John’s individual celebrity and popularity grew as Duran Duran became famous in the early 1980s. He won many popularity polls and appeared in People magazine’s annual list of "Sexiest People." He had fancy homes in London and Paris, and owned several luxury cars including the Bond-style Aston Martin he always dreamed of having.

When John was in his teens he was a James Bond movie fan. This love of anything Bond extended not only to his vehicles, but also to the women he dated. For a while he dated Janine Andrews, the Bond Girl in the 1983 James Bond film Octopussy. He also dated fashion models like Danish supermodel Renee Simonsen, who was known as the "Face of the ‘80s."

For several years John enjoyed the high life, quite literally since in addition to all the riches he enjoyed, he also developed an addiction to cocaine.

Then Duran Duran split in 1985 and John teamed up the band’s guitarist Andy Taylor (no relation), singer Robert Palmer, and former Chic drummer Tony Thompson, to form the band The Power Station.

The same year John recorded his first solo single, "I Do What I Do" that appeared on the soundtrack to the movie 1986 romantic drama, 9 ½ Weeks, starring Kim Basinger.

In 1991 John married nineteen-year-old actress Amanda De Cadenet who was already pregnant with their daughter Atlanta. In 1997 they divorced.

In 1994 John sought treatment for his cocaine addiction and has since remained sober. Two years later he co-founded the independent record label B5 Records with producer Hein Hoven. In 1997 he recorded his first solo album, Feelings Are Good (And Other Lies) and marketed it through the Internet and by mail order.

Shortly after that he made an unsuccessful attempt to reunite with The Power Station. His 2001 reunion with the original members of Duran and Duran was much more successful.

In 1999 John remarried to Gela Nash, co-owner of the popular contemporary line of casual fashions, Juicy Couture.

YUDDY