Duran Duran's Andy Taylor reveals stage 4 cancer diagnosis
He was unable to attend the band's Rock Hall induction
Former Duran Duran guitarist Andy Taylor has revealed he’s been diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer.
Duran Duran were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at a ceremony at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Saturday night (5th November), and vocalist Simon Le Bon relayed a letter penned by Andy Taylor.
61-year-old Taylor was unable to join his former band mates Roger Taylor, Nick Rhodes, John Taylor and Simon Le Bon at the event due to his ongoing treatment.
“Just over 4-years ago I was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer,” Taylor wrote. “Many families have experienced the slow burn of this disease and of course we are no different; so I speak from the perspective of a family-man but with profound humility to the band, the greatest fans a group could have and this exceptional accolade.”
He continued: “I have the Rodgers and Edwards of doctors and medical treatment that until very recently allowed me to just rock on. Although my current condition is not immediately life threatening there is no cure. Recently I was doing okay after some very sophisticated life extending treatment, that was until a week or so ago when I suffered a setback, and despite the exceptional efforts of my team, I had to be honest in that both physically and mentally, I would be pushing my boundaries.
“However, none of this needs to or should detract from what this band (with or without me) has achieved and sustained for 44 years. We've had a privileged life, we were a bit naughty but really nice, a bit shirty but very well dressed, a bit full of ourselves, because we had a lot to give, but as I’ve said many times, when you feel that collective, instinctive, kindred spirit of creativity mixed with ambition, armed with an über cool bunch of fans, well what could possibly go wrong?”
“I'm truly sorry and massively disappointed I couldn’t make it. Let there be no doubt I was stoked about the whole thing, even bought a new guitar with the essential whammy!
“I'm so very proud of these four brothers; I'm amazed at their durability, and I'm overjoyed at accepting this award. I often doubted the day would come. I'm sure as hell glad I'm around to see the day.”
Andy Taylor was a member of Duran Duran during the band’s commercial peak from 1980 until 1986, and he reunited with the band for four years during the early noughties.
Duran Duran performed at three-song medley at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony, ‘Girls on Film’, ‘Hungry Like the Wolf’ and ‘Ordinary World.’
The Birmingham band were inducted alongside Dolly Parton, Eminem, Lionel Richie, Carly Simon, Eurythmics and Pat Benatar. Judas Priest were honoured as part of the Musical Excellence Award category.
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