Two reissues of their debut album will be available in January 2026
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of both The Power Station and their eponymous debut album, 4 CD and 2 LP sets are to be released on January 23rd via Rhino Records.
The 4 CD set comes in clamshell packaging with a 12-page booklet containing a brand-new interview with John Taylor and Andy Taylor with esteemed music writer John Earls. Disc one contains the remastered album, disc two single remixes, raw instrumentals taken from the original studio sessions and recordings from their Live Aid performance. Discs three and four are an unreleased live set from The Spectrum in Philadelphia on August 21, 1985, that has been remixed by Richard Whittaker.
The 2 LP is on recycled black vinyl in a gatefold sleeve and contains the new remastered version of the original album alongside single remixes and the band’s performance from Live Aid.
“It’s been so exciting to dive back into the Power Station project after all these years. We were an unusual crew, but we made a fantastic noise. Tony Thompson, the disco “clock” behind so many massive hits, turned out to be one of the greatest rock drummers of all time. Andy Taylor, my Duran Duran bandmate, was absolutely on fire. Robert Palmer (why isn’t this man in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame?) was a brilliant songwriter, sonic stylist, and vocal powerhouse. And yours truly – just trying to keep up,” John says. “It was a truly unique experience, and I’m proud of the work we created. I’m also super happy with this re-issue edition, which has been beautifully remastered with bonus tracks added, and a perfect refresh of the iconic artwork.”
The Power Station was a phenomenon of the mid-1980s. They were initially formed in 1984 as a one-off project by Andy Taylor and John Taylor of Duran Duran to record a cover of T. Rex’s “Get It On” with model and singer Bebe Buell. Enjoying the process of exploring a more rock sound, while chiming with the funkier drumming of Chic’s Tony Thompson, they came up with the concept of the group having a revolving singer.
Robert Palmer was invited to perform on “Communication,” after which he asked if he could add his vocals to “Get It On.” Palmer’s involvement soon put paid to that initial idea of revolving singers. They would go on to write and record their self-titled debut album, naming themselves after the studio in which they were working in New York. It was produced by Bernard Edwards of Chic with informal assistance from Nile Rodgers.
Considering the band’s foundations and its initial intentions, their success came as quickly as it did, unexpectedly. The album was released in March 1985, charting at No. 12 in the UK and #6 in the US. Its first two singles, “Some Like It Hot” and “Get It On,” reached No. 14 and No. 22 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 6 and No. 9 on the US Billboard Hot 100, respectively.
Palmer would only perform with the band live once on Saturday Night Live on February 16, 1985, and would leave the band shortly after the album came out. They toured with Michael Des Barres, who also performed with them for Live Aid (the recordings of which appear in both sets). Later that year, the band would disband with Palmer releasing his seminal album Riptide, John Taylor returning to Duran Duran and Andy Taylor pursuing a solo career. Tony Thompson remained an in-demand drummer playing with Jody Watley, Madonna, Rod Stewart, Led Zeppelin and David Bowie, among others. Edwards would go on to be a renowned producer, having also produced Riptide; he would also work with Diana Ross, Adam Ant, Rod Stewart, Jody Watley, Grayson Hugh, Air Supply, ABC and Duran Duran.
CD 1: Original Album Remastered
- Some Like It Hot
- Murderess
- Lonely Tonight
- Communication
- Get It On (Bang A Gong)
- Go To Zero
- Harvest For The World
- Still In Your Heart
CD 2:
- Some Like It Hot (Raw Instrumental)
- Communication (Raw Instrumental)
- Murderess (Raw Instrumental)
- Harvest For The World (Raw Instrumental)
- Go To Zero (Raw Instrumental)
- Lonely Tonight (Raw Instrumental)
- Get It On Bang A Gong (Raw Instrumental)
- Communication (Night Version)
- Get It On Bang A Gong (7” Single Edit)
- Some Like It Hot And The Heat Is On (Megamix)
- Communication (Night Version Edit)
- Some Like It Hot (7” Single + Video Version)
- Murderess (Alive At Live Aid)
- Get It On Bang A Gong (Alive At Live Aid)
- Somewhere Somehow Someone (We Fight For Love)
CD 3:
- Murderess (Live)
- Dancing In The Streets (Live)
- Some Like It Hot (Live)
- Lonely Tonight (Live)
- Go To Zero (Live)
- Too Good To Be Bad (Live)
- Harvest For The World (Live)
- Thinking With Your Body (Live)
CD 4:
- Still In Your Heart (Live)
- Some Guys Have All The Luck (Live)
- Communication / The Reflex (Live)
- White Light White Heat (Live)
- Obsession (Live)
- Hungry Like The Wolf (Live)
- Get It On (Bang A Gong) (Live)
