London
CNN
—
Andy Taylor, guitarist for British new romantic band Duran Duran at the height of their fame, is battling stage four prostate cancer.
The band made the announcement Saturday when they were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
Taylor, who was unable to join former teammates John Taylor, Simon Le Bon, Roger Taylor and Nick Rhodes at the Class of 2022 celebration due to ongoing treatment, wrote a letter to mark the occasion.
In a message, parts of which were read by frontman Le Bon, Taylor revealed he was diagnosed four years ago and spoke of his joy at being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
“Nothing can come close to that kind of recognition. You can dream about what happened to us, but to experience it, on our own terms, as a partner, was beyond amazing,” Taylor wrote in a message provided by Le Bon.
Touching on his own 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 the band can have and this tremendous recognition.”
Taylor joined Duran Duran in April 1980 and left in 1986 to pursue a solo career. He then rejoined in 2001 for a series of successful concerts and their 2004 album “Astronaut”, before leaving the group again in 2006.
Taylor said he was “very disappointed” to miss the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame concert, where he was scheduled to perform with the band for the first time in 16 years, and that he “bought a new guitar” for the occasion.
“I’m so proud of these four brothers, I’m amazed at their resilience and I’m overjoyed to accept this award,” Taylor said. “I have often doubted that the day would come. I sure am glad as hell to be here to see that day.”
In the letter, which was later published in full on the band’s website, Taylor said his condition was incurable but that he was receiving “sophisticated life-prolonging treatment” that had allowed him to “just rock” until recently. when he had an “attack”. .”
“Although my current condition is not directly life-threatening, there is no cure,” he said.
According to the American Cancer Society, about one in eight men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime.
Responding to Taylor’s health condition on Saturday, Le Bon said: “It’s devastating news to know and learn that a colleague… No colleague, colleague, friend, one of our family will not be around much longer. It’s absolutely devastating. We love Andy very much and you know I’m not going to stand here and cry. I don’t think that would be very appropriate, but that’s how I feel.”
Formed in 1978, Duran Duran topped the US singles chart in the 1980s with the hits “The Reflex” and “A View to a Kill”.
