Duran Duran pay tribute to “creative superhero” and “enormous inspiration” David Lynch

Duran Duran have paid their respects to David Lynch describing him as a “creative superhero” and “enormous inspiration”.

• READ MORE: David Lynch – 1946-2025: a true visionary who reinvented cinema

The veteran director and Twin Peaks creator’s death was announced yesterday (January 16) by his family and came after he was reportedly “forced to relocate from his house” due to the Los Angeles wildfires. He was aged 78.

A host of artists and directors have offered their condolences following his death including Steven Spielberg, Edgar Wright, James Gunn, Hugh Jackman, Billy Corgan, Questlove and more – see more tributes here. Lykke Li also said that he “changed my life”.

Now, Duran Duran, one of Lynch’s favourite acts, have taken to social media to pay their respects with keyboardist Nick Rhodes writing: “David Lynch was a creative superhero for me, from the moment I first saw his film Eraserhead as a teenager. His imagination, innovation, style and humour will remain an enormous inspiration.

“Curious about the unknown and never afraid of a dark alley, he was an uncompromising, experimental artist, with a truly unique vision. Sadly, the weather today in California is stormy and there is no lucky number. Thank you, and goodnight David. May your dreams become evermore surreal.”

Back in 2011, Lynch directed the Duran Duran: Unstaged concert film.

He also directed several music videos for artists, notably Chris Isaak’s ‘Wicked Game’ which featured in his 1990 movie Wild At Heart starring Nicolas Cage. His other music video credits include Moby‘s ‘Shot In The Back Of The Head’, Nine Inch Nails‘ ‘Came Back Haunted’ and Donovan’s ‘I Am The Shaman’.

In film and TV, Lynch was best known for titles such as Twin Peaks, Mulholland Drive, Blue Velvet, Elephant Man and the less-than-favourable Dune.

Lynch’s musical interest stretched to on-record work with his film music collaborators such as Angelo Badalamenti and Julee Cruise and three solo albums of electro-blues and rock between 2001 and 2013, featuring the likes of Karen O and Lykke Li. Characteristically, he played guitar on his 2001 debut BlueBob upside down and backwards, lap guitar style. His most recent musical release was with long-time collaborator Chrystabell on last year’s ‘Cellophane Memories’.

Lynch revealed his emphysema diagnosis last year, which was caused by smoking for most of his life. In November, he said that he required supplemental oxygen to walk.

Despite this, he said he would “never retire”, and would direct remotely and work on other projects if it was necessary.