The Power Station (band)

The Power Station (band)
Eric Boman; Distributed by Capitol Records · Public domain · source
Name	The Power Station
Background	group_or_band
Origin	New York City, United States
Years active	1984–1986, 1996–1997, 2019–present
Label	Capitol, Parlophone
Associated acts	Duran Duran, Robert Palmer, Chic (band), Led Zeppelin, Queen (band)

The Power Station (band) was a 1980s supergroup formed in New York City composed of prominent musicians from Duran Duran, Chic (band), and guest vocalists. The project produced a commercially successful self-titled album and the global hit single "Some Like It Hot", combining elements of rock music, funk, dance music, and soul music. The group’s brief initial run and later reunions involved collaborations with notable figures from 1980s popular music, influencing crossover trends between rock and pop music.

History

Formed in 1984 during a hiatus by Duran Duran members, the band emerged when bassist John Taylor and drummer Andy Taylor sought to collaborate with guitarist Chester Kamen and invite Tony Thompson of Chic (band); they recorded at The Power Station studio in Manhattan with producer Bernard Edwards. Early sessions featured guest vocal contributions from Mick Jagger and later from Robert Palmer, whose involvement followed scheduling conflicts and artistic choices. The debut single "Some Like It Hot" reached high positions on charts in the United States, the United Kingdom, and across Europe, aided by exposure on MTV and airplay on BBC Radio 1. Tensions and separate commitments to Duran Duran and solo careers led to the group’s initial dissolution by 1986; members reconvened in the mid-1990s for a second album and again reunited for performances in the 21st century, connecting with festivals like Glastonbury Festival and tours alongside legacy acts such as The Rolling Stones.

Members

- John Taylor – bass guitar; known for work with Duran Duran, contributions to recordings with artists like Robert Palmer and Bryan Ferry. - Andy Taylor – guitar; formerly of Duran Duran, later collaborated with Robert Palmer and Morrissey. - Tony Thompson – drums; prominent member of Chic (band), also worked with David Bowie and Led Zeppelin members on the Page and Plant project. - Guest/lead vocalists: - Robert Palmer – principal vocalist on the debut album and later recordings; acclaimed solo artist noted for hits on Billboard Hot 100 and collaborations with UB40. - Mick Jagger – provided guest vocals on early sessions; frontman of The Rolling Stones, who influenced the group’s rock sensibilities. - Touring and session contributors included guitarists and backing vocalists who worked alongside artists from Eurythmics, Genesis, and Prince (musician) circles.

Musical style and influences

The band fused elements of funk rock, dance-rock, blue-eyed soul, and pop rock, drawing from the rhythmic innovations of Chic (band) and the pop craftsmanship of Duran Duran. Production bore the imprint of producer and bassist Bernard Edwards and the sonic character of The Power Station recording studios, combining tight disco-informed grooves with guitar-driven hooks reminiscent of Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones. Vocal delivery by Robert Palmer introduced aesthetics linked to soul (music), R&B, and rockabilly phrasing, while rhythmic approaches reflected influences from James Brown-linked funk traditions and session work associated with Nile Rodgers. The group’s sound paralleled contemporaries such as Simple Minds, Talking Heads, and INXS, situating the band within 1980s crossover movements evident on platforms like Top of the Pops and VH1 retrospectives.

Discography

- Albums: - The Power Station (1985) – featured singles "Some Like It Hot" and a cover of T. Rex's "Get It On (Bang a Gong)"; production credits include Bernard Edwards. - Living in Fear (1996) – reunion album featuring updated collaborations and session musicians from Nile Rodgers's orbit and other producers active in the 1990s. - Selected singles: - "Some Like It Hot" (1985) – chart success on Billboard Hot 100 and UK Singles Chart. - "Get It On (Bang a Gong)" (1985) – cover originally by T. Rex and written by Marc Bolan. - "Communication" (1996) – single from the reunion album reflecting 1990s production trends tied to Britpop era radio playlists. - Compilation appearances and reissues have appeared on labels such as Capitol Records and Parlophone (record label) alongside anthologies featuring 1980s new wave and post-disco collections.

Tours and live performances

Live appearances were selective: the band performed on televised events and festival stages, supported by musicians from Talk Talk and session players associated with Stevie Wonder's collaborators. Notable televised spots included performances on Saturday Night Live and promotional appearances on Top of the Pops, while festival bookings placed them on bills with Phil Collins and Peter Gabriel alumni. Reunion shows in the 1990s and later included appearances at retrospectives celebrating 1980s music and benefit concerts alongside artists from Fleetwood Mac and The Police circles.

Legacy and impact

The Power Station influenced subsequent supergroup formations and demonstrated the commercial viability of cross-genre collaborations among established artists, impacting acts like Santana's later revival projects and collaborative albums by David Bowie and Queen (band). The band’s hit singles remain fixtures on classic hits radio formats and in compilations that explore intersections between rock and dance from the 1980s. Musicians cite the ensemble as a case study in studio-driven side projects that leveraged star power while emphasizing ensemble groove, informing production strategies used by producers such as Trevor Horn and Steve Lillywhite. The group’s members continued to shape popular music through subsequent work with Duran Duran, solo projects, and session roles, contributing to the enduring narrative of 1980s cross-pollination between pop music and urban contemporary music.

Category:British rock music groups Category:Supergroups