Duran Duran’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Saturday was supposed to meet with one of his former members, Andy Taylor, but he was absent due to cancer, announced by former bandmates.
During the awards ceremony in Los Angeles, Simon Le Bon, the leader of the highly successful British band from the 1980s, read a letter from Andy Taylor explaining that he had been diagnosed with stage four metastatic prostate cancer four years ago.
“Many families have experienced the slow progression of this disease and of course we are no different,” wrote Andy Taylor, who said the disease “is not immediately the [sua] life in danger” but that “there was no cure”.
“Despite the exceptional efforts of my team, I had to be honest, because I would push my limits both physically and mentally” by being present, the guitarist admitted.
“None of this should or can distract from what this band is doing, though” [com ou sem mim] achieved and maintained for 44 years,” Taylor wrote.
Speaking backstage to the press, Simon Le Bon described the news as “absolutely devastating”. “We love Andy so much,” said the singer. “I’m not going to stand here crying. I think that would be inappropriate, but that’s how we feel.”
The band severed ties with Andy Taylor in 2006, citing an “unbridgeable gulf” between him and the innovators of the New Wave.
Former member Warren Cuccurullo, who was originally scheduled to attend, was also absent from the ceremony.
Source: DN
