Duran Duran’s camp says it was a typo. But one out-of-work L.A. machinist says it was a royal pain in the neck. It seems the British rock band posted Cornell Zachary’s phone number on their Web site by mistake. Duran Duran just wanted to sell some T-shirts and CDs. Zachary just wanted to get some sleep.
But that was next to impossible with round-the-clock calls from Duran Duran fans from all over the world who called his house.
Zachary made a call, too, to his lawyer. He filed a lawsuit against the band saying he suffered life-threatening high blood pressure episodes, sleep disturbances and other permanent health problems.
And oh yeah, that didn’t help his broken ankle at the time, either.
Band member Nick Rhodes spoke through his publicist saying the matter was being taken care of by their lawyers and could not comment while the case is pending. Band members Simon LeBon and Warren Cuccurullo are also named in the year-old suit.
Duran Duran However, their publicist tried to shed some light on exactly what happened.
“The number was listed on their Web site and on their tour program,” the spokesman said. “But instead of a 212 number, it was a 213 number. It was off by just one number. It was just a typo.”
Despite the waking calls, Zachary told Reuters that he refused to change his telephone number, saying: “I don’t think I have to change my number. I didn’t make the mistake. I had had the number already over a year.”
The number was removed on the band’s Web site within a few weeks, but calls have continued to pour in.
The real clincher is that Zachary admits to being a fan of the band.
During one of his many sleepless nights, maybe he can “Save a Prayer” for Duran Duran.
