birminghammail.net

By Adrian Caffery

IT'S been said that legendary Brummie band Duran Duran are well past their sell-by date.

But if that's the case, why are the world's hottest record producers still so eager to work with them?

On Wednesday, in Paris, DD shared a stage with Grammy and Brit Award-winner Mark Ronson, who reworked many of their hits for the occasion.

And their most recent album was co-produced and co-written by Madonna's new pals Timbaland, Justin Timberlake and Nate Danja Hills.

Despite the stellar cast, Red Carpet Massacre, which also featured the vocal talents of Timbaland and Timberlake, failed to trouble the charts.

But drummer Roger Taylor remains upbeat. "We don't have sleepless nights about chart positions like we did in the 80s,'' he says. ''It's not a big issue. It's a very different world today. We are pleased with Red Carpet Massacre and the album has been received very well. It has satisfied our audience, which is t he most important thing.

"When we heard Timberlake and Timbaland - one of biggest producers in the world right now - wanted to work with us it was an offer we couldn't refuse.

"The fans were worried that we would become part of the Timbaland hit factory. But we managed to retain the integrity of band.''