Duran Duran Reveal the Secret to Their Longevity: Equal Income Sharing Has Kept the Band Together
Duran Duran say the reason they have survived nearly 50 years in the music industry is simple: they split everything equally. In a new interview with ITV News, Simon Le Bon explained that the band’s long-running core lineup of Le Bon, John Taylor, Roger Taylor and Nick Rhodes has stayed intact because there is no financial resentment between them. He said the group shares all income and publishing equally, whether or not a member writes on a particular song. According to Le Bon, that approach keeps everyone happy, encourages only the strongest material to make it onto albums, and helps the band work as a team rather than as individuals competing for credit or money.
The comments come as Duran Duran prepare to headline BST Hyde Park in London on Sunday, July 5, 2026. The band previously headlined the festival in 2022 and had originally been booked for the 2020 edition before it was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The group remains one of the most successful British pop acts of all time, with more than 100 million records sold, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, and awards including Grammys and BRITs.
Le Bon also addressed the band’s position on Glastonbury, saying Duran Duran would only consider playing if they were given a headline slot. He said the band was once offered an afternoon performance in a disco tent, which he felt was not an appropriate setting for a group of their status. He argued that Duran Duran should not be placed below other acts on the bill and said they would wait for the right opportunity because they see themselves as a headline act. He made similar remarks in 2023, when he said the band would love to play the festival but wanted a proper main-stage slot.
Duran Duran’s most recent UK live performances included dates in October 2025, after headlining the closing night of Latitude 2024 and performing at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022. The band is also due to embark on a UK arena tour later in 2026, adding to a busy live schedule that follows decades of continued touring and recording.
