DURAN DURAN – “Rio” was released 43 years ago today. Did you already know these 5 facts?

43 years ago, Duran Duran created something like their magnum opus with their second album “Rio”. In any case, it was an undisputed New Wave classic. Released on May 10, 1982, it reached the top of the charts in numerous countries: CA: 1; GB, NZ: 2; AUS, FIN: 3; US: 6. In metal, that means: 7x Platinum and 1x Gold! In addition to the title track, “Hungry Like the Wolf” and “Save a Prayer” are still important to this day.

5 facts that not every Duran Duran fan should know:

★ A secret song title:
The song “My Own Way” was recorded under the title “How Many Times”. The original title and version of the song was far more experimental, but Duran Duran decided to revamp the song to make it more mass appeal. However, this early version can be found in some bootlegs and archive recordings.

★ The iconic cover artwork
The cover of “Rio”, which features a model in a tropical setting, was designed by the famous British photographer Patrick Nagel. Interestingly, Nagel never met the Duran Duran members in person and so his designs are based on some of the band’s early promo photos. The artwork has shaped the visual image of the band for years.

★ The influence of Bowie and Roxy Music:
The album “Rio” was heavily inspired by the avant-garde sounds of David Bowie (especially his phase in the seventies) and Roxy Music. John Taylor, the band’s bassist, has stated in interviews that the work of Brian Eno and the synthesizer sounds of Bowie helped them to develop the characteristic sound of “Rio”, which is particularly evident in songs such as “Hungry Like the Wolf” and “New Religion”.

★ A secret “Rio” track:
“The Chauffeur” is not only one of the most fascinating tracks on the album, but also one that was originally considered a “lost track”. In fact, this song was originally planned as a B-side and was later recorded as an album track. The atmospheric mood and melancholic melody have made it a secret favorite of many Duran Duran fans.