Andy Taylor was anticipated to hitch his former bandmates tonight (Saturday, Nov. 5) at Duran Duran’s induction into the Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame in Los Angeles. Nevertheless, after performing a medley of their hits, present members Simon LeBon, John Taylor, Nick Rhodes and Roger Taylor took to the rostrum and defined his absence.
“4 years in the past, Andy was identified with stage 4 prostate most cancers,” LeBon mentioned, breaking the information. He learn a portion of a letter from Taylor, who had hoped to hitch the band on stage for the primary time in 17 years however his well being didn’t permit him to journey from Ibiza.
Taylor left the band in 1986. He rejoined in 2001 and performed guitar on 2004’s Astronaut earlier than leaving once more in 2006.
Under is his letter in full.
Pricey Simon, John, Roger, Nick, my fellow inductees and countrymen
I wished to ship a private word to go alongside my sincerest respect to you all for what’s been an incredible profession, and to additionally share what has occurred to me.
Firstly, can I say what an absolute honour it was to be nominated not to mention be inducted into the RRHOF. There’s nothing that comes near such recognition. I’m pleased with the whole lot we’ve achieved collectively and of the way in which you may have continued. As a guitar participant in a progressive band from the synth days of the early eighties, actually from the day I met Nick, John, Simon and Roger they really valued the contribution of a somewhat noisy, versatile Northern brat. All of us grew up on the identical vinyl data and dwell gigs, from David Bowie to Roxy Music, The Intercourse Pistols and in fact CHIC. I may go to all these locations as a participant and developed a hybrid guitar fashion that fitted this superb idea OF A BAND…
I cherished going into the studio and recording our materials; no person else seemed like us. We have been ripe to soak up what was the artwork of analogue recording, however with some completely different equipment, Nick’s suave obsession with synth know-how was one thing I’d by no means seen earlier than and I used to be launched to layers. As a result of we have been instinctively the appropriate match, we advanced in a short time, writing RIO as our second album with the boldness our very early success with ‘Women On Movie’ and ‘Planet Earth’ impressed.
You’ll be able to dream about what occurred to us however to expertise it, on one’s personal phrases, as mates, was past unbelievable.
I want to thank every of my brothers on this nice band.
My household: my extremely sane spouse of 40 years – Tracey – my superb youngsters, Andy, Georgie, Bethy and Izzy, not forgetting my grandson Albie, who’s in all probability on-line listening or on Fortnite!!!
The unique believers: Paul and Michael Berrow, Dave Ambrose, Terry Slater, Rob Hallett.
The Producers: Colin Thurston, Alex Sadkin, Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers – I’ve additionally actually dug the work with Mark Ronson – I significantly admire ‘All You Want Is Now’, that’s a DD melody if ever I heard one.
Thanks additionally to Merck, Andrew and Wendy.
Now for the dangerous blood, nicely the excellent news is that there’s none, simply pure love and respect for the whole lot we wrote, recorded and achieved collectively. What’s the purpose? There’s no stopping this 44-year factor known as “Duran Duran”.
Now to the explanation I’m not right here:
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 in fact we are not any completely different; so I converse from the angle of a family-man however with profound humility to the band, the best followers a gaggle may have and this distinctive accolade.
I’ve the Rodgers and Edwards of medical doctors and medical remedy that till very not too long ago allowed me to simply rock on. Though my present situation isn’t instantly life threatening there isn’t any treatment. Lately I used to be doing okay after some very subtle life extending remedy, that was till per week or so in the past once I suffered a setback, and regardless of the distinctive efforts of my crew, I needed to be trustworthy in that each bodily and mentally, I might be pushing my boundaries.
Nevertheless, none of this must or ought to detract from what this band (with or with out me) has achieved and sustained for 44 years. We’ve had a privileged life, we have been a bit naughty however very nice, a bit shirty however very nicely dressed, a bit filled with ourselves, as a result of we had lots to offer, however as I’ve mentioned many occasions, whenever you really feel that collective, instinctive, kindred spirit of creativity combined with ambition, armed with an über cool bunch of followers, nicely what may probably go incorrect?
I’m really sorry and massively disenchanted I couldn’t make it. Let there be little question I used to be stoked about the entire thing, even purchased a brand new guitar with the important whammy!
I’m so very pleased with these 4 brothers; I’m amazed at their sturdiness, and I’m overjoyed at accepting this award. I typically doubted the day would come. I’m positive as hell glad I’m round to see the day.
All My Love
AT
