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Duran Duran guitarist Andy Taylor diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer, Internet tells him to 'stay strong'

The revelation of Taylor's diagnosis came via a letter the band read while they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on November 5, 2022

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Andy Taylor, the guitarist of Duran Duran, has been diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer. The revelation of Taylor's diagnosis came via the band while they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Saturday, November 5, 2022, which Taylor had to miss due to his ongoing treatment.

The band read out a letter sent by Taylor to the audience at the event and revealed he had been diagnosed with it four years ago. He had planned to reunite with his former teammates, including singer Simon Le Bon, keyboardist Nick Rhodes, bassist John Taylor and drummer Roger Taylor for the event, however, he faced a major setback that stopped him from traveling to the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles from his home in Ibiza, according to The Guardian. 

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The event witnessed the band's performance after 17 years after their world tour in 2004 for their album 'Astronaut'. They were the first to be inducted during Saturday's event and even performed the 1981 breakthrough hit Girls On Film. Lionel Richie, Pat Benatar, Eminem, Carly Simon, Eurythmics, Harry Belafonte, Judas Priest, and Dolly Parton were the other artists who got inducted during the event on Saturday. 

According to Duran Duran.com, Taylor wrote in his letter, "Dear Simon, John, Roger, Nick, my fellow inductees, and countrymen. I wanted to send a personal note to pass along my sincerest respect to you all for what’s been an amazing career and also to share what has happened to me."

He added, "Firstly, can I say what an absolute honor it was to be nominated, let alone be inducted into the RRHOF. There’s nothing that comes close to such recognition. I’m proud of everything we’ve achieved and the way you have continued. As a guitar player in a progressive band from the synth days of the early eighties, literally from the day, I met Nick, John, Simon and Roger they truly valued the contribution of a rather noisy, versatile Northern brat."

The artist wrote, "We all grew up on the same vinyl records and live gigs, from David Bowie to Roxy Music, The Sex Pistols, and of course CHIC. I could go to all those places as a player and develop a hybrid guitar style that fitted this amazing concept OF A BAND… I loved going into the studio and recording our material; nobody else sounded like us. We were ripe to absorb what was the art of analogue recording, but with some different kit, Nick’s artful obsession with synth technology was something I’d never seen before and I was introduced to lay-ers. Because we were instinctively the right fit, we evolved very quickly, writing RIO as our second album with the confidence our very early success with ‘Girls On Film’ and ‘Planet Earth’ in-spired."

Further, it said, "You can dream about what happened to us, but to experience it, on one’s own terms, as mates, was beyond incredible. I would like to thank each of my brothers in this great band. My family: my incredibly sane wife of 40 years – Tracey – my amazing children, Andy, Georgie, Bethy and Izzy, not forgetting my grandson Albie, who’s probably online listening or on Fort-nite!!! The original believers: Paul and Michael Berrow, Dave Ambrose, Terry Slater, Rob Hallett. The Producers: Colin Thurston, Alex Sadkin, Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers – I’ve also real-ly dug the work with Mark Ronson – I particularly admire ‘All You Need Is Now’; that’s a DD melody if ever I heard one.Thanks also to Merck, Andrew, and Wendy.."

He then claimed, "Now for the bad blood, well the good news is that there is none, just pure love and respect for everything we wrote, recorded, and achieved together. What’s the point? There’s no stopping this 44-year thing called Duran Duran. 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."

Further, it read, "I have the ‘Rodgers and Edwards’ of doctors and medical treatment that until very recently allowed me just to rock on. Although my condition is not immediately life-threatening, there is no cure.” The guitarist also wrote, “Recently, I was doing OK 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. However, none of this needs to or should detract from what this band (with or without me) has achieved and sustained for 44 years.”

The letter further read, "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? I’m truly sorry and massively disappointed I couldn’t make it. Let there be no doubt I was stoked about the whole thing, even bought a new guitar with the essential whammy!"

Duran Duran was formed in Birmingham in 1978 and was one of the biggest acts of the 1980s. The band gave some great evergreen hits, including Rio, Wild Boys, and Bond theme A View to a Kill, and performed at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace. They also marked their performance in the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony in Birmingham.

'Love and prayers to Andy'

The internet was quick to react to Taylor's announcement of the cancer diagnosis. A fan wrote, "Love and prayers to Andy, his family and to all of you who know him. Congratulations to you all on this achievement. Hoping you have a terrific evening."

A user said, "The performance of 5 people I've been looking forward to it. I look forward to it." Alan Hunter, Original MTV VJ, wrote, "Oh my. Sending out the white light to Andy — A Note from Andy Taylor - Duran Duran."

Another fan said, "Gutted to read that. Stay strong, Andy ." A tweet read, "Wow! Much love to you @AndyTaylorLives & your family. We are so sorry to hear this and you definitely need to be taking care of you first & foremost before anything else. Congratulations on your induction & you will be in our thoughts & prayers."

Another tweet stated, "Gutted to hear of Andy’s cancer battle. Loved the performance. And I still have the Virginia slims menthol cig that nick gave me more than 38 years ago!"

A user claimed, "A really beautiful and gracious letter. He's a good man." Another said, "Praying for @AndyTaylorLives and his family. I was saddened to hear about his health and wish he could of joined the rest of Duran Duran to receive their award. Andy has always been a great family man and a class act."

A tweet read, "Truly gutted to read this. Sending thoughts and prayers to you Andy Taylor You are one of a kind! Thanks for all the great music."

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