Andy Taylor the original guitarist for the English rock band Duran Duran, died after a battle with prostate cancer. He was 56 years old.
Andy Taylor, the original guitarist for Duran Duran, has been diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer, the band said at their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Taylor had to miss the ceremony because he was still getting treatment.
The famous British new wave band told the crowd at the Hall of Fame ceremony at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles that Taylor had been diagnosed four years before. They did this by reading a letter from Taylor to the crowd.
Taylor was supposed to get back together with his former bandmates, singer Simon Le Bon, keyboardist Nick Rhodes, bassist John Taylor, and drummer Roger Taylor, but they said he had gotten hurt and couldn’t make the trip from his home in Ibiza to Los Angeles.
The five-piece band from Birmingham was supposed to play together at the ceremony for the first time in 17 years. The last time they got back together was in 2004 for a world tour and the album Astronaut.
The group was the first act to be inducted at Saturday’s ceremony. When they took the stage, they played Girls On Film, which was their first big hit. The set went on with songs like “Hungry Like the Wolf” and “Ordinary World” before the letter about Taylor’s absence was read.
Taylor wrote, “Just over four years ago, I was told I had stage 4 prostate cancer that had spread to other parts of my body. We, like many other families, have felt the slow burn of this disease, so I speak from the point of view of a family man, but with great respect for the band, the best fans a group could have, and this great honor.
“My doctors and medical care are like “Rodgers and Edwards.” Until very recently, I was able to just rock on. Even though my condition does not pose an immediate threat to my life, there is no cure.”
Rodgers and Edwards is a reference to Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards, who started the pop group Chic and worked with Duran Duran for many years.
“Recently, I was doing well after some very advanced treatments to extend my life. But about a week ago, I had a setback, and despite the great work of my team, I had to be honest that I would be pushing my limits, both physically and mentally,” Taylor said.
“However, none of this needs to or should take away from what this band has done and kept up for 44 years, with or without me.”
Taylor also said that he was “truly sorry and massively disappointed” that he couldn’t attend the ceremony. He said that he had even bought a new guitar for the event. However, he was “very proud of these four brothers” and “overjoyed” that they were getting this award.
“I doubted that day would ever come. I’m sure as hell glad I’m still here to see it,” he said.
Lionel Richie, Pat Benatar, Eminem, Carly Simon, Eurythmics, Harry Belafonte, Judas Priest, and Dolly Parton were also inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Duran Duran started in Birmingham in 1978. They were one of the most popular bands of the 1980s, with hits like “Rio,” “Wild Boys,” and “A View to a Kill,” which was the theme song for the James Bond movies. There is no link between the three Taylors.
The group is back in the spotlight after releasing their 15th studio album, Future Past, last year and going on a tour to celebrate their 40th anniversary. This year, they headlined the British Summer Time festival in Hyde Park, London.
They also sang at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace and were the stars of the opening ceremony for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
This week, the documentary film A Hollywood High came out. It is about their recent rooftop concert at The Aster hotel in Los Angeles. The story of the band’s special relationship with the US city is told through interviews and old footage that are part of the project.
Related Stories Recommended By Writer:
