Day 2017! I've been wanting to do this for some time now. Through the miracle of database technology, I have been able to save all the Duran Duran to the Rock Hall petition signatures from the Care2 petition site. I started this petition in May of 2010. We were able to scrape together 2,318 signatures before the Care2 site shut down the petition recently because it had been open so long. The original goal was 100,000 signatures (which equates to roughly 4% of the about 2.5M followers the band has on Facebook). After it was clear we would never reach that goal, the total was reduced to 12,500 (0.5%). Reducing the goal clearly didn't help.<br />
<br />
It was definitely good timing, the shutdown. DDTTRH took the Rock Hall out of it's name on 12/31/2015. Further, because of what was said about the Rock Hall by Duran Duran and because of the perceived level of disinterest from the fans...I am happy the petition ended when it did.<br />
<br />
I don't blame the fans or the band in the avoidance of topics Rock Hall. Through this effort, I came face to face with prejudices, criticisms, and hate surrounding the topic. What started as the innocent desire to see my favorite band in a place where they could be honored for all time, later became an albatross from an episode of 'Whose Line is it Anyway' - where it just really didn't matter anymore. And I'm not saying that I still don't want to see them inducted into the Rock Hall - I ABSOLUTELY do. I just think the way I was approaching needed refining - hence our new name Duran Duran to Timeless Rock History (still @DDTTRH), but focused more now on raising awareness of the band and how they have made an impression on music, our culture and society.<br />
<br />
This said, I do believe it's important to remember that among the 2.5M Duran Duran followers, there are at least 0.1% of us that are outspoken supporters of the band being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. My hope is that there are many more silent supporters out there, whose voices were not heard. I am delighted to say that through the early efforts of DDTTRH (when 'RH' meant something else), we were at least able to make some waves among the fan community and the press, while providing opportunity for open dialogue about the subject.<br />
<br />
Special thanks go out to Christian Helwig, Kandice Purpura, Anitra DeLorenzo (LadyAslan), and Josie Beaudoin who were with me for the original adventures of DDTTRH when the petition was around. There's no way the effort could have made the kind of traction it did without them.<br />
<br />
Now, enough of my bla bla bla. Time to get to some signatures. Of the 2318 that signed, 32 remained anonymous. Of those that did provide their name and country, the majority of the signatures came from the United States (61%), followed by the UK (7.6%), Italy (6.5%), Canada (3.9%), Argentina (2.9%), Brasil (2.3%) and Australia (2%). The rest of those who signed were where less than 2% were represented in the respective 60 other countries. Of those that did provide their names, 1265 did not write a message to go with it. 1021 left a message. In respect for the electronic reader, I will just share 10% of these below. And please don't feel badly if your name is not mentioned below. I will make sure all your names and messages are heard <i>someway somehow</i> in due time. <br />
<br />
I was seriously touched and felt a sense of awe and gratitude as I read through these. It's truly amazing how many good feelings, emotions, frustrations, yearnings, flashbacks, childhood memories, and righteous anger were stirred.<br />
<br />
Notorious-ly yours, Kirk, DDTTRH and DDWW<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<u>Signature#, Name, Country, Message</u><br />
<div>
9, Jason Henry, Canada<br />
Duran Duran have given me 30 years of great music and memories. The have inspired me as well as countless artists and continue to create some of the best music on the planet.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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20, Kitty Amsbry, United States<br />
Duran Duran's contribution to both the history and future of rock music and the entire music industry is undeniable. They deserve this recognition and belong in the Rock Hall of Fame.</div>
<div>
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26, Neil Carlill, United States<br />
As a collaborator and friend of Warren Cuccurullo former member of Duran Duran I support this petition...</div>
<div>
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33, Robert Sherer, United States<br />
I even named my kids after them....</div>
<div>
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44, Nathan Stack, United States<br />
The post-punk/new romantic era was an important period in pop music history, and Duran Duran was one of the most significant bands to emerge during that time. Obviously the band's contributions in terms of music videos and fashion are quite significant, and there's plenty of press and many awards documenting that. But at the end of the day, I think it comes down to the music. The band created -- and continues to create -- great songs and albums. Their sound defined the early '80s, but they've never been content to live in the past. I think it's also important to note that Duran Duran is and has always been a genuine functioning band. They write and perform their own music, and even though they've worked with some of the greatest producers in pop history, the drive behind the music has always come from within the band. They're not afraid to take risks, and the artistic payoff of those risks is evidenced in their albums.</div>
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62, Christian Helwig, United States<br />
I understand the terms in which a nominee is selected. Although inductees voting/nominating new potential recipients doesn't always mean it's correct. Like you say everything IS subjective. But one fact remains. Over the paste few years, recent inductees do not have the influence, nor the impact in which Duran Duran has music as a whole. They pushed many boundaries their honored contemporaries haven't touched or can. Thanks you.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
65, Claudia Parker, United States<br />
Why the hell not? If ABBA and the Bee Gees can be there, surely Duran Duran deserves it. They inspired a lot of New Wave bands and clones were created after them. Their influence on popular culture is undeniable.</div>
<div>
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<div>
72, Andrew Golub, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
As a Duran Duran archivist, I am intimately familiar with the breadth and depth of the band's storied career. Whether breaking ground in music and technology, making an impact in multiple mediums, or influencing artists across generations, there are few pioneers like Duran Duran. Time-tested, critically-acclaimed, and beloved around the world, this band has secured their place in the annals of music history. </div>
<div>
<br />
Having remained relevant over decades of constantly changing musical landscapes, it is time to recognize Duran Duran for the legends they are.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
74, Jennine Goodman, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
The album "RIO" is still as fresh sounding today as it was in 1983. They've also influenced a new generation of bands like the Killers and Franz Ferdinand. They deserve to be aknowledged for their innovative accomplishments in music and video after so many years of being written off by the critics as "contrived".</div>
<div>
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<div>
92, Dianne Davis, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Duran Duran are exciting, innovative and have never been afraid to push the envelope. They do things the way they want to do them and have never wavered from there vision. I hate to think what my life would be like without this amazing and influential group of musicians. Induct them NOW!! I have 'no doubt' you will have a line around the block of artists who would love to do the honors.</div>
<div>
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100, Amy Nelson, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
No other band has had the staying power, success, and influence these guys have had. They are absolutely legendary.</div>
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<div>
102, Jennifer Mahoney, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Duran Duran has been making great music and entertaining audiences for over 30 years. Their longevity and quality performances are proof that they deserve to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.</div>
<div>
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<div>
104, Kathy Mullen, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
I have been a fan of Duran Duran since 1982! They deserveto be recognized for almost 3 decades of great music!</div>
<div>
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<div>
106, Nikki G., Canada<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Duran Duran deserves to be honoured in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. They have contributed to the music industry and helped shaped the music of their time. Duran Duran continue to evolve with the times, creating and recording relevant music. Along with musicians of the day who are openly communicating that they have been influenced by Duran Duran, a number of bands have done Duran Duran covers, namely, Goldfinger, Deftones, GOB, Hole and Jimmy Eat World, just to name a few.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Duran Duran continue to contribute to being productive members of society outside the music world, beit fashion, service, or technology. They have worked throughout the years and, like them or not, you KNOW them.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I support this cause, the band and its members. Duran Duran to the Rock Hall of Fame! #eLL YA!!"</div>
<div>
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<div>
107, Regina Hershberger, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Few new wave bands of the 80's have a following like Duran Duran still have today. Unfortunately it has never been deemed "cool" to like them. I have alway's stood proud to be a Duran Duran fan and if the Rock Hall doesn't induct them it's their loss.</div>
<div>
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<div>
108, Kelley Rogers, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Duran Duran's long history of musical firsts has made a point to master the tredsetting sounds we enjoy today. Their influence is legend among well recieved musicans and a myriad of fans around the world. They embrace music not only for the pleasure of sound but to continue to challenge the meaning of their souls and worship of their listeners. Love them or hate them, they deserve a place of prominence in THE Hall of Fame.</div>
<div>
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<div>
111, Kandice M Purpura, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
I have been a fan of Duran Duran my entire life. It's hard to put into words how I feel about their music. Duran Duran to me is timeless... they are constantly reinventing themselves and taking music to a different level. Its never the same music twice! Though I prefer their "80's" heyday, to the new stuff, I look forward to each and every new project that comes about. I can remember leaning against the TV as a very small child and crying over Nick Rhodes. He was my first crush! In elementary school, I used to carry their VHS "video collection", directed by Russell Mulcahy, everywhere I went. Over the years, I've seen them three different times. My first concert was the "Ultra Chrome, Latex and Steel" tour in 1997, then "Pop Trash" tour in 2000, and finally "Astronaut the Tour", in 2005. </div>
<div>
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<div>
I love them so much, I decided to get a tattoo! When I was looking at designs for my tattoo, I noticed that a lot of fans had symbols from "Seven and the Ragged Tiger". I wanted to be a little different. Rio was my first album. My parents didn't get me their self-titled album until later on. Since "Rio" is arguably their most recognized cover, I decided to go with that. I took the drawing from their "Classic Albums: Rio" DVD, released in 2008. </div>
<div>
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<div>
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=187133828&albumID=2151322&imageID=36852478"</div>
<div>
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114, Mindy Claggett, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
To say that Duran Duran have left an indelible mark on the music world is an understatement. Their not being inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame yet is a travesty. Their musical peers respect them -- it's time the HOF did the same.</div>
<div>
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<div>
122, Jen Bond, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
I've been a fan since the first time I heard "hungry like the wolf" on the radio. They were my first concert and I've seen them many times since, not even sure how many times! They continue to put out new music and have influenced so many bands and artists that are popular today, not too many bands that were popular in the 80's can say that. They deserve this!</div>
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<div>
135, Cindy MacDonald, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
I fell in love with Duran Duran when I was 15 and they were my first Live concert experience. Now 30 years later they are still making music, what am I saying they never stopped. They pioneered video and still some of their earliest work rivals what is put out now. I am proud to be a fan of this band. They have all survived the rush of fame and have surfaced the wiser and more talented for it.</div>
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<div>
136, Chell Henson, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
It is a criminal shame these over achievers in music have been overlooked in being inducted into the rock and roll hall-of-fame for too long now. They are true icons in their own right, have millions of faithful fans, and their music has inspired people over 3 decades now. Some of the bands that have already made it into the hall of fame cannot hold a candle to duran duran. Nor have many of them been as artistically unique and hard working in the industry as these guys have been. Most bands of many eras sounded so similar to one another over each decade, but when duran duran hit the airwaves they were refreshing, unique sounding and pure genius when it comes to an original sound all their own. They broke the mold by breaking out of the cookie cutter sound, most bands have in comparison to one another, and made their own style of sophistcation in their goal to stand out miles above the rest. So please re-consider your decision and let a well deserving and shamefully over looked band into the rock and roll hall of fame. It would only serve the institution well in doing this and giving the honor Duran Duran so richly deserves. If they are not inducted it just shows the lack of fair and good judgement on the part of all who are responsible for giving bands a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Duran Duran can only bring to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame the elegance, class, unique style and musical genius duran duran possesses that can reach such a broad spectrum of people including the generations that will grow beyond ours, so they may also have the distinct pleasure to enjoy so much that Duran Duran have brought to the entire music industry. They deserve this so please lets us all continue Duran Durans legacy by giving them the honor and support of being in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Thank you for your time in reading this.</div>
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142, sil de Manrique, Argentina<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
yes, yes, YES; YES !!!!!!! Quiero a duran duran en el hall of fame !!!!! Gracias !!!!</div>
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155, Nabeel Shahid, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Duran Duran has contributed more to the progression of music than any other band. They were at the forefront of music video. They were the first band to have a downloadable song on the internet. And were also the first band to make a video entirely in Macromedia Flash. Plus the fact that they are still together making music after 30 years can not be ignored. It is time that Duran Duran get the recognition they so richly deserve.</div>
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181, Austin holes, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Duran Duran really were a boost to the record industry in the 1980s and highly influential with bands like Korn and The Killers citing them as influence. Duran Duran also put MTV on the map by producing creative video content for them to play.</div>
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188, Arti Loftus, United Kingdom<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
DD were THE Icons of the '80...the most underated and uncelebrated british band ever.</div>
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191, Joe Montoya, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Duran duran dominated the 80's with their music and style. they were pioneers of music videos and are still relevent 30 yrs later.</div>
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192, Anitra DeLorenzo, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Duran Duran has had an incredible career that impacted the music industry along with the fashion and charitable interests~let's get them IN the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame~ xoxox</div>
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195, Arianna Silvestri, Italy<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
They remarkably influenced the music scene of the 80's and 90's bringing their contribution mixing style, music, glamour and fashion together. In the second millenium they are infact very actual and still ride the scene brilliantly. Electronics, pop-rock sound, their constant research for the new combined with their unique style give them a special allure. No other groups have seen such a varied career and this special sense of being always at the top.</div>
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201, Sharita Lira, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
DD Needs to be there! They have made a great contribution to music of all genres.</div>
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218, Erika Fiore, Brazil<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Duran duran has been a huge musical influence not only in me, but in many great artists all within the last 30 years. It is at least fair to include them.</div>
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224, Maxine Hoyle, Australia<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
I believe Duran Duran deserve this award for all they have contributed to the music industry and for helping define a generation.</div>
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227, Paulo Cesar Tavares Labão, Brazil<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
It's already time to have them in Rock Hall of Fame. What else do they have to prove???</div>
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246, Jeremy Thibodeau, Canada<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Duran Duran inspired generations and pushed the limits for other bands and new music.</div>
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250, Michele Mowery, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
They have really worked very hard in their careers, and I think they deserve to be inducted to the Rock Hall because of this, their ambition, and their love of music and in creating some of the most beautiful music to date. Thank you!</div>
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275, Christina Giatroutsikos, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Duran Duran will and always will be inspiration to many future bands. Their ability to create such wonderful music, that touches each and every fan is simply amazing. They are truly our Icon.</div>
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283, Ippolita D'Orso, Italy<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
DURAN DURAN ADDICTED SINCE 1983!</div>
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301, Jennifer Prunty, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
I just recently visited the Rock hall and was appalled by not only the obvious exclusion of Duran Duran from their exhibits but ANYTHING to do with the 80's UK music scene. They had a small display of Joy Division/New Order and an Adam Ant 45 in a Punk display but that was it! I will not visit again until New Wave and the 80's UK scene get the respect they deserve.</div>
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303, Paul O'Brien, Ireland<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
I think Duran Duran should be in the hall of fame because there music is so underrated and gifted they should be up there with the best like Queen U2 David Bowie etc and another point is that they are four very talented musicians so i would appreciate if ye would consider them for this honour.</div>
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304, Lara Welter, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
They have made majorly influential music and have been eligible for many years now. Why would they NOT be in the hall of fame?</div>
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315, Stacy Dowd-Adams, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Innovative + sexy = Duran Duran</div>
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318, David Bara, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
The first day that MTV broadcast in my area, I watched for hours. Then, suddenly, a video appeared out of the aether that was different than anything seen heretofore by mankind. That Video was "Planet Earth". I was mezmerized. This was either the Coolest Band In The World, or the biggest set of freaks I had ever seen. I waited six hours for MTV to repeat the video, and on second viewing there was no doubt, this was The Coolest Band In The World[tm]. Thus began a 30-year odyssey of fashion, hairstyles, great music, concerts, and many trips around the globe to experience this band. Do they deserve it? They should have been in the first year they were eligible. Let's get on with it!</div>
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341, Susan Miller, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Duran Duran have had a huge impact on music. They have written some amazing, truly unique music. They have earned this honor.</div>
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344, Lori Leopard, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Agreed that Duran Duran's influence is seen more and more. They are still relevant and have stood the test of time. Their music was ahead of its time. That's why the old songs still sound as fresh today as their most current songs.</div>
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346, Manuela Salvade, Italy<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Being a coma survivor, I HAD to sign this petition as a sign of gratitude for what their music was able to do on me.<br />
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I'd add they're pioneers in video music, in digital music, in fashion. </div>
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Their induction in the rock Hall of Fame would be the definite honor."</div>
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356, Rocio Mino, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
This band is part of my life for 27 years , they deserve a recognition , my kids are the new duranie generation ! i love them ! long life to Duran Duran</div>
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361, David Hurley, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Duran Duran are the greatest band ever! I've been a fan since 1982. They are a great part of Rock History and have made a great impact on countless people and bands worldwide! Music would not be the same without their contribution!<br />
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362, Josie Beaudoin, United States<br />
Duran Duran have shaped the face of music for over thirty years now. The effect they have had on the genre is so immense I think it is overlooked. We would like to bring them to your attention as not just deserving of this induction, but also long overdue for it. Your serious consideration of our petition is appreciated.</div>
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390, Massimiliano Ornano, Italy<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
I thought they were already in. Come on, they are a great band, musicians and song writers. They deserve a high award. Do the right thing!</div>
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395, Dennis Kelley II, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
You let ABBA in the Rock Hall. Why isn't Duran in there?</div>
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419, Lorraine Smith, United Kingdom<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Duran Duran have nothing more to prove, their 30+ years staying power is testimony to this, they have proved the sceptics wrong again and again. There should be no question about them being included in the hall of fame. Listen to the people who matter not prejudiced music critics or music industry bods who only see £/$ signs and who have no idea how important durans music is to people in their every day lives.</div>
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446, Gina Madden, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
My first concert ever when I was 10 back in the Notorious era...they were awesome then and they are just as great now. They totally deserve it!!! They are so under-rated musically. Their best stuff is all B-sides...better than everything ever played on the radio.</div>
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447, Heather deBruyn, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
#446 Gina Madden,Virginia intruduced me into Duran Duran when I was 10 yrs. We went to concerts, watched old beta videos in her cousins room. I love them. The only cd's I have in my car are Duran Duran and 80's. I've now got my 8yr old and 4 yr old hooked.</div>
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454, Meghan Munn, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Been into Duran Duran since I was 3yrs old and wanted to play keyboards like Nick Rhodes (still do!) Have one major undying near life long crush on John Taylor and had Simon Le Bon walk past me while he was leaving a Hilton hotel while on my way to a college class in 2005</div>
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481, Vanessa Bates, United Kingdom<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
As Nile Rodgers once said: "Duran Duran have gotten the short end of the stick", the music legend told me a couple of years back. "When we're all dead and gone, people are gonna look back and realize how amazing they were. Even the records I didn't do!"</div>
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495, Al Briggs, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I want duran duran to be immortalized in the rock and roll hall of fame! they're awesome!</div>
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506, Vivian Beaudoin, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
I encountered this band when my DAUGHTER was a teenager, and they got me rocking too. Solid, old fashioned rock and roll with some new twists. Their impact was significant in keeping solid ROCK popular.<br />
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514, Jayne Bowie, United Kingdom<br />
Duran music makes you smile, makes you happy and they ROCK. A band I feel who don't get the recognition they deserve at times!!!</div>
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553, British Bells, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Totally support the Duranies!</div>
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569, Emma Caulfield, United Kingdom<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Love<br />
Duran Duran Forever <3 div=""></3><br />
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572, Tracy Patrick, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Duran Duran have had such an impact on music and the video generation since they broke into the US with a hysteria comparable to the Beatles...They deserve this recognition. I have been a faithful and unwavering fan since the age of 10 (I am 39 now) and will continue to support them for years to come!</div>
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593, Johnny Rodriguez, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
This is one of the most deserving bands in the world and they deserve the respect that they are due. The media has always shunned them for some reason and it has not been fair to the band. They among all groups in the Hall deserve to be in there</div>
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595, Anthony DeVito, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Duran Duran are a classic band who had a huge impact on the "MTV Generation" and beyond. They continue to tour and create relevant new music. They've influenced a generation of artists and they deserve to be inducted!</div>
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596, Diana Flynn-Lattime, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
They have a star on the Walk of Fame. Their music is very unique and a great listen.</div>
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599, Ronald Campbell, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
The longevity of Duran Duran speaks for itself when most bands from the 80's are long gone, i.e. one hit wonders. Not to mention the over 100 million albums sold. I have seen them live 3 times, once in the 1980's, 1990's and 2005 with the reunion tour. All 3 shows were great. These guys are more than pretty faces, former Tiger Beat cover stories and a former hair band...they are musicians. It is time to give them the respect they deserve for their decades of hard work,outstanding careers and contributions to the world of music.</div>
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610, Roman Mihalik, Czech Republic<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Duran Duran Forever</div>
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627, Amy Bapp, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
What? They're not already in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? That's insane! Induct them NOW... it's way overdue!</div>
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641, Jay Schuck, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Duran Durandemonium was akin to Beatlemania back in the 1980s. This band is still recording and doing live shows. Of course they should be in the Rock Hall!</div>
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651, Rebecca Smith, Canada<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Duran Duran deserve to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Their music and videos have inspired and influenced many artists.</div>
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655, Jaeann Stewart, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
I love Duran Duran and have since I was 12. Their music has always been a source of happiness and joy in my life...and I am proud to admit that my 10 year old daughter loves their music too!!! Please induct one of the best bands ever into the Rock Hall of Fame-they totally deserve it!!!!</div>
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659, Jezabel Gonzalez, Mexico<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Young Duran Duran Lover :P</div>
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668, Taylor Green, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Great band!! The biggest Duran Duran fan (raiderofthumbs via Twitter) influenced and informed me of this website. Thank for letting me know! Ill pass the word on!</div>
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684, David David, Italy<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>DD 4 ever</div>
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703, Lisa Le Bon, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>WHAT?!?! Duran Duran isn't in the Rock Hall of Fame yet?</div>
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707, Rose Santos, Brazil<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Duran Duran merece!</div>
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720, Ron Shtigliz, Israel<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
i was shocked they were not there already</div>
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727, Wilton Vargas, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Without a doubt, Duran Duran is not only a symbol of style and substance, it represents generations of rock music fans from all over the world. That to me is THE REASON for this band to be inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.</div>
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764, Flavia Holes, Argentina<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Duran Duran has the hability to be always be the first band doing something new....The first unplugged, the first Video maker in an inexpected places, the first touring the hole northamerica in a bus playing city after city doesn't matter the amount of people living there, the first mixing mode with music plus shows....do I have to continue? My God, any person in any part of this PLANET EARTH will know that THEY deserve it! Already had a star but Hall of fame is more than a star in a street. In London, Gloria Stefan had a wax statue and they don't COME ON!!!! let get show to the world that DD rocks the "planet earth" since 1978</div>
