The New Wave Band David Bowie Thought Was “A Bit Arrogant”

To receive a stamp of approval from a fellow artist as influential as David Bowie would be one of the biggest compliments anyone in the music industry could hope for. Good thing, he has never been shy about expressing his admiration for other artists. But what if it’s the other way around? In the case of Duran Duran, Bowie’s first impression wasn’t exactly flattering. Widely regarded as one of the pioneers of the new romantic and new wave scene, Duran Duran emerged as a stylish MTV darling who helped define the channel’s early visual identity. But before they made a name for themselves as one of the most successful bands, particularly in the United Kingdom, the band was just a group of ambitious young musicians navigating the competitive early-'80s music scene. And perhaps, when fame ultimately caught up to them, they may have gotten a bit too confident, something that Bowie could attest to.

When the band released their self-titled debut studio album in 1981, Bowie was no longer just another artist. He was, by that point, already David Bowie — a cultural force who had spent the previous decade reshaping his sound, image, and artistic identity, as well as adopting a string of alter egos that served as testaments to his creativity. By that time, his words towards other artists already carried immense weight. And for artists wanting to find their place in the industry, it's essential to be seen in a favorable light by someone of Bowie's stature. Unfortunately for Duran Duran, Bowie's first impression of them wasn’t that great. When the band first crossed his path, Bowie admitted that he found them “a bit arrogant." He said at the time:

“I had a hard time with them when I first met them a few years ago. I thought they were really sort of a bit arrogant. But I guess we all go through that. They’ve really got OK over the last year or two. Simon seems to have changed an awful lot.”

David Bowie Served as an Early Influence on Duran Duran’s Sound and Style

Despite his initial impression, Bowie eventually acknowledged that Duran Duran had grown and evolved as a band. And what he said doesn’t diminish the fact that he was a significant influence throughout the band's career. Duran Duran keyboardist Nick Rhodes revealed in 2016 that Bowie was the musician who inspired him to pursue a career in music. Reflecting on Bowie’s impact, Rhodes said: “The first record I ever bought was The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust when I was 10 years old. I saw David Bowie perform many times and was lucky enough to become his friend over the years.” Back in 2021, Duran Duran — along with other musical acts — celebrated what would have been Bowie’s 74th birthday by performing a cover of one of his beloved tracks, "Five Years," from his fifth studio album, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. The performance was both a tribute and a recognition of the lasting impact Bowie had on the music world. Duran Duran frontman Simon Le Bon said:

“My life as a teenager was all about David Bowie. He is the reason why I started writing songs. Part of me still can’t believe his death was five years ago, but maybe that’s because there’s a part of me where he’s still alive and always will be. When we got the Ziggy Stardust LP and put the needle in the groove, our first taste of its perfection was the song ‘Five Years’. I can’t begin to explain how honored I feel for Duran Duran to be given the opportunity to perform this icon, and to place our name alongside Bowie’s for this commemoration of his music.”

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“Five Years” isn’t the first Bowie song that Duran Duran covered, having previously performed tracks such as “Diamond Dogs,” “Boys Keep Swinging,” and “Fame.” Bowie, on January 10, 2016, died of cancer at the age of 69. It was a life well lived, and he left behind an unmatched legacy as one of the most innovative and influential musicians of the 20th century, with an immeasurable impact and contribution to music, fashion, and popular culture. He is best known for beloved tracks like “Life on Mars?,” “Under Pressure” (with Queen), “Heroes,” “Starman,” “Space Oddity,” “Let’s Dance,” “Modern Love,” “Changes,” “Rebel Rebel,” “Moonage Daydream,” and many more.