Spandau Ballet vs Duran Duran

The Duran Duran vs. Spandau Ballet rivalry was one of the most prominent band feuds of the 1980s pop era, fueled by genuine personal tensions, media hype, and fierce competition for dominance in the British music scene.

Origins of the Rivalry:

Duran Duran emerged from Birmingham’s club scene in the late 1970s, while Spandau Ballet came out of the London Blitz club scene, the heart of the New Romantic movement. Although they didn’t know each other before fame, the press and fans inevitably compared them. Both bands were stylish, image-conscious, and associated with the New Romantic aesthetic, even if their sounds diverged — Duran Duran leaning toward danceable synth-pop with a rock edge, Spandau Ballet toward funk-infused post-punk and later soulful pop. This made direct comparison inevitable.

Personal Tensions:

The feud was particularly bitter between Simon Le Bon (Duran Duran’s frontman) and Tony Hadley (Spandau Ballet’s vocalist). The two were often portrayed as rivals in the press, trading the occasional barbed remark. Le Bon was seen as the more flamboyant, fashion-forward star, while Hadley styled himself as a more traditional, powerful singer.

Commercial Competition:

Both bands were massively successful, which heightened the stakes:

Duran Duran achieved greater international success, especially in America, with hits like “Hungry Like the Wolf” and “Rio.”

Spandau Ballet dominated the UK charts with iconic singles like “True” and “Gold.”


Media Fuel:

The British music press thrived on the rivalry, frequently pitting them against each other in interviews and coverage. This media amplification turned what might have been minor digs into a publicized feud.

The Feud’s Peak:

The rivalry reached its height in the mid-1980s, when both bands were at their commercial peak. Stories circulated about their reluctance to share stages or events, and both sides were known for making dismissive remarks about the other’s music and authenticity.

Resolution:

As both bands’ commercial fortunes waned in the late 1980s, the rivalry lost its edge. In later years, surviving members have generally been more diplomatic when reflecting on the tensions, though traces of competitive friction lingered for some time.

This rivalry captured the competitive, image-driven energy of the New Romantic era and remains a defining narrative of 1980s British pop culture.

6.2bn all-time streams (3 Nov '25)

2.0bn all-time streams (31 Oct '25)