Behind the Scenes of Duran Duran Videos: Wild Stories from the 80s Music Era
June 27, 2025Categories: 1980s Pop Culture Stories, Podcast Episode
Retro Rewind: The Ultimate 1980s Experience with Ben Martinez
Step into a time machine and travel back to the vibrant decade of the 1980s with Retro Rewind: The Ultimate 1980s Experience. Join us as we explore the iconic 80s music, unravel the colorful threads of 1980s fashion, and relive the magic of classic 80s movies and TV shows. Get the inside scoop on your favorite 1980s celebrities and discover the cultural phenomena that shaped a generation. Whether you lived through the decade or are a newcomer to its charms, this podcast is your go-to guide for all things 1980s.
Behind The Scenes of Duran Duran Videos: The 80s Magic You Didn’t Know About
Alright, picture this: It’s the 1980s. Big hair, flashy fashion, and the rise of MTV—the prime time when the music video was basically a mini-movie. And who ruled those airwaves? Duran Duran. Yeah, those slick cats with the catchy tunes and even catchier looks. But have you ever wondered what went on behind the camera while they were filming those iconic videos?
I’ve spent enough time geeking out over 80s music and 1980s pop culture to tell you, the stories behind Duran Duran’s videos are just as flamboyant and eccentric as the videos themselves. Let me take you on a fun little stroll through the madness, glamour, and sheer craziness that made those videos unforgettable.
First up, let’s talk about the “Hungry Like the Wolf” video. This was shot in the lush jungles of Sri Lanka. Now, I don’t know if you’ve ever tried filming in a jungle, but it’s not your average backyard barbecue. Aside from swatting off mosquitoes that apparently thought the band was on their buffet list, the crew had to deal with unexpected tropical storms. Imagine Simon Le Bon wearing designer shirts soaked through while wildly chasing some kind of metaphorical wolf—talk about dedication to 80s music authenticity!
One hilarious tidbit from that shoot? The local wildlife seemed just as curious about the band as the band was about their surroundings. At one point, a troop of monkeys decided to join the set, grabbing cables and generally causing chaos. The director was trying to keep things professional, but come on, monkeys stealing your equipment? Classic 80s celebrities antics!
Then there’s the “Rio” video, which was shot on a yacht off the coast of the Caribbean. Flashback to the height of 1980s fashion—bright pastel blazers, big sunglasses, and boat shoes without socks. The band looked like the poster children for Miami Vice meets high-budget pop video. But behind all that glitz was a less glamorous truth—seasickness.
Nick Rhodes apparently spent half the shoot leaning over the rail looking like he’d lost a fight with the sea. Meanwhile, John Taylor was busy trying to keep his bass dry amid the splashing waves and the ever-present threat of wind messing up those perfectly coiffed hairstyles. It’s funny, but watching those videos now, you’d never guess how many times they had to stop because someone was green around the gills.
Of course, you can’t skip over the “Girls on Film” video—a notorious one that pushed the envelope at the time with its edgy themes and cheeky visuals. It was filmed at some posh London studio, but between takes, the atmosphere was anything but posh. The band and crew would crack jokes, mess with the lighting rigs, and generally act like a bunch of kids playing dress-up in the glitzy world of 80s TV shows and celebrity glam.
The director, Godley & Creme, had a vision of mixing glam rock, surrealism, and a bit of punk attitude—all of which caused the shoot to become a bit of an eclectic circus. The footage that never made it into the final cut? Let’s just say there were some scenes with a lot more cheekiness than MTV was ready for back then.
And if you love 1980s fashion, Duran Duran were trendsetters on and off the video set. From Nick’s androgynous makeup and teased hair to Simon’s leather jackets layered over silk shirts, every video shoot was like a moving fashion show. What’s wild is that none of this really felt staged on set—they had this effortless cool vibe, which, with all the chaos behind the camera, was nothing short of a miracle.
It’s these behind-the-scenes moments that give 80s music and culture so much of its charm. Not just the polished final product, but the human moments—the little disasters, the busted egos, the wild fashion mishaps—that remind us how vibrant and, to be honest, wonderfully weird this era was.
Now, if you enjoyed hearing about all this 80s celebrity madness and want something a bit more personal that reflects growing up in the lively vibe of that decade, I’ve got a recommendation for you. Check out A Mostly Magnificent Memoir. It’s a fun and heart-warming story of a kid from a small town growing up in the 1980s—touching on all those little moments that made the decade so unforgettable beyond just the music and fashion.
Trust me, it’s the perfect companion for any fan of 1980s pop culture who wants a story that’s full of nostalgia, humor, and that “you had to be there” feeling.
So next time you pop on a Duran Duran video, remember the wild behind-the-scenes tales—the monkeys, the seasickness, the fashion disasters, and the sheer 80s energy that made these clips into something truly iconic.
Thanks for sticking with me on this little trip through retro magic. Until next time, keep rocking those leg warmers and don’t forget to crank up the synths!
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