Duran Duran World Tour Off To Wobbly Start In NZ

Duran Duran's world tour got off to an awkward start in New Zealand on Wednesday as singer Simon Le Bon forgot the lyrics and bassist John Taylor stormed off stage, according to a published report.

"Duran Duran, f---ing up in style," Le Bon, 49, told the crowd at the Vector Arena in the northern city of Auckland, according to the New Zealand Herald's review the next day.

Taylor, 47, abandoned his instrument and walked off stage, apparently in reaction to a segment in which the group's members donned matching satin suits and headsets to play a medley on keyboards and an electric drum set.

"I could not dance to that. These people came here to dance," Taylor said, after he returned to the stage, according to the Herald.

Le Bon forgot the words to "Hungry Like the Wolf," one of the band's biggest hits, the Herald reported.

Still, the paper said the crowd -- dominated by screaming women in their 30s -- did not seem to mind the snafus.

Duran Duran, rounded out by keyboardist Nick Rhodes, 45, and drummer Roger Taylor, 47, next heads to Australia for seven shows, beginning on Friday in Sydney.

After the Asia-Pacific leg ends, Duran Duran will begin a North American tour in Vancouver on April 29.

The band, which was formed 30 years ago, is promoting its latest album, "Red Carpet Massacre," which bombed in the United States and Britain last year.

Thanks for the info to Yahoo! News.

Comments

[strat0blaster]

"I could not dance to that. These people came here to dance," Taylor said, after he returned to the stage, according to the Herald.

For a band that hasn't been relevant for 20 years, they've sure got high opinions of themselves, don't they?

[Dragon Master]

Well, Duran Duran was probably the most pop-oriented band in the New Wave era, a sharp contrast to the Cure, Depeche Mode, or, other bands like that. The new album is awful.

[Harry Krishner]

I like Duran Duran. John Taylor is an underated bassist. I don't play their music on a regular basis but don't mind it if they're being played. I wish them well.

[dustyoffski]

I think the media is Hungry like the Wolf. They wanna tear someone to pieces, then build them back up. Duran Duran should have a high opinion of themselves. They made some of the best pop music ever made for their day. Durans popularity was legendary by the time the 80's were over. Meaning past tense. Im a guy, and even i had all the Duran cassettes at the time, it was cool music very inventive. Now i wish i had the vinyl records of Duran originals. I will say i can't imagine myself going out to by Durans new cd, but i bet its good. As far as Simon forgot the lyrics, that could have happened for any number of reasons. Hendrix would say he forgot the lyrics to a song onstage, for whatever reason. Good luck Duran Duran

[StarChild69]

I've only seen them once back on the 7 & the Ragged Tiger tour, the only reason I went was because my sisters loved them. They still pack 'em in wherever they go!