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769, Nile Rodgers, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Because of their powerful impact on rock and roll and pop culture!</div>
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789, Arnaud Guillard, France<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
they are just fabulous+++ love from FRANCE+++</div>
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792, Jp Sanders, United Kingdom<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
How can THE iconic band of the 80s not be in - the Hall Of Fame is the worse for not having them in and recognising their unique musical heritage.</div>
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793, Demian Vela, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Do it already, seriously!</div>
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829, Marnie Evans, Australia<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
I can't believe that they're not there already! </div>
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Duran Duran WERE 80s pop music!!! </div>
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In the words of Sir.P. McCartney: ""Let 'em in!!!"""</div>
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842, Jean Sanders, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Many current bands cite Duran Duran as an influence and their fan base crosses generations. they are also a band that does not disappoint when it comes to reaching out to their fans</div>
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849, Barbara Carmona, Argentina<br />
Duran IS my life, completely. Thank to them I learned a lot about music, the good stuff and the bad stuff. They were (and still are) influential on a lot of bands, but most important, they influenced in my life. Since 1978, they're a great band- with their highs and lows-but they are still here, 32 years later, with still so much to give, to entertain, to make us laugh, cry and enjoy what good music is.</div>
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857, Joyelle Sena, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Duran Duran deserve to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They changed the face of music forever.</div>
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858, Simon Grosvenor, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Duran Duran deserves to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. No other band defined the 80s as they did. They and the fans deserve this, so please see that this comes to fruition.</div>
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869, Danique McPherson, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Along with Japan they were the fathers of the New Wave, the Video Revolution, and the 80s most notable performance artists as well as pop art and fashion icons. Even David Bowie despite his level of influence could not claim to have more.</div>
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876, Slavomir Kmec, Slovakia<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Who else if not legendary DURAN DURAN. It's definitely the highest time for Duran Duran to be inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I believe the band deserves it more than any other act at the moment. Love and Peace!</div>
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890, Diann Johns, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Duran Duran have endured through years of critical snobbery and indifference, yet their fans remain faithful. Their work is ethereal, enigmatic and artistic. They have never stopped working. They're been touted many times as having a comeback album, yet they have never stopped releasing material. They inspire me daily creatively and passionately.</div>
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932, PP VV, Netherlands<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
They are Notorious > get them in there NOW</div>
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954, Pranav Chandrasekhar, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Duran Duran are pop/rock music innovators on multiple dimensions. They changed the world of music video with location shoots in Sri Lanka. They created rock music for the dancefloor - a supremely novel idea at the time it emerged. They continue to make music that will endure and it has already been 30 years. They deserve their due. They have earned it.</div>
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963, WIlliam Borgnine, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
This band is very talented. They don't get the recognition they deserve because they have a huge female fan base. I am a straight man that loves their music! Close your eyes and just LISTEN!</div>
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1020, Leigh Holleman, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
As a former Clevelander and Duran Duran fan since 1983 I absolutely know that they belong in the Rock and roll Hall of Fame!!!</div>
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1039, Richard Hooper, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;">D</span>uran Duran continue to be a great inspiration in my life personally and creatively. As an artist and a writer myself I have been greatly inspired by the whole career of Nick Rhodes, Simon Le Bon and the rest of DD. A group of young men from Bermingham UK who wanted to be rock stars, took their talent and became much more than that. The had the fortitude to live their dream and inspire others do the same. The guys are a great live band and a major contributing creative force to popular music and art in general, and they just simply know how to rock too!!!!!!!</div>
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1121, Silvana Andrea Ferrandu, Argentina<br />
I love you Duran Duran !!! :))) Silvana Taylor</div>
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1135, Kendra Campbell, Canada<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Duran Duran has carried me through most of my life. They are an exceptional band, with exceptional talents. They still to this day bring joy to old fans and new fans alike. This is an honor they truly deserve.</div>
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1137, Charlene Scheck, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
BEST. BAND. EVER. PERIOD.<br />
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1197, Jennifer Mayberry, United States</div>
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Duran Duran developed a unique sound that has captivated fans for over 30 years. Pioneers of an era, there music has stood the test of time and has been emulated by the next generation. In addition they are a band that loves and thrives at playing live. I love them more than I can say and they are my favorite group. Please add them.</div>
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1206, ARTURO SILVA, Mexico<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
THE BAND THAT RULES THE 80'S, NEVER GONE ANDIT'S STILL MAKING VERY GOOD MUSIC. SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR</div>
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1245, Sandra Schriefer, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
How can Toni Basil be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame when the only song to her credit is, "Hey Mickey," when Duran Duran have been turning out hits for more than thirty years!</div>
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1249, Susan Cooper, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Puh-leeze! They ARE the 80's! 80's new wave version of the Beatles.</div>
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1292, Cathy Conti, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Been a proud fan of Duran Duran since 1981. Been with the through the thick of it all and I am as much a fan today as I was back then. Simply amazing!</div>
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1298, Barbara Brewer, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Rediscovering them years later. Still makes me smile.</div>
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1303, Jamie Bates, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;">T</span>hey have Nick Rhodes Old clothes in the rock in roll hall of fame but not his band Come On Let them In they have been a part of the music history.<br />
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1331, Chris Maunder, United States</div>
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This is a no brainer, they have music for any mood</div>
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1364, Ruzica Pejovik, Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic Of</div>
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Nick Rhodes rules!</div>
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1393, Shonda Dudlicek, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
I just visited the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and was stunned to see that my favorite group has yet again been passed over. It's time for Duran Duran to be inducted, period!</div>
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1405, Jonathan Boyd, United States<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Sales and Influence say this band deserves to be enshrined-- not to mention revolutionizing music video and Mtv.<br />
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1408, Gert Vasak, Austria</div>
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They made f...ing music history, they inspired so many bands - they have to be inducted!!!!</div>
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1436, Erica Aguirre, United States</div>
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My older sister popped in a VHS cassette to the VCR in my parents bedroom. I sat with her awaiting for something to appear on the 19-inch tv screen. A Woody Wood Pecker cartoon, perhaps? Was it ET again? Then, there it appeared, without sound. A smile so perfect with red lips. Eyes, alluring. The face of a woman, her head tilted back with a gaping mouth in laughter and delight. And then, finally, sound - indescribable. A sound that let me know something big was coming. This was the music video for Rio. Little did I know then, at the age of 3, that this was the music I would take with me for the rest of my life.</div>
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Singer Simon Le Bon once said "I feel that we do something which brings people together, makes people feel good about themselves, makes people feel that they're not alone. Making people feel not alone, I feel we're providing a very useful service." </div>
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This is what Duran Duran has done for us since 1978.</div>
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1538, William Mueller, United States</div>
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Innovators in New Wave sound that is still influencing artists. Individually winners of many Best Guitarist/Keyboardist categories in the 1980's. Impact on the development of music videos go without saying. Still performing at a high level. (Live AId, Live 8, Prince's Trust, 2012 Olympics) This is a no-brainer, rock and roll hall of fame!</div>
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1639, Efstathia Kalliora, Greece</div>
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A band of great signifcance in the music industry! Especially during the 80s DURAN DURAN first gave a lot of emphasis to the videoclips, therefore they have become fashion icons! NOW, they still produce music that everybody can listen, which is blamed on their remarkable quality and rarefied! Thanks for your existance! I really admire you!</div>
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1644, Stella Martinez, United States</div>
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As a long time fan of Duran Duran I believe the just like all the greats in the hall of rock & roll should be inducted. </div>
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The reason is they not only shaped and changed music they helped MTV in its popularity. They help change pop culture and made it so attractive and full of fantasy; I believe their message was safe and also educational. I'm so glad To have grown up in the 80's to the most amazing musicians England has ever imported besides the legendary Beatles. For this, I feel they should be inducted and I hope they get what they deserve:) Viva Duran Duran:)</div>
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1705, Nadine Fox, Germany</div>
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From "The Chauffeur" to "Leave a light on" - in more than 30 years DD create unstoppable albums that give birth to songs that sound in the soul.</div>
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1846, Ana Patricia Fillo, Panama</div>
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I became a DD fan as a teenager (around 13) and enjoyed the best music, videos and outfits ever. Collected a huge number of posters, t-shirts, calendars as well as the vinyl records available to me. </div>
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My 22 year old daughter has the DD heritage and loves the band. In 2008 I finally got the live DD experience live in San Jose, Costa Rica and few months later in my hometown . I got the chance to meet John in San Jose and my daughter and I met the whole band in Panam! Pictures taken signed t-shirts...what a beautiful memories! Looking forward to the third concert.</div>
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They have earned big time their place at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, decades later still making great music.</div>
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2074, Neil Drakeford, United Kingdom</div>
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I've loved them since I first saw them in my (and their) home city of Birmingham in 1980. over 100 million records sold, numerous awards and STILL filling arenas around the World today...long overdue</div>
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2084, Jennifer Bufe, United States</div>
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Unique, influential, envelope pushing, barrier breaking, musically talented, commercially successful, collaborative, etc. What more could the powers that be at the RRHoF want? Duran Duran is the complete package!</div>
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2179, Elizabeth Riddel, United States</div>
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My parents told me when I was 11 years old (1981) that this band would never last and it seems that they were wrong! I even took my mom to see them in the early 2000's. My 26 yr old metal head son has been busted singing songs off of Rio on more than one occasion. They ABSOLUTELY deserve this honor as one of the trailblazers of Mtv, new romantic music, fashion, and heavy influences on other great bands. Good luck boys!</div>
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2302, Tina Thomas, United States</div>
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It is total crap to any 90s act got put into the rock 'n' roll Hall of Fame before these guys. They reinvented music video before Michael Jackson made thriller. Rolling Stone is on drugs to not let them in.</div>
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2313, Lantz Howse, United States</div>
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What's the problem with the committee??</div>
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I'm 68 years old & Duran Duran is a very deserving band.</div>
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2315, Wendy Hamilton, United States</div>
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Duran Duran is the second British wave...the Beatles of the 80's generation. They have been an active recording and touring band for 30 plus years. Simon has written several of their songs. They have influenced music, fashion, movies and popular culture. Their music is important to me and my generation. They deserve to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and we, their fans, deserve to see them there.</div>
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2318, Bryan Mcquillan, United States</div>
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Its way overdue</div>
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ddrockhallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11557145725450201328noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606028023289759852.post-18104562867002661912015-12-31T16:45:00.001-08:002017-05-09T12:18:17.837-07:00My Apology to Duran Duran and its FansI have had these realizations for some time now, but its seems a good time to reiterate them once again.<br />
<div>
<ul>
<li>It does not matter if Duran Duran is inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (though it would be nice!)</li>
<li>What's important is Duran Duran's music and how it inspires fans and brings us together </li>
<li>The only real validation that is meaningful for Duran Duran is from its fans, not from an award or an induction</li>
</ul>
<div>
Realizing this, I have also come to the conclusion that with DDTTRH I may have unintentionally caused friction, contention and frustration with the fan community, of which I regret and apologize for. I honestly started this effort with the best of intentions, with a dream to see my favorite band inducted to a place I thought was really great. This dream has faced some harsh realities over the years, of which I am grateful to have experienced.</div>
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Further, it was never my intention (leading an effort meant to promote awareness of Duran Duran's eligibility for Rock Hall induction) to impose on Duran Duran the band. I know some band members have strong feelings about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and would rather it not be a regular part of their dialogue to fans. I have heard from many that the band is very humble about receiving any kind of major recognition. Further, I know many fans are protective of the band, and may see my efforts as damaging to the sacredness of the band's legacy. If I have offended you or caused friction with you, I am sorry. I meant no disrespect.</div>
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With this said, I want to assure you (fans and Duran Duran) that we have shaped this effort (and continue to shape it) with you in mind. Taking the 'Rock Hall' out of our name (and moving ourselves away from the albatross of the Rock Hall) to me is the biggest accomplishment towards this end. See this blog: <a href="http://ddrockhall.blogspot.com/2015/12/ddttrh-removing-rock-hall-from-its-name.html">http://ddrockhall.blogspot.com/2015/12/ddttrh-removing-rock-hall-from-its-name.html</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
To conclude, I want to say thank you! I have come to love the band more as I've carried out this effort (through success, failure, and opposition). I have had the great honor of meeting Duran Duran fans all over the world, several who I can say are truly 'Friends of Mine'. I can honestly say that the best moments of this effort came when I went to see Duran Duran live in Cleveland, had the Epiphany and started on the road to change this effort for the better.</div>
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Thank you, Kirk Harrington</div>
ddrockhallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11557145725450201328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606028023289759852.post-48511670954107163252015-12-31T16:36:00.001-08:002017-05-09T12:19:30.257-07:00DDTTRH Removing 'The Rock Hall' from it's Name!!!<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; line-height: 18.48px;">How the band views the Rock Hall has been made abundantly clear to us. I speak of the iHeart Radio interview a while back (when the band answered my question about the Rock Hall) and also the recent Yahoo News Article that featured Simon. I'd like to quote here what Simon said from it... https://www.yahoo.com/music/the-pressures-off-duran-duran-dont-need-the-153052592.html</span><br />
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<i>"<span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.18px; line-height: 28.8px;">“I have a problem with the institutionalization of rock 'n’ roll,” Le Bon tells Yahoo Music. “I don’t like going places where you’ve got to wear a black tie. I just feel like saying, 'F— off!’ I think the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in itself is not a </span><span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.18px; line-height: 28.8px;">bad</span><span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.18px; line-height: 28.8px;"> thing, but I don’t feel that I have to be placed alongside Jerry Lee Lewis, James Brown, the Rolling Stones, U2, and all those other guys for me to have validity. The validity that counts to me is those kids that are going be standing outside in the car park [at our concert] this afternoon. You sell one single record, and it means 100 Rock and Roll Halls of Fame.”</span></i></div>
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Given all of this and how we have evolved over the years, it makes sense to make the following changes...</div>
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<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">No longer will DDTTRH mean 'Duran Duran to the Rock Hall'. I have decided to take the Rock Hall <u>out of our name permanently</u>. To me, it's just not as meaningful as it used to be. This is not meant to be disrespectful to the Rock Hall either (I in fact live in Cleveland and LOVE the Rock Hall of Fame). In the interest of keeping the acronym, it will now mean 'Duran Duran to Timeless Rock History'.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">The petition is now closed. Of course we would love to continue hearing messages of support. Feel free to to continue to message us @DDTTRH on Twitter or direct your friends directly to the petition.</li>
<li>DDTTRH's purpose will remain as follows:</li>
<ul>
<li>Ongoing research into how Duran Duran has influenced the Media</li>
<li>Raising awareness to the band and it's impact on the music industry and music history</li>
</ul>
</ul>
</div>
ddrockhallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11557145725450201328noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606028023289759852.post-20934455649450477082015-10-18T11:50:00.000-07:002015-12-22T20:46:34.571-08:00What's next for DDTTRH<br />
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It's the end of 2015, and I have some announcements to make in terms of DDTTRH. Plus, I want to clarify my position on this effort as its changed dramatically since 6 years ago when it started. And this is really for the benefit of those who have not followed us during this entire time and have not experienced this effort. Can you believe its been 6 years? Here are some key points...<br />
<ul>
<li>DDTTRH is a shadow of what it used to be. It no longer has a Facebook site, no longer are there artist interviews. My last blog post on this effort was in June 2014! You can still read some of the old interviews...they are on this blog site for now. </li>
<li>DDTTRH no longer has a full staff that supports it, its pretty much just me and a couple others (a skeleton crew) looking over what remains.</li>
<li>Our Twitter presence (@DDTTRH) still remains. And yes, Nile Rodgers and Scissor Sisters still follow us. There is also a Project page at <a href="http://ddwwinfo.net/ddttrh/">http://ddwwinfo.net/ddttrh/</a>. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>We no longer have a list of supporters that people can look at. And officially, we will not do that ever again. First, name-dropping is tacky and it was extra work and unnecessary. If you want to know who supports us, read the petition, look through our old blogs, see who follows us on Twitter. Or, just tweet me @DDTTRH and I can let you know.</li>
</ul>
How the band views the Rock Hall has been made abundantly clear to us. I speak of the iHeart Radio interview a while back (when the band answered my question about the Rock Hall--see our blogs) and also the recent Yahoo News Article that featured Simon. I'd like to quote here what Simon said from it... https://www.yahoo.com/music/the-pressures-off-duran-duran-dont-need-the-153052592.html<br />
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"<span style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; letter-spacing: 0.18px; line-height: 28.8px;">“I have a problem with the institutionalization of rock 'n’ roll,” Le Bon tells Yahoo Music. “I don’t like going places where you’ve got to wear a black tie. I just feel like saying, 'F— off!’ I think the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in itself is not a </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; letter-spacing: 0.18px; line-height: 28.8px;">bad</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; letter-spacing: 0.18px; line-height: 28.8px;"> thing, but I don’t feel that I have to be placed alongside Jerry Lee Lewis, James Brown, the Rolling Stones, U2, and all those other guys for me to have validity. The validity that counts to me is those kids that are going be standing outside in the car park [at our concert] this afternoon. You sell one single record, and it means 100 Rock and Roll Halls of Fame.”</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Given all of this and the current position we are in, it makes sense to make the following changes...</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>No longer will DDTTRH mean 'Duran Duran to the Rock Hall'. I have decided to take the Rock Hall <u>out of our name permanently</u>. To me, it's just not meaningful anymore. In the interest of keeping the acronym, it will now mean 'Duran Duran to Timeless Rock History'.</li>
<li>We may be looking to hand off the petition to someone else, or take what is there and share it with interested parties in a creative way. For now it will remain open. Of course we would love to continue hearing messages of support. Feel free to to continue to message us @DDTTRH on Twitter or direct your friends directly to the petition.</li>
<li>There will no longer be contests for DDTTRH.</li>
<li>The Top 10 Reasons and supporting work we've done for DDTTRH (formerly known as 'Duran Duran to the Rock Hall') and its petition will be left out there in some form, either on the petition itself or on a site of its own (apart from DDTTRH). Further, if we decide to share anything about our Rock Hall work, we will do less of looking to Duran Duran's fan-base and look more to the outside. I sense that the focused Rock Hall effort caused more friction and division with fans than I ever wanted and I want to move away from that. </li>
<li>Nothing DDTTRH does again will be in a bold huge way (I just won't do that anymore)...but I plan to do things more methodically, strategically, and deliberately (with the new purpose in mind).</li>
<li>DDTTRH's purpose will remain as follows:</li>
<ul>
<li>Ongoing research into how Duran Duran has influenced the Media</li>
<li>Raising awareness to the band and it's impact on the music industry</li>
</ul>
<li>DDTTRH will still remain a project of DDWW, and the project will keep its broader focus. We may mention the petition every now and then on @DDTTRH, but no longer will it be a main focus.</li>
<li>As a matter of housekeeping, next year I will be cleaning up the DDTTRH blog site. I basically will be removing blogs that are no longer relevant to this new direction. I may also look to move a set of blogs to a more permanent place and close down this site permanently. This will be hashed out next year.</li>
</ul>
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As always, if you want to help with any of our DDWW projects, feel free to reach out to me at Kirk DDWW or Christian DDWW on Facebook.</div>
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If you want to know what I've learned from this effort, please read my posts about The Epiphany, my Lessons Learned blogs, or reach out to me personally at Kirk DDWW (Let's talk sometime!). </div>
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I'm honestly done trying to prove myself to Duran Duran fans and show them that my heart's in the right place. I know there will be people that hate me and like me for what I did or am doing with DDTTRH...whatever. For me its been an amazing journey and it's been well worth it.<br />
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Still Notorious-ly yours,</div>
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Kirk</div>
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ddrockhallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11557145725450201328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606028023289759852.post-69346995453272163942015-10-15T16:34:00.001-07:002016-01-09T06:55:44.508-08:00DDTTRH response to 'Pressure's Off - Duran Duran Don't Need the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame'If you haven't read this article, you should.<br />
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<a href="https://www.yahoo.com/music/the-pressures-off-duran-duran-dont-need-the-153052592.html">https://www.yahoo.com/music/the-pressures-off-duran-duran-dont-need-the-153052592.html</a><br />
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The Rock Hall is mentioned in it. Here is our response:<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15.456px;">"The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in itself is not a bad thing...", said Simon LeBon. That's all I needed to hear! I know how humble Duran Duran is. It makes me love them more! The only reason I do what I do is because I want this for them and I know many other fans do as well. And its not because we want to "institutionalize" them...but to give them a place where they can be enjoyed for years to come. To me, the Rock Hall is a museum...and its in museums that they keep records of precious things. To me, Duran Duran is precious and is worthy of being shown to the world for many years to come.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15.456px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15.456px;">This said, we will make sure to ask that if Duran Duran is ever inducted, that black ties be optional.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15.456px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15.456px;">Kirk Harrington</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15.456px;">DDTTRH, a Project under Duran Duran Worldwide</span>ddrockhallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11557145725450201328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606028023289759852.post-42086665778843182102015-10-04T19:09:00.001-07:002017-05-09T10:57:30.582-07:0010 Reasons Why Duran Duran Should Be in the Rock HallThis will eventually be put up on our official site, but we at least wanted to share it to you here. This is our official DDTTRH Top 10 Reason why we think Duran Duran should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This list is important because the Rock Hall will be announcing its nominees soon and we want this list to be the basis of our DDTTRH project promotions for 2016. We put a lot of work into this, we hope you like it! Special thanks to those who contributed towards this, namely Kirk Harrington, Andrew Golub, Christian Helwig, Tracey Elena, Pranav from Radio Creme Brulee (Editor and Contributor, and Josie Beaudoin (Editor and Contributor).<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "constantia" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">10 Reasons why Duran Duran
should be in the Rock Hall</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "constantia" , "serif";">10. Their musical and commercial footprints are
global. Their success is not limited to
specific geographic regions in the world. <pranav brulee="" chandrasekhar="" cr="" me="" radio=""><o:p></o:p></pranav></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "constantia" , "serif";">9. Pioneers of the location "music
video" shoot (e.g. videos shot in Sri Lanka for the "Rio"
singles). They took a purely auditory stimuli such as music and gave it an
exotic visual cloak of escapism. They
had essentially taken the medium of the music video one huge step further
fairly early in the evolution of this new art form. <pranav brulee="" chandrasekhar="" cr="" me="" radio=""><o:p></o:p></pranav></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "constantia" , "serif";">8. </span><span style="font-family: "constantia" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">They are consummate live entertainers. They have the physical presence,
the charisma, and the raw talent, not to mention the years and years of
experience, to put on a fantastic, engaging, dynamic live performance that
energizes a crowd and gets them off their chairs and on their feet. This is not
something automatically granted to everyone in a rock band. It is a skill that
requires work and effort to hone and refine, and Duran Duran has it. <josie beaudoin=""></josie></span><span style="font-family: "constantia" , "serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "constantia" , "serif";">7. Their recent chart success of “Paper Gods”
(and its entering of the US top 10 Billboard album chart) suggests a relevance
of the band that transcends generational boundaries. How many bands can say they’ve done this 35
years after they have formed? <kirk harrington=""><o:p></o:p></kirk></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "constantia" , "serif";">6. They were one of the bands that fused all the
best elements of '70s music into something new for the '80s. Their mixture of
glam, disco, punk and avant-garde heralded a new era in music. <anonymous><o:p></o:p></anonymous></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "constantia" , "serif";">5. They have had hit songs throughout their 35+
year career, reaching beyond Hungry Like the Wolf and Rio. Examples from the Top 5 music markets (US,
UK, Japan, France, and Germany) include I Don’t Want Your Love (1988), Ordinary
World (1993), Come Undone (1993), Electric Barbarella (1997), (Reach Up for the)
Sunrise (2004), What Happens Tomorrow (2005).
