Former Duran Duran guitarist Andy Taylor was unable to affix the group in the course of the Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame induction ceremony after struggling a setback in his battle with most cancers.
Robert Downey Jr. launched the group, after which Duran Duran carried out three traditional songs. Members of the group then stepped to the microphone to just accept their Corridor of Fame honors. Frontman Simon Le Bon was the primary to handle the group, and, after just a few thank yous, he learn a letter from Andy Taylor.
“What an absolute honor it’s to be nominated, let alongside be inducted into the Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame,” Taylor’s observe started. “Simply over 4 years in the past I used to be identified with stage 4 metastatic prostate most cancers. Many households have skilled the sluggish burn of this illness and naturally we aren’t any completely different. So I converse from the attitude of a household man however with profound humility to the band, the best followers a gaggle might have and this distinctive accolade.
“I’m massively upset I couldn’t make it,” Taylor continued. “Let there be little doubt, I used to be stoked about the entire thing. Even purchased a brand new guitar with the important whammy.” Taylor went on to precise how proud he was of his bandmates. “I’m positive as hell glad I’m round to see the day [Duran Duran got inducted].”
Additional components of Taylor’s letter, not learn on the ceremony, have been distributed by way of press launch: “I’ve the Rodgers and Edwards of docs and medical therapy that till very lately allowed me to simply rock on. Though my present situation is just not instantly life threatening, there isn’t any remedy,” he wrote.
“Not too long ago I used to be doing okay after some very refined life extending therapy, that was till every week or so in the past after I suffered a setback,” Taylor mentioned, “and regardless of the distinctive efforts of my group, I needed to be trustworthy in that each bodily and mentally, I might be pushing my boundaries.”
Backstage within the press room, Le Bon elaborated on his emotions about Taylor’s situation. “It’s devastating information to search out out {that a} colleague – not a colleague, a good friend, one among our household — is just not gonna be round for very lengthy,” he defined. “It’s completely devastating. We love Andy dearly. I’m not gonna stand right here and cry or something, that will be inappropriate, however that’s what I really feel like.”
Taylor was Duran Duran’s guitarist and backing vocalist from 1980–86 and 2001–06. When the group was introduced as a part of the 2022 Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame class, information shortly unfold that he’d be reuniting along with his former band for the efficiency.
“I’ve already had a particular sure from Andy. He’s positively up for it,” Le Bon advised Rolling Stone in Could, including the guitarist was “extraordinarily excited and really, very grateful and honored.”
Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame 2022 Induction Ceremony’s Greatest Pictures
Pictures from the 2022 Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame Induction Ceremony.
