Duran Duran loves Barack Obama
Well, at least bassist John Taylor does. I think Obama just landed the entire 35- to 45-year-old female demographic with that endorsement.
Anyone want to guess which '80s musicians might pimp for John McCain? Lately, it seems the only thing bands are saying to him is "stop using our music." Van Halen, Jackson Brown, John Mellencamp and Heart have all come out and asked the Republican candidate to stop using their songs during the campaign.
The only somewhat '80s artist I've seen on the trail for McCain is Charlie Daniels. Though Devil Went Down to Georgia makes for a creepy campaign tune.
Relive the music, movies and culture of the greatest decade ever with Times online editor Steve Spears. A teen during the decade, Steve is obsessed with everything from Duran Duran to Journey, John Hughes to John Cusack, and parachute pants to Reaganomics.
E-mail Steve Spears:
Obama reminds me more of the songs of the late 70's, you know, the Carter era, for some reason.
Posted by: Mark Turner | April 13, 2009 at 08:42 PM
wow power leveling
The Extreme Masters Global Challenge will http://www.powerleveling2000.com/WowGold.aspx feature
top international wow gold — World of Warcraft: EM Montreal Viewers Guide Counter-Strike teams
such as SK Gaming, Fnatic and Made
in Brazil. They will be http://www.iwpls.com joining several Canadian and American teams that
include Gravitas Gaming (formerly X3O), Evil Geniuses USA and Evil Geniuses Canada.
Posted by: 005 | November 11, 2008 at 10:04 PM
Who cares make up your own minds.
Posted by: John | October 26, 2008 at 01:35 AM
I gotta compliment Douglas Arthur for his call for calm. I wouldn't necessarily join in singing Kumbaya with him. Unless it was Guadalcanal Diary's version. It rocks!
I do find myself reacting with the who cares what some celebrity thinks about politics, but I have to be intellectually honest here. I think that way when the celebrity disagrees with my opinion. Whenever a celeb happens to agree with me, I think how wise and politically savvy they are.
Knowing this reaction, I have begun to take any celeb's view with a grain of salt. They have the right to their opinion and the right to express it.
That said, I wish the Hollywood establishment (is there one?) would take that same view.
I mean not EVERY celebrity in the world supports Obama, do they?
With the exception of a small vocal few (i.e. Dennis Miller, Stephan Baldwin, Ted Nugent), it sure seems as though Obama has the lock on the celebrity vote.
Oh, well. GET INFORMED ABOUT THE CANDIDATES AND VOTE!
Posted by: Dr. Dim | October 22, 2008 at 02:33 PM
John is soooo Dreamy.
However, as Micky from Rubix Cubed continues to point out to me, that "despite the fact that John is a bass player, Simon was cuter."
LVS - Lead Vocalist Syndrome.
It's a real affliction....Look for it on book store shelves today!
Posted by: Crockett | October 22, 2008 at 01:21 PM
I was just proud that I recognized the bassline :)
Posted by: Marissa | October 22, 2008 at 12:02 AM
Nice Zevon reference Lara!
I always get a bit miffed when people say they only want their artists to do one thing. They have minds and feelings, too. They can say whatever they want, it is up to you to decide if you want to listen. You have the choice to say "that's cool" or "so what" or "mega dittos Rush".
As my sagacious pals Devo once sang, "Freedom of choice, is what you've got, freedom from choice is what you want." Truer words never said better in this day and age. Stop trying to shout down others. If you don't like what they have to say then move on.
Get your head out of the sands, too. Like it or not, the things we do in this country affect he rest of the world, so I don't blame them for having an opinion. It is up to you to decide how much weight to give it.
I think though that it is more important to find the things we do agree on, than the things we don't. I think the healing power of music is a common laguage spoken the world over and it can bring us all together.
Okay, who's with me for a little Kumbaya and Michael Row Your Boat Ashore? :). Anyone? Anyone?
Posted by: Douglas Arthur | October 21, 2008 at 08:24 PM
They're just all excitable boys.
Posted by: Lara | October 21, 2008 at 06:17 PM
Here we go again, politics on the 80's board.
Memo to John Taylor: I love your music, I dance to your music, I've even....well.......you know.....done the dew to your music.
Please stick to music. Just like John Cussack should stick to acting. Or Susan Sarandon should stick to acting. Or Sean Penn should stick to acting/directing/writing.
BUT, I love this friggin country and they can do WHATEVER they want. I don't have to spend a dime on them (which I don't).
GOD BLESS THE WARRIORS, PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE THAT GIVE US ALL THE RIGHT TO OPEN UP OUR FLY TRAPS AND SPEAK OUR MINDS. NOW GO OUT AND FRIGGIN VOTE!!
All the love,
MinA
Posted by: Mike in Austin | October 21, 2008 at 06:08 PM
In lighter news, I just got my Greatest American Hero costume ordered from 80stees.com for Halloween!
Posted by: John Hays | October 21, 2008 at 05:41 PM
Correct me if I'm wrong, but John Taylor isn't the rest of the world. I don't care what one British musicain (who has made a lot of money off this country) has to say about who I, a US citizen, should vote for. He's entitled to his opinion, but I don't care to listen to it. The rest of the world should have no say in our election. If we let the rest of the world have their say, we might as well just hand over the keys
Posted by: Bassnote | October 21, 2008 at 05:09 PM
Er, Bassnote. You do not think that the last eight years of GWB has not had any effect on the rest if the world? Duh..
Posted by: Jason404 | October 21, 2008 at 04:54 PM
No offense to John's fans, but who cares what someone who is not even a citizen of this country thinks about a candidate?
Posted by: Bassnote | October 21, 2008 at 12:32 PM
John is so HOT!
Posted by: Jo | October 21, 2008 at 10:13 AM
I'm a big time Duran fan but John's political opinions don't mean squat to me. I prefer it when musicians stick to the music & leave their policial opinions to their personal lives. I don't want to hear their opinions when I go to a show. I just want to hear the tunes.
Posted by: Kim | October 21, 2008 at 09:44 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VWPz0ZRmAc&feature=related
I had to find a clip for comparison.
Posted by: Marissa | October 21, 2008 at 07:49 AM
Douglas, when I heard the bassline it reminded me of Girls On Film. You know, the song with the video that was considered pornographic in its original format.
Posted by: Marissa | October 21, 2008 at 07:46 AM
wow, that was a pretty funky bassline.
Posted by: Douglas Arthur | October 21, 2008 at 12:35 AM
Devo just played a special concert in Akron, OH in support of Obama on 10/17. Their first concert in Akron since 1979. You can see more details about that at www.clubdevo.comif you care to.
Duty now for the future spuds,
Posted by: Douglas Arthur | October 21, 2008 at 12:32 AM
Not a whole lot of conservatives in that whole rock & roll world,
so what would you expect exactly?
Posted by: gordo | October 20, 2008 at 11:42 PM