Duran Duran and Nile Rodgers: 'Free to Love'

The relationship of Duran Duran and Nile Rodgers of Chic (and producing fame) is a musical story for the ages.

They have collaborated on a new, just-released track called "Free to Love." It sounds more disco-ish Chic than traditional Duran, but it’s super cool. I’ve followed and tangentially known the Durans for years and they are nothing if not experimental. My first article was an interview with Nick Rhodes for a magazine when I was 16. Occasionally they miss the mark (how could you not after nearly 50 years?), but on this one they hit a bullseye.

As I understand it, the partnership began 40 years ago, when a now-legendary track called "The Reflex" was being recorded for Duran’s second album, Seven and the Ragged Tiger. The track was a little sleepy, apparently, so someone in the camp brought Nile in to tighten it up. It became the band’s first number one single.

Thus began the bond, which obviously endures to this day. And when they get together, watch out. It’s like Michael and Quincy but without the weird stuff. The Durans are workhorses and family men.

Since that Reflex remix, Nile has produced classics like "The Wild Boys" and my favorite, funkiest Duran album, Notorious. That album killed and still kills. There are many others. So my delight that they are together again for "Free to Love" is huge. It’s a fun and happy song from a fun and happy collaboration. Made at Abbey Road, in fact. How perfect.

The Durans are on a roll. Simon was recently bestowed with an MBE by the Prince of Wales. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022, they continue to crank out new music and sell out arenas. While they of course include the classics, they don’t live in the rearview mirror. They’ve had their moments. There was a time years ago when the band had split and only Simon Le Bon and Nick Rhodes were standing and I thought to myself at a show in Virginia “this is over.” But no. No, no, no. They regrouped and came back on fire. I saw the Astronaut show in Washington, D.C., with the original five, and it thrilled me to no end. 

Sadly, the five became four when Andy Taylor, whom I love, took a pass after Astronaut. He was replaced by Dom Brown, who nevertheless does a wonderful job. 

Getting back to the moment, Nile stepped in for Dom on "Free to Love," and the band will be touring Europe in the summer. But in the immediate future, they are set for a short residency in Las Vegas at the Fontainebleau—May 2, 6, 8, and 9. I don’t have this on any particular authority, but Chic has been opening for them recently, so you may have a Nile sighting. And that would be a real experience.

As a singer, I’ve come to understand that some bands just transcend space and time. Simon Le Bon, the poet, is in top form after all these years, still writing lyrics that sing in our heads even though we don’t particularly understand them all the time. John Taylor is the "blackest white" bass player of all time (Flea is a close second). Nick Rhodes is just…Nick Rhodes. The intellect. Roger Taylor is a steady hand who plays drums with perfect timing. And while I wish Andy Taylor could be in the band, Dom Brown is an excellent and reliable fifth.

And again, when you throw Nile into the mix, stuff gets crazy.

God bless them all, we love you Andy, and I highly recommend you go to Vegas. And dig on "Free to Love"!

Editor’s Note: Hollywood, academia, and liberal elites are out of touch with the average American.

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