There is a breadth and depth to their work that has touched on about
every human condition…inspiring countless fans over the decades. <kirk harrington=""><o:p></o:p></kirk></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "constantia" , "serif";">4. Duran Duran's influence has been felt across
generations of music, video, and fashion, inspiring artists from nearly every
genre and becoming a pivotal part of cultural history. (drops mic) <andrew golub=""><o:p></o:p></andrew></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "constantia" , "serif";">The fact that they were
invited to perform at the “Fashion Rocks 2014” event is testimony to the fact
that their contribution to fashion remains a milestone of pop culture
history. <pranav brulee="" chandrasekhar="" cr="" me="" radio=""><o:p></o:p></pranav></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "constantia" , "serif";">3. They have won several awards and made music
history throughout their career. Notably:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "constantia" , "serif";">1983: </span><span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif;">The band are awarded Best Album (Rio)
and Best Group, and Simon is awarded Best Male Vocalist, at the British Rock
& Pop Awards.</span><span style="font-family: "constantia" , "serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "constantia" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">1984: </span><span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 11pt;">Grammy for ‘Best Music Video/Short Form’ for “Girls on Film
/ Hungry Like the Wolf – Video 45</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">″</span><span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 11pt;">.</span><span style="font-family: "constantia" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "constantia" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">1985: </span><span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 11pt;">“The Reflex” is named International Hit of the Year at the
Ivor Novello Awards in London.</span><span style="font-family: "constantia" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "constantia" , "serif";">1986: </span><span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif;">Casey Kasem’s American Top 40 announces
Duran Duran as the most successful duo or group from England based on the
Billboard charts. Duran Duran were ranked first, followed by The Police,
Culture Club, Wham! and The Rolling Stones.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "constantia" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">1993: </span><span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 11pt;">The band is honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of
Fame.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 11pt;">1993: </span><span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif;">A world-first Enhanced-CD produced by
AMXstudios [Alasdair Scott and Malcolm Garrett] premiered at the EMI Records
world conference in Brighton, 1993. “Universe” featured a revolutionary audio
mixer, allowing users to remix “Ordinary World” on their CD-ROM enabled
computers.</span><span style="font-family: "constantia" , "serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "constantia" , "serif";">1994: </span><span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif;">Received the ‘Best Song Musically &
Lyrically’ Ivor Novella Award for “Ordinary World”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif;">2000: The UK Pop
Trash tour features the world’s first use of “augmented reality” technology in
a live concert. Duran Duran works with a computer graphics producer to create
advanced 2D and 3D visual effects, which allows animated characters to appear
live on stage with the band.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif;">2001: During a ‘Close
Up Tour’ show in Anaheim, California, the first fully immersed video and audio
recording of a rock concert is conducted. The live rock experience is captured
using a unique 360-degree panoramic video and 10.2 channel audio recording
system. This pioneering recording is coordinated by producer Jarrell Pair with
audio/video researchers working with Dr. Tom Holman, famous for creating
Lucasfilm’s THX audio standard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif;">2003: For the first
time in history, Ticketmaster’s servers crashed for 30 minutes due to the
demand of the band’s August 27 Webster Hall, NY, USA show.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif; font-size: 11pt;">2003: Received the ‘MTV Lifetime Achievement
Award’. Also received the ‘Q Lifetime
Achievement Award’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif;">2004: Won the Brit Award for ‘Outstanding
Contribution to Music’</span><span style="font-family: "constantia" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif;">2005: </span><span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif;">Received the Ivor Novella Award for
‘Outstanding Contribution to Music’.</span><span style="font-family: "constantia" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif;">2008: Duran Duran make history by becoming the
first band to ever play at the Louvre Museum (home of the Mona Lisa) in Paris.
They perform under the I.M Pei glass pyramid as part of the biggest fundraising
event ever held on the Paris museum’s premises.</span><span style="font-family: "constantia" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif;">2008: MTV viewers voted the band’s legendary clip
for their hit single “Rio” ‘The Greatest Video Of All Time’.</span><span style="font-family: "constantia" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif;">2011: GQ Lifetime Achievement Award</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif;">2015: Q Icon award</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "constantia" , serif;">2016: Golden Note Award, ASCAP, London</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "constantia" , "serif";"><ddttrh by="" christian="" contributions="" helwig="" research=""><o:p></o:p></ddttrh></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "constantia" , "serif";">2. Their music has influenced multiple
generations of musicians, including some of the most popular bands and artists
of the past couple decades. <anonymous><o:p></o:p></anonymous></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "constantia" , "serif";">Examples of artists that
have cited them as having been influenced by Duran Duran include Justin
Timberlake, Pink, Rob Thomas, Scissor Sisters, Smashing Pumpkins, Mark McGrath,
Gwen Stefani, Garbage, Moby, and Dido.
< DDTTRH research><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "constantia" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">They can and have and continue to work with
anyone and everyone, collaborating with all sorts of musical artists (from
opera singers to rappers) and award-winning producers (like Mark Ronson). And
for them, it works, because they have the versatility and style to pull it
off. <josie beaudoin=""></josie></span><span style="font-family: "constantia" , "serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "constantia" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Constantia; mso-fareast-font-family: Constantia;">1.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "constantia" , "serif";">Showcasing
an almost stubborn commitment to making music through some rather dark years
(commercially speaking) - which also saw the band shrinking to a three-piece
(featuring only two original band members) and resurrecting themselves both
creatively and commercially through new musical endeavors. This is how artists
evolvement happens. It sets an example for a future crop of musicans and
instructs them not to throw in the towel even if the critics have labelled them
as being "washed up". Nothing tastes sweeter than a comeback against
all odds. <pranav brulee="" chandrasekhar="" cr="" me="" radio=""><o:p></o:p></pranav></span></div>
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<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "constantia" , "serif";">They are
such an enduring band. They've been together, lineup changes notwithstanding,
consistently for 35 years. <anonymous><o:p></o:p></anonymous></span></div>
ddrockhallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11557145725450201328noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606028023289759852.post-47810300417602794782014-06-07T18:14:00.000-07:002016-01-09T07:18:04.552-08:00A Parting bit of Gratitude<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I would be remiss if I did not at least say some parting
words to DDTTRH as an effort (and thank all the people who made it great).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you may already know, we have decided to
make DDTTRH a project under Duran Duran Worldwide (along with other projects we
will be working on).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">So, to be clear...DDTTRH is not going away...its just being done in a different way. Its definitely going a bit more under the radar...with more focused and targeted efforts. Making it a project means it has a beginning and an end...the end being when Duran Duran makes it to the Rock Hall. And d</span>on’t forget…if you
want to help us with any of our projects (including DDTTRH), please friend Kirk
DDWW or Christian DDWW on Facebook.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This thing started as an effort because I wanted to do
something special for the band who means so much to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had seen a list of Rock Hall inductees and
noticed Duran Duran was not on the list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How could this be?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Jason Henry
was the first that signed on to help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jason became a great friend and helped us out in many ways when we first
started.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the highlights of
working with Jason was him helping get us published about in an article in a
Canadian newspaper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jason, when you read
this…thank you for all you did for us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Then Anitra came on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Anitra was the force behind our artist and band interviews and helped us
navigate the media waters as our publicist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One of my fondest memories of Anitra was when she passed out fliers to
people in Florida.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This, and some of the
amazing interviews she did for us, including the likes of Erik Alexandrakis and
Your Vegas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anitra was (and continues to
be) a livewire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are grateful for the
energy she brought to us at DDTTRH.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And along came Kandace, who we charmingly referred to as our
‘Petition Duchess’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kandace worked well
with those that interviewed with us and thanks to her, we were able to get many
quality signatures on our Petition (which is still ongoing—link here).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kandace radiated positive, calm
energy…creating many times the perfect balance we needed on our team in our
ongoing efforts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus, she helped us
improve our communication lines, which sometimes were lacking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Kandace left, I received a binder from
her which detailed all the contacts and work she did for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a LOT!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>To me it represented the dedication and commitment she had to DDTTRH (as
an effort) and its something I will be eternally grateful for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love you Kandace!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Christian…the man behind our websites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At first impression, Christian may seem a
little rough around the edges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
remember my first experience with Christian…when I asked him not to be so hard
on Madonna on our sites (btw…today I could care less about this…I suppose I was
a bit nieve back then…LOL).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may also
know that Christian can be a bit opinionated when it comes to politics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Behind all of this though is a fan passionate
about Duran Duran, an online media wizard, a trusted adviser, and a committed
friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its these last two things I mention about
Christian (being a trusted adviser and committed friend) that have meant the
most to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have had many a phone call
with Christian…sometimes in my<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘not’
finest hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has always been patient
and supportive of me and the DDTTRH cause.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I look forward to continuing to serve with Christian in Duran Duran
Worldwide.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Josie I cannot forget to mention either. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Josie from Montana...the land of
mountains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a way, Josie has been like
a mountain…firm, steadfast and always there for us as our editor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have always appreciated Josie correcting
our press releases and articles, making sure we come across the right way in
our Facebook posts…and…just being there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Josie has always told me that she signed on to help us because she
wanted to do ‘something for the guys’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Well Josie…you have…and its much appreciated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when Duran Duran makes it to the Rock
Hall (which I am positive they will someday), you can add your name to the list
of names that helped get them there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Thank you Josie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feel free to
correct the grammar in this article and get it back to me <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Now for the special mentions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The list for this one could be very long, but
I will cover the most special ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here
goes…</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Tracey Elena:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
will continue with us at Duran Duran Worldwide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am grateful to Tracey for the excitement, passion, and interesting
wrestling stories she has brought to our team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I look forward to continue to serve with you Tracey!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Andrew Golub:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could
say so much about Andrew and the support he was and continues to be to me
through the years of DDTTRH and now DDWW (with DDTTRH as a project).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have many fond memories of working with
Andy and am happy to call him a friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He truly radiates an energy (definitely off-the-charts Duranium) that is
more than catchy…to say the least.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
was an instant voice of support for DDTTRH when I first introduced it to him…he
was there for me when it was hardest to deal with ‘crazy fans’…we explored the
planet together and discovered Duranium...we have laughed and had fun, never at
the expense of others but in the joy that comes from Duran Duran.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love you Andy!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Kitty Paige:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kitty is
brilliant when it comes to working with the media and marketing efforts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have bounced many ideas of off her, and she
has always been a willing participant in our many machinations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had the pleasure to meet Kitty when I
visited Seattle…she is even cooler in person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am happy to call Kitty a friend and look forward to continuing that
with ‘this music between us’ for years to come.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Stefan LeClair:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From
his interview with us to his words of support and friendship..Stefan has been
there for us throughout DDTTRH’s time as an effort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am personally thankful that I can always
count on Stefan to listen and provide words of wisdom to me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Jake Crawford: Jake has always been willing to help us with our Youtube needs and is continuing on with us at Duran Duran Worldwide. He has been extremely helpful in creating promotional videos for us and most recently worked with me to create the Duranium videos you see on our Youtube site. Jake's passion for Duran Duran has been evident in the videos he's worked on and I always appreciate his laid back Aussie demeanor...truly fun to work with.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">M. Douglas Silverstein:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>M, the producer of ‘Something You Should Know:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A Duran Duran fan documentary’ interviewed
with us and was helpful in judging our first Youtube contest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Further, M has been super supportive of our
efforts and has just been a cool guy to hang around with on Facebook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks M for your support!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Hanna Cruz:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hanna did
some work for us with Spanish translations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She was very excited to be helping us and it was nice to work with her
for the short time we did.</span><br />
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Pranav of Radio Crème Brulee: Pranav helped promote us on his radio station and helped generate ideas for some of our promotions. I had the pleasure of meeting Pranav in Chicago...great times. Thank you Pranav for being there to help us.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Nile Rogers: For signing our petition!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
Lynn Capirsello: Although Lynn was with us a short time, it was fun to work with her. She currently is doing the Art for Duran Duran Facebook site (please visit it!). Lynn made us a cool promotion video that you can see on our Youtube channel.<br />
<br />
Julie Ann Rhodes: For her positive inspiration and words of support.<br />
<br />
Iain Johnson: When we released our Snow Leopards (in conjunction with the Snow Leopard Trust - <a href="http://www.snowleopard.org/">www.snowleopard.org</a>), Iain was helpful in promoting them on his 'The Man Who Stole a Leopard Must get to No 1' Facebook site. Iain also became a member of DDWW when we had members (now Friends). Thanks Iain for all your help...and for helping to save the snow leopards.<br />
<br />
Jeff Piorkowski: For the fun interview he did with me for the local Sun Times paper.<br />
<br />
Debbie and Emily Vernon: This mother and daughter live in the Cleveland/Akron area and have been extremely supportive of me and our efforts (both with DDTTRH and DDWW). They were instrumental in 'pulling the wool' over several of our fans' eyes with the Simon's Moustache infamous interview (Emily revealed herself as the Stache). Debbie is always fun to talk with and makes a special point to make witty comments on our posts (which I always appreciate).<br />
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Maria Sbrocco: I met Maria in person for the first time at the latest Duran Duran concert in Cleveland. She stood out in the rain with me and passed out fliers for people to sign our petition. A really fun lady and a huge fan of Duran Duran...I am grateful to know and associate with her.<br />
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Nabeel Shahid: For making our first logo.<br />
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NUNO: For creating our second logo and being a friend and supporter of the cause.<br />
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Vader Vader: For rocking out in our T-shirt.<br />
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All the Bands, Artists, and Duran fans that interviewed with us! Including some notables...Andrew Golub, Erik Alexandrakis, Nathan Stack, Salvo of Duranasty, Your Vegas, Sharmila Tredger, Marc Massive (Massive Ego), Jen Chaney (Washington Post), Scarlet Soho, Owen Paul Mcgee, Nuno, Gretchen Morganstern (maker of Lebon perfume, Adirondack Aromatherapy)<br />
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Please follow DDTTRH on Twitter @DDTTRH!<br />
<br />ddrockhallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11557145725450201328noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606028023289759852.post-35414235296602397052014-05-30T17:11:00.002-07:002014-06-01T05:44:05.258-07:00Duranium SPECIAL EVENT Contest<div>
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Contest starts: May 24th, 2014<br />
Contest ends: June 7th, 2014<br />
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For SIGNED Duran Duran RCM promo poster (100% authentic!), name 10 places where Duranium can be found in high concentrations. Submissions will be judged based on creativity by a panel of judges. To enter, please visit us at <a href="http://www.ddworldwide.info/">www.ddworldwide.info</a> and contact us with the email address on the site.<br />
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2nd Place prize: A 'Stolen Leopard' cards package, including a set of artist cards, 10 Snow Leopard postcards, and 2 blank Holiday cards...<br />
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3rd and 4th place prizes: 10 Snow Leopard postcards</div>
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Spread the word...a new element has been unleashed on the Duraniverse.<br />
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<u>Want some ideas? Please watch our Duranium Youtube videos:</u><br />
The Duranium Encounter: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rw5tfNteLhU">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rw5tfNteLhU</a><br />
Outtakes: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qF2o8ICPqDw">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qF2o8ICPqDw</a><br />
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#playingwithduranium<br />
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ddrockhallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11557145725450201328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606028023289759852.post-52313154596587474842014-04-26T08:03:00.001-07:002014-04-26T08:07:12.193-07:00My Archive Away Mission, Starring Andy Golub<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">One of the things I didn't share about my trip to Seattle was about my visit to Andy Golub's archive. It so happened that I was also in town for a Star Trek convention, so I had my Star Fleet uniform with me. Christine (not Chapel) was gracious enough to show me around while Andy 'geekily' and 'happily' hovered around me taking pictures. Here are some of them...</span></div>
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ddrockhallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11557145725450201328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606028023289759852.post-28601307481249543552014-04-23T19:34:00.001-07:002014-04-23T19:34:56.819-07:00Duran Duran dream - the Living Facebook postI've had several Duran Duran dreams since I started this effort. I thought it would be fun to share them. If you have had a Duran Duran dream and you feel comfortable sharing it, please contact us through our DDWW site (<a href="http://www.ddworldwide.info/">www.ddworldwide.info</a>).<br />
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<em>The Dream...</em><br />
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I was on a Facebook page and there was a picture of Simon with red hair and he was facing a door with another older shorter man coming out of it. It was almost like a picture taken off the set of a soap opera. There were several comments about the picture, I added a question like 'What is Simon doing here?'. <br />
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Then, the picture came alive and my point of view was as if I was watching the soap opera. Simon pushed through the door with the man and the two were arguing about something. They were then both standing on a sidewalk on the border of a small town by the ocean. The man asked Simon a pointed question and Simon answered by starting to sing the song 'My Own Way'. The funny thing was is that it wasn't his voice, he had a deeper voice, and I'm pretty sure the song was in a different key (and to the tune of a different song).<br />
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On the second line of the song, the camera zoomed out and it showed Roger and Nick walking towards Simon, singing the same song.<br />
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Then I woke up!<br />
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Kirk, DDTTRHddrockhallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11557145725450201328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606028023289759852.post-32109523653775556882014-04-05T15:06:00.001-07:002014-04-05T15:15:33.700-07:00From an Effort to a Project, Whats next for DDTTRH<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Its with joy, feelings of nostalgia, and humility that I
announce that DDTTRH (Duran Duran to the Rock Hall) will now become a project
under our newest effort, Duran Duran Worldwide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This means that DDTTRH will no longer be its own effort, with its own
supporting staff, and its own mission…but will be an ongoing project to be
worked on at Duran Duran Worldwide and its mission…To raise awareness of Duran
Duran and their importance to music, to energize, connect and excite the Duran
Duran fan base all over the world, to boldy go where no Duran Duran effort has
gone before (cue Star Trek theme music).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It also means that DDTTRH will be alongside other projects that DDWW
will be working on, to be announced in the coming days.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Changes to DDTTRH</span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Making DDTTRH a project implies a start and an
end to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Duran Duran is inducted
into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, that’s when the project will end.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We will be shutting down the DDTTRH Facebook
page as of June 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
invite you all to join us at our Duran Duran Worldwide Facebook page.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is from here that we will continue to
provide you original content and will give you statuses of the projects we are
working on.</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>The DDTTRH Twitter site will remain open</u>
and will be the way we inform you of specific developments in regards to the DDTTRH
project and its progress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please follow
@DDTTRH on Twitter to keep informed.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Any DDTTRH email addresses will be shut down by
June 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup>. The website with details about the project (and any news) will still be accessible through DDWW (under Projects).</span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Meaningful interviews and blogs from the Blogger
website (ddrockhall.blogspot.com) will be moved to our Duran Duran Worldwide
website and be posted with our DDTTRH project work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Blogger website will be shut down after this
happens.</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Any supporting staff that are currently helping
DDTTRH are now a part of DDWW.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
continue to appreciate the efforts of Christian Helwige (our First Officer),
Tracey Elena (our Rock Hall Liaison—she’ll need a new title now!), Jake
Crawford (who provides us Youtube support), and Josie Beaudoin, our amazing
editor</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Because DDTTRH is now a project and isn’t going
away, we still need your help!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you
would like to help us get the word out and continue to support us, please
friend Kirk DDWW and Christian DDWW on Facebook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through this medium we can organize projects
directly with you and give you any marketing materials you need to help us out.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Changes to DDWW</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have decided that there will no longer be
‘Members’ of DDWW, but ‘Friends’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
still will enjoy cross-promoting those who are our ‘site and effort friends’
(and we hope they will continue to do the same with us).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have a Duran Duran page, effort, etc.
