“Planet Earth” Bass Tutorial with John Taylor 

I spent ten years as a music journalist. Unlike every other writer in the business, I always submitted my article to the artist for final approval before I turned it in. In ten years, John Taylor was the only artist who didn't request a single change. "Don't change a word!" he said. Easily the nicest person I ever interviewed.

John Taylor is criminally underrated as a bass player. He's also one of the best backing vocals also.

John Taylor, ladies and gentlemen. One of the best bass players ever.

What a dream come true. 35 years of listening to these bass lines and I never thought I’d be watching John teaching me the licks to all these songs. Sometimes I hate RU-vid but other times I love it. One thing for sure, I’ll ALWAYS love Duran Duran!!!

The passion in JT's face and voice says it all. After all these years. Living legend.....

I got bullied in the 80s for being a Duran fan. Started dying my hair,spiking my hair, wearing an earring,etc. Duran was a "girly band" to a lot of idiots. I always thought John was a beautiful, talented man.But it wasnt cool to say other men were attractive back then. Whatever. Duran Duran is still one of my favorites, John is still hot, and he is an underrated musician. Funny too, i had so many girlfriends in high school, because i looked different, and listened to cool music.Thank you Duran Duran, and thanks John for this great video. Lockdown memory lane!

I have to say, Duran Duran has some of the best bass lines. unlike many songs where the bass line just reflects the root note of the song's chord progression, actually having a bass melody of sorts makes the songs so much more interesting. so thank you for bringing your music to the world!

I'd give literally anything to wake up in 1981 tomorrow and hear this song for the first time on the radio again..

This made me smile so hard my face hurts. The band so nice, they named it twice. Been a fan since I was...11? I’m 46 now.🥰

I think they were almost ignored as musicians when they came out, why? Because your little sister liked them, which for those of us listening to 'cool stuff', meant they were instantly rubbish. Once that prejudice was out of the way years later, it was a joy to find them again and realise how good they were both as writers and musicians - then I saw them live ... and as performers. Total professionals, as talented as anyone.

Nice. A bond with Roger, that's why the band are so good, bass and drums are the backbone of any band.:-)

This man is an absolute legend ... hes wrote some of the iconic bass lines in music history and is up there with the best ...

JT was the epitome of 80s cool but has transcended effortlessly into 2020 and is looking as timeless as ever.

Seems like such a down to earth, cool guy. What an awesome thing to do for the fans and the bass community in general!

Is John Taylor the coolest dude ever or what.

John is one of my favorite bass players. This particular bass line will NEVER get old.

I think it was John's funky base playing that helped get me hooked on DD. John didn't get the recognition he deserves

As a teenage metal head in the 80's it was not at all cool to like bands in the DD arena of pop music. Having said that, as a musician it is impossible to hear a DD song and not get sucked in by the bass lines this dude lays down! Much respect Mr. Taylor!

I was so "in love " with John Taylor when I was 13. I now look back as a 47 year old woman and thank him for wonderful fun times. I respect him now as a musician and still love Duran Duran and Power Station. I am happy they are getting the respect they deserve.

Loved heavy metal in the 80's but always loved Duran Duran too.

John Taylor..... I love love love you so much!!!!!!

JT is a world-class musician with a beautiful soul. I loved his book and I'm so happy that he learned from his life experiences and transformed into the person he is today.

Fantastic Idea. Let her rip. 80s forever !!

For things like this, the Internet is worth it! A legend of the history of Pop, sharing and teaching his talent, with that desire and that naturalness! Thanks, John! You are a great guy 😉👏

Omg, John Taylor is so frigging beautiful.

John- I’m loving this series. It would be wonderful if all the members could do what you’re doing- take a song and talk candidly about how they created their parts to it. Such a treat!

Glad to see you’ve recovered and healthy again.

This is one of the few upsides of the pandemic: confined to their homes, musicians and celebrities find new, more personal, ways to connect with fans. So nice to see JT doing well and sharing his craft with us.

