Longevity-wise, it's probably D.Mode and Duran. D.Mode wins that war hands down, musically
But I remember when it was Duran Vs Spandau and how everyone was making a big fuss when they worked together on Band Aid! Wow! Simon Le Bonehead and the Kemp brothers in the same room, not to mention Tony Hadley!
Personally speaking, I don't think that there was a Beatles and Stones-type 'rivalry' in the '80s. There were bands that could have been contenders but many fell be the wayside by the time the decade came to a close. The Clash could've kicked anyone's ass...up intil Cut The Crap came out. That album had as much balls as the third Culture Club album, which was horrific to say the least. (Yes, war is stupd, but that song, 'The War Song' or whatever it was called, was so bad, it was probably responsible for starting a few wars in the wake of it's release).
SPAZ
Born of innocence. Free of ignorance.