Duran Duran bassist John Taylor recovers from coronavirus, says he 'can't wait to be back on stage again'
John Taylor, the bassist for English new wave band Duran Duran, who had tested positive for the coronavirus three weeks ago, has recovered, the group revealed in a statement on Sunday, April 5.
After the band's formation in 1978, with hits such as 'Hungry Like the Wolf', 'The Wild Boys' and 'Planet Earth', Duran Duran became one of the most successful acts of the '80s as well one as the leading bands in the Second British Invasion. The Second British Invasion was when UK music acts became popular in the US in the '80s, primarily due to the cable music channel MTV.
Duran Duran have achieved 21 singles in the US Billboard Hot 100 and 14 in the top 10 of the UK Singles Chart and sold over 100 million records globally. They have also been awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
"DEAR FRIENDS OF MINE after giving some thought to this, I have decided to share with you that I tested positive with the Corona Virus almost three weeks ago" Taylor wrote on the band's Instagram page. "Perhaps I am a particularly robust 59 year old - I like to think I am - or was blessed with getting only a mild case of Covid 19 - but after a week or so of what I would describe as a 'Turbo-charged Flu', I came out of it feeling okay- although I must admit I didn't mind the quarantine as it gave me the chance to really recover," he said.
Taylor added a positive note for all those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. "I am speaking out in answer to the enormous amount of fear being generated by the pandemic, some of it entirely justified, and my heart goes out to everyone who has had to deal with real loss and pain. But I want to let you know that it isn't always a killer, and we can and will beat this thing", he said.
Taylor seemed to be in good spirits and at the tail end of his note, he stated he is "Sending LOVE to all my Homies and Fans, in Italy 🇮🇹 particularly, the UK 🇬🇧 and the US 🇺🇸 and everywhere in the world I have been lucky enough to visit on my travels with DURAN DURAN (sic)".
He concluded, "Cannot wait to be back onstage again, sharing new music, love and joy. Stay safe, stay connected and get creative! Love John (sic)".