When Duran Duran was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on Saturday, guitarist Andy Taylor was notably absent. His bandmates learn a letter onstage, nonetheless, by which Taylor revealed to the Los Angeles crowd that he has stage 4 prostate most cancers.
“Simply over 4-years in the past I used to be recognized with stage 4 metastatic prostate most cancers,” Taylor wrote within the letter, which has since been published on Duran Duran’s website. “Many households have skilled the gradual burn of this illness and naturally we are not any totally different.”
The 61-year-old added that Duran Duran has “the best followers a gaggle might have” and referred to as the induction an “distinctive accolade.” Whereas Taylor defined that his prognosis wasn’t “instantly” life threatening, he reminded everybody that “there isn’t any remedy.”
“Not too long ago I used to be doing okay after some very subtle life extending therapy, that was till every week or so in the past after I suffered a setback,” he wrote, “and regardless of the distinctive efforts of my crew, I needed to be trustworthy in that each bodily and mentally, I might be pushing my boundaries.”
Theo Wargo by way of Getty Photographs
Lead singer Simon Le Bon learn the heartbreaking letter after opening the ceremony with a medley of Duran Duran hits together with “Women on Movie,” “Hungry Just like the Wolf” and “Bizarre World” with bandmates Nick Rhodes and Roger and John Taylor, according to Rolling Stone.
Andy Taylor joined the group in 1980 solely to exit in 1986 — and reunited with the band in 2001 solely to as soon as once more depart in 2006, according to Entertainment Weekly. He effusively chronicled within the letter how a lot the group “achieved and sustained for 44 years” and stated that “we’ve had a privileged life.”
“Let there be little doubt I used to be stoked about the entire thing, even purchased a brand new guitar with the important whammy!” Taylor wrote. “I’m so very happy 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,” Taylor added. “I’m certain as hell glad I’m round to see the day.”
The induction ceremony will likely be accessible to stream on HBO Max on Nov. 19.