Former Duran Duran guitarist Andy Taylor could not join his band mates to attend the band’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony because he is fighting Stage 4 cancer.
After performing a medley of their hits at the ceremony held in Los Angeles on Saturday, current members Simon LeBon, John Taylor, Nick Rhodes and Roger Taylor revealed the reason for Andy’s absence.
They read an excerpt of Taylor’s heartfelt letter/ acceptance speech:
“Just over four years ago I was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer. Many families have experienced the slow burn of this disease and of course we are no different; so I speak from the perspective of a family-man but with profound humility to the band, the greatest fans a group could have and this exceptional accolade.
“I have the Rodgers and Edwards of doctors and medical treatment that until very recently allowed me to just rock on. Although my current condition is not immediately life threatening there is no cure. Recently I was doing okay after some very sophisticated life extending treatment, that was until a week or so ago when I suffered a setback, and despite the exceptional efforts of my team, I had to be honest in that both physically and mentally, I would be pushing my boundaries.”
Summing up Duran Duran’s 44 years-long career, Taylor said, “We’ve had a privileged life, we were a bit naughty but really nice, a bit shirty but very well dressed, a bit full of ourselves, because we had a lot to give, but as I’ve said many times, when you feel that collective, instinctive, kindred spirit of creativity mixed with ambition, armed with an über cool bunch of fans, well what could possibly go wrong?” Taylor said he is “truly sorry and massively disappointed” he couldn’t make it, but is “so very proud of these four brothers.”
“I’m amazed at their durability, and I’m overjoyed at accepting this award,” he added.
(Photo: John Swannell)
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