and would like to become a ‘Friend of DDWW’, please contact us through our
Duran Duran Worldwide site (ddworldwide.info).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Being a friend implies not being formally connected to DDWW, but as a
friend who we keep in contact with and promote through our site.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As mentioned, we will be adding other projects
in the coming days to DDWW.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you would
like to help us in any of our projects, we invite you to connect with us
personally through our Kirk DDWW and Christian DDWW Facebook profiles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have already connected with many of you
through this more direct and personal medium and we look forward to continuing
to do so as we work on projects and roll out original content from Duran Duran
Worldwide.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We will continue to do interviews, but under
DDWW instead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, we are coming up
with a list of those we would enjoy having podcast interviews with us a new way
to bring you original content.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you
have something to say about Duran Duran and would like to interview with us,
please contact us through the DDWW site, our DDWW email, or our personal DDTTRH
or DDWW Facebook pages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will also
reach out to many of you personally about this.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I would like to personally thank all of you for making the
DDTTRH ‘effort’ (while it was a formal effort) a special one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have enjoyed associating with all of you
and look forward to seeing many of you on Twitter (@DDTTRH) and Duran Duran Worldwide
(and lets have some fun together!).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Notorious-ly and Duran-fully yours,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">With much love,</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kirk Harrington, Captain, DDTTRH</span></div>
ddrockhallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11557145725450201328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606028023289759852.post-20736404223137562682013-12-22T06:07:00.001-08:002016-01-09T06:58:41.122-08:00Interview with Sharmila Tredger<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b>I (Kirk Harrington, DDTTRH) recently caught up with Sharmila and I am so happy I did. I've read her articles online (she works for the Examiner) and always knew she was an avid Duran Duran fan; this led to my interest in interviewing her. I have also had the pleasure of talking with her in relation to the DDTTRH effort. She has followed our effort for quite some time and I have always appreciated her enthusiasm about it.</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b>Hi Sharmila! Thanks so much for taking the time to speak with us at DDTTRH. One of our core missions is to speak with people just like you who are in the music and entertainment business to get their thoughts on Duran Duran and to raise awareness of how they have impacted music history.</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b>Please tell us about the Examiner. How long have you worked with them and have you always covered concerts or do you write about other topics as well?</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The Exmaminer.com is a media company that operates a network of local news websites, allowing pro-am contributors to share their city-based knowledge in the areas of music, fashion, lifestyle and everyday news on a blog-like platform, in 238 markets throughout the United States and parts of Canada.</span></div>
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<span class="s5" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I have been a NY Concert Reporter with The Examiner since September of 2012 and covered an array of music concerts and fashion events from New York Fashion Week to Counting Crows, Chic and Nile Rodgers to Duran Duran…of course.</span></div>
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<span class="s5" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I<b>'ve read that you've worked in the entertainment industry for the last 15 years. Can you tell us where else you have been and what led up to you becoming a reporter?</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s5">My career started out working on film and television show sets in New York City. My first job was on The Cosby Show as a production assistant </span><span class="s5">while studying Television and Film Production at St. John’s University in Queens, NY. </span><span class="s5">It was an opportunity that I was determined to make mine and my shear persistence paid off. I spent 2 seasons working with a great cast of talented actors. After I graduated with a B.S. in Communication Arts, I went on to work on many commercials, films and television shows, such as Sex and the City and MTV’s Celebrity </span><span class="s5">Deathmatch</span><span class="s5"> as a Production/Business Manager and Line Producer. After eighteen years of working in television and film, I needed a new direction, but at the same time wanted to continue to work in the sane industry. So I made the jump to Digital Advertising, working as a Production Business Manager for Digital Studio at R/GA down in Hell’s Kitchen in New York City. </span><span class="s5">This experience brought me to a whole different level in regards to how products were represented in the digital world. After three and a half years in Advertising, I felt the need to revisit my passion for writing and photography. I published my first children’s book in 2012, launched a photography and quotes website, started writing lyrics and re-learned how to play the acoustic guitar. While keeping myself busy, my love of music grew in a different direction. I started analyzing melodies and lyrics. And the first album that I ripped apart was Duran Duran’s “All You Need Is Now.” While the band was in full tour motion, I made my way to see them live at </span><span class="s5">Foxwood’s</span><span class="s5">, Madison Square Garden and Atlantic Ci</span><span class="s5">ty with a group of </span><span class="s5">Duraniacs</span><span class="s5">. I figured, my hardcore passion for music needed to make its way from my head to paper, so I started approaching PR agencies to review new album releases and indie artists. Surprisingly, the response was overwhelming, so I signed up with The Examiner and a few other publications. This road to reporting has opened many doors for me. While I still spend many nights in photo pits, trekking my gear in and out of the city, I started my own business as a Music Agent, representing several independent musicians and speakers. This universe is so drenched in talent, but there </span><span class="s5">are</span><span class="s5"> </span><span class="s5">a </span><span class="s5">few that strike a chord </span><span class="s5">in me and having the opportunity to help them grow as artists and exposing them to the world is the biggest reward.</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>I've seen you write about Duran Duran. For example, I saw that you covered John Taylor's book release that happened recently. Are you a big fan of the band? Are you passionate about them and please tell us why!</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s6">Passionate about their music, yes.</span><span class="s6"> I’m part of the 30+ club. I hope that doesn’t give my age away. Music was my outlet, a way to express or hold back. And when I first heard of Duran </span><span class="s6">Duran</span><span class="s6">, it was the easiest thing to digest at the time. I really had no idea who I was as a teenager dealing with the world and they knew exactly who I was. They understood me. As my obsession with the band grew, my love of music became my sanctuary. I bought every album, poster, button, </span><span class="s6">t-shirt</span><span class="s6"> and anything that had their face or name on it. </span><span class="s6">I p</span><span class="s6">lastered every inch of my bedroom wall and closet with their gorgeous beings. I spent the last thirty plus years listening to their music, but it wasn’t until a few years ago, when I</span><span class="s6"> started reconnecting with other </span><span class="s6">Duranies</span><span class="s6"> and experiencing them live. Having built up my reputation as a writer and photographer with several agencies, I was stoked when I was granted coverage of Duran Duran’s Foxwoods venue and John Taylor’s book signing in New York City on my birthday of last year. I honestly have to say that it was an overwhelming feeling when I was in that room at Sirius XM, standing face to face with the man I had a crush on growing up. It was a different this time because now I’m no longer</span><span class="s6">fangirling</span><span class="s6">, I’m actually there to cover a story, a story about a man </span><span class="s6">whose</span><span class="s6"> overcome his demons and it was my responsibility as a reporter to capture this moment and share it with the Duran community. I have the utmost respect for him as a musician and human being. </span><span class="s6">My devotion </span><span class="s6">for the band will live and die with me, but while I still dance through life, I will continue to find a way to get the interview of a lifetime with the band that was born to make me dance!</span></span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b>Its interesting how you portray your experience with Duran Duran. Mine is similar, except I am not much of a collector (don't tell Andy Golub). I actually showed my devotion through how I dressed, through sharing with my high school friends my interest in them (though sometimes I was ridiculed...I was considered too effeminate, particularly by 'the jocks'). I have listened to their music for years. Like you, only certain music touches a chord with me. Duran Duran has a way of 'singing to my soul' like no other music has. I too only recently connected with Duranies through Duran Duran to the Rock Hall. My first live concert experience was here in Cleveland when they came for All You Need is Now. I have not met any of the band in person...though you might think its funny that I've had dreams of them since DDTTRH.</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b>You mentioned the word 'Duraniacs'--did you mean Duranies? Tell us what you think is the difference between Duranie and Duraniac (this should be a fun one for you). I know I've met all kinds of fans...some I am more glad to have met than others (to be honest).</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Duraniac is an individual who has a stratospheric devotion to the band Duran Duran. Certainly not one who is insane or dangerous. Duraniacs have an increased spirit, a reflex of intoxicating happiness, a fight or flight kind of attitude and a highly reduced sense or fear of danger.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Not to say that Duranies are that much different. Where we differ, is the overwhelming respect we have for each other. We are a group of women who are above and beyond elated when other's are granted opportunities to connect with the band in ways we never dreamed of. The fabric of our being in no way is that of jealous tirades strewn up and down social timelines and hidden behind direct messages.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Tell us about some of the fun moments you've had connecting with Duran fans? Tell us about some of the people you've met or had nice experiences with.</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Over the last 2 years, my circle of fiends has changed shape in the form of a "D". I have friends that I grown up with since elementary school and have stayed in and out of touch til today, but the Duraniacs friends that I have made have touched my life two fold. We experienced loss that has made our bond inseparable and we have experienced elation that gives life to the memories we have made. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Standing in line at Terminal 5 and the whole Steve Aoki experience has got be one of my highlights of 2012. I started out 3rd in line and somehow ended up further back as the day turned to night but managed to get right in front of the Bass God along with my Duraniacs Angela and Shannon when we were finally able to get in. Here we are, a group of 40 something women and a few men in a sea of 20 something men and women trying to stand our ground to see Duran Duran perform only to be bathed in bubbly and painted with Kermit the frog green cake icing. Fun times had by all and certainly an experience I would honestly love to relive again.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The "All You Need Is Now" tour made it's way to my side of the globe at The MGM Grand at Foxwoods Casino in Mashantucket, CT and as a reporter, this was one venue that I had to cover. I was granted a press pass and polished my gear...my camera that is. Needless to say my camera was knocked out of my hands as the hordes of Duranies bum rushed the stage as soon the lights faded to black. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It was back on the road and off to the Revel, which was cancelled due to Nick Rhodes illness, but we made the best of our stay and created more life memories. But the one memory that holds true for all of us Duraniacs, is our "Duranies Who Brunch" luncheon at Brother Jimmy's in NYC on March 25, 2012. It's sole purpose was for us to bond in person and not over some social cable that we held into as our only means of communication. For some it went as far as Scotland and for others it was local. We ate, we drank and we mad life long friends. And unfortunately two weeks later, our dear friend, Sandy Isabella-Ahrens passed away. If ones heart could break into pieces so minuscule, than that's how I would describe the state we were in when we heard of her passing. Today our bond continues to strengthen and our memories continue to grow. To all my #DuraniesWhoBrunch girls, Angela Grella-Oropallo, Sandy Isabella-Ahrens, Kayren Campbell, Cynthia Graham-Hughes, Shannon Marie Moyer, Petra Jorden, Lee Ellen Becker, Brandi Goldstein, Margherita Maramonte Leffe and Claudine Commisso, I will always hold a special place in my heart for them.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sharmila... it's been so great getting to know you more. Thanks so much for interviewing with us. Here are your final questions:</span></div>
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<b>Who is your favorite band member of Duran Duran and why?</b></div>
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<span class="s5" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">To choose or not to choose that is not even an option. Even thirty three years ago I had a tough time choosing. They each represented something different to me. The instruments they played, the way they dressed and the way they conducted themselves on stage. Till this day, I admire them just as any mother would admire her children, equally in their own way.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s5">I’ve had the honor of meeting the band on more than one o</span><span class="s5">ccasion and I’m above and beyond gr</span><span class="s5">at</span><span class="s5">e</span><span class="s5">ful</span><span class="s5">. It is an indescribable feeling to most brought on by the connection that we make when the music makes its way to our ears and down into our hearts and souls. </span><span class="s5">It’s</span><span class="s5"> pretty deep. An afternoon with the band talking and singing about music and life as opposed to asking them questions that have been asked numerous times over would suit me just fine.</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Is there anything you would like to say to our DDTTRH fans...or to DDTTRH as we continue to do what we do? Words of wisdom much appreciated.</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s5">Duran Duran will always have the best fans any band can </span><span class="s5">ask for. We have been there from</span><span class="s5">the start and we will continue to support their music as long as they continue to believe t</span><span class="s5">hat their music is just as essential to the water we drink and the air that we </span><span class="s5">breathe</span><span class="s5">.</span></span></div>
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ddrockhallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11557145725450201328noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606028023289759852.post-73526672937947443312013-04-13T07:33:00.000-07:002013-04-13T07:37:28.912-07:00Interview with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Meredith Rutledge-Borger<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_3977" style="color: black;">If you google 'Meredith Rutledge-Borger, you will learn of the passion she has as a curator at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In reading about her, here are some quotes I found that provide insight into what she is about and more about this passion she brings to her work:</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_3977" style="color: black;">"</span>I am an old-school, vinyl LP lover. For me, a huge part of the
experience of music has been holding a 12 by 12 album cover in my hands,
minutely examining the artwork, the liner notes, the credits – CDs and
MP3s just don’t work the same way." Quote from Women Who Rock Exhibition Installation, Update #2, April 27, 2011</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://rockhall.com/blog/post/5790_women-who-rock-exhibit-install2/">http://rockhall.com/blog/post/5790_women-who-rock-exhibit-install2/</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">"It’s been said that fashion and style are the natural visual
counterparts to creative musical expression. Rock and roll artists have
had a long relationship with the world of high fashion — picture Elvis
Presley’s iconic gold lamé suit designed by Nudie, then fast forward to
Madonna’s equally iconic gold bustier designed by Jean Paul Gaultier.
Fashion designers like Gaultier, Thierry Mugler and Gianni Versace have
all become synonymous with the branding of rock stars like Madonna,
Mick Jagger and Elton John." Quote from Fashion Meets Rock and Roll, February 12, 2013</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://rockhall.com/blog/post/3821_fashion-meets-rock-and-roll/">http://rockhall.com/blog/post/3821_fashion-meets-rock-and-roll/</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">In a NY times article, she is quoted as saying this about the Women Who Rock exhibit (which was on display at the Rock Hall in 2011/2012)...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">“Women have always been the outsiders of rock ’n’ roll...we wanted to show that women persevered and their music — and there
were different kinds — became part of the fabric of the rock ’n’ roll
industry...they were singers and they were songwriters,
instrumentalists, producers and even record-label owners.” Article: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/28/arts/artsspecial/women-who-rock-exhibit-traces-female-music-artists-in-america.html">http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/28/arts/artsspecial/women-who-rock-exhibit-traces-female-music-artists-in-america.html</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">You can also read about Meredith travelling to the UK to do research for a 2-Tones record exhibit (http://rockhall.com/blog/post/9174_spotlight-exhibit-preview-2-tone-records-rock-hall/). You can also learn more from her about the Beatles 'Apple Boutique': <a href="http://rockhall.com/blog/post/9351_gallery-talk-the-beatles-apple-boutique-exhibit/">http://rockhall.com/blog/post/9351_gallery-talk-the-beatles-apple-boutique-exhibit/</a>. You may also learn that the movie 'Lady Sings the Blues' which stars Diana Ross (who portrays Billie Holiday) "may well have been <her> introduction to being a music curator!": <a href="http://rockhall.com/blog/post/6155_bessie-smith-billie-holiday/">http://rockhall.com/blog/post/6155_bessie-smith-billie-holiday/</a></her></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Kirk at DDTTRH caught up with Meredith while she was busy working on a major exhibit for the Rolling Stones which opens May 24th. Here is our interview with her:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_3977" style="color: black;">Kirk, DDTTRH: Meredith,
thank you for taking the time to speak with me. Something I thought
would be great to do is to speak to someone at the 'other side' of our
effort, which represents the 'RH' in our name...DDTTRH or <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1365856493_2">Duran Duran</span> to the 'Rock Hall'. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_3977" style="color: black;">I've been reading up on you a bit and some
of the exhibits you've talked about. How long have you been an
Assistant Curator at the Rock Hall and what do you enjoy most about what
you do?</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_3977" style="color: black;">Meredith: </span><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_3977"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_4071">I’ve
been working for the Rock Hall since 1996. I started in the curatorial
department in 1999. I really enjoy the fact that I am getting paid to
follow my passion,
and that I have the opportunity to share that passion with our visitors
– giving them fresh insight into the music that changed the world.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_3977"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_4071">Kirk, DDTTRH: </span></span><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_3977"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_4071"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_5982" style="color: black;">I love
that you have passion for what you do. I remember my last visit to the
Rock Hall...I really enjoyed the exhibits that to me were put together
with
great care. I actually learned a lot just reading and perusing through
them. One thing that interested me most was a video I was able to see
about the history of Rock and the various branches that Rock created.
Further, I remember seeing the David Bowie
exhibit and thinking that he is not necessarily under the definition of
'Classic Rock' (would you agree?). Has the Rock Hall changed its views
over the years about what it considers to be the classic 'vein' of Rock
and Roll and how have those views affected
the bands/artists it inducts?</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<div class="yiv1783147425MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_5716">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_5715" style="color: #1f497d;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_4071"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_5982" style="color: black;">Meredith: </span></span><span style="color: black;">Here
at the Hall of Fame we try to be inclusive rather than exclusive in
terms of our definition of rock and roll. We also make an effort not to
glue artists in to any one particular
pigeon-hole – artists are just artists who bring their own unique
skill-set to the table. So we honor artists that are traditionally
defined as rock artists, but also artists whose work predates rock and
roll, work that we consider to be the roots of rock
and roll. Any music that shares those roots – even if it is outside of
the traditional definitions of rock and roll, is all welcome at our
table. Traditionally-defined “classic” rock and roll carries no more
weight here than folk music, or R&B or hip-hop.
The criteria for induction </span></span><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_5964">as an artist (as a performer, composer, or musician) into the <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1365856494_0">Rock and Roll Hall of Fame</span>
is that the artist must have released a record, in the generally
accepted sense
of that phrase, at least 25 years prior to the year of induction; and
have demonstrated unquestionable musical excellence. We consider factors
such as an artist’s musical influence on other artists, length and
depth of career and the body of work, innovation
and superiority in style and technique, but <u>musical excellence</u> is the essential qualification for induction. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_5964">Kirk, DDTTRH: </span>Please define what you mean by 'musical excellence'. That can be
subjective, right? I guess it would depend on who you speak to. Who
helps decide if an artist is 'excellent'?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Meredith: <span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6455">Everyone
personalizes everything about rock and roll. Without metrics, the
definition of "rock and roll," who is or was important, and who should
be inducted
is inevitably subjective. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv659191358MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6454" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6453">As
a result, our Nominating and Voting Committees are replete with
Inductees (in fact, they are the largest bloc of voters).The Rock and
Roll Hall of Fame
has built our Voting Committee around the most qualified group
possible: the living Inductees, which number around 400 at this time.
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv659191358MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6178" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6177">The
selection of Performers is a two-step process. It begins with a
Nominating Committee consisting of a diverse panel of living inductees,
journalists,
educators, historians, noted musicians, industry heads, etc. Each
member receives a guide noting those eligible for the first time, those
who have been nominated unsuccessfully before and all other eligible
artists. Virtually every significant artist of the
past 50 years has been discussed at this level. A large majority are
very qualified but have yet to get the votes to make the final ballot.
Some have even made it on the ballot numerous times, but have not
received sufficient votes to be inducted.
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv659191358MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6417" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv659191358MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6419" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6418">Those
nominated are sent to a Voting Committee of about 600 people (all
living inductees, educators, journalists, historians, music industry
management,
musicians, etc.) around the world. Again, the factors to be considered
are impact, innovation and influence on this music that we broadly
define as rock and roll, as well as their overall “musical excellence” -
as defined by working musicians.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv659191358MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6420" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv659191358MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6421" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6422">Gold
records, number one hits, and million sellers are not appropriate
standards for evaluation. Standards for artistic merit cannot be
objective, because
such standards are historically and culturally constructed. Artistic
merit can’t be measured by stats. What is valued as good music or
visual art or literature changes over time, depending on cultural
conditions and who is deciding.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv659191358MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6458" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv659191358MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6460" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6459">Those
receiving the highest number of votes are inducted into the Hall.
Usually, this means five to seven new performing members each year.
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv659191358MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6461" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv659191358MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6452" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6451" style="color: #1f497d;"><span style="color: black;">Having
said all this, I believe that all worthy candidates will be inducted,
just not always when they or their fans deem timely. This phenomenon is
not
unique to us. The sports halls of fame have had many great stars that
do not get inducted in their early years of eligibility or for many
years to come. </span> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv659191358MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6452" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv659191358MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6452" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6451" style="color: #1f497d;"><span style="color: black;">Kirk, DDTTRH: </span></span><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6451" style="color: #1f497d;"><span style="color: black;">Thank you Meredith for this fabulous explanation! I think its important
for fans to know about and understand so they don't take it 'personal'
if their band is passed over repeatedly. I think RUSH is a great
example of this. As part of a group trying to raise awareness for our
favorite band (Duran Duran of course), I have had my 'ears to the
ground' about other efforts and I know those RUSH folks have been
waiting for quite some time now. I am very happy that RUSH was able to
be inducted this year. I also have talked to Greg Method (also a native
Clevelander) and he is promoting Weird Al Yankovic I know.<br /><br />On
that note--I noticed something new and exciting this year that led up to
the induction ceremonies. There was a poll on your website which lets
people place their votes for who they think
should be inducted. Can you tell us more about that? Do these votes
really mean anything prior to the final decisions? </span></span><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_9809" style="color: black;">I'm sure
these kind of votes would not hold the kind of weight the living
inductees would...I do think its rather fun though which is why I'm
asking about it.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv659191358MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6452" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv659191358MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6452" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_9809" style="color: black;">Meredith: </span><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_9809"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6949" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white;">For the first time in its history, the <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1365861225_0">Rock and Roll Hall of Fame</span>
offered fans the opportunity to officially participate in the induction
selection process. The
public had the opportunity to vote for the five nominees most deserving
of induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The top five artists,
as selected by the public, comprised a “fans’ ballot” that was tallied
along with the other ballots to choose the
2013 inductees,<span class="yiv992512870apple-converted-space" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6991">
The fans’ ballot counted as one vote – on several occasions the
difference in who gets inducted is decided by one vote, so this is
significant. The Hall of Fame adopted this model from the Heisman Trophy
organization, which uses a similar method to allow fans the opportunity
to vote on winners.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv659191358MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6452" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv659191358MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6452" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_9809"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6949" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white;"><span class="yiv992512870apple-converted-space" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6991">Kirk, DDTTRH: </span></span></span><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_9809"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6949" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white;"><span class="yiv992512870apple-converted-space" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6991"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_9935" style="color: black;">This is
exciting! And, this is especially great for fans who actually would
look forward to see their voted on act inducted into the museum.
