Cleopatra Records a four-song Duran Duran demo recorded in 1979 and featuring early singer Andy Wickett on vocals, a collection that includes the original version of hit single “Girls on Film” and a song called “See Me Repeat Me” that later would be re-worked into the song “Rio.”
The EP, titled Girls On Film 1979 Demo, also features the songs “Reincarnation” and “Working the Steel,” and can be streamed below via Bandcamp, where it is now on sale digitally and in CD and vinyl formats.
The young group recorded the demos in September 1979, with Wickett joined by Nick Rhodes, John Taylor and Roger Taylor at Bob Lamb’s studio in Moseley, Birmingham. Wickett played a major part in writing “Girls on Film” — check out the harmonica on this version — according to Cleopatra Records, which cites Andy Taylor’s autobiography.
Wickett is quoted in the press release announcing the demos EP as saying:
“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. 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.”
Wickett would be out of the group the following year, replaced by Simon Le Bon. And Duran Duran went on to release “Girls On Film” in July 1981 and “Rio” in October 1982; both songs were Top 10 hits in the U.K., helping propel the group to superstardom.
Check out the full EP below.
It was interesting but I find I prefer Simon.
Hmm not sure how to comment here. My ears have already been accustomed to Simon singing which leads me to say this was really hard to listen to. Not good.
Wow. How could they have ditched this guy? Said no one ever. Sorry Andy Wickett.
Not good. Glad they reworked the songs.
Wasn’t this released a few years ago?
So Cool! It’s like unlocking secret blue prints to a music manifesto! Andy Wickett sounds hauntingly like Simon and Bowie at times. Of course Simon’s higher pitch magnified the band’s future sound!!! Thanks for sharing.
Not bad I like it ….I agree with suzi he sounds lIke bowie.
I’m glad they found SLB
Brutal. Almost robotic. Simon belts it out, makes it happen. Good luck selling it.
Um…. This has been out for two years. I bought the CD in 2016 according to my Amazon history.
Awful! He’s trying to sound like Bryan Ferry…,and failing :(
I always preferred late 80s/early 90s Duran anyway, a lot their early stuff was quite vapid imo
It’s really cool to hear what the guys were involved in in those early years. But I think things were placed in the right place throughout the years. I mean, everybody say that Andy and Stephen left the band just before they hit the big time. But in fact, the band had to be that way: Simon, Nick, John, Roger and Andy. That was the successful combination, that was the band that was meant to be. DD made Rio and GOF successful with their own touch.
Great to hear this version. It´s like a little gem. But I love Simon’s version.