One of the most underrated and insanely talented bassists in the industry.

I first heard Duran Duran when Hungry Like The Wolf hit MTV, like many Americans. I immediately checked out their other songs and was floored by Rio’s bass line. So many new wave bands at the time we’re all synth and drum machine driven. These guys actually played their instruments and played them well. Watching John now doing this is awesome...thank you. I love the stories and how the songs came to be. Please do more of this and if you could do Rio that would be great.

A supernatural rhythm section, consistently intelligent lyrics, smart keyboard lines, the punk rock edge, and a sense of style. The odds of such a confluence of talent are staggering. They're special and they found a way to have an enduring career. Flipping remarkable.

It's one thing I've always loved about Duran Duran. John's bass is always out front in the music. All of his bass lines are simply epic.

Woww.....The Legend himself!! 🤘

This makes me appreciate John as a bassist even more. He's so underrated.

John, you were the one who inspired me to play bass. I can't begin to thank you enough for that. You're truly one of the best bass players of all time.

My mother was an absolute fan of Duran Durant and especially John Taylor...I grew up with that band and when I see the videos again, I understand why he was her favorite. Since then, I'm as much a fan of the band as she was !

*Legend !* 👊🎧👊

OMFG!!!!! JOHN TAYLOR!!!!! You are the reason why I wanted to play bass. For a chick to play bass guitar is hard to find, but I'm a Tomboy from Hell.... I have loved you guys since day one..... 🔊😍🕪 I was just listening to some Wild Boys just last night. Thank you all for your beats, musically, visually, heartbeats. Much love to you all

It’s fun to see John today as he was my first crush way back in 81! Still a beautiful man.

JT made me hear and love the beat and sound of the bass. My son played the tuba in high school band and switched to bass after graduation. This made the 80's teen in me so proud!

What a wonderful guy, authentically talented, brilliant guy. I see why he and the rest of the guys on Duran Duran have touched the hearts of millions of people through all these years.

Wow it's hard to believe that Planet Earth is 40 years old. Thank you so much for doing that. It's nice to see how a song was built. And it's also nice to see who your musical heroes are. You John Taylor sir are truly one of the greatest musicians of our time. And as for Duran Duran you guys are truly one of the greatest bands of all time!!!

Oh Lord... be still my ❤️...as a teen, my room covered wall to wall with Duran Duran posters and John ! This is the crush that has stood the rest of time!!! Love to see this!

I've always admired JT's ability to create distinctive basslines that merge his punk indie roots with funk. It's good to hear him confirm it.

One of my favorite bassists. He had it all back in the day: tone, feel, note choice, and the look!

John Is an amazing musician just like the entire group! They deserve so much more recognition, they are all truly phenomenal!

John is such an underrated bassist. Such great riffs on Planet Earth.

The bass line to Rio is something else. Look forward to that one..

*Here's to being together until we're together again!*

I've been a professional bass player for 25 years and I still often warm up with 'Rio". Great bass line by a great player

The bass guitar is my absolutely favorite instrument and I LOVE videos like this. I truly hope that there will be more of them, including the other members providing their own stories. Thank you John for sharing this. Please oh please --- cover Rio in this fashion.

I love ‘Is There Anyone Out There’ for bass part. Quite simply brilliant.

My preteen/ teenage existence wouldn’t have been complete without this man. Duran Duran for life !👊🏼

I am a big fan of John Taylor from the very 1st time I heard him play. great sense of timing, rhythm and where to put the groove.

I have been a bassist since 1985 because of you sir.....well, you, Steve Harris, Jaco, Geddy Lee and Pino Palladino. Thank you for all you have done and all you ever will do. Peace.

Just wonderful. I was 13 when Duran Duran came out. I just loved all about the band and the bass riffs that John played were amazing. It's just wonderful to hear from the man himself all about his technique and the stories behind each of Duran Duran masterful songs. Thank you John, thank you, thank you, thank you. You made this 54 year old kid happy for over 40 years!!! Keep it coming.

