The Power Station Deluxe Reissue Celebrates 40 Years of Rock

I was never particularly drawn to Duran Duran, but everything changed when The Power Station appeared on the scene. What began as curiosity quickly turned into full-blown admiration. To this day, The Power Station remains one of my favorite albums of all time, and I am genuinely excited to experience the expanded 40th anniversary edition in its deluxe form. Featuring the commanding vocals of Robert Palmer and the driving rhythm of Chic drummer Tony Thompson, this short-lived supergroup delivered a raw, guitar-heavy sound that still feels powerful decades later.

The Power Station was formed during Duran Duran’s hiatus, a period that also saw Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes and Roger Taylor create Arcadia. This parallel project brought together Palmer, Thompson, and Duran members John Taylor and Andy Taylor. Produced by Bernard Edwards with informal assistance from Nile Rodgers, the album produced enduring hits such as Some Like It Hot and Get It On, tracks that helped shape the sound of mid-80s rock.

Originally formed in 1984, The Power Station began as an experimental project with a cover of T. Rex’s Get It On. Once Palmer joined, the rotating vocalist concept was abandoned and the band quickly evolved into a fully realized recording and touring act. The debut album was recorded in New York and named after the studio where the sessions took place.

Released in March 1985, the album achieved strong chart success in both the UK and the US. Singles like Some Like It Hot and Get It On became defining tracks of the 1980s rock era. Despite their rapid rise, Palmer left the group shortly after the album’s release, and the band completed a short tour with Michael Des Barres before disbanding later that year.

To mark the 40th anniversary of both the band and their self-titled debut album, The Power Station is being celebrated with deluxe 4CD and 2LP reissue editions. The 4CD set arrives in premium clamshell packaging and includes a 12-page booklet featuring a new interview with John Taylor and Andy Taylor by respected music journalist John Earls. Disc one presents the newly remastered album. Disc two explores single remixes, rare raw instrumentals from original studio sessions, and recordings from their legendary Live Aid performance. Discs three and four feature an unreleased live concert from The Spectrum in Philadelphia on August 21, 1985, newly remixed by Richard Whittaker.

The 2LP edition is pressed on recycled black vinyl and housed in a gatefold sleeve. It combines the fresh remaster with classic single remixes and key Live Aid performances, making it especially appealing for vinyl collectors and longtime fans.

John Taylor describes the project as a rare and electrifying collaboration, praising Tony Thompson’s genre-defying drumming, Andy Taylor’s fiery guitar work, and Robert Palmer’s commanding presence as both vocalist and stylist. He notes that the new reissue enhances the original sound while refreshing the iconic artwork and expanding the overall listening experience.

This 40th anniversary edition is more than a simple reissue. It is a personal and historical celebration of an album that remains one of my all-time favorites. For fans of classic rock, premium reissues, and unforgettable ’80s music, the expanded Power Station set is a must-have addition to any serious collection.