[Still Feeling the Heat] -- Forty years ago this week, The Power Station released their eponymous debut album. Well, technically, the release formats were also part of the release name: So, there was The Power Station 331⁄3 for the vinyl album and The Power Station CD for the compact disc. But we'll simply use The Power Station for the duration of this post.
This studio supergroup was one half Duran Duran (guitarist Andy Taylor and bassist John Taylor), one quarter Chic (drummer Tony Thompson), and one quarter ... well ... Robert Palmer (vocalist). Oh, and Bernard Edwards, who was also part of Chic with Tony Thompson, came on board as the recording producer. Initially, the project was a bit of a lark, something for the Taylors to do while Duran Duran went on a planned, extended hiatus. But it became something more once Robert Palmer joined the proceedings.
More bombastic than the standard, polished synth fare of Duran Duran, The Power Station was a commercial success, peaking at #12 on the UK Albums Chart and #6 on the US Billboard 200. This success was due in part to two monster hits, both of which soared into the top 40 globally: "Some Like It Hot" and a cover of T. Rex's "Get It On (Bang a Gong)." "Communication," a third single that was not nearly as successful, and "Go To Zero," a non-single track, are two of my personal faves from this record.
Unfortunately, we never got to see this quartet perform live (with the exception of an appearance as musical guests for the February 16, 1985, episode of Saturday Night Live). By the time someone got the idea of a Power Station tour, Robert Palmer was in the studio recording his eighth solo album, and therefore unavailable due to join the other three on the road. Instead, Michael Des Barres handled vocal duties for the 1985 Summer Tour. (Of course, I always remember Des Barres as MacGyver's enemy, Murdoc, rather than as a rock star, but he's got the chops.)
Flashback #1: "The Power Station (March 25, 1985)
And that's all till next week. Dedicated 80s-philes can find more flashbacks in the Prophet or Madman archives or via Bookended's 80s Flashback tag. As always, your comments are welcome on today's, or any other, flashback post. And if you like what I'm doing here, please share the link with your friends. If, however, you don't like the flashback, feel free to share it with your enemies.
See you in seven!
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