WOW! Thank you! This was such an honor to watch! You are truly amazing! I was born in '76. Without Duran Duran, I don't know where I would be! You guys made my teenage years absolutely amazing & I've never stopped listening! My 17 year old son is now a huge DD fan also! Thanks for sharing! This made my day & more! Love you! Stay safe! 💙💙💙

Love seeing John Taylor, (my favorite,) besides Simon showing us how to play the Bass...my favorite instrument ever! I just love that Bass sound. My Dad sang in a band from when I was 12-18 and rehearsals were held at our house, and my boyfriend at the time I was 15. His dad was the Bass player, and he had started to teach me a little..cos I already knew guitar and I was loving it! Duran Duran came into the scene like 7 years later..I'm actually 63 just like you are, John now in 2022. Wow!! You guys are still as great as Ever! 🙌❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

How fun to see this ,My boyband I was 13 in 1983 and you guys were at the height of your fame and naturally the videos wete the best and still are the gold standard your collaboration with Russell Mulcahy absolutely fabulous you were the genre you made MTV ... So you look terrific barley aged a day keep up whatever your doing it sure is working for you... Must be odd to have your original fans saying they are now grandmothers....I love my 9 year old granddaughter and show her your videos and she can't believe all that production value just amazing so your still entertaining us.....Cheers.....

One of my main influences when starting out playing bass. His grooves were a whole new world to me and nailing planet earth was a major milestone in my journey! Thanks for the video and the music over the years!

Loved John's bass in all their songs, and still do. So lovely to watch this. More please! 🎸🥰💕💕💕

So grateful for these break downs of Duran Duran songs through bass. John's bass playing was a huge influence on me when I started taking bass seriously. So tight, funky and interesting.

And just like that, all other RU-vid channels became obsolete.

Omg..I love you John.. I was/am a huge Duran 2 die hard.. our walls were covered in your posters. I appreciate how you played bass.

Planet Earth is one of my all time favorite songs, and getting to hear the inner workings is fascinating. I was blessed to be in the front row at the NASA show last summer and I've gotta say it was one of the top days of my life. 💜👽

OMG, John! This is a dream come true for me. You were literally the first person who got me interested in guitar of any kind, simply by listening to your incredible playing as a teen in the early 80s. My first purchased guitar was a bass, in no small part due to your inspiration. DD received attention for a lot of things, but for me it was always about the music, particularly the musicianship and pure talent of the band members, something shamefully overlooked and underrated, IMHO. To this day, you are still in my tier 1 of all-time favorite bass players alongside Cliff Burton, Steve Harris, and Justin Chancellor. While I have great respect for the entire band, your sound and playing was the absolute essential backbone that made DD what it was. Thank you so much for sharing these insights!

This is a true joy to witness and find out how everything came together so organically. Thanks Mr. Taylor for your class and dedication to the craft. Looking forward to the next one!...This was a lot of fun to watch!

Very interesting tutorial on how Duran Duran created one of their most iconic songs. John looks also a very nice person, and literally in love with music.

One of the most under-rated bassists along with Simon from the Cure, Les from Echo and the Bunnymen, and Andy from the Smiths...

I grew up in a house full of Motown music but I remember hearing Duran Duran for the first time thinking I'm having a life-changing moment right now I immediately wanted to play the guitar save my money went down to the local pawn shop and bought what I thought was a guitar but it was actually a bass guitar that was 35 years ago! Every positive thing in my life over the past 35 years that has happened can be directly contributed to music and hearing that first Duran Duran!

John was cool back in the "Planet Earth" days and cooler still today -- loved how he explained everything in such a way for everyone from bass players to those like me who are not musicians, but still want to be part of the beat, nevertheless. John's smile as he was groovyin' to the bass was heartmelting!

