The Power Station

Hard-edged pop supergroup the Power Station formed around members of Duran Duran and Chic with singer Robert Palmer, blending synthy '80s dance-rock hooks with heavy funk grooves. They scored several hits and heavy MTV rotation with 1985's The Power Station, including "Some Like It Hot" and a cover of T.Rex's "Bang a Gong." While line-up changes brought the group to end, they reunited for 1996's Living in Fear, before once again calling it a day.

Despite Duran Duran ruling the earth by late 1984 (due to countless hits and sold-out tours), the band had completely burned themselves out with a non-stop, grueling work schedule. 1985 was supposed to be a year-long break from band duties, but its five members ultimately formed two separate side projects: the Power Station, which was comprised of Duranee's John Taylor (bass) and Andy Taylor (guitar), plus solo artist Robert Palmer (vocals) and ex-Chic member Tony Thompson (drums); and Arcadia, which featured the three other Duran members, singer Simon Lebon, keyboardist Nick Rhodes, and drummer Roger Taylor.

The formation of the Power Station came as a complete accident, as John Taylor was dating model/groupie Bebe Buell at the time, and offered to assemble a funky version of T. Rex's classic rocker, "Bang a Gong (Get It On)," for Buell to contribute vocals to (with Andy Taylor and Tony Thompson joining the proceedings). But before the recording could take place, Taylor and Buell split up. The trio decided to press on, however (having already demo'ed several originals, as well), with a plan to have several different noted pop singers provide vocals. Robert Palmer was invited to sing on a track, but with the vocalist and the rest of the band extremely impressed with the results, Palmer ended up singing on all of the resulting album's eight tracks. The quartet's 1985 eponymously titled debut,

The Power Station, was a sizeable hit due to a pair of monster hit singles which merged rock with a dance edge, the original tune "Some Like It Hot" and the aforementioned cover of "Bang a Gong." The album's immediate commercial success prompted the group to organize a supporting tour, but surprisingly, Palmer pulled out just a few days before the tour's launch.

The Power Station first attempted to lure Paul Young into the group (who had just scored a hit with the ballad, "Every Time You Go Away"), before settling on former Silverhead frontman Michael Des Barres. Despite an appearance at the mammoth Live Aid benefit festival in July of 1985, the bandmembers decided to call it quits upon the tour's completion. As a side note, the bandmember's temporary "break" from Duran Duran failed to recharge their batteries, as both Andy and Roger Taylor split from the band shortly thereafter, while Palmer would go on to issue some of the '80s biggest pop hits, including "Addicted to Love" and "Simply Irresistible."

Surprisingly, the original Power Station lineup re-formed almost exactly ten years later to work on a follow-up. Unfortunately, John Taylor had to bow out due to scheduling conflicts before recording. With Chic's Bernard Edwards handling both production and bass duties, the Power Station delivered a 1996 sophomore effort, Living in Fear. Although the album failed to replicate its predecessor's success, the single "She Can Rock It" hit the U.K. Singles Chart. Following a brief tour, they again disbanded. However, the continued popularity of the group's early hits has ensured numerous reissues of their debut album, including a 2026 40th Anniversary edition which included their Live Aid appearance, along with raw tracks and remixes. ~ Matt Collar & Greg Prato