4/6 Peach Buzz: Duran Duran thrills Atlanta audiences large and small

"The main difference between our fans now and our fans 30 years ago is they drink a lot more now," mused Duran Duran frontman Simon LeBon, during Star 94's private A-List Lounge event, held Monday afternoon at the downtown W hotel. This was hours before the band's sold-out show at Center Stage.  (The enraptured, smaller crowd of about 150 had won the impossible-to-buy tickets by calling into Star 94 shows or by entering to win via the radio station's e-mail newsletter). The daytime mini-set featured the title track of the group's new album, "All You Need is Now," and a series of questions from the audience. The guys have gracefully transitioned from 1980s heartthrobs to genial, self-effacing entertainers of a certain age. Bassist John Taylor held forth for several minutes about parenting. "We don't see as much of our girls as we'd like to," he said, noting that his 19-year-old didn't mind at all when he had to miss a birthday party. "Really, Dad, it's fine," she told him. Added LeBon, "It's hard bringing up girls or boys. There are times when you've got to hold on very tightly and times when you've got to let go." (Pardon us if that sounds like the lyrics to a future Duran Duran song). Even during their short acoustic set, the guys sounded terrific and haven't lost their edge. When a young fan asked what the guys would have wanted to be if they hadn't been musicians, LeBon quipped, "Brad Pitt. Even though I'm a musician, I'd still like to be Brad Pitt!" For a more complete account of the event and a video clip, see blogs.ajc.com/radio-tv-talk.

SCAD-tastic news

Fashion designer Rachel Roy, whose work has been lauded on the pages of Vogue, Elle, Harper's Bazaar, W and Vanity Fair, has been named honorary chair of SCAD Atlanta's Seen Gala, planned for 8 p.m. May 24. The event will feature a silent auction of original artwork and a showcase of fashions created by SCAD students, for whom Roy has been serving as a style lab mentor. "While I'm here at SCAD, my hope is that the students learn that it is possible to work on your dream and work on your passion, and make a living at it," she told us. The event, co-chaired by Glen and Danielle Rollins and Scott and Deborah Kelly, benefits the SCAD's scholarship fund and will be held at the school's 1600 Peachtree St. location. Tickets are $150 general admission, $275 VIP, which include admission to the pre-show reception with Roy. For more information call 404-253-2710 or see www.scad.edu.