HAPPY BIRTHDAY RIO!

Rio, the second studio album by Duran Duran, debuted on May 10, 1982, through EMI. Produced by Colin Thurston, the band recorded the album at AIR Studios in London between January and March 1982. Expanding their sound from the debut album, they experimented with instruments like vibraphone and marimba, alongside unique effects such as lit cigarettes and cracking ice. The saxophone solo on “Rio” was played by Andy Hamilton, adding a distinctive flair to the track.

Blending synth-pop, new wave, and pop rock with elements of disco and funk, Rio features energetic tracks balanced by slower, atmospheric ballads. Simon Le Bon’s lyrics explore themes of ambition, romance, and dreams, while the album’s vibrant title reflects its exotic and optimistic tone. The iconic cover art, designed by Patrick Nagel, is celebrated as a hallmark of 1980s style.

The band embraced the power of music videos to accompany Rio’s singles, which helped define the MTV generation and contributed to the album’s global success. With hits like “Hungry Like the Wolf” and “Save a Prayer,” Rio reached number two on the UK charts and stayed for 110 weeks. Although initially slow to gain traction in the US, a remixed version tailored to American radio eventually climbed to number six on the Billboard chart, spending 129 weeks there.

The album is often praised for its innovative instrumentation, infectious melodies, and timeless appeal, solidifying its place as one of Duran Duran’s most celebrated works and a cornerstone of the Second British Invasion. Rio continues to be recognized on best-of lists and has been reissued multiple times.