ROBERT PALMER : Music & Style

It's the first major project any of Duran Duran have attempted outside the group. Pat Thomas sorts out the who, what, when, where and why.

Even in the highly organised world of Duran Duran, things don't always go according to plan. Five years ago when John Taylor co-founded the group, he visualised a musical unit with the raw energy of The Sex Pistols and the verve and flair of Chic. What he came up with was one of the world's most successful groups - but one that bore little relation to John's original plan. So now he's gone back to it again.

As long as three years ago John Taylor and Andy Taylor began sowing the seeds for a project, separate from Duran Duran, which would come to be known in 1985 as The Power Station. In reality, The Power Station is another attempt at the Sex Pistols/Chic combination - only this time the Chic connection is for real.

The entire project is being overseen by producer Bernard Edwards, co-founder of Chic. Drummer Tony Thompson has been with Bernard and Nile Rodgers almost from Chic's beginning, forming the nucleus of the soul group which chalked up five Top 10 and two Top 20 singles in its first two years, between 1977 and '79. That's something even Duran Duran can't claim!

Although Nile Rodgers remixed The Reflex, Duran never worked with Bernard Edwards until they began work together on the theme music for the next James Bond film.

Then there's Robert Palmer. To those who don't know his background, this British singer might seem an odd choice. But a closer look reveals just how well he fits the bill. Robert is a well respected if somewhat elusive character. At 34 he's the oldest in The Power Station. A member of the blues-rock band Vinegar Joe alongside Elkie Brooks, he recorded his first solo LP in 1974 - about the time John and Andy began playing in their first bands. Since then he's released eight critically acclaimed albums.

He makes his home Nassau, Bahamas, where the bulk of The Power Station album was recorded. True to his playboy lifestyle, he surfaces only occasionally when the need to work and the demand for his distinctive soulful vocals coincide.

In the UK Robert is best known for his Top 20 single Some Guys Have All The Luck - a song which Rod Stewart covered and took back into the charts a couple of years ago. He's also known as a supreme collaborator, having worked with everyone from the American blues & soul group Little Feat to cuddly Gazza Numan, and in between finding time to produce albums for people like reggae singer Desmond Dekker.

Robert's never been afraid to break new ground, and just as importantly from John and Andy's point of view, he's always done it with a dash of style. And could teach even the Duranies a thing or two about being dressed to kill!

The Power Station was such an important project to John and Andy that they spent every free moment of 1984 in Nassau recording the single Some Like It Hot and the seven other tracks which will make up the album. Then to finish it off they all packed their bags and headed for New York to mix it at the Power Station recording studio, which John thinks is "the best in the world".

Most people are waiting for the LP before they judge whether The Power Station has been worth all the effort of its four members. John and Andy are both really pleased with the outcome. Robert has found a bang-up-to-date outlet for his vocal talents. And Tony, well, he's quietly confident.

All indications say that this group is headed for some electrifying success.

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John Taylor (bass): Born June 20, 1960 in Solihull. Along with Nick Rhodes he co-founded Duran Duran. Failed his A-levels but managed to get into art college. Began life as a guitarist but switched to bass after hearing Bernard Edwards play on Chic's records. Insists The Power Station doesn't herald the break-up of Duran Duran.

Robert Palmer (vocals): Born in Batley, Yorkshire on January 19, 1949. Has been singing professionally since age 19. Recorded his first solo LP in 1974. Since then he's released seven others, the last in 1982. Moved to Nassau in 1977. Best known in this country for his singles Some Guys Have All The Luck, Johnny And Mary and You Are In My System. As famous as his jet-setting lifestyle and immaculately tailored suits as for his distinctive singing voice.

Tony Thompson (drums): Born in New York on November 15, 1954. Played with Patti Labelle prior to joining Chic in 1976. Drummed on all Chic's hits including Dance Dance Dance, Le Freak, I Want Your Love and Good Times. Other musical credits include work with Stevie Wonder and on David Bowie's Let's Dance LP, which some people claim was the model for Duran's current sound. Has been tagged 'the best drummer in the world'.

Andy Taylor (guitar): Born February 16, 1961 in Newcastle. Started playing guitar at age 11. Played his first gig at 13 and by the time he joined Duran Duran he'd chalked up something like 600 live appearances in the UK and Europe. Had to sell all of his worldly possessions to buy a ticket from Newcastle to Birmingham to audition for Duran, so he was mightly relieved to be accepted. Little did he know then that the group would go on to sell in excess of 23 million records worldwide.

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Pat Thomas (No1 Magazine - March 1985)