I'm going wild with the boys!

May 9 2008 By Alison Dayani

BIRMINGHAM rockers Duran Duran are to team up with the hottest remixer of the moment, Mark Ronson, after the Brit Award winner revealed he was one of the band's biggest fans.

Ronson has already received acclaim for remixing British tracks with new artists including Valerie with Amy Winehouse and Oh My God with Lily Allen.

Now he's already planning re-worked versions of some of Duran Duran's classic hits along with tracks from their new album, Red Carpet Massacre.

The one off, invite-only Duran Duran vs Mark Ronson gig takes place in Paris on July 2.

"Duran Duran are one of my favourite bands, period," says Ronson.

"The level to which they combined melody, groove, sonic and style has yet to be outdone.

"Plus, they were the only band I ever idolized to the extent of having posters, tour videos, Smash Hits sticker-books and all sorts of embarrassing things.

"When I was nine, I even used to take a picture of John Taylor with me to the barber shop, in the hope that they would be able to duplicate his signature coif onto my tiny head."

This is the latest collaboration for Simon LeBon, Nick Rhodes, John Taylor and Roger Taylor, who recently teamed up with stars Timbaland, Justin Timberlake and Nate Danja Hills.

Duran Duran drummer Roger Taylor says: "Mark Ronson was born only three years before Duran Duran were formed, but our song Wild Boys was one of the first records he spun as a young DJ.

"It's with great excitement and anticipation we become part of the Mark Ronson story."

Lead singer LeBon added: "We thought: 'Who could we work with next?'

"The only name that has held any real credibility and allure on our part has been the name Mark Ronson.

"Mark is without doubt a naturally gifted artist and producer."