Duran Duran releases its self-titled debut, which features the hits "Planet Earth" and "Girls on Film." The video for the former includes a long scene with a runway model icing her nipple. It also features their only flop in the UK: "Careless Memories".

Second album, "Rio," hits the stores, as the band travels to Sri Lanka and Antigua to shoot the glamorous videos for singles "Hungry Like the Wolf" and "Save a Prayer." America is defenseless.

Rhodes produces an album for Kajagoogoo, which trounces Duran Duran in the charts with its hit "Too Shy." Duran Duran counters with the enormous album "Seven and the Ragged Tiger," which features a Bengal tiger on the sleeve that was rented for the day for nearly $100,000.

The band tours the world, graces the cover of Rolling Stone and makes an appearance on "Solid Gold." "The Reflex" goes No. 1. Live album "Arena" is released. Simon Le Bon nearly ruins the charity Band Aid single "Do They Know It's Christmas?" with his high-pitched warbling.

The band scores its second No. 1 with the James Bond theme "A View to a Kill." John and Andy Taylor form the Power Station with Robert Palmer. Le Bon and Rhodes respond with Arcadia. The original lineup plays its final performance at Live Aid. Le Bon nearly drowns in a yachting accident.

Le Bon, Rhodes and John Taylor are the only ones who show up for recording sessions for "Notorious." Paula Abdul choreographs the videos. In early '86, John was approached to write the theme for the film 9 1/2 weeks. In April, his solo effort for the film, 'I Do What I Do', charted on both sides of the Atlantic. And then the bombshell came with Roger Taylor's announcement that he wanted another year off and would be retiring to his Gloucestershire farm for the foreseeable future. Warren Cuccurullo took in Andy's place in the band.

Sensing public interest, the band reaches out to new audiences by appearing on "Soul Train," Howard Stern and Joan Rivers' late-night show.

Inspired by rave culture, Duran Duran releases "Big Thing," sending out promo copies of its singles to radio stations under the name the Krush Brothers. Radio is not impressed.

The single "Do You Believe in Shame" peaks at No. 72 on the U.S. charts. To save face, the band releases its first greatest-hits disc, "Decade."

"Liberty" is released, featuring dazzling cover photographs by Ellen Von Unwerth that very few people actually see.

Things get so bad that plans for a Power Station reunion are discussed.

With former Missing Persons guitarist Warren Cuccurullo now a full- time member, the single "Ordinary World" leaks to a Florida radio station. The response is so overwhelming Capitol rush releases it.

"Duran Duran," a.k.a. "The Wedding Album," is released, revitalizing the band's career with hits "Come Undone" and "Too Much Information." Duran Duran is rewarded with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Danger! Danger! John Taylor enlists in a Narcotics Anonymous program in Los Angeles where he meets former Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones.

The band releases "Thank You," an album that features its take on songs like Lou Reed's "Perfect Day," Public Enemy's "911 Is a Joke" and Bob Dylan's "Lay Lady Lay." Rock criticism experiences an incredible creative renaissance. Later that year, Le Bon performed with tenor superstar, Luciano Pavarotti, at the War Child benefit concert in Italy

Inspired by rehab literature, John Taylor records a solo album, "Feelings Are Good and Other Lies," and forms Neurotic Outsiders with Jones and erstwhile members of Guns N' Roses. New adjectives for tastelessness are created.

John Taylor abruptly quits the band shortly before the release of "Medazzaland." Nobody notices. "Electric Barbarella" was their first downloadable single released on the internet.

Billboard magazine leaks that the band has split with Capitol. The label cashes in by releasing a second best-of set, "Greatest."

Duran Duran signs a three-album deal with a struggling Disney-owned label, Hollywood Records.

"Pop Trash" is released, with a Spanish version of the single "Someone Else Not Me" tacked onto the end in order to cash in on the Latin music boom. Latin America remains unbothered. Warren left to return to his band: Missing Persons.

Duran Duran appears at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo at the Astrodome in Texas. Hollywood Records prematurely parts company with the band. Reunion rumors ignite Internet forums. Nick made an album and tour with Stephen Duffy as The Devils.

After 18 years apart, the five original members of Duran Duran reconvene in the studio with former Chic member Nile Rodgers producing. World issues a statement: "Whew!"

MTV Lifetime Achievement Award. A boxed set. Celebrity-studded live shows. A new album. A world tour. Duran Duran is, it has to be said, back back!

The new single "Sunrise" with the original five band member has been released in september/october. Many airings on radio shows before the release made the song already popular. Finally the single reaches the charts world-wide as well as the album "Atronaut". Also EMI manages to benefit from the success by releasing DVD's from the previous released VHS tapes.

In 2005 a new world tour started in the USA. A Japanese tour was postponed due to some health problems of Andy Taylor. The second single reached the UK charts again. They covered a John Lennon song "Instant Karma" that will be released on a Amnesty International CD that will be available also for download next year.