Duran Duran leads Rock & Roll Hall of Fame fan vote after scoring first nomination

Duran Duran has finally been nominated to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, more than 40 years after the band's debut album. 

And a sweet side note on Valentine’s Day: Duran has taken the lead in the fan vote.

Duran long ago crossed the 25-year threshold of eligibility, as it was deemed a "mascara" band, doomed to be passed over by the hall (something I wrote about in 2016). But times have changed. In addition to Duran's 2022 nomination, other overlooked '80s bands like Depeche Mode and the Cure have been inducted, along with Duran heroes Roxy Music, who Simon Le Bon and John Taylor inducted themselves. 

Duran has also continued to stay relevant, releasing a critically praised new album, “Future Past,” last year.

If Duran makes the cut as a first-time nominee, Le Bon, Taylor, Nick Rhodes, and Roger Taylor, as well as departed guitarists Andy Taylor and Warren Cuccurullo, are to be inducted, according to Rolling Stone magazine.

A turning of the tide at the rock hall may have taken place when Rolling Stone's Jann Wenner stepped aside as the hall's chairman and was replaced by MTV co-founder John Sykes. Since then, the influence of Duranies like Nile Rodgers and Rolling Stone's Rob Sheffield has also risen. 

Duran's "army of fans" is making a difference in the fan voting. After the band's nomination, Le Bon thanked fans from "around the world" for their unwavering support over four decades.

Fans can vote once a day, and their top five favorites will make up a fans' ballot that will count toward a vote in the overall contest.

Duranies, instead of feeling resignation over the band being passed over another year, are now speculating whether Andy Taylor and/or Cuccurullo will join their old bandmates if they are indeed inducted. But that may be a better discussion for another day. For now, Duranies can continue to make a small difference in the outcome by taking a moment each day to vote for their favorite band.

So keep voting, now until April 29, here.

Duran Duran and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

I truly believe Duran Duran deserves a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. But as year after year passes since the band gained eligibility, Duran doesn’t seem to be on a fast track to get in. And I have my doubts about the importance of being inducted at all.

But the tide may have started turning in Duran's favor with the recent nomination of Depeche Mode. There is no guarantee that the group will get in, but nevertheless, Depeche is a Duran contemporary who also makes synth music. There has been the thought that overlooked bands like Depeche, The Cure, and Duran would continue to be overlooked. But now there is a glimmer of hope.

I believe Duran should be inducted based on its contribution to music video alone. But Duran doesn't make the kind of music favored for a quick induction. Duran is perceived as a pop band that has a mostly female fan base. The rock hall clearly prefers "manly," meat-and potatoes rock 'n' roll.

Some of the groups that inspired Duran's music, Roxy Music, Kraftwerk, and Chic among them, aren't even in the hall. (Though Kraftwerk and Chic did make the list of nominees this year.)

Duran has seemingly garnered every other honor over the years: Grammys, VMAs, EMAs, Brit Awards, Ivor Novello awards, Q Icon and lifetime achievement awards, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. But a spot in the hall of fame seems illusive.

So why even bother worrying about it? Duran’s beloved Sex Pistols rejected the band’s induction, with Johnny Rotten calling the hall of fame a “piss stain.” The Pistols also criticized the hall’s practice of requesting a five-figure fee for attending the ceremony. Needless to say, the punk legends didn’t show up on induction night.

It would be a pleasant surprise if Duran someday gets inducted. I’m sure the band members would be proud to share that honor with idols like David Bowie, The Beatles, and Lou Reed, who was inducted posthumously as a solo artist. 

Recently, there were a number of old-school members of the rock hall nominating committee who were dismissed. Duran champion Rob Sheffield is a voting member. Maybe now is the time for the “mascara bands” to be given a shot at induction. 

At top: Duran Duran's "Hungry Like the Wolf" is listed among the 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll in a flier given to visitors at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but the band has yet to be nominated despite crossing the 25-year mark of eligibility.