Reflexive Rhapsody: Navigating Duran Duran’s Legacy Through an Archivist’s Lens

Guest blog post by Andrew Golub

I was so delighted to find this site, celebrating the best decade ever in such colorful fashion! Colossal appreciation to Tamara for allowing me to reach out and share my story like this. Connecting with fellow Duranies is always a joy, and for me, just a reflex.

I am a Duran Duran archivist, author, and activist, channeling my passion for the band into avenues that honor an icon’s legacy, bring people together, and celebrate an enduring devotion that transcends time, distance, and cultures. I discovered Duran in late 1984, when “The Reflex” catapulted me into a dizzying mix of soaring synth melodies, distinctive vocals, and intriguing lyrics which begged for thoughtful contemplation. That was before I saw the accompanying live performance video, which cemented my fascination; I remember being enthralled with how this charismatic band owned the stage, drawing the audience into an ecstatic frenzy, creating a powerful exchange of energy between fans and performer. It was a visceral experience, one that feels as vital as ever. Those original emotions have paved the way for the journey I’ve been on for over thirty years.

Duran Duran, 1983

Duran Shui

I found myself yearning to learn about these pop enigmas who radiated style and glossy confidence. I recall poring over magazine racks, eagerly spending my meager income from babysitting and newspaper delivery. The appetite was insatiable as I studied the band, contemplated my favorite member, and absorbed every photo session. Total Duranie seduction. I giggle at how I labored to efficiently conceal every square inch of bedroom under images of John, Nick, Simon, Roger, and Andy. This “Duran Shui” required careful strategizing, often debating whether a monstrous poster of Simon on the ceiling should face me when I lie down in bed, or face the door when I enter the room. Oh, the difficult decisions!

I remember keeping my memorabilia in boxes around my room, constantly vigilant about storage conditions, temperature, and fingerprints…that should have been a warning sign! In particular, the poster collection escalated quickly—I was thrilled by massive photos of a band that seemed bigger-than-life! Duranie bedrooms were made for treasures like this. However, the posters took on deeper meaning as I obtained promotional material for specific concerts. Suddenly, posters represented history, milestones, and memories—for fans, as well as the band, heightening the personal investment I felt with my passion.

The Evolution of a Collection

In the late ’90s, I met a dear friend whose background in poster restoration and museum curation helped shape my path and develop my archival sensibilities. By the time of my first public exhibition in 2001, I had a new confidence in my efforts and commitment to what I was building. I evolved along with my collection, realizing how my work resonated with other fans. It seemed like there was something much bigger happening—bigger than me, bigger than the band.

Andy’s Archive Promo

Opening Doors: Sharing the Duran Duran Archive Experience

The biggest benefit from what I do is hosting visits to the Archive. Time and time again, I see the transformations as adults become teenagers once more, revisiting their favorite moments, finding things they used to have, or viewing treasures they’ve never seen. If anyone would like to schedule a visit, I welcome them to drop me a line! Getting a proper sampling usually takes a full day, with a break for lunch and dinner.

Over the years, my archival drive has led to some incredible opportunities and unexpected achievements. There have now been at least five exhibitions, two exhibit loans to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (one for DD’s 2022 induction), three big coffee table books, and several occasions when the band’s management has reached out for help with projects such as tour memorabilia and a concert film. I even had an image from my collection used in a Hollywood movie, that was next level! It’s been quite an unconventional path, but one that has proven relentlessly rewarding.

Nostalgia is a powerful, unifying force. I’ve discovered a profound sense of purpose in bringing people together through memorabilia, strengthening their connection with the younger version of themselves, breathing fresh life into their fondest memories. In my perspective, everyone has a story and it often gets lost or buried under all the adulting. Reconnecting my fellow Duranies with their youthful happiness helps me stay linked with my own. I’ve learned the value of staying in touch with my heart, never forgetting what made me fall in love with Duran in the first place. It’s actually a bit ironic: in the course of chronicling the band’s legacy, I seem to have found mine. Whether providing a pleasant escape for fans or preserving ephemera that would otherwise be lost in time, I enjoy feeling like I’m making a small difference in the world, or just in other lives. That’s what the band does, and I couldn’t imagine a better example to follow.

OMg! The band endorsed the book!

Beautiful Colors: The Posters of Duran Duran

My current book is a greatly expanded, super-sized edition of my first release, Beautiful Colors: The Posters of Duran Duran. With a distinctive slipcase, foreword by Nick Rhodes, and 300 pages of compelling content, the book charts Duran’s trajectory through rare posters from my Archive, bringing many of the visuals to life with insights from the artists. There are less than 70 copies remaining, and I am always overjoyed to sign books for people—it’s never just a signature; each signing takes about 45 minutes with a lot of art and heart going into every inscription. To order one, just write me directly: contact@durandy.com

In the words of John Taylor:
“I love Durandy’s limited-edition publications! For the memorabilia freak like myself they are the perfect guide to the legacy world of Duran Duran tours and artwork. But their value goes beyond Duran Duran, as they have a lot to say about the changing state of pop music ephemera. We are really lucky to have him and his dedicated projects. A must for all Duran fans and then some!”

Andrew Golub’s hardcover book, Beautiful Colors

Nick Rhodes states,
“Andy has amassed the largest known collection of Duran Duran posters in the world. It is an unprecedented visual diary of our career, spanning more than three decades, encompassing advertising, artwork, fashion, illustration, photography, and graphic design. He has gathered multiple international variations of album posters, scarce screen prints, obscure hand-signed ephemera, and posters for live shows that I had forgotten we had ever played.”

Follow Andy online: YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram

Are you a Duranie? Tell us all about your experiences, fave songs, memories. Shared experiences are the best!

Thanks much to Durandy for this guest post and blessings to all,
Tam