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Duran Duran Games gig bemuses fans

Duran Duran are to head the line-up of a major Olympic Games opening concert - but their inclusion has prompted bemusement from some music fans.

The 80s chart-toppers will represent musical talent from England, alongside other acts representing Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, for the July 27 show to coincide with the opening ceremony.

But the announcement prompted many people to express bewilderment that Duran Duran were the best representatives of modern music.

The band - formed 34 years ago and led by 53-year-old Simon Le Bon - have scored just two top 10 hits in the past two decades.

Novelist and broadcaster Tony Parsons was among many Twitter users who posted messages highlighting that the group's golden days were in the early 1980s. He wrote: "Duran Duran to headline Olympic gig. Who is running the 1500 metres - Sebastian Coe and Steve Ovett?"

The line-up also includes Snow Patrol, representing Northern Ireland, Stereophonics for Wales and Paolo Nutini for Scotland.

People attending the concert will be able to watch the London 2012 opening ceremony broadcast live on giant screens. Tickets to the BT London Live opening ceremony celebration concert go on general sale on Friday.

Blur were previously announced as headliners for the closing show a fortnight later, along with The Specials and New Order.

Other fans were supportive of Duran Duran's inclusion and reaction to their addition to the bill meant the group were one of the most popular search terms on Twitter today (Tuesday).

But in the wake of reports that Olympic ceremony organisers had tried to recruit The Who to perform, including their drummer Keith Moon, who died in 1978, another Twitter user wrote: "I'm guessing Duran Duran must have got the call last minute when the London 2012 organisers found out Keith Moon wasn't available."

Source: music.uk.msn.com
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