“A member of our family will not be around for long”: Simon Le Bon’s agony as it is revealed that Duran Duran’s bandmate Andy Taylor is dying of cancer
Duran Duran’s Andy Taylor is suffering from cancer and won’t be around much longer, his bandmate Simon Le Bon has revealed.
The 61-year-old is being treated for stage four metastatic prostate cancer after being diagnosed with the disease four years ago.
The band broke the news upon their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
The guitarist was due to reunite with vocalist Le Bon, keyboardist Nick Rhodes, bassist John Taylor and drummer Roger Taylor, but he “suffered a setback” that prevented him from traveling from his home in Ibiza.
Duran Duran’s Andy Taylor is suffering from cancer and won’t be around much longer, his bandmate Simon Le Bon has revealed
The weekend ceremony was to mark the first time the five-piece band from Birmingham had played together in 17 years, having last regrouped for a world tour and album Astronaut in 2004.
The band read a letter from Taylor in which he revealed he had undergone “very demanding” life-prolonging treatment. “A little over four years ago I was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer,” the letter reads.
“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 towards the band, the biggest fans a group can have and this extraordinary award. I have the “Rodgers and Edwards” of doctors and medical treatment that, until recently, allowed me to just keep rocking.
Formed in 1978, the group performed three songs: Girls On Film, Hungry Like A Wolf, and Ordinary World
The band read a letter from Taylor in which he revealed he had undergone “very demanding” life-prolonging treatment. “A little over four years ago I was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer,” the letter reads
“Although my current condition is not immediately life-threatening, there is no cure.”
Rodgers and Edwards refers to Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards, the producers who have worked with Duran Duran throughout their careers.
Taylor added: “Recently doing well after undergoing very sophisticated life-prolonging treatment, that was until about a week ago when I had a setback, and despite the extraordinary efforts of my team, I had to be honest that it was both physical and going mental I exceed my limits.
He said he was “really sorry and very disappointed” that he would not be able to attend the ceremony, adding: “I often doubted that the day would come. Damn glad I’m here to see the day.’
Le Bon, 64, said: “It is absolutely devastating news to find out that a colleague, no not a colleague, a mate, a friend, one of our family, will not be around much longer. We love Andy very much and I’m not going to stand here and cry. I think that would be inappropriate, but that’s how I feel.
Formed in 1978, the group performed three songs: Girls On Film, Hungry Like A Wolf, and Ordinary World.