Rock ‘n’ Roll High School 73: Duran Duran to the Max

I’m thrilled to have the awesomesauce Elisa Lorello take the reins of Rock ‘n’ Roll High School today, not only because she’s a friend, but because I relish the chance to host any mega music fan on the blog. Elisa’s life has been filled with music, but like many of us, the high school years were especially rich with music memories. You can read the finest of the details in her memoir Friends of Mine: 30 Years in the Life of a Duran Duran Fan. Elisa and I share a rampant love of said band (duh!) and writing, and saw a timely convergence of the two when we took part in the Author Panel at the Durandemonium Convention last fall. The best part of that weekend in Chicago, hanging out with our fellow Duran fans, was that Elisa and I could pass off the fun as “work”.

Elisa Lorello

Walt Whitman High School, South Huntington, NY (Long Island), Class of ’88

Currently: Author of commercial women’s fiction, and teacher of writing

Band and/or song that reminds you the most of high school: For the band, I’d obviously have to go with Duran Duran, given that I worshipped them throughout high school, but the song would be Simple Minds’ “Don’t You Forget About Me,” since I equally worshipped The Breakfast Club during high school (who didn’t?).

Favorite piece of music memorabilia (poster, t-shirt, etc.) in high school: So hard to pick one, especially since I have a lot of Duran Duran memorabilia. I’ve always had a fondness for my Duran Duran pin collection. I still have the denim jacket (with the sleeves cut off) that I attached them to. I think I have close to 40 total (not nearly enough!). And I think my Seven & the Ragged Tiger tour jersey is now considered memorabilia.

Band that you hated that everyone else at school seemed to love: I couldn’t stand Rush.

Best show or concert you saw in high school: Have to go with Duran Duran in 1984, given that it was my first concert ever. I also saw Howard Jones, Hall & Oates, the Power Station, Robert Palmer, and the Alarm, to name a few. Musically speaking, Robert Palmer put on an excellent show. He was a class act.

I also have to give a special mention to my older brothers, who played at my Sweet Sixteen birthday party. No DJ for me! I’ve been around live music all my life so it was a given that they’d perform. They were fabulous, as always.

Best high school make-out song: No clue. (I think I may have blocked that one out of my memory, hahaha). “Careless Whisper,” maybe?

Elisa Lorello is a multi-published author of commercial women’s fiction, including the bestselling Faking It, and her memoir, Friends of Mine: 30 Years in the Life of a Duran Duran Fan. Her latest women’s fiction release is She Has Your Eyes. You can learn more about Elisa at elisalorello.com.