Your a bad ass JT. Enjoyed Duran Duran’s visit to Clearwater, Florida a few year ago. Please come back!

This man is the sole reason why I picked up the bass 🎸🎶 I'm sad I missed the Instagram stream that had to have been fantastic 😀

Taylor and Taylor one of the best rhythm sections in music, perfectly locked in....

DuranDuran is a very underrated band. It’s not only about generally known ‘glam-elettro-pop’ but really high quality musicians, technics and lyrics too!

Seven and the Ragged Tiger was one of my favorite albums back in the day. John Taylor was one of the coolest members of the band in my opinion. Dude had swag and could pick that bass like no other.

John Taylor is a CRIMINALLY underrated bass player. People are starting to come around, but his recognition level is still underwhelming.

John Taylor you are the best funky rhythm bassist in my book.

I hope you're planning to do more of these--and I hope that you'll do them the exact same way! Perfect combo of song history, tutorial, and the creative process.

Ones..of the greatest bassman.....from the loveit 80s....forever..blees from chile

An inspiration to many. Incredible to think that this guy got a hard time from the music press for not being a "proper" musician. 40 years on and with a stunning catalogue of work not even the bitterest critic can deny John Taylor is simply a music legend.

A legend..\\\ Duran were the 80s kings, by far...

Yes this is how you do music and that killer smile 😂 at the end just perfect Love ♥️ it.

I've had that bass rift in my system since 1981. Thank you for explaining how it came about, your inspirations as well as sharing it as a master class. John Taylor - my favourite music teacher.

First time I heard Duran Duran and my new friend was my best influence to listen to her new Duran Duran record. I was in complete shock how I loved the music and lyrics. I was happy to find Duran Duran 1st record Planet Earth at the neighborhood mall. I was hooked. Music is life.

The bass is an endless instrument, every day you can learn something new. Keep learning everyone and stay well. This is the best time to play music.

Love that funky John Taylor EXCELLENT bass playing!! That sort of thing...

I could sit and just listen to John playing, with his programmed keyboards all evening. Loved his stuff in the 80s. Still do now.

So looking forward to this video series. McCartney is one of my favorites but never do they ask him about his spectacular bass lines like something or hey bulldog. It’s always how did you write yesterday, So I’m happy you will talk about your amazing bass lines across your many many great songs,

Oh please, please, PLEASE do Rio! That is the song that hooked me, in part because of that amazing bassline that made it so danceable. JT is a God, in every sense of the word. A class act, a consummate professional, immensely talented, and still devastatingly handsome after 40 years! I know some people that were lucky enough to have met him and they have all said he is kind, affable, and genuinely interested in his fans. He likes the connection. I will meet him one day. He may be in a nursing home, but I bet I will still try to nail him because sexy like that is FOREVER!

Great idea for a series. Love how prominent the basslines are in those early tracks.

According to RU-vid stats I watch about 14 hours a day for at least 5 years now. John Taylor has the best music, bass, and other useful information based on his experience videos that I have ever seen !!! Thank you John for sharing with us !!!!

As a bass player, I appreciate seeing other players exploring their craft...

"Everyman dies, but not every man truly lives". - DUraN duRAn are truly musical masters, and boy, did they lived good.

Taylor, you and your bandmates are are true gift to the world! I'm so privileged to be alive in the centuries coloured so beautifully by Duran Duran.

This is great John!!!!!! Duran Duran have groove, electrical joy and dance rock in chemical harmony!!!! Cheers from Argentina. I keep this songs beating at night on a disco bar (pub) and people o like!!!!!

This is a wonderful concept! Thank you very much, John! ❤🎶😊

To me, John Taylor and his bass lines are what makes Duran Duran POP!

Legend of modern music. Simple, straight to the point. Interesting video. * Love & life to all Duran and the fans *

John is the type of man you would talk to for hours on a topic that doesn't even interest you, he´s so nice!