Duran Duran’s guitarist Andy Taylor has been diagnosed with Stage Four four metastatic prostate cancer.
Taylor revealed he was diagnosed four years ago in a letter read by his bandmates at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Los Angeles on Saturday.
He had been due to join other members of the legendary new wave act - singer Simon Le Bon, keyboardist Nick Rhodes, bassist John Taylor and drummer Roger Taylor - but they said he had suffered a setback that would not allow him to travel to Los Angeles from his home in Ibiza.
The ceremony would have been the five-piece band from Birmingham had played together in 17 years, having last reformed for a world tour and the album Astronaut in 2004.
In his letter, Taylor wrote: “Just over four years ago I was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer.
“Many families have experienced the slow burn of this disease and of course we are no different; so I speak from the perspective of a family man but with profound humility to the band, the greatest fans a group could have and this exceptional accolade.
“I have the 'Rodgers and Edwards' of doctors and medical treatment that until very recently allowed me to just rock on.
“Although my current condition is not immediately life-threatening there is no cure.”
‘Rodgers and Edwards’ is a reference to Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards, the pop producers and founders of Chic, who worked with Duran Duran throughout their career.
He continued: “Recently I was doing OK after some very sophisticated life-extending treatment, that was until a week or so ago when I suffered a setback, and despite the exceptional efforts of my team, I had to be honest in that both physically and mentally, I would be pushing my boundaries.
“However, none of this needs to or should detract from what this band (with or without me) has achieved and sustained for 44 years."
Taylor added that he was “truly sorry and massively disappointed” he could not attend the ceremony, noting he had even bought a new guitar for the occasion, but that he was “very proud of these four brothers” and “overjoyed” they were accepting this award.
“I often doubted the day would come. I'm sure as hell glad I'm around to see the day”, he added.
The group were the first act inducted during Saturday's ceremony and took the stage by performing their 1981 hit Girls On Film.
They continued with a set that included Hungry Like The Wolf and Ordinary World before addressing Taylor's absence by reading the letter.
Also inducted during the ceremony were Lionel Richie, Pat Benatar, Eminem, Carly Simon, Eurythmics, Harry Belafonte, Judas Priest and Dolly Parton.
Duran Duran formed in Birmingham in 1978 and were one of the biggest acts of the 1980s, with hits including Rio, Wild Boys and Bond theme A View To A Kill.