Do you plan on doing the same thing in 2014?</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv659191358MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6452" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv659191358MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6452" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_9809"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6949" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white;"><span class="yiv992512870apple-converted-space" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6991"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_9935" style="color: black;">Meredith: </span></span></span></span><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_9809"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6949" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white;"><span class="yiv992512870apple-converted-space" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6991"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_9935"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_4812">As far as I know, we plan on keeping the fans’ ballot in place for future inductions.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv659191358MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6452" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_9809"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6949" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white;"><span class="yiv992512870apple-converted-space" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6991"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_9935" style="color: black;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_4812" style="color: #1f497d;"> </span>
<br />
Kirk, DDTTRH: Speaking of the museum, I have heard that although Duran Duran has not
been inducted yet, it has received items from the band--my guess is that
most things are in storage. Further, a friend of mine who is an
archivist in Seattle has said to me that he has
helped in getting items to the Rock Hall. Is this true, and if so...what kind of things do you have from Duran Duran?</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv659191358MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6452" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_9809"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6949" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white;"><span class="yiv992512870apple-converted-space" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6991"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_9935" style="color: black;"><br />
</span> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv659191358MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6452" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_9809"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6949" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white;"><span class="yiv992512870apple-converted-space" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6991"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_9935" style="color: black;">Meredith: </span></span></span></span><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_4809">We
have had multiple items of clothing on loan from John Taylor and Nick
Rhodes, and we had a John Taylor bass. All of the items were on
extended exhibit in the
Museum at various times throughout the years, and because they were
loans, they were returned to the band.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv659191358MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6452" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv659191358MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6452" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_4809"><span style="color: #1f497d;">Kirk, DDTTRH: </span></span><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_4809"><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_10053" style="color: black;">This is
good to hear. I'm sure John wanted his bass back [;. This next
question has to do with attitudes I'm sure you've come across
in regards to the Rock Hall. Many bands and artists think that the
Rock Hall is too political, that its too much like a business, and that
its aim is not to induct the most deserving artists, but the ones that
can bring in the most ticket revenue. Some have
even knocked on your black tie dinners that are held during induction
time and the extravagant ticket prices (I've heard its about $2500 per
ticket). They may see these events and ceremonies as too 'posh' and
artists that have either been inducted or are
eligible may look unfavorably at you.<br />
<br />
What would you say to people like this that criticize the Rock Hall in this way?</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv659191358MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6452" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv659191358MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6452" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_4809"><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_10053" style="color: black;">Meredith<span style="color: #1f497d;">: </span></span></span></span><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_4809"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_10053"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_10557">A
lot of folks don’t know that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
is a not-for-profit, 501-3c educational institution. As a non-profit,
all of our Museum
ticket sales and the funds that come to us from the Foundation, which
puts on the induction ceremony, go towards fulfilling our mission –
running the Museum, putting together exhibits and award-winning
educational programs that serve toddlers to seniors.,
both in the Museum, and around the world via our Distance Learning
programs. The Induction Ceremony is essentially a benefit – a
fund-raiser for the Museum, and the ticket prices to the Ceremony
reflect that.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv659191358MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6452" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_4809"><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_10053" style="color: black;"><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_10557" style="color: #1f497d;"> </span></span> <br />
Kirk, DDTTRH: And a related question...What is the image you strive to convey to guests as a curator at the Rock Hall?</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv659191358MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6452" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_4809"><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_10053" style="color: black;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv659191358MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6452" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_4809"><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_10053" style="color: black;">Meredith: </span></span></span><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_10566">In
terms of the kind of image I want to project for the Museum as a
curator – rock and roll is so many different things to different people,
so there’s no one image
to project. If there is one idea that I want to project, it is that of
welcoming and inclusion. This is the music that changed the world and
brought people together – I want our visitors to feel welcome and see
themselves represented. I also want to challenge
visitors’ ideas of what rock and roll IS, and show them where it came
from, where it’s going and how it really did change the world.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv659191358MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6452" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv659191358MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6452" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_10566"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11096" style="color: black;">Kirk, DDTTRH: What other types of things is the Rock Hall Foundation involved in? Is it just overseeing the Museum and its inductees?</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv659191358MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_6452" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv1402791291MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11072">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11071" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11096" style="color: black;">Meredith: </span>In
1983, A small group of music industry professionals led by Atlantic
Records Founder and Chairman Ahmet Ertegun and including Rolling Stone
magazine publisher Jann Wenner, attorney
Allen Grubman, manager Jon Landau and record executives Seymour Stein,
Bob Krasnow along with attorney Suzan Evans set out to establish an
organization to “recognize the people who have created this music which
has become the most popular music of our time.”
Ertegun approached the heads of various record companies with his idea,
spearheading the formation of the non-profit organization that would
eventually become the Foundation.<span class="yiv1402791291apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11077"><br />
<br />
<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11076" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white;">In
1986, the Foundation held the first annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Induction Ceremony. That same year, the Foundation selected Cleveland as
the permanent home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.</span><br />
<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white;"> </span><br />
<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11078" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white;">In
September 1995, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum opened in
Cleveland. In 2006, Joel Peresman, a music industry veteran and former
chief of Concerts and Entertainment at Madison Square Garden, became
President and CEO
of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. Under Peresman’s
leadership, the Foundation announced the return of the Rock and Roll
Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies to Cleveland in 2009 and every three
years thereafter. The Foundation also staged the Rock
and Roll Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary concerts on October 29 and 30,
2009, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. These historic shows
and their broadcast on HBO helped fund the first-ever endowment for the
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland.<span class="yiv1402791291apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br />
<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white;"> </span><br />
<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11127" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white;">In
addition to these projects, the Foundation provided an $8 million gift
in 2008 to the Museum’s Capital Campaign, which was used to build the
Library and Archives center in downtown Cleveland and the 2010-2011
Redesign of the
Museum interior. The Foundation also provides funding for Museum
capital projects on an on-going basis and continues to be the largest
single contributor to the Museum.</span><br />
<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white;"> </span><br />
<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11128" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white;">Beyond
funding, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation leverages its
presence in one of the world’s major cultural and philanthropic centers
to provide increased exposure for the Museum mission, connections to
artists and philanthropists,
and other partnerships to advance the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and
Museum’s cultural preservation initiatives.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv1402791291MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11072">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv1402791291MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11072">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11077"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11128" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white;">Kirk, DDTTRH: </span></span><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11077"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11128" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11096" style="color: black;">This
question comes from one of our fans. They were wondering if you had
seen the recent Mercury News poll regarding dream inductees to the Rock
Hall...Duran Duran made it to the top 4, which is exciting! <b id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11095"><a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/entertainment/ci_22927434/rock-and-roll-hall-fame-duran-duran-kiss" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11094" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.mercurynews.com/entertainment/ci_22927434/rock-and-roll-hall-fame-duran-duran-kiss</a></b></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv1402791291MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11072">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv1402791291MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11072">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11077"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11128" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11096" style="color: black;">Meredith: </span></span></span><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11130" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white;">How
much does public opinion and polling factor into the induction process?
When it comes right down to it, all the induction voters are FANS –
whether they are past inductees,
journalists, academics, record company executives – fans with the same
differences of opinion as other members of the public about what music
has made a difference and who should be recognized. As I said in a
previous email, we are sure that ALL DESERVING
artists will eventually be recognized.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11130" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white;">Kirk, DDTTRH: This next question comes from </span><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_3106" style="color: black;">Suzanne, one of our fans...<br />
<span class="yiv1875540328uficommentbody" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11244">"Has
the Rock Hall considered renaming the museum "music Hall of Fame" since
many nominees and inductees are clearly not Rock & Roll stars?"</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv1402791291MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11072">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv1402791291MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11072">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_3106" style="color: black;"><span class="yiv1875540328uficommentbody" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11244">Meredith: </span></span><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_3106"><span class="yiv1875540328uficommentbody" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11244"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_3114">As
I think I may have mentioned earlier, we try to be inclusive rather
than exclusive here at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. We broadly define
rock and roll to
include the music that predates rock and roll and was important to the
development of rock and roll. We also open our doors to music that we
understand as sharing the same roots as rock and roll, so that would
include soul, metal, R&B, folk, hip-hop, disco,
techno, roots rock, alternative…we embrace diversity and try not to
pidgeonhole artists or styles. The definition of what rock and roll is
shifts as this is a living artform, constantly growing.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv1402791291MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11072">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv1402791291MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11072">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_3106"><span class="yiv1875540328uficommentbody" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11244"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_3114">Kirk, DDTTRH: </span></span></span><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_2422" style="color: black;">I had a
couple of extra questions, hope you don't mind. One is a fun one from
me and the other is really a favor for a 'Friend of Mine' (Duran Duran
pun
intended) who also has an effort that started in Cleveland for his
favorite artist, Weird Al Yankovic. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv1402791291MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11072">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv1402791291MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11072">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_2422" style="color: black;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_2422" style="color: black;">What do
you think? Weird Al at the Rock Hall? He certainly is a unique artist
and has a depth and breadth of work that it pretty amazing...albeit
satirical. Has his name come up do you know in any discussion of
inductees?</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv1402791291MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11072">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv1402791291MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11072">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_2422" style="color: black;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_2422" style="color: black;">Meredith: </span></span><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_2422" style="color: black;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_2422"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_2430">Since
Weird Al released his first record in 1978, his name, along with
everyone else who released their first recordings in 1978, has been in
consideration as a
nominee since 2005. As I’ve said before, we believe that every
deserving artist will be recognized eventually.</span> </span> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv1402791291MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11072">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_3106"><span class="yiv1875540328uficommentbody" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11244"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_3114">Kirk, DDTTRH: </span></span></span><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_3106"><span class="yiv1875540328uficommentbody" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11244"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_3114"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_2422" style="color: black;">So, lets imagine Duran Duran does get inducted one
day to the Rock Hall (which I know would make a lot of people in my
group happy). As a curator that helps in building displays, what artist
or band would you put them beside?
What kinds of things would you show about them to highlight their
musical contributions?</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_3106"><span class="yiv1875540328uficommentbody" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11244"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_3114"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_2422" style="color: black;"><br />
</span> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_3106"><span class="yiv1875540328uficommentbody" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11244"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_3114"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_2422" style="color: black;">Meredith: </span></span></span></span><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_2427">When
Duran Duran artifacts were on display here in the past, we exhibited
them along with other artists of the 1980s. While I do ant to emphasize
that we try not
to cram artists into a pigeonhole here, we do like to give visitors a
sense of the chronology of the music.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv1402791291MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11072">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_3106"><span class="yiv1875540328uficommentbody" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11244"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_3114">Kirk, DDTTRH: </span></span></span><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_3106"><span class="yiv1875540328uficommentbody" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11244"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_3114"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_3106" style="color: black;">This was
certainly an enlightening interview. Thank you SO MUCH for sharing with
us your time. Its so refreshing to know that the Rock Hall
and the foundation is out and about 'doing good' for Cleveland and the
world in its great mission of preserving music history and our rich
music culture.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_3106"><span class="yiv1875540328uficommentbody" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11244"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_3114"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_3106" style="color: black;"> </span> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv1402791291MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11072">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_3106" style="color: black;"><span class="yiv1875540328uficommentbody" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11244"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_3114" style="color: #1f497d;"><span style="color: black;">To learn more about Meredith Rutledge-Borger and her work at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, please visit the Rock Hall's website: </span><a href="http://rockhall.com/blog/author/meredith-e-rutledge-borger/">http://rockhall.com/blog/author/meredith-e-rutledge-borger/</a></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_3106"><span class="yiv1875540328uficommentbody" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11244"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_3114"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv1402791291MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11072">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_3106"><span class="yiv1875540328uficommentbody" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11244"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_3114">To learn more about Duran Duran to the Rock Hall and its mission to raise awareness of Duran Duran and its impact on music history, please visit: <a href="http://www.ddttrh.info/">http://www.ddttrh.info/</a></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_3106"><span class="yiv1875540328uficommentbody" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11244"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_3114"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv1402791291MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11072">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_3106"><span class="yiv1875540328uficommentbody" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_11244"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_3114">To learn about how Greg Method, also a fellow Clevelander, who is trying to 'Make the Rock Hall Weird', please visit: <a href="http://www.allthingsyank.com/rockhall/">http://www.allthingsyank.com/rockhall/</a></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_3977"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_4071" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_5982" style="color: black;"> </span> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_3977" style="color: black;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365856347462_4071" style="color: #1f497d; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span> </span>ddrockhallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11557145725450201328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606028023289759852.post-32374009637324707822013-01-05T12:12:00.003-08:002013-01-05T12:28:53.521-08:00Lessons Learned Blog 4 of XDue to the sensitive nature of Blog 3 of X (and to be respectful of those mentioned in it), I decided to share that one privately with certain people. If you are interested in Blog 3 of X, please email me through the ddttrh.info site and I can share it with you.<br />
<br />
I did though want to share this tidbit from it, as the start of Blog 4 of X...<br />
<br />
Something I need to admit is this...and I know I've mentioned it
before to some of you. I do not know everything there is to know about Duran Duran. I
have not lived and breathed them every minute of every day since they
came out (I do appreciate those who have--I learn a lot from you [:) I
will say that I have appreciated their music for years and what I said
in the article to Jeff Piorworski in the Sun Times article about their music 'singing to my soul' is
absolutely true. <br />
<br />
You might
ask why I didn't go to more of their concerts over the years. Well,
because of childhood circumstances, being called on a mission to South America, financial
struggles, being in college, getting married and struggling again...it
was not in the cards. I did make it though to my first concert
recently, and it was one of the most amazing experiences of my entire
life. I was so excited to be there and to be representing the band in
my very little way...I called the press to come and film me...and
they came! You can watch that here...<br />
<a href="http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/entertainment/rock_hall/local-duran-duran-fan-feels-80s-pop-band-needs-to-be-inducted-in-rock-hall">http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/entertainment/rock_hall/local-duran-duran-fan-feels-80s-pop-band-needs-to-be-inducted-in-rock-hall</a>-<br />
<br />
Because of this experience, I had an 'Epiphany' about this effort and about life, really. Here are some cherished excerpts from it (you can read the full version in the Blog archives, October 2011)...<br />
<br />
<i>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><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>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.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>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".</i><br />
<br />
<i>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><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>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.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>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</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>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.</i><br />
<br />
As you can imagine, this Epiphany was important to DDTTRH and crucial in its progression. It truly became a 'phoenix moment' for us as we went through the fire of re-creating ourselves. Something you may not know (or have realized at the time) is that it also made for some interesting confusion with the DDTTRH staff. We were left with the questions of 'What do we do now?', 'What should out new focus be?', 'Do we kill the effort or keep it?', 'What do we do with the petition?'. Some of these questions have already been answered, and some are being answered through our branch-off effort, Duran Duran Worldwide (www.ddworldwide.info).<br />
<br />
The decision was also made during this period to release the entire DDTTRH staff and start anew. Kandice decided to leave (which was a very sad moment for me personally), and Anitra went on to bigger things. Christian stayed on and we kept our Youtube specialist from Australia, Jake Crawford. Josie Beaudoin has also stayed on as our editor for both DDWW and DDTTRH.<br />
<br />
Before the Epiphany and still today, DDTTRH has had its moments. Like any good cause, it has also had its opposition, critics, and detractors. It has also had its funny moments and welcome friendships and support that has come from sometimes unexpected and fabulous places. I think you will surprised to know just from where.<br />
<br />
Next time...<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Learn about some amazing and fun moments we've had at DDTTRH</li>
<li>I will also talk about some of the supporters that have come forth from sometimes unexpected and fabulous places </li>
</ul>
ddrockhallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11557145725450201328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606028023289759852.post-33186418205788153872012-10-14T07:11:00.000-07:002012-11-03T16:30:39.106-07:00Lessons Learned 2 of XI remember my first fan of DDTTRH was my wife, Claudia. That will always be special to me. I was happy too when I found early committed fans (like Anitra and Jason) who were willing to give of their time for the cause. After Anitra and Jason there were Kandice, Josie and Christian. I don't want to forget to mention Jake as well who has helped us in our most recent past with Youtube videos.<br />
