Afrigather 
Andy Taylor was anticipated to hitch his former bandmates 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 stated, 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.
Beneath is his letter in full.
Expensive Simon, John, Roger, Nick, my fellow inductees and countrymen
I wished to ship a private observe to go alongside my sincerest respect to you all for what’s been a tremendous 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 happy with all the things we’ve achieved collectively and of the best way you could 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 honestly valued the contribution of a moderately noisy, versatile Northern brat. All of us grew up on the identical vinyl data and reside gigs, from David Bowie to Roxy Music, The Intercourse Pistols and naturally CHIC. I may go to all these locations as a participant and developed a hybrid guitar type that fitted this wonderful idea OF A BAND…
I liked going into the studio and recording our materials; no one 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 clever obsession with synth expertise 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 correct match, we developed in a short time, writing RIO as our second album with the boldness our very early success with ‘Ladies 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 wonderful 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 notably 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 unhealthy blood, properly the excellent news is that there’s none, simply pure love and respect for all the things 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 rationale 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 gradual burn of this illness and naturally we aren’t any completely different; so I communicate from the angle of a family-man however with profound humility to the band, the best followers a bunch may have and this distinctive accolade.
I’ve the Rodgers and Edwards of docs and medical therapy that till very just lately allowed me to simply rock on. Though my present situation is just not instantly life threatening there isn’t any treatment. Lately I used to be doing okay after some very subtle life extending therapy, that was till every 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 properly dressed, a bit filled with ourselves, as a result of we had quite a bit to present, however as I’ve stated many occasions, whenever you really feel that collective, instinctive, kindred spirit of creativity combined with ambition, armed with an über cool bunch of followers, properly what may probably go fallacious?
I’m actually sorry and massively upset 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 happy 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 certain as hell glad I’m round to see the day.
All My Love
AT
