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Former Duran Duran Guitarist Reveals Stage 4 Cancer Diagnosis and Had to Miss Their Hall of Fame Induction

Photo Credit: Fin Costello / Redferns / Getty Images
Photo Credit: Fin Costello / Redferns / Getty Images

The audience at the 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony received shocking news as British band Duran Duran revealed that their on-again, off-again guitarist, Andy Taylor, has been diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer. Their induction into the Hall marked a remarkable achievement for the band, although Taylor was unable to be there in person for the celebration.

Taylor was in and out of the band

Five young men's heads close together in a group shot from the 1980s.
Group Portrait of British band Duran Duran in London, England in 1981. Left to right are (back) keyboard player Nick Rhodes, singer Simon Le Bon, (front) bassist John Taylor, drummer Roger Taylor and guitarist Andy Taylor. (Photo Credit: Michael Putland / Getty Images)

The British new wave group Duran Duran, was formed in Birmingham in 1978. Guitarist Andy Taylor joined in 1980 as part of their most famous lineup. The following decade saw the band topping the US singles chart with hits like “The Reflex” and “The Seventh Stranger.” However, Taylor didn’t stay with the band for long.

In 1986, Taylor left Duran Duran in order to pursue a solo career, but eventually rejoined the band in 2001. They performed a number of successful concerts together and even released another album, Astronaut, in 2004. Ultimately, Taylor left the band again in 2006.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2022 ceremony

Four members of Duran Duran speaking up at a podium on a stage
Inductees Nick Rhodes, John Taylor, Roger Taylor and Simon Le Bon of Duran Duran speak onstage during the 37th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Microsoft Theater on November 05, 2022, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo Credit: Theo Wargo / Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)

The 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony took place on Saturday, November 5th at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Actor Robert Downey Jr. introduced Duran Duran, who opened the ceremony by playing some smash hits like “Girls on Film,” “Hungry Like the Wolf,” and “Ordinary World.”

However, the five-piece band was missing Taylor and instead had Dom Brown on guitar. Later that evening, when the band accepted their induction into the Hall of Fame, it was revealed why Taylor wasn’t present that night.

Taylor is suffering from stage 4 cancer

Andy Taylor is a suit jacket and sunglasses playing the guitar
Andy Taylor of Duran Duran performs during Alice@97.3 “Now in Zen” festival at Sharon Meadow on September 21, 2003, in San Francisco, California. (Photo Credit: Tim Mosenfelder / Getty Images)

Simon Le Bon, the lead singer of Duran Duran, read portions of an open letter penned by Taylor, revealing the shocking health complications he was suffering from. He read, “Just over four years ago, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer.” Taylor is only 61 years old.

Le Bon read how massively disappointed Taylor was for missing the band’s induction into the Hall of Fame after they’d been eligible for years. However, there was a good reason he was unable to attend the ceremony.

He had a physical and mental setback

Headshot of Andy Taylor, wearing sunglasses
Andy Taylor during Duran Duran in Concert at Webster Hall in New York City on August 27, 2003. (Photo Credit: James Devaney / WireImage)

Taylor explained that he’s been cared for by top-of-the-line doctors and given excellent medical treatments, and so far their efforts have been enough to allow him to “just rock on” with his illness. Unfortunately, his health began to deteriorate right before the ceremony was held.

His heartfelt note outlined how he had “suffered a setback” about a week before the ceremony that prevented him from being able to attend. “I had to be honest in that both physically and mentally, I would be pushing my boundaries,” he said. “Although my current condition is not immediately life-threatening, there is no cure,” Taylor continued.

He’s proud of the band’s achievement

Group portrait of Duran Duran
Group Portrait of British band Duran Duran in 1981. Left to right (back) bassist John Taylor, singer Simon Le Bon, (front) drummer Roger Taylor, keyboard player Nick Rhodes and guitarist Andy Taylor. (Photo Credit: Michael Putland / Getty Images)

Despite his illness and his absence from the induction ceremony, Taylor is extremely proud of his bandmates’ achievement and doesn’t want his health situation to take away from their success. As he said, “none of this needs to or should detract from what this band (with or without me) has achieved and sustained for 44 years.”

“There’s nothing that comes close to such recognition. You can dream about what happened to us but to experience it, on one’s own terms, as mates, was beyond incredible,” Taylor wrote.

“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,” Le Bon read. “I’m amazed at their durability, and I’m overjoyed at accepting this award. I’m sure as hell glad I’m around to see the day.”

The full note Taylor wrote, called “A Note From Andy,” has been posted to the band’s website.

Le Bon reflects on his bandmate’s illness

The band, Duran Duran, standing in line
Simon Le Bon, James Taylor, Andy Taylor, Roger Taylor, and Nick Rhodes of Duran Duran (Photo Credit: Derek Storm / FilmMagic)

Following the shocking announcement, Le Bon headed backstage to answer questions from reporters. He got quite emotional, saying, “It is devastating to us to find out that a colleague – not a colleague, that’s the whole thing. A mate, a friend, one of our family – is not going to be around for very long. It is absolutely devastating.”

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Le Bon didn’t want to dwell on the topic for too long, as it is upsetting. He finished by saying, “We love Andy dearly and I’m not going stand here and cry. I think that would be inappropriate. But that’s how I feel like,” He wrapped up the questions by saying, “So, now we’ve got that (question) out of the way, can we not go back to that?”

Samantha Franco

Samantha Franco is a Freelance Content Writer who received her Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Guelph, and her Master of Arts degree in history from the University of Western Ontario. Her research focused on Victorian, medical, and epidemiological history with a focus on childhood diseases. Stepping away from her academic career, Samantha previously worked as a Heritage Researcher and now writes content for multiple sites covering an array of historical topics.

In her spare time, Samantha enjoys reading, knitting, and hanging out with her dog, Chowder!

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