<br />
We've had our challenges as well, and these challenged mostly had to do with human resources. Once we started to grow, I realized there was a need to delineate tasks associated with DDTTRH. The Youtube piece was overseen by Jason and the Artist interview piece was Anitra. Then Kandice became in charge of the petition (we nicknamed her fondly the 'Petition Duchess'). Christian's talents were on making websites and he had the extra charge of reaching out to other Duran fan sites to ask their support (if you go to 'Fansites' under the heading 'The Effort' most of those sites there he helped spread the word to). The other thing we felt we needed early on was a logo to represent our effort. To do that we had a logo contest and there were many who entered. It was Nabeel from California that won. He created our first logo:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZa2RcjPQ7qa4zvbLMxj9KcCmrdID7PFrHNdeYcXqykWDD9b9og9xiV_yAw7LarDu_0i1IAnol8Au3XQpg5i9oc3c2ux-xVCKVQtSiGeAH2RMj8hBQewJSyVzKqlPab7sHXE5OlyRFpM/s1600/N15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZa2RcjPQ7qa4zvbLMxj9KcCmrdID7PFrHNdeYcXqykWDD9b9og9xiV_yAw7LarDu_0i1IAnol8Au3XQpg5i9oc3c2ux-xVCKVQtSiGeAH2RMj8hBQewJSyVzKqlPab7sHXE5OlyRFpM/s1600/N15.jpg" /></a><br />
The other thing we felt we needed was a Rock Hall Liaison. This would be someone who hopefully had connections with the Rock Hall that could reach out to committee members and let them know about us. Someone volunteered for that position. She started off fabulous. In fact, given that we were doing research on Duran Duran (mainly on bands that were influenced by them and where Duran Duran was mentioned in media), we needed someone to write up something about how Duran Duran has been involved with community service. She did an amazing job on a writeup to this effect. You can see it at our website under the Duran Duran--Community Service link. <br />
<br />
The next thing I was working on with her was a letter which we would present to various persons on the Rock Hall committee letting them know about us. We went through a draft and a final version, but nothing went farther. It got so bad the not hearing from her, that after repeatedly reaching out to her and not hearing from her, the rest of the staff and myself decided to let her go. I found out later that she had taken an extra job and had no time to help out. To this day I wish she had just said something instead of just not communicating.<br />
<br />
I still have that letter by the way--any volunteers to send it out to people on the Rock Hall committee?<br />
<br />
Then there was what happened with Nabeel. He had a serious car accident. He was hit by a UPS truck and from talking with him, I believe it damaged him extensively. I had conversations with him after his accident and I could tell how down of spirits he was. Then there was a point where I didn't hear from him again. Others of the staff were concerned about him and also tried to reach out, but nobody heard anything back. To this day we don't know what happened with Nabeel. He will always have an important place as part of the history of the DDTTRH effort...particularly in giving us our first amazing logo. We let Nabeel go after not hearing from him for a long period of time.<br />
<br />
There were other challenges too. I had one guy who was interested in helping to be our Blogging Specialist. I trained him and everything. Then, I remember there being floods in his area and he told me he no longer had time to help (which is fine--I was happy he at least said something). I tried to get someone else in his place, and there was a promising candidate to do it, but that petered out quickly. <br />
<br />
Then there was the matter of trying to call City, Country Representatives. One of them we called and I was hoping they'd be more 'asking us what they can do' vs. us 'telling them what to do'. We also needed help to translate our blogs to different languages. Several signed on and when I gave them work to do, nothing came back. There was someone (Mr. Mystere we call him) that was very helpful with French translations...but he was an exception to the norm. Another exception was Radio Creme Brulee--we were excited when Pranav (who owns it) reached out to us and was willing to represent Chicago. I actually met Pranav in Chicago when I was on a business trip. We had a great chat on ideas of how to promote the effort. It led to our first Youtube promotion which so far has been fairly a success. In fact, it was thanks to that discussion that I had the courage to reach out to Katy who works with Duran Duran who gave us signed posters (and she was very happy to do it). Pranav has not been able to help us as much as he wants too...but something I appreciate about Pranav is that he has told me upfront how busy he is and while he wishes he could do more, he does what he can.<br />
<br />
This is really all we wanted from people, and still do. If they can't help, don't say they can and then quit. If they start and can't help, let us know, please be upfront with us instead of not communicating straight up with us. We understand that everyone has lives and is busy. If you want to help, great, give in what little ways you can...we would appreciate that. But just 'don't give' because you think you're being inconvenient to us or know you can't give more than you think we expect. What I'm trying to say is that any little effort you do is appreciated, because all the little efforts eventually will add up to something great.<br />
<br />
You might ask why this is important to blog about? One of the reasons that has caused rifts and problems in our group is essentially this...the lackluster or 'lack-of-follow-through' commitment of some of the fans to DDTTRH. We even had one representative, who was to represent us in California. He said he had connections with some famous people and it was thanks to him that we received an email of support from a friend of the band's. Then, he had offered to present shirts to the band with special messages to the band on our behalf. I was less disappointed about him falling through on the t-shirts than I was with the dropping off from committing the support (or at least being upfront with me on reasons why). I actually enjoyed my conversations with him and I was looking forward to somewhat of a friendship...but I've tried and tried to reach out to him and its as if no one is there.<br />
<br />
And the other thing that was troublesome was when I asked Kandice if she could help with the representatives and when she reached out to him and others, she was not contacted back. It was almost as if they felt as they were being treated 'less' because I was having another valued member of our staff contact them. I never understood this and don't to this day.<br />
<br />
Or perhaps you are of the camp that since a couple of members of Duran Duran have said they don't like the Rock Hall (though haven't said explicitly that they would not accept nomination [:--had to put that in there), that we should just do nothing to raise awareness about the band. It doesn't matter to you that the band's friends and many other have shown support for DDTTRH. You of all people should know that the band avoids trying to be recognized for the great contributions they've done for the music industry. I believe that if they were nominated, they would be gracious about it. I mean--if they were totally against the Rock Hall (which I believe they're not), why would they donate historical pieces to them? Did you know they did that?<br />
<br />
You don't have to go very far in the fan community before you meet someone who 'wants a piece' of Simon, Roger, Nick, or John. I mean, who wouldn't? DDTTRH is different than this...it gives you an opportunity...different than any fan group out there...the opportunity to give back to the band that has meant so to all of us...thats what its always been about. Take away everything else...the imperfections of the people serving in DDTTRH...the structures and organization...the promotions...the 'Rock Hall' in our name....whats left is its sole mission. We seek to raise awareness of a band that had made history and continues to do so.<br />
<br />
~~~~~<br />
Next time....<br />
<ul>
<li>Learn about other unique challenges that we've had at DDTTRH. Some of them, I admit I unintentionally caused...some I admit I have no idea on earth why they happened, or why they were a source of such contention.</li>
<li>The next blog will also set the stage for the blog about 'The Epiphany' and why that was so important to DDTTRH and changing who we are.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />ddrockhallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11557145725450201328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606028023289759852.post-49566707159842502722012-10-07T11:26:00.001-07:002012-10-07T11:27:38.076-07:00Lessons Learned, Blog 1 of XI don't know how many blogs it will take, but it doesn't matter really. Things need to be said and I am the one at DDTTRH, besides Christian, that is left to say them. In the end, I'm hoping you will all see what DDTTRH is really all about and will be willing to join with us (whether here or at DDWW) as we romote Duran Duran.<br />
<br />
I started out DDTTRH for one main, innocent reason...to give homage to a band that has truly blessed my life with the gift of their music. Though some may question it, I have listened religiously to Duran Duran ever since the first time I purchased their Seven and the Ragged Tiger album. And the story I told of when I shared their music to my parents in the car, and my Dad said to my Mom..."listen honey, this is alternative music" is absolutely true and will always be a fond memory of mine. I knew then as I know now that Duran Duran's music is special. Its unique and different. And it disappoints me sometimes when Simon says that they are the ultimate party band...almost saying that their music is 'just party music', when to me its so much more. Their music has transported me to places I could never go to in my life and given me an art form to appreciate that I have and continue to appreciate as it is released.<br />
<br />
And I will be honest and say that I only went to my first Duran Duran concert last year. It was an amazing moment in my life, one I will never forget. And it was me that was outside the venue where it took place passing out fliers for people to sign the Rock Hall petition. I was grateful of Maria Sbrocco as well who helped me that day...in the rain. What a great example of a fan that truly saw what DDTTRH was about and who, through her honest efforts, believed and did something for the band that meant so much to her. How exciting it was that day as well to have the press involved and have them film me doing something good for the band. I will say though that I was disappointed that they angled the story as if I was the only one doing it and was a bit of a 'crazy' fan...the press will find ways to do that I suppose. No matter...I am proud to say that I am a Duranie and am not ashamed of it.<br />
<br />
Since we started this effort, DDTTRH, it hasn't been an easy road. There were two that came on and believed in what this effort stood for...Jason and Anitra. Jason, for family and time reasons could not stay with us, but is still to this day one of our supporters. Anitra has done amazing things to jump-start the effort...interviewing bands and artists that were excited to speak up for the band...artists excited for the chance to do so. Kandice joined later, along with Josie. Both of these ladies have done and did amazing things for DDTTRH. <br />
<br />
Kandice...our Petition Duchess...who tirelessly reached out to fans to sign the petition and followed up with every interview Anitra did to make sure they signed and told their friends. When Kandice left, it was a hard day for me. She recently sent me a binder with all the work she did. It was a very thick binder too! As I went through it, I imagined her working hard on something because she believed in it...and her commitment was palpable in those pages. This was one of the reasons she was given a leadership title with DDTTRH...because she was so committed and dedicated. She could always be counted on...no matter where help was needed.<br />
<br />
And Josie has done amazing work for us too. Always willing to edit something that went out, so we wouldn't be embarrassed with our bad English. Josie to me represents that quiet, yet always there kind-of-person who is honest about what she can do and will give where she can...and is willing to 'do anything for the boys' as she says to me. If only there were more Josies out there. If only there were.<br />
<br />
And that leads me to Christian. If it wasn't for Christian, we wouldn't have the amazing websites we do today...for both DDTTRH and DDWW. When I first met Christian I think we argued about a post he did on Madonna. I remember taking down his post because it was offensive and I remember telling him that we needed to be careful about how we spoke of other artists on the site. And I never told him this, but in my mind back then I was imagining Madonna, who is likely on the committee choosing artists for induction, actually seeing that post and getting angry about it. I was probably being silly, I know, but back then I was a different person than today...before the Epiphany happened (after my first Duran concert) and before I had formed a relationship with Anitra, Kandice, and Christian.<br />
<br />
Next time...<br />
<ul>
<li>Learn more about the challenges we've faced at DDTTRH and things I learned from 'The Epiphany'. </li>
<li>The next blog will also be a set up to the important things I learned about different kinds of Duranie fans out there and the bitter-sweet experiences that came to light because of those experiences with them.</li>
</ul>
ddrockhallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11557145725450201328noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606028023289759852.post-24812903512156702062012-06-17T15:23:00.003-07:002015-09-27T16:08:31.185-07:00Our new logo....by NUNOWe promised you some exciting changes and happenings this June 15th weekend...here's another one....our NEW DDTTRH LOGO!!!!!<br />
<br />
When we asked NUNO (our graphic artist friend and supporter from Portugal) to make us a logo, we told him the following..."The new logo must embody our new mission of focusing less attention on the Rock Hall and more on Duran Duran. The logo must be forward looking and visionary, with the idea that our effort is trying to bring to light the Duran Duran of NOW and the amazing contributions that Duran Duran has made to music history, fashion, art and media culture. To me the logo must say that Duran Duran is hip and classy for today and must be inviting to people who have either never heard of the band or are curious in learning about what they've been doing lately."<br />
<br />
Further, we told him it needs to look good on a t-shirt.<br />
<br />
I think NUNO out-did himself...check this out...I am proud to present, Duran Duran to the Rock Hall's new official logo...<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQ7erzp5pWPXL9gBRy_QwAYzUYuI7ONOOTFa6T2uUMlF8mBF-sboYb-k5S8mWMVpUl1U7jmveszbXx8awM2ULwVa4EwIr2DjVSGSwhkOJ5AaNL8ITf06X1Z883czRKShEgiVeyaDOkbc/s1600/ddttrh_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQ7erzp5pWPXL9gBRy_QwAYzUYuI7ONOOTFa6T2uUMlF8mBF-sboYb-k5S8mWMVpUl1U7jmveszbXx8awM2ULwVa4EwIr2DjVSGSwhkOJ5AaNL8ITf06X1Z883czRKShEgiVeyaDOkbc/s400/ddttrh_logo.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
And here's what it looks like on a t-shirt...pretty cool, eh?<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh11HTBjadA1cFb6jcik_KPYRUfDXJuehISPEPOHgCnIozGViNML0wAb6UX4IFDGbHaD15WxWjsUuksjvR33W9JaLIadX4bRWVFV6vX1BHKoPJT16MahMVmNmLMNlr-G4x65gFvbQetMkI/s1600/ddttrh_ts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh11HTBjadA1cFb6jcik_KPYRUfDXJuehISPEPOHgCnIozGViNML0wAb6UX4IFDGbHaD15WxWjsUuksjvR33W9JaLIadX4bRWVFV6vX1BHKoPJT16MahMVmNmLMNlr-G4x65gFvbQetMkI/s400/ddttrh_ts.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<br /><br />
Thanks so much for being our fans. In the next week or so, we will look for a t-shirt supplier so that we can let you have the amazing opportunity to wear it!<br />
<br />
Cheers!<br />
<br />
DDTTRH<br />
<br />
Kirk, Christian, Anitra, Kandice<br />
<br />
PS--to learn more about NUNO, please visit him at these sites:<br />
<a href="http://www.studion45.blogspot.com/">www.studion45.blogspot.com</a><br />
<a href="http://www.duran.com.sapo.pt/">www.duran.com.sapo.pt</a><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/nuno45">www.facebook.com/nuno45</a><br />
<a href="http://www.twitter.com/nuno45">www.twitter.com/nuno45</a><br />
<br />
You can also check out an interview we did with NUNO at the beginning of 2011...<br />
<a href="http://ddrockhall.blogspot.com/2010/12/special-new-years-interview-with-nuno.html">http://ddrockhall.blogspot.com/2010/12/special-new-years-interview-with-nuno.html</a><br />
<br />
To learn more about Duran Duran to the Rock Hall (DDTTRH), please visit our hub site at <a href="http://www.ddttrh.info/">www.ddttrh.info</a>.<br />
<br />ddrockhallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11557145725450201328noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606028023289759852.post-36083661150330425062012-06-03T17:30:00.002-07:002016-01-09T06:54:01.358-08:00Who else but us will carry on Duran's torch?When I think of Duran Duran playing for the Olympics in 2012, I cannot help but think of the Olympic torch. That torch that is carried from the birthplace of the Olympics, Greece, to the spot where the games are to be played (this year London).<br />
<br />
Never mind that the feats of Duran Duran since their inception 30+ years ago are of historical significance, worthy of the kind of stories that made Greek heroes and heroines worthy of myth and legend. Year in and year out this band has played for us and given us adventure, hope, self confidence, and through their music joy and happiness that has enriched our lives. In effect, they have crowned each of us who have been their fans with music worthy of the olive wreaths awarded to Olympic victors.<br />
<br />
What better way to celebrate this band than to pass their music and legend on to future generations? I find it disturbing today that many are still 'stuck in the 80's' with Duran Duran and still many more do not even know who this amazing band is. Even worse is that when a great new album is released (like All You Need Is Now) the radio stations continue to play the same music from the same artists over and over again--like tickets to an amusement park ride whose satisfaction factor diminishes after a few rides. If you think of the epic contributions this band has given the music industry in the last 3 decades and the millions of fans that they have across the globe, one wonders what could have 'dimmed the light' that once glowed so brightly for this band? Was it the media and the critics? Was it simply changing history, people's tastes changing, and the changing landscape of music? Could it also be it be that the band just doesn't want the attention...given the harsh criticism they've had in the past and given their attitudes about receiving recognition for what they've done? The song 'All You Need Is Now' seems to hint at this attitude...'Everbody's gunnin for the VIP section...but you're better off in runnin in the other direction'.<br />
<br />
Or could it be that a torch has been burning with this band, a light has been on, but this light has not been shared outside the tight knit Duranie community? Therefore, when this generation of faithful fans passes, so will Duran Duran. This band will be forgotten and the world will not care. Their contributions to the music industry will simply become myth and dismissed by the writers of history as unimportant and trivial. And all the critics and people that put this band down will be laughing and saying 'we told you so'.<br />
<br />
Some may think that the band does not need the recognition, does not want the recognition and these people do not see the point of doing any kind of awareness-raising for them. What does it matter if new Duran Duran fans are being created today and their music does not reach and enlighten new ears as the generations pass? The band had its moment, and they certainly don't need the money. <br />
<b><br />
Does anyone honestly think that this is what the band wants? Seriously people?</b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFj_IW22WnEUzw34n0XFafuGaF-6D3H_NxFlmQmM9VyBo9ZNRqZYv5wROhPN-LxRlJJf4P_upjhSdznA7hH90UXxS6rkMp7YfSHBHsVD5p3r4JBuk1kDa5vuFIlPPt9W68WGPNFPW8Ko/s1600/fire_border_1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="98" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFj_IW22WnEUzw34n0XFafuGaF-6D3H_NxFlmQmM9VyBo9ZNRqZYv5wROhPN-LxRlJJf4P_upjhSdznA7hH90UXxS6rkMp7YfSHBHsVD5p3r4JBuk1kDa5vuFIlPPt9W68WGPNFPW8Ko/s400/fire_border_1.png" width="387" /></a><br />
<br />
If you had put your life and soul into music as an art form (which Duran Duran clearly has done), would you not want it to be enjoyed and appreciated for years and years to come...like the great works of Picasso, Rembrandt, or Monet? Would you not be proud of your music if it could listened to by the youth of today and appreciated just as much as it was when you first began releasing? Wouldn't you want to know if your music has inspired other musicians to create music of their own? In a recent UK Heart Radio interview, when asked for a story about how the band has inspired people...Simon Le Bon said this..."When we received our Brit Awards, Justin Timberlake came onstage and presented us with the award and he said, 'The reason I am here is these guys. They inspired me to get into music.'...that is enough for me."<br />
<br />
I can honestly say that I appreciate the band's humility and wanting to run “in the other direction from the VIP section.” And I appreciate Simon's attitude of wanting to know that his band inspired a musician to him to get into music. <br />
<br />
Inspiration and legacy though, like a torch, cannot survive in a vacuum. It needs oxygen to burn brightly and it’s up to us, as Duran Duran fans to be that oxygen to keep the torch burning. It’s up to us as fans to help pass the torch on to future generations so that Duran Duran's music can be appreciated and inspire many more musicians for years to come.<br />
<b><br />
That’s why at DDTTRH, we are doing something special in the next 2 months (before the Olympics) to invite Duran Duran fans to share their voice about this band that has meant so much to them. We hope that through this, people that search Duran Duran during the Olympics can find our site and read, listen, and see some the great things you have to say about them. Further, we are providing an outlet that is not associated with the Rock Hall to do it. <br />
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On June 15th, we will be announcing something exciting at DDTTRH...a breath of new oxygen for the global fan community that I know you will be excited about. As you know, June 15, 1981 was a special day for Duran Duran...the day they released their first album. This day will be special again in 2012 (31 years later) and as fans we can make it special. Please watch our sites on this special day to see how you can help pass the torch on for Duran Duran in a special way.</b><br />
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DDTTRH<br />
Kirk, Christian, Anitra, Kandice<br />
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Picture source: <a href="http://www.happensingreece.com/olympic-flame-ceremony-2012-video/olympiaki-floga/">http://www.happensingreece.com/olympic-flame-ceremony-2012-video/olympiaki-floga/</a><br />
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<i>Inspiration and legacy...like a torch, cannot survive in a vacuum. It needs oxygen to burn brightly and it’s up to us, as Duran Duran fans to be that oxygen to keep the torch burning.</i>ddrockhallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11557145725450201328noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606028023289759852.post-40499268689133418432012-04-22T05:24:00.014-07:002016-01-09T06:51:53.327-08:00Interview with Jen Chaney, Washington Post<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgthXSfpUIzWuoUFwDCAWHW9v-hZLICt42AViT44uzHZnk_9GlzXEhO-qh7dlzTh2qKqu_C-EuNs7PRPrSN4EDNDlcq9pDjzaICaSTDaCfC5-whNFO2_h8z2ecU6BCusnPCRJDRjKOmEh8/s1600/jenoscar2012.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5734207110557806322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgthXSfpUIzWuoUFwDCAWHW9v-hZLICt42AViT44uzHZnk_9GlzXEhO-qh7dlzTh2qKqu_C-EuNs7PRPrSN4EDNDlcq9pDjzaICaSTDaCfC5-whNFO2_h8z2ecU6BCusnPCRJDRjKOmEh8/s400/jenoscar2012.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; http: //www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifheight: 227px; width: 195px;" /></a><br />
Jen on the 'red carpet' at the recent Oscar awards<br />
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She writes for the Washington Post. She has been writing Celebritology since 2006. Recently, she had taken time out of her busy schedule (covering Hollywood movies, TV, following whats trending online in popular culture, and interviewing stars) to talk about Duran Duran to the Rock Hall: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/celebritology/post/rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-the-effort-to-get-duran-duran-and-other-snubbed-bands-inducted/2011/09/28/gIQABdxy4K_blog.html<br />
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Since Jen Chaney did us the favor of covering DDTTRH, we thought, why not cover her? In this interview, Jen talks to us about Celebritology, about Duran Duran (and her favorite band member--and there's a funny story about that...you would not want to miss!), the music industry, the Rock Hall, and advice for us as we continue trying to raise awareness of Duran Duran. I for one had so much fun talking to Jen--I hope you enjoy this chat I did with her and will follow her on Celebritology. ~Kirk, DDTTRH<br />
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Kirk, DDTTRH: I read that you have been writing for Celebritology since 2006. Before that I read you were a web producer at the paper and what led you to Celebrity was blogging about movies, TV, then live blogging with Liz Kelly about the show LOST. My question to you is, how exciting is it to be doing Celebritology and was it something you always wanted to do and you prepared yourself for it, or was it something you discovered about yourself that came out for you as a surprise?<br />
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Jen Chaney: Before I answer your excellent question, let me clarify a little bit about the background that led me to Celebritology. As you noted, I was a web producer before I started writing for the blog full-time. But I was also doing a lot of writing about entertainment and pop culture - including, in fact, this piece about Duran Duran (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/22/AR2008052201411.html). I started contributing to Celebritology more regularly when Liz Kelly -- who created the blog originally -- and I started doing our dueling analyses of "Lost." The partnership worked out so well that in 2010, I joined the blog as a full-fledged partner and left the producing part of my job behind. Liz, much to my chagrin, left the Post the following year, which left me to anchor the blog, with a tremendous amount of help from Sarah Anne Hughes.<br />
<br />
So, to more specifically answer your question, my work on Celebritology evolved over time in a way that made it seem very natural, as opposed to something for which I needed to prepare. However, writing about pop culture and entertainment for The Washington Post was literally my dream job when I began my journalism career after college in the mid-1990s. And my fascination with pop culture was born when I was in elementary school. So for both of those reasons, doing this job is something I have prepared for, and hoped for, my whole life. As absurd as it may sound, the job can be demanding. But it also affords me the gift of being able to talk with the filmmakers, TV stars and musical artists whose work I admire. I am thankful for that gift every day.<br />
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Kirk, DDTTRH: I don't know about you, but when I talk to people about Duran Duran they seem 'stuck in the 80's' with the band and many haven't really seen or even paid attention to the amazing things the band has done since then. In fact, one of the reasons we changed the mission of Duran Duran to the Rock Hall (to focus less on the Rock Hall and more on trying to raise awareness to what Duran Duran has done for music history throughout<br />
their career up to today) is to take a step back, to be less like other groups just pounding on the Rock Hall's doors and becoming disappointed, and to focus on promoting the band in many other ways and bringing to light valuable research on the band so more people will pay attention. <br />
<br />
Your question is--what do you think could be done to raise more awareness for Duran Duran so that more people have the opportunity to see how legendary they really are?<br />
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Jen Chaney: Changing perceptions about the band is a challenge. Some people will always see them a certain way and not much can be done to change that. Having said that -- and I think your Duran to the Rock Hall site has done this -- it could be helpful to continue succinctly listing the significant things the band has done since the '80s. For example, number of songs that have charted, number of successful tours, induction into MTV VMA Hall of Fame, number of contemporary artists who have performed onstage with them, etc. Almost like a one-sheet that summarizes all the things they have continued to do. Again, I don't know how many minds that will change and I feel like your site has already done this, but it's something to consider disseminating more widely. Also, posting the equivalent of blog items on the site around the time of significant Duran anniversaries (Duran-iversaries?), like the release of "Sing Blue Silver," or when "Ordinary World" came out, etc. will provide constant reminders of the band's significant achievements.<br />
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The truth is that the band's greatest cultural significance obviously happened in the '80s. Duran Duran was the key band of the music video revolution, a revolution that, in my view, transformed American popular culture on a massive scale that transcended pop music. It's very hard to divorce them from that, and that's why most people seem "stuck in the 80s" when it comes to them. But the music they made in the decades that followed demonstrates that they were not a one-decade wonder, and speaks to the longevity I mentioned above. That's the value of evangelizing about the band's work since the birth-of-MTV era.<br />
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Kirk, DDTTRH: I agree with you that many are 'stuck in the 80s' with Duran Duran. In fact, I think part of the reason too is that the music industry has lost the ability to cultivate artists and promote them over a long period of time. I can't tell you how disappointed I was when the new album All You Need is Now was released, and I expected to hear some of the new songs on the radio. There was nothing. It didn't seem to matter how AMAZING some of these new songs were, they seemed to just stay in the rut of playing the same songs by the same artists over and over again. I don't know if you had the chance to read the article I wrote for Andy Taylor's website, andytaylor.tv...it talks in more detail about my thoughts on this subject. Here is the link: http://andytaylor.tv/2012/03/09/music-industrys-wild-ride-celebrity-vs-legend/<br />
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My question to you is...do you think the music industry could do more to cultivate and promote artists over a long period of time? <br />
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Jen Chaney: I think the music industry could do more to cultivate artists. In pop music there has always been a tendency to embrace the new thing; as a general rule, a big pop band has a short period of time to reign before getting pushed aside for the next big thing. Certain artists have managed to find longevity despite that -- Bruce Springsteen, U2, the Rolling Stones, Madonna, to name just a few. I think Duran Duran has done pretty well in that regard, too, considering that most bands fold up the tables and go home after a decade or so.<br />
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Older adults -- let's say late 30s and up -- are more likely to buy a physical CD than younger people are. These are the consumers who can keep the music industry going strong. Why was Adele such a huge success? Her music appealed to a wide spectrum of age groups -- high schoolers listen to her, but so does my mother-in-law who likes Michael Buble. Finding young artists with that appeal, and continuing to nurture veterans who fogies like us still know and love, is a really important way for record companies to navigate a challenging economic future. A quick scan of this week's top-selling artists shows that Springsteen's latest CD is currently in the top 10, as is Whitney Houston's greatest hits. Van Halen's new album also has been on the charts for seven weeks now, and was in the No. 2 spot at one point.<br />
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It's also worth noting that catalogue sales do quite well, because people still long to hear the great, timeless music that was made 20, 30 or 40 years ago. That means those artists are still relevant on some level, even if we only want to hear the old favorites.<br />
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Of course, some artists just lose their creative edge after a while. It's not like every band deserves to stick around indefinitely because not all of them can continue to crank out great music. In fact, I would say few can. But I think it would be wise for the industry to foster more of those relationships. Nostalgia has a magnetic effect on our musical tastes, and it breeds lifelong loyalty to certain bands, whether it's Van Halen or Duran or the Backstreet Boys.<br />
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Kirk, DDTTRH: Do you think as I do that perhaps the music industry is missing the mark in really understanding and building artists across generations...so that they could generate more long-term and meaningful profits over time?<br />
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I don't know if you feel the same way I do, however I think there are many artists (not just Duran Duran) that are playing great quality music today that the music industry just misses out on. And its a shame too, because I feel the general public is being given a disservice because of this prevalent short term business focus the music industry seems to have (especially since much of the music out there today lacks the kind of artistic quality that bands like Duran Duran put into their craft).<br />
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I think I sort of addressed this in my answer below. I think they may be missing the mark with some bands, but not with others. As I said earlier, some bands just may not have it in them to keep going over a long period of years, either due to personal issues or a desire to do something else with their lives or whatever the case may be. In terms of the issue of respect within and outside of the industry, I think we'll see more respect for Duran Duran and bands like them as more of the baby boomers retire and move on. Most Gen Xers have a certain reverence for the music of the 70s and 80s; obviously opinions differ on which bands were more significant or talented, but I think anyone who was young during that time doesn't need to be convinced that a group like Duran Duran was a huge deal.<br />
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The other thing worth noting is that thanks to the Internet, a band doesn't necessarily need a company's support to continue making music for their fans. Social networking and the capacity to independently produce CDs make it possible for any band to stay in the game, albeit on a smaller level than they might with a major marketing push from Sony. But when a group has a strong following, it's very easy to see that online and that could motivate a smart executive to reconsider signing or promoting an artist if they see a lot of interest and revenue being generated already.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNaPiWBop7GSbOCNq9yiH3TeBSvMKvol0h6L4vyUHmwVbEsb3aOBpwvjfB9mqqdJQfKdvF6ldfwpSJAQRk6h3DVhLs9VgPm4HUbsWxfxbtgCSR0NR_HeKXf-jA_baKShqqAUidvAgnHY/s1600/JC+and+JT+2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5734207356406462402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNaPiWBop7GSbOCNq9yiH3TeBSvMKvol0h6L4vyUHmwVbEsb3aOBpwvjfB9mqqdJQfKdvF6ldfwpSJAQRk6h3DVhLs9VgPm4HUbsWxfxbtgCSR0NR_HeKXf-jA_baKShqqAUidvAgnHY/s400/JC+and+JT+2.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 400px; width: 300px;" /></a><br />
Jen with John Taylor (her favorite!)<br />
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Kirk, DDTTRH: Well--for the Duranie fans--I must ask this one. Who is your favorite Duran Duran member and why? I know you've mentioned Duran Duran in several of your articles. Are you a big fan of the band?<br />
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Jen Chaney: To answer your last question first, yes, I am a fan of the band. My favorite member was always John. When I was in seventh grade, every inch of wallspace in my bedroom was covered with Duran Duran posters and pin-ups. And each night before bed, I kissed the pictures of John in every single one, which was a lengthy process. Why was he my favorite? Yes, his handsomeness certainly had a lot to do with it. But there was a mischievous quality I saw in him, and in Simon, too, who was my second-favorite, that made him more interesting. He had a cheeky sense of humor, too, which I also loved.<br />
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Kirk, DDTTRH: What does it mean for you to be a Celebritologist? Any interesting or funny stories you'd like to share with us since many don't get the chance to ever meet or interview celebrities (that must be so exciting!)?<br />
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Jen Chaney: Anyone can be a celebritologist, technically, I'm just fortunate enough to call myself one professionally. Really, I wear a lot of different hats: blogger, reporter, film critic, etc. It is a fun job but also overwhelming at times. From the minute I put my feet on the floor and get out of bed, I am on deadline and feel that way until I get back into bed at night. Which is mentally exhausting, On the plus side, I've gotten to go to the Oscars and Comic-Con a few times, I get to see movies ahead of time and I've even been called a chicken shit (good-naturedly) by George Clooney.<br />
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I have a lot of stories (the chicken shit one, for example, is pretty good). But I'll tell my John Taylor story since it's most relevant. When Duran was touring around the Red Carpet Massacre release, I wrote a piece about them and got to interview JOhn via telephone. It was mind-blowing to think about how obsessed I was with him so many years ago, and that I had finally gotten a chance to speak with him. So I wrote the story -- it was an advancer that ran before their DC area tour date -- but managed to get on the list to go backstage after the article was written. So I met Simon, Roger and John. I had brought a copy of my article to give the PR person for her records, but she told me to hang on to it so John could sign it. I didn't feel comfortable asking him to do that, but my husband didn't mind. So I got to stand there and watch while John Taylor read the article I had written about John Taylor, which was one of the odder experiences of my life.<br />
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Kirk, DDTTRH: I must know...you did a story in Elementary School (from what I read online) on the movie 'Christmas Story'. Do you have any connections to Cleveland or the Midwest? I live in Cleveland and the Christmas Story house is here.<br />
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Jen Chaney: I have no connection to Cleveland or the film, other than loving it. It was the first movie I ever reviewed, in my elementary school newsletter.<br />
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Kirk, DDTTRH: What advice would you give our group as we continue trying to promote Duran Duran's contributions to music and raise awareness of the band?<br />
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Jen Chaney: I have one word of advice for you -- memes. If you want spread the word about the band, the smartest thing you can do is generate viral content that will get passed around online and remind people how much they love Duran. The trick about it, though, is that it can't seem too forced. Whatever you create has to come from a clever, organic place, otherwise it will seem like you're trying too hard. Clearly there are other things you can do as well, but that strikes me as one very specific thing to consider.<br />
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Please follow DDTTRH on Twitter! @DDTTRHddrockhallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11557145725450201328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606028023289759852.post-12337006682213820342012-03-17T18:38:00.014-07:002012-03-24T09:49:48.584-07:00BIG FUN with Duran Duran Bumper StickersThere's a very cool store thats close to my home on the east side. Its on 1814 Coventry Road, Cleveland. Here's a view of the street leading up to it...nice weather for St. Patrick's day as you can see...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOBkjMRChq6kUDBE46pVoCUHGWnC-PQEkOqEaeSL_IAomoUdIocXK5yOdV5baiIRIUDdI7s35YdMLXAqF3m83cQ2DhUpm98DhseJbtCwwiPFxKQAwyB8QV5Ayk9qBNBBpgOuJy5po7_SM/s1600/street.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOBkjMRChq6kUDBE46pVoCUHGWnC-PQEkOqEaeSL_IAomoUdIocXK5yOdV5baiIRIUDdI7s35YdMLXAqF3m83cQ2DhUpm98DhseJbtCwwiPFxKQAwyB8QV5Ayk9qBNBBpgOuJy5po7_SM/s400/street.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721046239121908210" /></a><br /><br />Once I park and cross the street I walk down the sidewalk to the store front. There's a lot of people dressed in green today and the restaurants are especially busy. If you're ever visiting, you should try Mongolian BBQ.<br /><br />Welcome to BIG FUN!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp4GU0XeTET84GBA7EKk4AYGNTVf3OKcx2567YlBnTJjOSR9_U-TmDuxDUTwWx85M7-_SEyZKRDPw4o3KXSYRsHdwS6I22jUKwgGzeXKoXe3Lx33maT0iDoGHSSHtnVL8guxaieUh5dvI/s1600/storefront.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp4GU0XeTET84GBA7EKk4AYGNTVf3OKcx2567YlBnTJjOSR9_U-TmDuxDUTwWx85M7-_SEyZKRDPw4o3KXSYRsHdwS6I22jUKwgGzeXKoXe3Lx33maT0iDoGHSSHtnVL8guxaieUh5dvI/s400/storefront.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721047252145751682" /></a><br /><br />BIG FUN is an amazing store, filled with Toys, Games, and Collectibles that are truly nostalgic. I especially like the GI Joe and Star Wars toy section. Ok and the old video games section (I think I might be one of their few Magnavox Odyssey customers). Here's a peek inside...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXp37fZ9DDgomrfSm96wV-SY4QBkBWXLd2DSjAlndwYnzjoHxACZaGi2ClFtpP-9QyMbQdQH_5j8eg14Kxnhn6Zd8f3-X-CEUFSBILLFu-peR1_-Fr2Xq8rtosdznlZgtzEFXQa041pRI/s1600/storeinside.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXp37fZ9DDgomrfSm96wV-SY4QBkBWXLd2DSjAlndwYnzjoHxACZaGi2ClFtpP-9QyMbQdQH_5j8eg14Kxnhn6Zd8f3-X-CEUFSBILLFu-peR1_-Fr2Xq8rtosdznlZgtzEFXQa041pRI/s400/storeinside.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721048207201801362" /></a><br /><br />Today, my mission is the Bumper Sticker counter...and I'm especially interested in the Duran Duran bumper stickers. They are from 1984 and are in decent condition for their age. I especially like the Union of the Snake ones. Are those the California Raisins? I remember those!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdxij6EZ7G7BewLQ38UTYwq8T43KumwR6v4Dflgv2lWHabbmJ9RnkD8XzR599Wr-i2V1cvv5hn2p1ER_h3keeyB5E0evi9E68AVeC2Q0NquYwhklh9tDMSWHy7cVL2SiKD9ZFCAdXtmsg/s1600/stickerscase.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdxij6EZ7G7BewLQ38UTYwq8T43KumwR6v4Dflgv2lWHabbmJ9RnkD8XzR599Wr-i2V1cvv5hn2p1ER_h3keeyB5E0evi9E68AVeC2Q0NquYwhklh9tDMSWHy7cVL2SiKD9ZFCAdXtmsg/s400/stickerscase.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721048670917997458" /></a><br /><br />They also have these small sticker posters of Duran Duran (though not in as good of shape as the bumper stickers but not bad):<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaV3ByEIwq3_MnvvqAAh2Qo35CHK6gwswTaISTG2bJmDsy7iMLF7JTm6zyCmHA2WOY4ju00jYXqcz2byzgkQPEJlHqyj11k9khTnI5OqP0K3nR18t51qfXuoPSsd7NjvVu8yE3VowDbjM/s1600/smallposterstickers.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaV3ByEIwq3_MnvvqAAh2Qo35CHK6gwswTaISTG2bJmDsy7iMLF7JTm6zyCmHA2WOY4ju00jYXqcz2byzgkQPEJlHqyj11k9khTnI5OqP0K3nR18t51qfXuoPSsd7NjvVu8yE3VowDbjM/s400/smallposterstickers.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721049102255611906" /></a><br /><br />Here are the bumper stickers they have available. I just bought the last blue one for Ladyaslan, our publicist. I also got one for Kandice, Christian and a couple for Durandy Andy Golub, the amazing archivist from Seattle...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJj4kud8HML_Xa0ERpXq-1MSXOsQWL4s9JaUj8TgP69Sg-3_sez0Vqv4Scaf4d2wyOAx1KPo3t96YNGRMqGJdnHkaqCLo7Jw63kt9Cv09Z3mLQn-3rrglYtjHTChKPbJMhNQ6-6skwdg/s1600/availablestickers.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJj4kud8HML_Xa0ERpXq-1MSXOsQWL4s9JaUj8TgP69Sg-3_sez0Vqv4Scaf4d2wyOAx1KPo3t96YNGRMqGJdnHkaqCLo7Jw63kt9Cv09Z3mLQn-3rrglYtjHTChKPbJMhNQ6-6skwdg/s400/availablestickers.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721049557686692146" /></a><br /><br />If you call, you might talk to Ben! BIG FUN is being nice enough to hold these stickers for DDTTRH for anyone who calls and wants to buy them (and they can mail them to you [:). They are more than happy to help! They can take your order over the phone if you call THIS Monday through Friday (Ben will be there Tuesday he said). You can also ask for those mini poster stickers-they had several of those (though I did not have them held).<br /><br />Here's their phone number: 216-371-4FUN (4386)<br />Tell them you're calling about the Duran Duran bumper stickers being held for DDTTRH, they should know about it.<br /><br />You might also try calling their Clifton Blvd. Store, 216-631-4FUN (4386)-they may have some if these sold out (I do not know).<br /><br />Here's their website... www.bigfunbigfun.com. They also have an email: bigfuntoys@yahoo.com. If they don't accept your email order, you can just email DDTTRH at ddttrh@yahoo.com and we can hook you up.<br /><br />Well time to go home. I pack my bumper stickers and the Odyssey game I picked up. My daughter wants a toy butterfly she found among all the different toys they have, so we get that too and head home.<br /><br />Hope you enjoyed this BIG FUN adventure and hope you will be able to snag a bumper sticker before they are gone. Luck of the Irish to you!<br /><br />Kirk, DDTTRHddrockhallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11557145725450201328noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606028023289759852.post-11109927063023039462012-02-07T16:24:00.000-08:002012-02-07T18:58:46.719-08:00'Stole a Leopard' Testimonials 1For those of you not aware, DDTTRH debuted stuffed snow leopards in New York City at the end of last year (our very own Christian Helwig was there!). These stuffed snow leopards are the results of a partnership with the Snow Leopard Trust (snowleopardtrust.org) which is an organization dedicated to the protection of snow leopards and their native habitats in Mongolia. 100% of the money you pay for the leopard (less the shipping and collars we make for them) goes towards saving these amazing animals.<br /><br />Here is the first edition of testimonials from our fans (with pictures). We hope you enjoy them and that you will purchase a leopard for yourself...not because we want you to, but because you are willing to give to save these animals. Savings these leopards goes beyond any kind of trivial things related to Duran Duran or the Rock Hall...its about giving life to animals struggling to keep it. 'It begins and ends with you' to be 'the one who stole a leopard'. ~DDTTRH<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Alex Jokubaitis, United States</span><br /><br />I love my snow leopards! I kept one for myself, and gave the other to a fellow Duranie who wasn't aware of DDTTRH. She really appreciated it, and got to learn more about the cause. I keep mine (aptly named Simon LeCat) on my desk, and he serves as a daily reminder of Duran Duran. I think the leopards are perfect for any Duran Duran fan. They are a unique reference to a great, current Duran Duran song. They help to also raise awareness of the band and all of their accomplishments, and the cost of purchase goes to a wonderful cause. And on top of that, they are so darn cute!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kFrFMevlk8AWQ8BsKPJXDAiCy0ZMGvNCT9Ln86guyXqNguA7B_6KYrCvlsKx1nnglIt5TTAvD-p_pc_DbQGrPlsdkQcPDA3tGy6oxsks2WaXyy6CO0Wjxjbxa9HEtCRNqa_fdXzJJ80/s1600/DSCN8132_crop.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kFrFMevlk8AWQ8BsKPJXDAiCy0ZMGvNCT9Ln86guyXqNguA7B_6KYrCvlsKx1nnglIt5TTAvD-p_pc_DbQGrPlsdkQcPDA3tGy6oxsks2WaXyy6CO0Wjxjbxa9HEtCRNqa_fdXzJJ80/s400/DSCN8132_crop.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706557322688075010" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRIP1DLCX95AYDaqVDGt47pSoVQex1HNPTgvseSQRnALqSyi2u4_zlt6T6iG9tR3Ftpw2PWoT1eXAYGC2WBuyLzl38Zx87yA3xnN2zu2tfkZFf17iVhjC7cd_zZigO5YnWG9VKwVE8YOM/s1600/DSCN8128_edit.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRIP1DLCX95AYDaqVDGt47pSoVQex1HNPTgvseSQRnALqSyi2u4_zlt6T6iG9tR3Ftpw2PWoT1eXAYGC2WBuyLzl38Zx87yA3xnN2zu2tfkZFf17iVhjC7cd_zZigO5YnWG9VKwVE8YOM/s400/DSCN8128_edit.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706557543723329090" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Terri Simpkin, Australia</span><br /><br />When I saw that DDTTRH had very cleverly linked one of the most amazing Duran songs with a most worthy cause I had to investigate. As I now know, not only are the plush snow leopards incredibly cute in their own right, they play a big part in providing assistance to keep the real Snow Leopards off the extinct list. Currently classified as endangered, there are less than 7 000 left in the wild and need all the help they can get. Way down here in Tasmania (no, it’s not the end of the Earth, but I can see it from here!) there’s not much opportunity to see a real Snow Leopard so purchasing a very friendly plush one was the next best thing. And, the clever people at DDTTRH will provide you with a very stylish little collar which you can have personalised (to five letters). In the spirit of the latest album, mine proudly wears AYNIN on his collar. <br /><br />I urge all Duran fans to consider supporting DDTTRH drive to raise funds for the Snow Leopard Trust. Not only will you be able to connect with Duran’s “Leopard” but you’ll be helping a great cause and, did I mention they are incredibly cute??!!! (BTW mine is currently travelling to the UK as part of my relocation to the other side of the world; too cute to leave behind.) – Dr Terri Simpkin, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Maria Sbrocco, United States</span><br /><br />Seeing the AYNIN Duran Duran concert was the greatest night of my life!! It took over 30 years and it was well worth the wait!! I also want to thank you for the opportunity to purchase the stuffed snow leopard animals with the collars through your web site. I have one with a collar that says 'I <heart> Simon Le Bon' and another that says 'I <heart> Duran Duran'. It is an important cause to save the snow leopards and they are the cutest souvenirs to a Duran Duran concert that I waited all my life for. "The Man Who Stole A Leopard" has a greater meaning than just a song.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4hVavtkVTV0LKlnoOfudbf1_MTgdzknodZbFJ2LJ9sQN7AmQ-44VTU296s1Z66Xdi6nvDeoUtf0xUrrhC9OVhYqSzzu02uxW4nasPH9fmeGt2iCYSz01dqh4bnztLxNsgXkmjtk_SEA/s1600/Maria_leopards1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4hVavtkVTV0LKlnoOfudbf1_MTgdzknodZbFJ2LJ9sQN7AmQ-44VTU296s1Z66Xdi6nvDeoUtf0xUrrhC9OVhYqSzzu02uxW4nasPH9fmeGt2iCYSz01dqh4bnztLxNsgXkmjtk_SEA/s400/Maria_leopards1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706558101190789282" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ4ZJc4WAJX8pibazkKQtY4prT4tVytEXy5YK654fFwYhUelW7P-qh8SzghhfWp66tZV6JQI2CmBplrRPHv6FACAtQWfI5LtJc8k-1_naONucCeMcVwbRgQ8FA0OIaxRTqxhM-XCGaBsM/s1600/Maria_leopards2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ4ZJc4WAJX8pibazkKQtY4prT4tVytEXy5YK654fFwYhUelW7P-qh8SzghhfWp66tZV6JQI2CmBplrRPHv6FACAtQWfI5LtJc8k-1_naONucCeMcVwbRgQ8FA0OIaxRTqxhM-XCGaBsM/s400/Maria_leopards2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706558196202873458" /></a><br /><br />To steal your leopard, please visit us at <a href="http://www.ddttrh.info">www.ddttrh.info</a>, Enter the Site, and click 'Be the One Who Stole a Leopard'.ddrockhallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11557145725450201328noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606028023289759852.post-10615441663525149722011-11-22T15:26:00.000-08:002016-01-09T06:47:59.816-08:00'Something You Should Know' about M Interview!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62K0uskH6iPWtCyPMDcbR2xJ3SJ7lHVQYeN9cB3YAFpKK3rta7Gz5XqIc7vuaU6e119y4rXmZImFZ3qb7u5ICUfKiB6Aycv4YPfCIRlADFzDwK1Z_uHoAHHO3R7OumSH0ENeOK3LF8ic/s1600/SYSK_dvd_cover+front.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677994761992632754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62K0uskH6iPWtCyPMDcbR2xJ3SJ7lHVQYeN9cB3YAFpKK3rta7Gz5XqIc7vuaU6e119y4rXmZImFZ3qb7u5ICUfKiB6Aycv4YPfCIRlADFzDwK1Z_uHoAHHO3R7OumSH0ENeOK3LF8ic/s400/SYSK_dvd_cover+front.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 400px; width: 276px;" /></a><br />
<br />
(Cover of Something You Should Know--The Duran Duran Fan Documentary)<br />
<br />
M Douglas Silverstein is a producer, director, and recently released the Duran Duran Fan Documentary, <span style="font-style: italic;">Something You Should Know</span>. He has interviewed hundreds of artists, many very famous, and has found joy and bliss in doing what he does best...film. Kirk from DDTTRH had the pleasure and honor to interview M (as he is also called) in a phone call between Cleveland and Los Angeles.<br />
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'Something You Should Know' about M, that Kirk learned in this interview, is that M is not just a talented film artist but is also guided as a a person by passion, a love for people, by ethics and moral principle. I hope you will enjoy this interview with M as much as I did. DDTTRH proudly presents...the 'Something You Should Know' about M interview....<br />
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It was Saturday morning...that the call came in from Los Angeles to Kirk (K) in Cleveland...<br />
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K: Hello? Is this M? <br />
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M: Yes it is, how are you?<br />
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K: Good...good...you having your coffee?<br />
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M: I'm trying.<br />
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K: Thank you for interviewing with us. I feel so honored. I watched your documentary and I just love it. <br />
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The First question is…did you make it out to a concert this year and what did you think of their new material?<br />
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M: I did not get to a concert this year, it was really sort of funny my schedule. Every time I thought I would be going to a certain location for example LA, for example New York among others…it just…with my production schedule, it was always a day before or a day after that I would be able to do it. And its not to say that I wouldn’t love to see them again. I’ve seen them probably 60-80 times or something based on all the travelling around the world for so many years with them. Now…what do I think of the new material? I think its pretty damn good.<br />
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K: Yeah—Mark Ronson’s great…<br />
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M: Yeah but I just I think a lot of people they look back retrospectively and sort of slam other stuff like of the more recent albums…I thought there were great tracks on Astronaut and I thought there were great tracks on Red Carpet Massacre….now it doesn’t mean that the public as a whole really embraced them and that’s why people have had negative feedback within the fan community.<br />
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I think it was valuable stuff…I think they still have a tremendous amount of energy, creativity and desire to consistently aspire to relevancy. I know that that’s individually really important to the members…that they don’t want to just be a play the hits band and maybe that’s what they’ll wind up doing when they feel satiated with it, but you know…you’ve got to give them a lot of credit. They’re still doing it they’re still going for it. I think they deserve a lot of credit not just from Duran Duran fans but from the music community in itself.<br />
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K: Right! They take great care…<br />
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M: They’re fighting for it….you know what I mean? They’re really fighting for it…to put their stamp in music history. I think it proves how much they love doing this. I’m sure their bank accounts are fluffy enough where they don’t need to go through the rigors of the road but its clear that they love it…they should be lauded for that.<br />
