BBC Four Announces Programming To Celebrate Duran Duran Anniversary

BBC Four has announced an evening of programming on British rock band Duran Duran on 29 June, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the group's inception.

The programming, starting at 9pm, will have exclusive access to the band and feature two newly-filmed documentaries which showcase incredible insights, previously unseen archive footage and rare demo tapes. The group will also give their thoughts and inspirations across the decades since they first formed in 1978 in Birmingham.

In 'Duran Duran: There's Something You Should Know' (9-10pm) Back2back Productions has been granted exclusive access to the legendary group. Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, John Taylor and Roger Taylor open up about their extraordinary career, talking more candidly than ever before about the highs and lows they have endured together over the years.

'Duran Duran: A Night In' (10pm-11pm) sees the group talking about their early inspirations, as they look back together at the television programmes, music and film that they grew up on from the 60s, 70s and 80s.

Bassist John Taylor said: "Without the BBC, there would be no Duran Duran. Forty years ago this October, the BBC first aired Barbarella. It was while watching that late-night screening of the Jane Fonda sci-fi epic that members of a burgeoning Birmingham post-punk band decided the name of one of the films characters - Durand Durand - would make for a cool and unusual band name.

"The BBC provided us with a constant stream of the best contemporary music throughout the 70s, just when we were coming of age and finding ourselves as individuals and future artists. Everybody who was anybody went through the doors of Top Of The Pops and The Old Grey Whistle Test, and we were there soaking it all in, so it is with great pleasure we present our curated night of music on BBC Four this coming June 29. These documentaries and clips have allowed us to explore the origins of the band through personal experiences and cultural touchstones. Even the savviest fans will find surprises."

Jan Younghusband, Head of Commissioning for BBC Music, added: "Duran Duran have remained one of the world's most influential and successful bands across the last four decades, starting off in the early 80s as an alternative group who embraced the New Romantic era. Fusing fashion, design, art and technology with timeless music they have continued to captured the hearts of millions around the world across several generations. As the home of music on BBC Television, I'm thrilled that BBC Four is celebrating this unique group with a night of exclusive programming."