Feeling Duran Duran was becoming “a machine”, the group agreed to take a year’s break in 1985. Members John (bass) and Andy (guitar) Taylor decided to create a rock supergroup as a hobby during the sojourn, with soul crooner Robert Palmer on vocals and Chic drummer Tony Thompson.
Despite scoring big with Get It On (a cover of the T. Rex song) and Some Like It Hot, Power Station (named after the studio in New York where they recorded their debut album) lost Palmer before their tour when he cashed in after a TV appearance on Saturday Night Live and abandoned the group to make his Riptide LP instead, just two weeks before the first scheduled date of their tour.
The Taylors didn’t care – they “thought it was all about us”. They were soon proved wrong.
John Taylor commented in retrospect: “me and Andy were on such a power trip, we thought we were kings of the fucking world. Everything we touched turned to gold. We thought we were going to be the next Led Zeppelin!”
Or not, as it turned out.
Michael Des Barres stepped in for Robert Palmer
Tony Thompson died on 12 November 2003, within a month of being diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer).
Robert Palmer Vocals Andy Taylor Guitar John Taylor Bass Tony Thompson Drums Michael Des Barres Vocals
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John Taylor commented in retrospect: “me and Andy were on such a power trip, we thought we were kings of the fucking world. Everything we touched turned to gold. We thought we were going to be the next Led Zeppelin!”
