AceShowbiz -

British band Duran Duran manages to become the first major musical act to create its own virtual universe inside Second Life, an online 3D digital world, which is imagined, created and owned by the residents. Their going virtual was first announced Monday August 7th on the band's Website.

There are more than 370,000 people have Second Life characters, called Avatars, who exist in the world. Once you create your avatar (your online persona) on the privately owned, partly subscription-based site, you can own land, start a business, go to a dance club and, of course, meet others just like you.

Start from now on, with Duran Duran joining in, your avatar can check out a Duran Duran concert as the band about to perform actual live concerts with frontman Simon Le Bon, bassist John Taylor, drummer Roger Taylor, guitarist Andy Taylor and keyboardist Nick Rhodes will each have his own online character, each of whom will live in a rock star's virtual paradise and periodically take time out to perform and placate the media that live in Second Life.

While the online shows and shout-outs will coincide with Duran Duran's real-life touring schedule and public appearances, the band will next headline the Bang Music Festival Nov. 11 in Miami.