This just in from somewhere over there on the other side of the Bullring, “I’m thrilled to present you a release by a band that needs no introduction 🙂 DURAN DURAN has been one of the most successful, trend setting and talked about groups for over three decades. Cleopatra Records has released ‘Girls on Film 1979 Demo’ EP featuring ANDY WICKETT on vocals in the days before Simon Le Bon joined the band. These are rare debut recordings, which include the original version of the smash hit ‘Girls on Film’ and ‘See Me Repeat Me’, which would later be transformed into ‘Rio’. Recorded in 1979 at UB40’s home studio, these historic previously-unreleased demo recordings feature the group’s early frontman Andy Wickett (a.k.a. Fane), alongside Nick Rhodes, John Taylor, and Roger Taylor”
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According to Andy Taylor’s autobiography, Andy Wickett had a major part in the writing of ‘Girls on Film’ during his tenure with the band. Wicket explains that, unlike the sexy imagery depicted in the video for this song, the lyrics were actually inspired by the lives of the stars of old black and white movies.
“It is important for people to understand the true origins of the song ‘Girls on Film’ and to hear the edgy sound that Duran Duran had in the beginning,” says Andy Wickett. “This song was inspired by the dark side of the glitz and glamour, where these perfect idols suffered tragedy and addiction. The film ‘Sunset Boulevard’ was also a big influence with its tale of a fading movie star.”
Andy Taylor confirms that Wickett co-wrote an early version of the song that eventually came to be known as ‘Rio’. Indeed, ‘See Me Repeat Me’ was taken from ‘Stevie’s Radio Station’, a song written by TV Eye when Wickett was their vocalist. A favourite of Nick and John, it was incorporated into Duran Duran live sets during Wickett’s tenure.
Since these early days in his career, Andy Wickett has come to be known as one of the finest performers and songwriters in the Midlands, having gone on to also front The Xpertz and World Service. Apart from playing arenas and venues around the world, Andy has also produced videos for and co-written albums with world renowned artists such as Nusrat Ali Fateh Khan, Malkit Singh, Stereo Nation, Taz and DCS. Over the years, he’s supported The Clash, U2, Culture Club, Burning Spear, Orange Juice, in addition to opening on UK tours with Duran Duran and Gregory Isaacs”.
Andy Wickett & World Service have also just released a full-length album ‘Creatures of Love’ digitally via Cleopatra Records, which will be officially released on CD on March 9, 2017 on that same label.
