Former Duran Duran guitarist Andy Taylor was compelled to overlook the 2022 Rock & Roll Corridor Of Fame ceremony attributable to ongoing remedy for stage 4 metastatic prostate most cancers.
Duran Duran had been amongst these inducted into the Rock & Roll Corridor Of Fame on November 5 and former guitarist Taylor was attributable to reunite onstage with the band for the primary time in 17 years.
Taylor joined the band in 1980 and left in 1986. He then rejoined in 2001 and performed guitar on 2004’s Astronaut earlier than leaving once more in 2006.
Requested about Duran Duran’s efficiency on the ceremony earlier this yr, vocalist Simon Le Bon stated “I’ve already had a particular sure from Andy. He’s undoubtedly up for it,” earlier than saying how “we didn’t have so-called ‘acrimonious splits.’ It was gentlemanly and it was understood.”
Nevertheless, after performing a medley of Duran Duran classics together with “Hungry Like The Wolf” and “Women On Movie” on the ceremony, Le Bon defined how “4 years in the past, Andy was identified with stage 4 prostate most cancers,” earlier than studying a letter from Taylor.
Let’s go! @rockhall pic.twitter.com/k8BMzbThOo
— Duran Duran (@duranduran) November 6, 2022
“Though my present situation is just not instantly life threatening there isn’t any treatment,” stated the letter. “Not too long ago I used to be doing okay after some very refined life extending remedy, that was till every week or so in the past once I suffered a setback.”
Taylor went on to say that regardless of the distinctive efforts of his staff of docs, flying from his dwelling in Ibiza to the ceremony in Los Angeles “can be pushing my boundaries.”
“Nevertheless, none of this must or ought to detract from what this band (with or with out me) has achieved and sustained for 44 years,” Taylor continued. “We’ve had a privileged life, we had been a bit naughty however very nice, a bit shirty however very properly dressed, a bit stuffed with ourselves, as a result of we had rather a lot to offer, however as I’ve stated many instances, once you really feel that collective, instinctive, kindred spirit of creativity blended with ambition, armed with an über cool bunch of followers, properly what might presumably go flawed?”
A notice from Andy Taylor. 💜https://t.co/5p1D5KcjGB pic.twitter.com/yn4Q2DrSw7
— Duran Duran (@duranduran) November 6, 2022
The letter continued: “I’m actually sorry and massively upset I couldn’t make it. Let there be little question I used to be stoked about the entire thing, even purchased a brand new guitar with the important whammy! I’m so very pleased with these 4 brothers; I’m amazed at their sturdiness, and I’m overjoyed at accepting this award. I typically doubted the day would come. I’m positive as hell glad I’m round to see the day.”
Duran Duran had been inducted into the Rock & Roll Corridor Of Fame alongside Carly Simon, Eminem, Dolly Parton, Lionel Richie, Eurythmics, Judas Priest and Pat Benatar.