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K: Right….right…what I appreciate about them is that they take their time and do something really meaningful. This album has been a long time coming and just the fact that they took the time to do it right..to me they put it off a couple of times and they told their fans this but I think the end product is just fantastic. <br />
Did you see the ‘Girl Panic’ video…did you like it?<br />
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M: I think its fantastic. I think its really well done. I think its interesting. I feel honestly that John is a little underserved visually. I feel like he’s like always the reporter or the limo driver but Simon, Nick, and Roger have charming cameos…as the hotel staff and so forth and you know John is more serious than people realize. And maybe that what they were more comfortable with when they were discussing it with Jonas the director but I mean its really cool…I’m curious if they’re going to do a short version for commercial applications as opposed to the extended version, but they have all the tools to make a phenomenal short form video of it as well.<br />
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K: Right…right…I’ve been thinking that too…that a short version would be really good. I probably told you this, I sent you a link about it…here at DDTTRH we are changing our direction and mission and we’re going to be less focused on just ‘getting Duran Duran to the Rock Hall’...we want to show the world that they’ve made music history…I mean you…you’ve listened to the band for a long time. How do you feel Duran Duran has made music history and are legendary?<br />
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M: I think that its absolutely clear that almost no other band was as instantly recognizable for their videos, their fashion, their flair and their looks. At some level there are people who keep them in that 80’s box. Or they dismiss them in the 80s as being too good looking and didn’t concentrate on the music. But when I listened to the first three albums in particular I think that stuff is still incredibly interesting…relevant…its so clear how much they’ve…I think almost in the way that they’ve influenced so many other artists and bands…they were early sponges to what was happening around them and their scene. They have created such…I mean god…so many bands whether they even realize it or not owe them a sliver of their career to the inspiration of Duran Duran. I mean you could say in Something You Should Know alone, in the documentary, you got people like Moby and Barenaked ladies talking about how they were sitting out in the snow and in the rain begging to get in…couldn’t get in…Moby bragged his way (I think he said he used the term ‘bragged’ his way in)…he actually forced his way in to getting a ticket. And so these are people who…Johnathon Davis of Korn, just like them…these are people who grew up to have very substantial music careers…chart toppers and trend setters in their own respective genres and they were HUGE fans of the band. And not just like ‘Yeah, they were good’…’ I like that Rio song’ or ‘I like the Hungry like the Wolf’ they were substantial fans who made investment like what we remember being so turned on to them as young music fans. And they still dig them so they’re just like you and I and all the people covered in the film. <br />
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K: Certainly the effect they’ve had on fans is big! I can’t believe how many fans just come in to our site from all over the world and I don’t know if you’ve read through the petition, but its pretty amazing what fans say about them. <br />
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M: Yeah I mean I know that while we document 800 fans being interviewed in the film…that’s how many we have signed clearances from….meaning that they give us a permission legally to put them on film (that they should make the cut)…but we posted many many more and there are still people just finding out about the film from…I forget the last count…but I think it was 84 or 87 countries…unique countries who said ‘Oh my god I just found out about this…is there any way I can be in it…is there going to be a second one…oh my god please…’<br />
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K: Actually that was one of my questions…because we’re actually excited to promote this documentary to our fans. I was really excited that Andy…I saw Andy (I’ve been talking to him) and also Salvo from Duranasty…we’ve interviewed them and they’re very strong supporters of us.<br />
Do you plan on expanding this documentary? I was thinking you could make it something like ‘Something You Should Know Too’…like its ‘T-O-O’…some play like that.<br />
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M: <laughs> Do I have your permission to use that name? <laughs><br /><br />K: <laughs> Sure! If you like!<br /><br />M: I don’t have any current plans to do that. I would be interested to hear what fans would want from the next one. There are some subject matters…that ah man it was so difficult to make the cut… with over 250 hours spanning…of filming over 5 years and a couple years of post…it was really really difficult. There are things that I wanted to make it that couldn’t make it. There are fans I wanted to make it that couldn’t make it. It was arduous…it was emotionally devastating and painful to make the cuts in order to make it…you know, because my first earliest cut was 5 hours or so. <br /><br />K: Oh really? Wow!<br /><br />M: And no one can watch a 5 hour documentary. And I think that as long and as perfect as it is now…there are…because of timing there are some additions that we had clearance to interview…there were some super models we had cleared to interview that we didn’t have worked out…<br /><br />K: Ah, that’s too bad….<br /><br />M: So there are things like that I’d like to put into another one. I guess if I would do another one I would definitely like to follow up on how the band feels everything has gone since the reunion but I’d like it to be a more intimate ‘at their homes’ look as opposed to during their big promo period. I actually would like to film the band during a down period when they’re not promoting so it would be more intimate and I would like to catch up with the fans…I would like to do some sort of Duranie convention…these are things I’d like to cover in the second movie that…I went to great fan parties and that’s cool…I mean maybe there’s life at 40 if you know what I mean…Life begins at 40 as they say. So maybe we’ll do it like the 7up series so every seven years I create another 7 year project (laughs)…<br /><br />K: Yeah…why not? You know I think there’s a convention coming up in the UK…someone was talking about it…<br /><br />M: Yeah, I saw that…I know that there was some in the 80’s and early 90’s that had several hundred people and I think that these are limited to under 100 and it would be really amazing if there was a way to get…maybe do it on three continents…do one in the US with the band involved, one in the UK with the band involved, maybe one in Australia because I think they have a big fan base, Italy, Brazil, as far as big fan bases that respond to me a lot…<br /><br />K: Right..Italy definitely…<laughs><br /><br />M: Yeah! Salvo, so cool…<br /><br />K: I know…he is…good guy…<br /><br />M: (laughs) I hope I answered that…<br /><br />K: You answered that perfectly!<br />Something you said in the Gimme a Wristband interview that I really liked that you said…and it says…and you’re speaking about the film, and I quote this…<br />“What some people would call an obsession or a wild fascination, or whatever, could be for anything — it could be for a church group, a sports team, or a family reunion. The film to me is all about people who are willing to do whatever it takes to be a part of something that is special and meaningful to them. They don’t care what people think or do around them because this innately brings them joy, happiness, meaning and purpose in their life.”<br />Would you call this a trademark of your work to try and discover people’s emotions, how they think and act…why is this meaningful to you?<br /><br />M: What do you mean, in what context?<br /><br />K: I mean for example have you done any other work in film where you’ve explored this kind of…people emotions…how they think and act…why is that meaningful to you…to explore that…as an artist…as a film artist?<br /><br />M: You know…I can’t point to anything specifically, but in my work with 600 artists ranging from Madonna, Green Day, Taylor Swift, Jay-Z, Beyonce, Rihanna…I always try to…in fact…I think the reason I’ve been so successful or fortunate is because I always do more research…I think than anybody…I’m kind of famous for…with people who work with me who think I’m crazy…they think its crazy how much effort I put into it. <br /><br />I’m really passionate about people in general and passionate to find out things that are different, unique to them…like when I worked with Rihanna I knew she grew up in Barbados. So I asked her things, you know, just as a starting off point…‘If I were in Barbados with you and we could go to your favorite place to eat…where would we go…what would we eat…who would pay the bill…and what would we do after that?’. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGOvmku52ldILWWg3WU00ktBglgxFJsSTE6zEtVNdKnIZjptAmzqf27i7W-fCXC0U7HWW6yfc706jZU-XS8hlTxwlo-Agx_giv5RIToPZrfaHf5SAykXHE_fExoz84tTlin9uu3Hf6LA/s1600/MD-Rihanna.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677994390458346706" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGOvmku52ldILWWg3WU00ktBglgxFJsSTE6zEtVNdKnIZjptAmzqf27i7W-fCXC0U7HWW6yfc706jZU-XS8hlTxwlo-Agx_giv5RIToPZrfaHf5SAykXHE_fExoz84tTlin9uu3Hf6LA/s400/MD-Rihanna.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 400px; width: 396px;" /></a><br /><br />(Rihanna with M>)<br /><br />K: <laughs>…What did she answer? <br /><br />M: Oh gosh—I don’t remember at all now…<br /><br />K: That’s fine…that’s fine…<br /><br />M: But she certainly got a kick out of it…and I often have artists say ‘How do you know that about me?’ And its not because I’m…I think I’m sort of going around what you’re asking…let me try to be more direct which is…I’m really really…I love people…and I love…I’m a very passionate and creative person…and I admire people who are individually or collectively passionate and creative and I just think its really inspiring to watch people take any lengths that they’re willing to do to be happy. I think in the end this comes down to being happy and finding eternal bliss, and yeah…I hope that answers it…I mean I just love people.<br /><br />K: No…that perfect…that’s great…<br /><br />M: It is also a mark or a trademark (to use…to coin your term) of what I will and want to be doing in my future projects about in anything which is to find the essential heart and soul. There were many opportunities to have huge commercial and film festival success at the risk of…with this project I mean..huge success that I was guaranteed…that I turned down because it wasn’t who I was to make a film…to change my own personal ethos…I was not willing to change the core of my mission and to turn the characters on themselves or have any exposition that would make them look you know cuckoo or something…because its not who I am…I’m not an asshole and I don’t think its fair…and I wanted to…as I do in life…in my art…I want to be about integrity…always being honest and I want to be sort of a pure heart, even if that’s a little whatever…a little esoteric to say…you know I’m just a sweet guy and I’m not going to make asshole films…it would be counterintuitive to my entire being to be ‘quote on quote’ ‘that guy’…its just not me.<br /><br />K: Yeah…I read in the Gimme a Wristband interview how you left out some things because they explored sort of that negative side of fans…and I just want to say kudos to you for doing that…for standing up to the industry in a way I suppose…because you know the industry likes dirt and that’s great…<br /><br />M: You have no idea. I was in the Sundance Film Festival and they were like this is too not enough lets see some other footage, what else do you have…and I explained the types of things that I had and they were like ‘Yes’...I knew though that once it was out there, it was out there and I would have compromised my integrity…and I would have been ‘quote-on-quote’ ‘that guy’ and in my life an asshole…I just like….you know what man…I sleep great at night…<br /><br />K: Yeah…its not worth it…<br /><br />M: I mean that’s…I’m supremely proud of that…<br /><br />K: Good for you…good for you…<br />You were mentioning that…and I did read this too…that you’ve interviewed 100’s of artists and legends in politics and music and you’ve probably been asked this before, but who has been your favorite person to interview and why?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvHGyXR76OghHCxebbvbJubF2nNXjBk8q4ppHBx_sStEyzxangXWNCeuQWr-Yf5KF-axg-yPAivVAIkwEfVl36ErzaENOQpRzW2OFDxRc-FBUNkzlWlCScyYBqzB9vR7zR_xFUQDpxcs/s1600/MD_WIllie7.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677995715985878146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvHGyXR76OghHCxebbvbJubF2nNXjBk8q4ppHBx_sStEyzxangXWNCeuQWr-Yf5KF-axg-yPAivVAIkwEfVl36ErzaENOQpRzW2OFDxRc-FBUNkzlWlCScyYBqzB9vR7zR_xFUQDpxcs/s400/MD_WIllie7.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 340px; width: 400px;" /></a><br /><br />(M with Willie Nelson)<br /><br />M: Hmmm…good questions <ponders in="" thought=""><br /><br />K: And I’m going to ask about Paul McCartney next…I’m really interested in that…<br /><br />M: I guess there’s a couple of moments where like..oh my god…where I can’t believe I’m like here…and one of them is…when I worked with Madonna within 3 minutes of her accepting her…she got on stage to accept the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame award…she walked off the stage and onto my set to interview for me to interview her with Justin Timberlake and Timbaland…so like to be with Madonna at that seminole moment in her career was kind of fuckin neat..I was like..’oh shit…like who gets to do this..thats cool’. That was pretty amazing…<br /><br />I’ve had the good fortune to work with or meet all of the Beatles (except for John Lennon)…and you know some of them were like quick handshake things or whatever and that was just one of those things that you don’t really tell a lot of people…there’s no reason to bring it up…and also to me its so deeply personal…like the time when I shook Paul McCartney’s hand and I was like ‘Oh my god’…<br /><br />And I have a very intimate story (about BB King) that I don’t really like to tell people, but he’s embraced me in a very loving way held me in his chest and told me I was a good person and doing things right..and I just…you know…and I have a tie tack of theirs that he gave me…there’s just some moments that you can’t even explain them…you know…"<br /><br />K: Were you able to interview Paul or was it just a meeting?<br /><br />M: I worked for him.<br /><br />K: Oh—you worked for him.<br /><br />M: I did…I was in-between school…I had gone to music school in the early 90’s and had injured myself on a play and like five bands at once I injured myself so…I literally needed something to do…and a buddy of mine called and said..’hey dude, I’m working on the Paul McCartney tour…you want to come?’…and I’m like ‘uh huh’ <laughs> <br /><br />K: <laughs> I would say yes too…<br /><br />M: It was just…it wasn’t hard to say yes…and you know..I’ll tell you a really neat story…and just a fact about Paul that not everyone knows that I just think is super classy and really neat…Paul McCartney is incredibly aware of the effect he has on other people…so literally he can spot it like 10seconds before anyone else…he can see someone walking up towards him and they go <hyperventilating> ‘oh-mi-gosh-oh-mi-gosh-oh mi-gosh’<br /><br />K: <laughs><br /><br />M: ‘Its Paul McCartney!’ right? Like they can’t even speak…’oh…oh…oh…P-P-Paul’ or they scream..but because he’s like a mellow gentleman and he just doesn’t want to deal and that’s like when ‘from when you’re 20’ so before anyone can freak out…like before their internal software registers ‘Holy shit that’s Paul McCartney’ he says <in accent="" an=""> ‘Hi, how ya doin?’…and everyone is like…’P-P-P-P<br /><br />K: <laughs><br /><br />M: …That just freaked me out that Paul McCartney said hello to me’…you know what I mean…they don’t know what to do…it gives him that few seconds to be the good guy and walk away and not have to sign an autograph cause that really not what he wants to do. He’s trying to have a normal life…and its so fuckin funny…I have seen him do that so many times…and I’ve heard other people I know say the same thing (who hang outside with me or whatever you know) <br /><br />K: <laughs><br /><br />M: And I was like…when I worked with Paul I was the low guy on the totem pole…I I worked on the tour as a roadie…as a tech…so…anything else?<br /><br />K: Yeah…I’ve probably got probably two more questions, is that ok?<br /><br />M: Sure!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7DexcPcMq3iHAFQBL5KToZuePFpifAUVQTfhHNNoA_UmEEuja_pSxF1KCFGFzicU4GObszaZSOnHLqJWzU7xf41KOuTTPommiTQ0adZ7MBHcT318ze7bmWCr_eIqD9hjBAf_estQGVxA/s1600/mcard-front-07-01-08.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677995149033642610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7DexcPcMq3iHAFQBL5KToZuePFpifAUVQTfhHNNoA_UmEEuja_pSxF1KCFGFzicU4GObszaZSOnHLqJWzU7xf41KOuTTPommiTQ0adZ7MBHcT318ze7bmWCr_eIqD9hjBAf_estQGVxA/s400/mcard-front-07-01-08.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 229px; width: 400px;" /></a><br /><br />K: How have you been adapting your art to the new media spaces out there? I mean we have Twitter and Youtube and the ‘digital revolution’ with the internet…<br /><br />M: I don’t know…I think I’m like many people…I think I’m adapting to it…and I don’t know…like I’m not like someone who…because…there are a lot of people who are new media ‘content generators’ who aren’t ‘quote’on-quote’ professional, and they’re trying to create buzz for advertising, but I get paid for my work so I don’t need to focus going out to shoot and generate ad sales…also for me I know a couple of friends who do it…there’s not enough money to be made in my opinion…even with many millions of hits…so its not the kind of money that would be interesting for me to do. Now…I do have a social media adviser who sits me down and asks what kind of contests do you want to run, what kind of fun facts…Duranie polls…all the Duranie polls come from me…<br /><br />K: I saw those…I saw those…those are great…<br /><br />M: I think it’s a good way to have a conversation with people and…again…how…let me again see if I answered you on…how does the new media…how is the new media affecting my own art work…mostly its just that my clients need me and I’m aware that I have to shoot in certain…and I’m technically aware of the types of framing, angles, even down to the types of films, lenses that will be better for something that could be broadcast on a a film, a filmscreen, to a TV screen, to a mobile screen…so its complex…it can be very complex…you have to put a little thought into it…and sometimes because there are shrinking budgets out there and people want to spend less…you know…and if you think about it from their angle…if I could pay one guy to createe cool content and cut it up into different stand-alone segments and put it across our platform you know like from our mobile division to our cable division to onsite promotions…why wouldn’t they? I don’t blame them…I don’t blame them because they’ve got…an executive has to be responsible for their budgets in the end and in the long run.<br /><br />K: Ok—one last one and that’s the fun question of the whole interview and I’ll let you choose which one you want to do...here we go…one is I read you were trying to adapt a book to movie form…and the other is about your part in a Law and order episode…which one would you rather talk about?<br /><br />M: What book I’m adapting?<br /><br />K: Yeah! I mean you don’t need to tell me ‘what book’…just like<br /><br />M: I can tell you…I can give you a little brief about my background in voiceover and TV film stuff. So I have been on Law and Order, I’ve been on Law and Order Special Victims Unit, and I’ve been on Saturday Night Live…<br /><br />K: Yes, I’ve read about Saturday Night Live too…<br /><br />M: I’ve done really big voice-overs for national and global campaigns for Canon video cameras, Toyota, Kelloggs Raisin Bran, a bunch of other stuff…I have a funny story to talk about that I…so…<br /><br />K: Oh! I want to hear the funny story! <laughs><br /><br />M: I don’t think it will translate into the written word so much but I tell you when I was doing this Kellogs Raisin Bran it was…I had to say this line and I got it within like 4 or 5 minutes and it was <m amazing="" his="" switches="" to="" tv="" voice=""> “MMMMM those two scoops…two scoops strong, all morning long…its delicious’ <br /><br />K: <laughs><br /><br />M: Right? And what I didn’t know going into it is was there was a producer who was a real asshole to me and he kept saying ‘oh no no’…he was british…and he was saying ’you’re saying da-licious…you’re not saying de-licious…you’re saying da-licious’ and like I kept doing it like over and over ‘MMMM…two scoops strong, all morning long…its de-licious’, Right? And what I didn’t know, and I was like in there an hour, an hour and a half is that he was the producer of the spot…he created a test spot with his voice and they said ‘We love it! But we don’t want a British accent’ so he couldn’t fill in the spot and he tried to be an American and they kept saying ‘You sound like a british guy trying to be an american’ so they asked me to be exactly like him…like the same kind of deep voice, whatever voice I have…and gravelly and like he hated me…<br /><br />K: Because you were American <laughs><br /><br />M: Oh no, not just that…he knew it was $100,000 or more for a big fucking campaign…<br /><br />K: Yeah, Kelloggs, they’re big…<br /><br />M: And you make a lot of money doing those kinds of spots…and he just put me through <with emphasis=""> HELL…and he was like…I kept looking up at the engineer and up at the producer and they were lowering their heads, shaking, mouthing ‘I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry’…but I didn’t know until the end why he was such an asshole…so they pulled me aside and said ‘Just so you know…he created the spot, he did the voiceover, he was supposed to get it and you know he lost it to me because he couldn’t do it with a convincg American accent. So that’s why he was a prick to you’. And I was like ‘Oh wonderful.’<br /><br />K: <laughs> That’s funny…<br /><br />M: On law and order special victims unit…<br /><br />K: Yeah—you were a judge or court clerk…<br /><br />M: That was on Law and Order…but on Law and Order Special Victims unit I was a<br /><br />K: Which is my favorite by the way of all of them…I love Law and Order special victims unit<br /><br />M: Oh yeah? I was a head of the jury and like the whole angle was that I was the young guy and and I had all these great scenes and it was like my first real meaty role…boy…I called all my friends…and I had like you know…I had a star trailer…I got treated like a king…I’m a starring role on Special Victims unit…and I’m like ‘Holy Shit this is awesome!’…and everybody I knew, my family, my parents they’re a little older but they stayed up late to watch it and again…cut to watching it and all you see is like an exterior shot of the jury deliberation room and like me sticking my head out of the jury and like giving a ‘hmmm’ look…they cut the entire scene…<br /><br />K: Are you kidding me?<br /><br />M: It happens all the time…and someone would be like…I just saw you on the show and I saw you for a half second and I would be like ‘Fuck…fuck’ <laughs><br /><br />K: <laughs> Oh well…<br /><br />M: And not long after I was on Saturday night live and what happens with Saturday night live is that they shoot a pre-show…they shoot two shows back to back, one that’s like the rehearsal show and they determine whats going to make it to air and what isn’t. And then they shoot the live show…and for time…they’ll cut in…if theres a scene that does really well in the warm-up show…the first showing…then they just cut it in, or they’ll use it for the west coast feed, they’ll cut it in afterwards as well. So what happens…I had like a tiny one line…it was a scene on a Halloween special with Will Farrell and Drew Barrymore…<br /><br />K: Oh..I love Drew Barrymore…<br /><br />M: Yeah—shes a Duranie…<br /><br />K: I’ve been trying to reach her but she won’t contact us, so…I know she’s really busy, but…<br /><br />M: I don’t know her, otherwise I’d hook you up. <br /><br />K: Can you hook us up? That would be awesome. <br /><br />M: I don’t know her, I don’t know her.<br /><br />K: Oh you don’t know her, oh darn…<br /><br />M: No, but if I did I would. So yeah…it was the same kind of thing…which is…it made it to the rehearsel which they filmed and then it never made it to air and so I called all these people…and after that I just stopped calling people so when the Law and order came on that was just basically a couple of lines ..’oh the defendant…bla bla bla…de de da de de da…and the court case….bla bla bla…your honor’, you know it wasn’t really a big role but I’m still getting paid for it.<br /><br />K: You’re getting paid for it, that’s what matters, huh? I mean when you’re doing something you love.<br /><br />M: Not as much as you think. I’ve been very fortunate to do whatever I wanted…whatever I’ve wanted to do creatively and make a living doing it. And when I see other people and they ask me ‘How the fuck do you do it?’ And I have friends who…one of my best friends is fireman, another friends works in finance…and those are like real jobs…and I just tell them ‘I do it’…and that what I tell everyone else…’If you want to have a career…a creative career…work your ass off be honest about your talent and what you’re good at, what you’re not and just keep doing it. Keep doing it.<br /><br />K: Yeah.<br /><br />M: And do it because you love it, don’t do it because you expect to make money. I’ve been very very lucky and there are a lot of really talented people who can’t pay their bills doing what they love doing…and that’s really unfortunate, but that’s just sort of the odds game. <br /><br />K: Please tell us a little about Extrovert and I understand you have locations in New York City, Los Angeles, and Nashville, and we’d like to know what type of projects you typically work on…<br /><br />M: Extrovert is my company and its really the production wing of what I do and sometime…so I have crews people that work for me on a regular basis, and sometimes on a semi-regular basis, and sometimes on a once in a while basis…but I have people that I know and trust…very good shooters and producers, sound people, writing people…in many cities including, as you mentioned, New York, LA, Nashville, London, Miami…I don’t keep fully staffed offices…that’s only New York and LA and we’re not a huge company, we’re you know…we keep the lights on <laughs> <br /><br />K: Yeah…we’re not huge either <laughs><br /><br />M: …and we do everything from 15 camera HD concerts for television or film, documentaries to commercials to behind the scenes to…and its stuff from our earlier conversation, it’s a wide range of content, mostly in the Rock and Roll pop star world that gets distributed to…we also do a lot of stuff with really big brands, and again projects in and around the music space…we have Samsung, LG, Blackberry, Verizon, Google…so you’ve heard of some of those references<br /><br />K: Right…of course…who hasn’t?<br /><br />M: I don’t know? So Extrovert is really an extension of me and its named that not because I’m shy <laughs><br /><br />K: Right, right Extrovert…it’s a great name!<br /><br />M: Thanks, I appreciate it.<br /><br />K: I like the big ‘M’ that’s next to your name on the front page…that’s very cool.<br /><br />M: Yes, I’m very shy. <laughs><br /><br />K: Well thanks so much for interviewing with us (and having your morning coffee with us) and I definitely look forward to promoting Something You Should Know on our site and we wish you luck and happiness on your future endeavors!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQBAeZdnoDrnCknhXXfqKVDA5OjM3dszQZ0GSddrYVHsgAcln_0Xd9925qFVCFUbHZqBgZUwkFWNvB-Okn-y8KHo74KYVlz8L9VdKdjXvRsSFHKvSYxotL67oUadxF9WZzP-byUpV3O98/s1600/card+red6.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677996076914914898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQBAeZdnoDrnCknhXXfqKVDA5OjM3dszQZ0GSddrYVHsgAcln_0Xd9925qFVCFUbHZqBgZUwkFWNvB-Okn-y8KHo74KYVlz8L9VdKdjXvRsSFHKvSYxotL67oUadxF9WZzP-byUpV3O98/s400/card+red6.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 235px; width: 400px;" /></a></laughs></laughs></laughs></laughs></laughs></laughs></laughs></with></laughs></laughs></m></laughs></laughs></laughs></in></laughs></hyperventilating></laughs></laughs></ponders></laughs></laughs></laughs></laughs></laughs>ddrockhallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11557145725450201328noreply@blogger.com1