Partnered with Malmaison hotels, renowned Rock Photographer Denis O’Regan and Intense Books are kicking off a tour showcasing Special Editions of ‘Careless Memories’, limited edition coffee table books and photographic prints. A press and VIP preview event on 16 April and launch event on 23 April will be followed by a three-week exhibition in the lobby of Malmaison Birmingham.
“We’re really excited for the band’s many fans to start this exhibition and tour in Duran Duran’s birthplace, Birmingham,” said Debbie Waldouck, of Intense Books.
Visitors to these events will be able to meet Denis in person, browse examples of the books and purchase copies of all the current editions of Careless Memories – Elite, Exclusive and Collector, as well as the newly created initial release of Special Edition books and prints.
Denis has individually crafted each of these Special Editions, a few of which will even feature items from his personal collection of Sing Blue Silver tour memorabilia, including backstage passes, tour rooming lists, newsletters and itineraries.
“I’m the first to admit that I’ve always been a bit of a pack rat on the tours I photographed and it’s great to be able to share some of my own personal 1984 Duran Duran time capsule with fans of the band,” Denis commented.
Denis O’Regan exclusively captured Duran Duran’s Sing Blue Silver tour, joining the band in France, where they were filming the video for their single ‘New Moon On Monday’, and staying with them until the end of the run, covering their Japanese and North American dates, as well as a number of other European shows and promotional appearances. His unprecedented access to the band gives the ‘Careless Memories’ book a never-before-seen insight into the lives of Simon, Nick, John, Roger and Andy as they won hearts around the world. It documents the excitement of the shows, the hysteria and mayhem that surrounded them, and the tedium of life on the road, as they became prisoners of their own success.
Keyboard player, Nick Rhodes added:
“We had seen the stunning results Denis achieved with other artists and wanted him to do the same for us. It helped enormously that his personality fitted in so well too – we laughed a lot together. If you weren’t able to keep up with the constant humour we survived on, you really didn’t stand a chance. Denis rose to the occasion admirably!”
Following a significant investment programme that has seen upgrades to all areas of the business, Malmaison Birmingham recently unveiled its centrepiece Chez Mal Brasserie and Bar. The first floor space has been transformed with a brighter, fresher more dramatic look. As The Mailbox redevelopment nears completion, the new look Chez Mal is already drawing in the crowds and General Manager Damian Goom is looking forward to hosting the exhibition that is an ode to some of Birmingham’s favourite sons.
“Opportunities to host an exhibition of this distinction do not come around that often and my team and I are delighted to kick off this Duran Duran tour. There is a sound musical heritage in Birmingham and music is woven into the Mal philosophy of developing hotels that dare to be different; events like this are testament to that value. No doubt there are lots of Malmaison guests that were ‘Duranies’ in their formative years and we hope they will take the time to view the exhibition from the 23 April and maybe buy a piece of musical history,” Damian concluded.
To find out more about the ‘Careless Memories’ project, visit www.ddcarelessmemories.com.