John Taylor, a co-founder of the iconic band Duran Duran, revisits the surprising journey of his supergroup, The Power Station, as they celebrate the 40th anniversary of their debut album with a new boxed set. The bassist delves into the project's inception, which saw him and Duran Duran guitarist Andy Taylor collaborating with Chic's Tony Thompson and Bernard Edwards, and later, the distinctive voice of Robert Palmer. Taylor candidly shares his astonishment at the project's unexpected mainstream success, highlighting the creative freedom and spontaneous energy that defined this temporary musical detour from the meticulously crafted world of Duran Duran.
In 1984, after an exhausting period of global tours and platinum album successes with Duran Duran, John Taylor and bandmate Andy Taylor sought a different musical outlet. The demands of topping their previous achievements and the intensity of their fame left the band members feeling drained. This led to a temporary hiatus, during which individual members explored other musical avenues. For John and Andy, this meant forming The Power Station, a project conceived as a harder-rocking alternative to Duran Duran's synth-pop sound. They enlisted the talents of Chic drummer Tony Thompson and producer Bernard Edwards, with the legendary Robert Palmer eventually joining as lead vocalist, initially for a few tracks, but ultimately becoming the band's voice.
The initial idea for The Power Station was born out of a desire to create something raw and unpolished, a stark contrast to the highly produced work of Duran Duran. Taylor recounts how the project gained momentum, initially intending to feature various vocalists, akin to a modern-day Stax house band. However, Palmer's involvement fundamentally shifted this dynamic. His powerful and versatile vocals on tracks like 'Communication' and 'Get It On (Bang a Gong)' convinced the group that he was the ideal frontman. The collaboration quickly led to chart-topping hits such as 'Some Like It Hot,' propelling their self-titled debut album to platinum status without any premeditated commercial ambitions. Taylor humorously describes The Power Station as a 'musical affair' from his 'marriage' to Duran Duran, emphasizing its temporary and spontaneous nature.
Despite the album's rapid success and a planned summer tour, Robert Palmer unexpectedly departed the band. Taylor expresses no lingering resentment, acknowledging that Palmer's former label, Island Records, made him a substantial offer for a new solo album, leading to the highly successful 'Riptide,' which further cemented Palmer's reputation. For the remainder of The Power Station's tour and a Live Aid appearance, Michael Des Barres stepped in as Palmer's replacement. Taylor fondly recalls Des Barres's seamless integration into the band, bringing his own charisma and a fresh interpretation to their songs, including some of his own hits and even a few Duran Duran tracks to fill out the setlist. The experience ultimately reinforced Taylor's appreciation for his primary band, Duran Duran, concluding that while The Power Station was an exhilarating, unconventional venture, his true musical home remained with his long-standing group.