Andy Taylor, guitarist with British New Romantic band Duran Duran at the height of their fame, is battling stage four prostate cancer.
The band made the announcement Saturday as they were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
Taylor, who did not join his former bandmates John Taylor, Simon Le Bon, Roger Taylor and Nick Rhodes in the Class of 2022 celebrations due to ongoing treatment, wrote a letter to mark the occasion.
In the note, parts of which were read by frontman Le Bon, Taylor revealed he had been diagnosed four years ago and spoke of his joy at being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
“There is nothing that comes close to such recognition. You can dream about what happened to us, but to experience it, on your own terms, as comrades, was beyond incredible,” Taylor wrote in the message relayed by Le Bon.
Referring to his health issues, Taylor, 61, added: “Many families have experienced the slow burn of this disease and of course, we are no different. So I’m speaking from a family man’s perspective, but with deep humility for the band, the biggest fans a group could have and this great honor.”
Taylor joined Duran Duran in April 1980 and left in 1986 to pursue a solo career. He then returned in 2001 for a string of successful concerts and their 2004 album Astronaut before stepping down again in 2006.
Taylor said he was “very disappointed” to miss the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame show, which was to be his first appearance with the band in 16 years, and that he had “bought a new guitar” for the occasion.
“I am so very proud of these four brothers, I am amazed at their resilience and I am very happy to accept this award,” said Taylor. “I have often doubted that the day would come. I’m sure glad I’m around to see the day.”
In the letter, which was later shared in full on the band’s website, Taylor said his condition was incurable but that he was receiving “sophisticated life-extending treatment” that allowed him to “stretch out” until recently, when he suffered a “setback.” .”
“Although my current condition is not immediately life-threatening, there is no cure,” he said.
According to the American Cancer Society, approximately one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime.
Reacting to Taylor’s health update on Saturday, Le Bon said: “It’s devastating news to know and find out that a colleague… Not a colleague, a partner, a friend, one of our family is not going to be with us for a long. It is absolutely devastating. We love Andy so much and you know, I’m not going to stand here and cry. I don’t think it would be very appropriate, but that’s how I feel.”
Duran Duran formed in 1978 and topped the US singles charts in the 1980s with their hits “The Reflex” and “A View to a Kill”.
