The Power Station (band)
| Company type | Supergroup |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1984 |
| Headquarters | New York City and London , United States and United Kingdom |
Key people | Robert Palmer, Tony Thompson, John Taylor, Andy Taylor, Bernard Edwards |
| Products | Rock and pop music albums and singles |
| Parent | Capitol Records, Chrysalis Records |
The Power Station was a rock and pop supergroup with British-American roots, established in both New York City and London in 1984. The group featured vocalist Robert Palmer, former Chic drummer Tony Thompson, alongside Duran Duran members John Taylor on bass and Andy Taylor on guitar. Producer and brief manager Bernard Edwards of Chic also played a role, substituting for John Taylor on bass during the band’s second album. Created during a break in Duran Duran’s activities, the ensemble took its name from the Power Station recording studio in New York, where their first album was produced.
Origins
On 23 July 1983, Duran Duran organized a charity show at Villa Park in Birmingham to support the UK organization Mencap. Fans of Robert Palmer, they invited him to join their performance.
After releasing their third album, Seven and the Ragged Tiger, Duran Duran entered a planned hiatus, dividing into two distinct ventures: Arcadia, which included Simon Le Bon and Nick Rhodes focusing on a melodic approach; and The Power Station, where John and Andy Taylor teamed up with Palmer, Thompson, and Edwards to explore rock and funk styles. Roger Taylor occasionally contributed percussion.
What began as a single session to back model-singer Bebe Buell on a cover of T. Rex’s "Get It On" soon transformed as John and Andy Taylor aimed to depart from Duran Duran’s synthesizer-heavy sound toward a Led Zeppelin-inspired rock vibe. The participation of Chic members introduced a unique horn-driven funk flavor that enhanced the guitars and drums.
The project evolved into a rotating supergroup originally called Big Brother, planned as a one-off album featuring various guest vocalists such as Mick Jagger, Billy Idol, Mars Williams, Richard Butler, and Mick Ronson. After inviting Palmer to record vocals on "Communication," he also laid down tracks for "Get It On," which led to the decision to complete the entire record with him as the primary singer. The band secured a deal with Capitol Records.
History
On 16 February 1985, The Power Station appeared on Saturday Night Live performing "Some Like It Hot" and "Get It On," marking their sole live show featuring Robert Palmer in the original lineup. The horn section included saxophonist Lenny Pickett, who would later become the show’s musical director.
In March 1985, they released their self-titled debut album produced by Bernard Edwards, with informal support from Nile Rodgers. The record reached number 12 on the UK charts and climbed to number 6 in the US.
Often referred to as Power Station 33 ⅓ due to its vinyl format, the album showcased cover artwork by John Taylor. Three singles emerged: "Some Like It Hot" (#14 UK, #6 US), "Get It On" (#22 UK, #9 US), and "Communication" (#34 US, #75 UK). Additionally, the band released The Power Station Video EP, compiling their music videos.
Their unexpected commercial success prompted a US summer tour alongside Paul Young, Nik Kershaw, the Bongos, and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark. However, Robert Palmer left to focus on his solo career's momentum; Tony Thompson, Andy Taylor, and Bernard Edwards contributed to Palmer’s acclaimed 1985 solo album Riptide. Palmer defended his departure amid criticism by asserting he was instrumental in shaping the band’s sound.
Following Palmer’s exit, singer/actor Michael Des Barres joined for touring purposes and performed at the Live Aid event in Philadelphia. Des Barres leveraged his industry connections for guest spots on Miami Vice and contributed "We Fight for Love" to the film Commando. Although an EP featuring this track alongside live recordings from the tour was planned, it was ultimately canceled by their label.
The group dissolved by late 1985 as members pursued separate endeavors: John Taylor rejoined Duran Duran; Andy Taylor embarked on a solo path; Tony Thompson engaged in preparations for a Led Zeppelin reunion prior to its cancellation due to a car accident; Palmer continued his solo achievements; and Des Barres released his second solo album in 1986.
Reunions and reissues
In 1996, The Power Station came together again featuring the original lineup of Robert Palmer, Andy Taylor, John Taylor, and Tony Thompson. During the production of a new album, bassist John Taylor departed due to personal circumstances. Bernard Edwards, the bassist from Chic and also the album’s producer, stepped in to perform all bass tracks on Living in Fear (1996).
Edwards intended to join the upcoming tour but tragically passed away from pneumonia while in Japan. Subsequently, the group proceeded as a trio supplemented by session players, touring with bassists Guy Pratt and Manny Yanes alongside guitarist Luke Morley. This lineup experienced moderate success before eventually disbanding.
EMI issued The Best of The Power Station in 2002, a compilation primarily consisting of songs from their debut album along with "Taxman" from Living in Fear and an unreleased live rendition of "Dancing in the Street" recorded in 1985.
Both Robert Palmer and Tony Thompson died towards the end of 2003.
To commemorate the band’s 20th anniversary, EMI re-released The Power Station on 21 February 2005. This edition included the original album, seven additional tracks mostly composed of remixes, and a 40-minute DVD. Among the bonus material was "Someday, Somehow, Someone's Gotta Pay," originally featured on the Commando OST and performed by Michael Des Barres.
Band members
- Andy Taylor – guitar (1984–1985, 1995–1997)
- Tony Thompson – drums (1984–1985, 1995–1997; died 2003)
- John Taylor – bass (1984–1985, 1995)
- Robert Palmer – lead vocals (1984–1985, 1995–1997; died 2003)
- Michael Des Barres – lead vocals (1985)
- Bernard Edwards – bass (1995–1996; deceased)
Touring musicians
- Guy Pratt – bass (1996)
- Manny Yanes – bass (1996–1997)
- Luke Morley – guitars (1996–1997)
Studio albums
| Title | Details | Highest chart rankings | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | US | AUS | ||
| The Power Station | 12 | 6 | 15 | |
| Living in Fear |
|
— | — | — |
| "—" indicates titles that did not chart or were not issued in that market. | ||||
Compilations
- Best of (2003)
Singles
| Title | Year | Peak chart rankings | Album | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | US | US Main. | US Dance | AUT | BEL | CAN | GER | NED | SWI | AUS | |||
| "Some Like It Hot" | 1985 | 14 | 6 | 34 | 17 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 16 | 9 | 13 | 4 | The Power Station |
| "Get It On" | 22 | 9 | 19 | — | — | — | 15 | 37 | — | — | 8 | ||
| "Communication" | 75 | 34 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 95 | ||
| "She Can Rock It" | 1996 | 63 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Living in Fear | ||
|- | colspan=14 style="font-size:90%" | "—" denotes recordings that did not enter charts or were unavailable in that region. |-
References
- Articles with short description
- English pop rock bands
- English four-member musical groups
- American pop rock bands
- American four-piece musical groups
- Artists signed to Capitol Records
- Artists signed to Chrysalis Records
- American dance-rock bands
- Duran Duran
- Musical groups formed in 1984
- Musical groups disbanded in 1985
- Musical groups reunited in 1995
- Musical groups disbanded again in 1997
- Musical acts originating from New York City
- Rock bands based in London
- Robert Palmer (singer)
- Rock bands from New York State
- British rock supergroups
- American rock supergroups
- British dance-rock bands
- Musical groups disestablished in 1985